PB&J again? Beat boredom with these 6 creative, kid-approved recipes

Sulhee Jessica Woo’s love speech packs lunch. Separated from her three children during school hours, she travels the area with creative makeup, cute bento boxes and sweet love notes.

It doesn’t take much to “put in the extra effort,” says Woo, a self-taught home cook and author. Let’s Make Lunch: Recipes made with love for everyonepublished this summer. But it can mean everything to someone who receives it.

Woo is known for himself lunchbox prep videos on TikTok, where she has nearly 6 million followers. Her first cookbook is a collection of 150 globally inspired, kid-approved recipes, including rose-shaped Korean mandu, paneer tikka masala and Hot Cheeto mozzarella sticks.

If you’re wondering how to skip packing your child’s lunch during the morning rush, Woo has got you covered. Here are six quick meals you can whip up in less than 30 minutes — that’ll be a nice change of pace from the usual PB&J.

French sausage roll-ups

Breakfast for lunch is a Woo family tradition, and this creative take on classic French toast is perfect for packing in a bento box. Flatten your bread, stuff it with sausage, roll it up and toast it like regular French toast,” says Woo. Have fun with the toppings. Powdered sugar, sprinkles, maple syrup, honey or fresh fruit all add color, texture and crunch.

Turkey, avocado and cheese pinwheels

Place slices of turkey, cheese and avocado in a large flour tortilla. Sprinkle with ranch dressing. Finish hard, sit in the fridge for five minutes to harden, then pour over the pinwheels. Woo likes to pack this when mornings are busy but she still wants to take her kids to school with something fun and exciting.

Customize the packaging based on what is in your fridge. Add lettuce, tomatoes, spinach, peppers or whatever produce you have on hand.

Pepperoni and mushroom pizzas

Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce on top of the flour tortilla. Top with sliced ​​mushrooms and sliced ​​pepperoni, then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

Roll the tortillas tightly, place seam-side down on a baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are browned. Let your roll-ups sit until the cheese has cooled, then cut into pieces for easy folding and eating. Woo takes this dish with him a bite of caprese salad.

Cucumber toast

Mix the cream cheese with a little lemon juice, fresh dill, salt and pepper. Spread the smooth mixture on the toasted bread. Use a vegetable peeler to make thin slices of cucumber, then spread them on the bread. Garnish with fresh dill, black pepper and small carrots and pepper flowers (you can use sweet. food structure builder to make these shapes).

Mozzarella, tomato and spinach pesto panini

This sandwich can be eaten hot or cold, making it a great option for lunches that won’t be eaten until a few hours into the school day. Spread the pesto on a loaf of ciabatta bread in half lengthwise. Then put the spinach, tomatoes and mozzarella on the bottom. Bake the sandwich in a panini press, griddle or grill until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Woo likes to serve the panini with berries and toasted pecans.

Cucumber veggie rolls with peanut dipping sauce

Cut two large cucumbers in half. Using an apple corer, remove the center of the cucumber. Fill the hollowed cucumbers with avocado slices, red bell pepper, yellow pepper and carrot until they are filled to the brim. Cut your vegetable-filled cucumbers into half-inch rounds and serve them chilled in peanut soup.

Peanut dipping sauce: In a bowl, whisk together half a cup of peanut butter, one-fourth cup of soy sauce, one-fourth cup of rice vinegar, two tablespoons of honey, -two cloves of garlic and one teaspoon of sesame oil. Transfer the sauce to a saucepan and simmer over low heat for one minute. While whisking continuously, slowly pour in the warm water by the fourth cup of warm water and simmer until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.

Balance meals with healthy snacks

Combine your food groups with other snacks. Throw in beef jerky, pistachios or hard-boiled eggs for protein; slices of green pepper, edamame or kimchi for vegetables; or apples, bananas or kumquats for fruit. You can also add anything in your pantry, such as animal crackers, seafood or pomegranate seeds.

And don’t forget to write a little love note

Woo shares his favorite message: “I love you with all my heart. I would say my heart, but my stomach is bigger.

The digital story is edited by Malaka Gharib. Visual editor is Beck Harlan.

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