As adults who actively operate the kitchen space, breakfasts on most days are bound by convenience and time constraints. Ensuring that members in the household—grown-ups and children alike, get their dose of nutrition as well as food that keeps them full, means that the scope of creativity can be reduced significantly. However, for special occasions like Children’s Day, taking into consideration the joy and delight on the faces of little ones, when presented with their favourite breakfast, can be a pleasure that is precious and unmatched. Using Usha’s Infrared Cooktop to engage kids to take an interest in participating and converting a chore into a fun bonding activity, is a great way to check off the boxes where they have fun while also helping create a breakfast that celebrates them.
Egg & Cheese Sandwiches
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Put cheese in anything and children will surely eat it; and these egg-cheese sandwiches are no exception. Prepare eggs in any way that kids might enjoy to place between two slices of toasted bread, slathered with a garlic or sriracha mayo. Grate a cube of cheese or simply use a slice of cheddar or processed cheese to layer, along with any vegetables that is sure to be eaten. Think tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, bell peppers or even thin slices of carrot. Cut into two halves or four quarters, depending on how they prefer enjoying a sandwich and serve it with a side of breakfast potatoes.
Rainbow Pancakes
Regular pancakes are great, no doubt! But using natural food colouring like beetroot puree, spinach puree or even spirulina to dye regular pancake batter in bright, vibrant colours is a fun way to incorporate more nutrition into a regular breakfast plate as well as create a fun and vibrant stack of pancakes. Use an induction-friendly frying pan to spoon coin-sized portions of the batter and cook it for a couple of minutes on both sides before neatly arranging them on a plate and topping it up with fresh fruit and syrup. Serve it with a glass of chocolate milk or a healthy, fruity smoothie for a hearty and filling meal.
Breakfast Quesadilla
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This versatile recipe can basically be made in vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian variations—both just as delicious as the other. Use sliced mushrooms, cooked beans, cheese and tomatoes for the vegetarian option and scrambled eggs, sour cream, crispy bacon or chicken ham for the latter. Generously butter the tortilla blanketing the filling before toasting it in a pan until crispy on both sides and cut into triangles to serve with a deliciously creamy avocado ranch dip or a mildly spicy salsa. Allow children to build their own quesadilla with fillings that they might enjoy, and helping them transfer the tortilla pocket to the pan, as a fun way of engaging them in the process of cooking.
Masala Toast
An old-school Bombay sandwich gets a kid-friendly twist. Eliminate the sliced vegetables and simply use a lightly seasoned potato filling to add between two slices of multigrain or whole wheat bread, layered with a herby chutney and some cheese. Toast it in a generous amount of butter and serve along with some ketchup on the side. Make the sandwich a ‘sneaky veggie’ one by using a different type of chutney made using carrots or cooked pumpkin, to ensure nutrient density. For a high protein alternative, swap the potatoes for paneer bhurji or a tofu scramble.
Mini Uttapam
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If you can make these bite-sized uttapams appear like pizza in the first glance, success is yours to bask in. Whether using store-bought or homemade dosa batter, uttapams are a no-fuss breakfast that can be topped with an assortment of chopped vegetables—onions, tomatoes, capsicum, bell peppers, grated carrots, fresh coriander and even a dusting of podi. Serve alongside a tangy tomato chutney or coconut chutney, to make a winning combination. If packing a lunchbox for kids to take to school, consider adding some grated cheese or paneer on top to help lock the toppings in place.
Paratha Rolls
A great way to repurpose leftover parathas is to transform them into delicious rolls with fillings of choice. Have a potato curry from a previous meal that needs to be used up? Cubes of paneer marinated in a simple spice blend and pan-fried briefly, rajma and sauteed spinach, boiled corn, peppers and cheese—the options are endless. If kids enjoy a sweet treat for breakfast, consider layering some peanut butter, bananas and honey in the rolls or add a thick layer of small-batch preserves or chocolate spreads sweetened with jaggery.