Packed Lunch Ideas for Your Children’s Summer Activities

What are delicious packed lunch ideas that are perfect for your children’s summer activities?

1. Fish Cake Patty
2. Mashed Potato with Sardines
3. Spaghetti with Sardines
4. Tuna Cheesies

Summertime means endless playtime for most kids. After all, it is when they absolutely don’t have any school to attend to. They could spend their entire afternoon out with their friends without worrying about finishing their homework.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that they no longer need some nourishment. Go ahead and take out some Spanish sardines and make some recipes to create fun dishes for their packed lunch and snacks. While you’re at it, bring out some canned vegetables to turn their meals into healthy little feasts.

Here are a few recipes you could try out:

Fish Cake Patty

Eating fish and veggies is probably the last thing on your kids’ list, but once they get a taste of this delicious and nutrient-packed dish, then they will change their minds about it.

Even the pickiest eaters will agree that this is an excellent recipe all by itself. This will be the perfect lunch idea for your kids on their basketball practice or swimming lessons.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans Spanish-style Sardines
• 3 medium white potatoes
• 1 egg
• 2 onions
• A handful coriander
• 1 tsp. salt
• Pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil, for cooking

Directions:

1. Dice the potatoes into medium sized chunks and then set them to boil in water until soft (boil for around 10 – 15 minutes).
2. On the side, finely chop the onions and fresh coriander and set aside.
3. Add sardines to a large mixing bowl and use a fork to break apart and mash the sardines until there are no large pieces.
4. Once your potatoes are done, put them in a separate bowl and mash with a fork.
5. Add the mashed potato to the sardines and combine them well. Then, add the egg, onions, coriander, salt, and pepper.
6. Form the fish cake patties and then set aside on a plate. You may also add a tablespoon of cornstarch or flour to help the patties stay together.
7. In a large pan, add a tablespoon of coconut oil and bring to a medium heat before frying your patties. Cook for a few minutes per side and turn them carefully.
8. Pack with rice or serve it between hamburger buns.

Mashed Potato with Sardines

Potatoes are one of the vegetables that children can’t get enough of. This is the main attraction for this dish—meaning they won’t be able to resist it.

Here is a recipe that combines it with sardines in natural oil, which will give them a healthy dose of carbohydrates and omega-3 for their fun-filled summer:

Ingredients:

• 1 can Sardines in Natural Oil
• 200g potatoes
• 1 can Green Peas

Directions:

1. Peel, chop, and boil potatoes
2. Steam green peas. You may also add other vegetables like carrots, broccoli, or onions.
3. Drain the spuds. Add the sardines in natural oil and mash as normal and stir in the veggies.

Spaghetti with Sardines

It would be hard work to introduce an alternative to the tomato sauce clad and hotdog adorned spaghetti that the kids love.

With a little encouragement, they’ll for sure try this spaghetti. In no time, they’ll be asking for it instead.

Ingredients:

• 2 large ripe tomatoes
• 1 can Sardines in Tomato Sauce
• 300 grams (11 ounces) dried whole-wheat spaghetti
• 1 or 2 cans Green Peas
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup finely grated cheese (recommended: ricotta salata)

Directions:

1. Halve and seed the tomatoes and then place in a blender. Add the entire contents of the sardine can and blend until super smooth. If needed, add a splash of water to loosen the mixture.
2. Cook the spaghetti in a large saucepan of boiling salted water.
3. Reserving a cupful of cooking water, drain the spaghetti. Return the pasta and all the canned vegetables to the pan and toss with the sardine sauce.
4. Season to perfection with salt and pepper. Add the cheese afterward.

Tuna Cheesies

Cheese is another thing kids find enticing. Also, the great thing about it is that it is filled with calcium they could use while playing outside. Mix it with tuna, then your children will surely have some nutritious lunch waiting for them.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans Tuna Flakes in Oil
• 6 slices of tomatoes
• 6 slices of cheese
• 3 split pandesal or burger buns
• ¼ cup chopped yellow bell pepper
• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 1/3 cup chopped celery
• ¾ tsp. chopped garlic
• ¾ tsp. chopped onion
• ¾ tsp. salt
• Mayonnaise, to taste
• Butter, to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 175 degrees C.
2. Place the tuna flakes in a bowl. Mix in the garlic, onion, salt, and mayonnaise. Then add and stir in yellow bell pepper, onion, and celery.
3. On a baking sheet, place your split pandesal or burger buns.
4. Bake them for about 3 minutes.
5. Place some of the tuna mixture atop each bun. Then, add cheese.
6. Bake them for about 8 minutes. Top with a slice of tomato afterward.

Key Takeaway

These yummy and healthy packed lunch ideas are sure to give your kids the energy boost they need to be active in their fun summer sports or getaways. With quick and easy cooking procedures, this is also perfect for on-the-go moms, who have their own summer activities as well.