I fell into a snack and lunch slump. This realization hit me hard between the eyes because of the following conversation I had with the Lil Man.

Me: What would you like to have for lunch today?
LM: Mac and Cheese
Me: I haven’t made any and we don’t have any Annie’s. Any other ideas?
LM: A quesadilla
Me: Well, we don’t have any tortillas. Anything else?
LM: Grilled cheese sandwich.
Me: Ya, it is time for us to change things up.

I realized I was stuck in a cheese rut. This wasn’t my usual MO, but we were in it and we were in it deep. I looked inside my fridge and one of the veggie compartments was filled with 3 different bags of cheese, plus two bricks. Yikes.

New day. New leaf. I have approximately 6 pounds of quinoa sitting in my pantry and I need to use it. We tried these quinoa bites today and the Lil Man suggested that we call them “Num Nums”. Alrighty then. He ate 6 and Lil Miss ate 2. I consider that a success.

The veggies combinations you can add in are numerous. I used kale, broccoli, and carrots. Other options might be peas, squash, spinach, chard, corn, or cauliflower. This is an easy way to use those leftover veggies from dinner the night before.

I served them up with some apple rings (use an apple corer to take out the core and then slice into thin slices). The kids ate two apples worth and had fun pretending they had apple eyes, apple ears, and apple noses. Who knew that cutting the fruit a different way would make it a renewed hit?

So here you go…ENJOY!

Print

Quinoa Veggie Bites

Course Snack

Keyword gluten free, kid-friendly cooking

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 24 bites

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup quinoa
• 1 cup water
• olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups of finely chopped veggies
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons flour All purpose or GF
• 1/2 tsp curry
• kosher salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325.
• Put water and quinoa into a saucepan. Bring to a boil and keep covered for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and remove from heat.
• Grease a mini muffin pan with olive oil.
• In a bowl, combine all ingredients, except for salt and pepper. Mix well.
• Using a tablespoon, fill mini muffin pan cups. Press contents firmly into the base of the pan. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the top.
• Bake for 15 minutes. To remove from pan, use a butter knife to slide around the edges if there is any sticking. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or plain!

Notes

Makes 24 bites

TAKE A PEEK AT MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS IN THE KITCHEN

The post Quinoa Veggie Bites – Superfood Snack for Kids first appeared on BonBon Break.

ABOUT THE EDUCATORS’ SPIN ON IT: Kim Vij is an early childhood educator and mom of three. She shares her “Educator’s Spin” on parenting issues and how to make everyday moments into learning opportunities at The Educators’ Spin On It and award winning Pinterest Boards. Follow Kim on Pinterest| Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |Google +

Click to see more from The Educator’s Spin On It or the Playroom

The post Fourth of July Snack Idea for Kids first appeared on BonBon Break.

What I love the most about these chocolate peanut butter apple bites is that they’re single serving sized….or could be single serving sized. I’m not a big dessert eater, but I do enjoy a bite-sized sweet treat after dinner. I tend to buy dessert options that are individually wrapped, and mini, not only to control my portion size, but also reduce my temptation. These apples are the homemade variety of that.

Sure, you could easily take down 2 or 3 slices, but if you cut the apple to be exactly enough for your family then everyone can have a sweet treat, and you won’t have a ton sitting around afterwards tempting you to eat more.

Unless, of course, it’s one of “those days.” You know the ones. The alarm doesn’t go off, the kids spill a gallon of milk all over the kitchen floor, everyone is late, your boss is making unrealistic demands, the dog chews up the remote, and the dishwasher goes on the fritz. If it’s one of those days then by all means, make a whole chocolate peanut butter apple with maple pecan granola all for yourself, and eat it alone hiding in the laundry room. You earned it, and you shouldn’t feel guilty because after all, there’s fruit and grains so it’s good for you, right?

CHECK OUT MORE RECIPES IN THE KITCHEN

 PIN CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER APPLE BITES FOR LATER:

The post Chocolate Peanut Butter Apple Bites with Toasted Maple Pecan Granola first appeared on BonBon Break.