We do not just want our children to be happy with the meal we prepare for school, we also want them to eat well and healthy! Try making these easy meals.

Healthy Burger

Ingredients (for 4 burgers)

½ kg ground pork 

5 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 garlic clove, crushed

1⁄2 cup onion, diced

1⁄2 tbsp dried basil

1⁄2 tbsp salt (you can use alternatively, your favorite BBQ seasoning)

Method: 

Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl and let the mix refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Then press the mixture into 4 patties. 

You can cook your patties in many ways. First of all you can cook them in the outside grill, for 5-10 minutes each (depending on how you like them). You can also cook them in a pan with just a tablespoon of olive oil, again for 5-10 minutes depending on how you like them.

Serve on a bun with a thick slice of tomato, some lettuce and if you wish, a slice of cheese!

Healthy Sandwich

The sandwich for the school break will be more enjoyable to your child if you assembly it together or choose together the ingredients she/like it, as long as they add a nutritious value! You can follow these 4 steps:

A. Selection of Bread. From Cypriot pitta, wrap, bagel, Cypriot village bread, baguette to multigrain, the choices are many!

B. Selection of spread. You can choose, for example, a good quality butter, guacamole, pesto, creamy cheese, hummus and peanut butter. The point is even the spread to add some nutrients in the sandwich.

C. Selection of vegetable. This is a good opportunity for your children to learn that vegetables, other than very healthy, make the sandwich more delicious. Choose from carrots, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, cabbage and so on. If you like tomato, you can make a homemade salsa using the following easy recipe.

Homemade salsa

Ingredients (for 6 portions)

2 cups chopped tomatoes

¼ cup chopped red onion

2 tbsp fresh lime juice

2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

2 cloves garlic pealed

1 tsp salt

Method:

Combine tomatoes, red onion, lime juice, cilantro, garlic and salt in a food processor. Pulse processor until mixture is combined, yet remains chunky. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

D. Selection of fruits or proteins. This is the most important element in the sandwich and which will keep your child healthy. It can range from pork, chicken or turkey breast, eggs, cheese (haloumi, feta, anari etc.), tuna, to some kind of fruit (e.g. the banana is combined with peanut butter) or even their favorite jam.

Healthy Chicken meatballs

Ingredients (4 portions)

500 gr. lean ground chicken

2 cups baby spinach

3 garlic cloves, minced

Olive oil

1 large egg, lightly beaten

3/4 cup bread crumbs (preferably, whole-grain)

¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled

1 tbsp fresh basil leaves, finely chopped

Salt, Pepper

Method:

Preheat oven to 250°C. Mist a large baking dish with olive oil cooking spray.

In a steamer basket over simmering water to medium, steam baby spinach until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Let cool, squeeze out water and chop.

In a large bowl, combine lean ground chicken, minced garlic cloves, lightly beaten large egg, whole-grain bread crumbs, crumbled feta cheese, finely chopped fresh basil leaves, salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste, and spinach; mix well to combine. Using your hands, form 12 balls.

Transfer to baking dish and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown and cooked inside.