3 Quick, healthy & easy dinners for kids

We all have days when cooking an elaborate meal is out of bounds yet we do not want to opt for takeaways or eat outside. Putting together a dinner need not take up a lot of time if you have the right ingredients at home. Easy dinners for kids have never been simpler, especially with things available at a moment’s notice.

3 Easy dinners for kids: Super fast & tasty!

Recipe for Dal Methi

Preparation steps 

The goodness of the greens and proteins combine to nourish your soul, especially on rainy days. Eaten with rice, this is a complete meal in itself that’s yummy and quick to prepare.

1. In a pressure cooker, heat ghee, add jeera, ginger green chilly paste, and tomato. Cook till ghee separates.
2. Add methi and spices and saute for couple of mins
3. Add dal and water and pressure cook for 5 mins.(not more than 1 whistle)
4. Add lemon juice and water if needed. Serve with rice and/or chapati.

Preparation time: 15 mins | Cooking time: 20 mins | Serves: 2

Recipe for Pesto Pasta

Preparation steps 

Bored of the usual white or red based pastas? Try pesto pasta. The parsley and basil lend a fresh flavour and kids would love their pastas in green colour too!

1. In a pressure cooker, add pasta, water, 1 tsp salt and few drops of olive oil. Cook for 4-5 mins (1 whistle). If using wheat pasta, cook for 3-4 mins more.
2. Open the cooker after 5-7 mins and sieve. Can add 6-7 ice cubes to avoid pasta sticking to each other.
3. In a pan or Kadhai, heat oil and add veggies. Saute at medium till veggies are half cooked. Add pesto and spices, mix well
4. Add pasta, cheese (don’t use pizza cheese as it will make the pasta lumpy) , and mix.

Tip: You can freeze pesto in an ice tray sealed with plastic wrap. Frozen pesto cubes can be transferred to a ziplock bag.

Preparation time: 20 mins | Cooking time: 20 mins | Serves: 4 

Recipe for Wheat Sooji (semolina) Uttapam

Preparation steps

Wheat sooji is a very versatile ingredient in your kitchen and can be used in various preparations apart from a upma or a halwa. This Uttapam recipe that creatively uses semolina can be made in a jiffy and is extremely tasty too.

1. Add curd and 1/2 cup water in sooji and let it rest for 15 mins
2. Add all remaining ingredients with tadka and water as needed to make medium consistency batter
3. Spread and pour ghee or oil and pan roast on both sides
4. Serve with coconut chutney or podi

Tip: Wheat bran also can be added for extra fibre.

Preparation time: 15 mins | Cooking time: 5-7 mins | Serves: 6 small uttapams

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