Fun lunchbox fare

Playgroup Granola Bars

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar

• 1/2 cup wheat germ

• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 3/4 cup raisins (optional)

• 3/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup honey

• 1 egg, beaten

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, raisins and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix well using your hands. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.

3. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting, or they will be too hard to cut.

Lunch Box Pita Pockets

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup deli ham or turkey, chopped

• 1/2 cup shredded lettuce

• 1/4 cup shredded carrot

• 1/4 cup Ranch dressing

• 1 pita bread round, cut in half

Directions

1. Place ham, lettuce, and carrot in a resealable plastic bag. Pour Ranch dressing into a small resealable container. Wrap the pita bread in plastic wrap. Pack the ham mixture, Ranch dressing, and pita bread along with a spoon in a lunch box or bag until lunch time.

2. Kids can sssemble pita pocket, right at the lunch table, by spooning the ham or turkey mixture into each pita half and drizzling the Ranch dressing on top.

Mini Lunch Box Pizzas

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup broccoli florets

• 1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated biscuits

• 1/2 cup pizza sauce

• 1 cup chopped pepperoni

• 3/4 cup shredded Italian cheese blend

Directions

1. Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add broccoli, cover, and steam until tender, 2 to 6 minutes. Chop broccoli finely.

2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

3. Press each biscuit into a nonstick muffin cup.

4. Mix pizza sauce and broccoli together. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the sauce over each biscuit. Top with pepperoni and shredded cheese.

5. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 10 to 13 minutes.

Can be kept in a lunch box for a few hours and eaten at room temperature.

Lunch Box Hot Hot Dogs

Ingredients

• 1 all-beef hot dog

• 1 hot dog bun

• 1 packet ketchup

• 1 packet prepared yellow mustard

• 2 tablespoons shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Prepare your child's lunch box by packing the hot dog bun, ketchup, mustard and Cheddar cheese.

2. Preheat your child's insulated beverage container by filling with boiling water. Let stand for 15 to 20 minutes. Right before your child leaves, dump out that water and replace with more boiling water. The preheating keeps it hot for a longer time. Place a hot dog into the water and close the lid.

3. When your child is ready for lunch, they can take the hot hot dog out of the container and place it on the bun. Top with ketchup, mustard and cheese to make a hot lunch from home.

Courtesy allrecipes.com