Plant-based and vegetarian options for school kids don’t have to be boring. With winter on the way this is a great opportunity to experiment with delicious and nutritious vegetable soups, stews and other warming menu items.
Mexican-Style Soup
Soups are a winter go-to, and while the traditional flavours like hearty vegetable and potato and leek go down well, it’s sometimes nice to spice things up a little (but only a little).
This is a great recipe for older school kids, giving them a little taste of another cultures cuisine. This recipe is also one that tastes even better the next day, so it is perfect for preparing in advance.
Warm and delicious, the vegetables, cumin and smoky paprika come together in minutes with a slight heat that won’t be too overwhelming to younger eaters. Plus, the colour is eye-watering.
Serve with natural corn chips or toasted tortilla pieces.
Falafel Stuffed Pita Pockets or Flatbread
Falafel is a great meat alternative and the subtle spices are deliciously warming on wintery days. This is another dish that introduces students to flavours they may not have tried before.
Pita pockets, wraps or flatbread can be stuffed and either served fresh, or toasted to make them even more appealing on those colder days. Traditional dairy ingredients such as cheese and yoghurt sauce can either be swapped for plant-based alternatives, or for creamy guacamole.
While felafel is often traditionally deep-fried, baking felafel into small ball or patties makes for a healthy option.
Winter Roast Veggie Salad
There is such a great array of vegetables available at this time of year, and the fantastic mix of vibrant colours created by a roast veggie salad is enough to convert even the most veggie-shy child.
Not all roast vegetables are appealing to children, for younger kids, stick with just two or three different vegetable (potatoes, carrots - great for colour, and kumara, for example)
This dish is great served on its own, but you can also bulk it out with some wholegrain pasta for a larger dish for older students, or use the veggies to stuff a pita or wrap.
Kids, just like the rest of us, eat with their eyes, so making sure lunch menu items are as appealing to look at as they are to eat is important.
