Kids Special: Indian Vegetarian Bento Box # 1

My little one starts preschool this year. I am excited as well as apprehensive as a mother of a picky eater. To pack a healthy smorgasbord of food, I thought of creating Bento Boxes.

I love the concept of Bento Box. It's colourful, playful and fun to eat. Most bentos have a meat component and some have a rice ball, I wanted an Indian bento with Indian snacks. So these Indian Vegetarian Bento Box combinations came into being. Here are a few pointers I followed to create them:

- Bento boxes have small portions of 

1. Protein
2. Carbohydrates
3. Fruits
4. Vegetables / Snacks

- Play around to fit your child's likes best. My bento boxes here are centred around a main component which is usually a carb or a carb/protein hybrid. I have not included raw veggies, except cucumbers. Vegetables are of the hidden kind. There is a lot of fruit and typically one snack. 

- My criteria was to put 3 things in the box which my child likes and take a risk with the fourth hoping that being convinced by a teacher was more effective.

- Pack to fit portions which don't spill. I use silicone containers to put separate items in the same box. Mixed up spilt bentos are not pretty moreover my child won't eat food that touches another.

- Do not pack large portions, however include a little extra in case they want to share with a friend :)

Indian Vegetarian Bento Box # 1

Khaman Dhokla with Rajgira Chikki, Pomegranate and Cucumbers

1. Protein - Dhokla
2. Carbohydrates - Dhokla and Chikki
3. Fruit - Pomegranate
4. Vegetable - Cucumber

Here is the recipe for Khaman Dhokla. I have included a small spoon for the pomegranates. To add color to the box I have paired the yellow/green dhokla with the red of the fruit. You can put strawberries or watermelon as well. 

I hope this first Bento gives you a start in packing a tiffin for your preschooler / toddler. 

There are 7 more Bentos to come this month along with tiffin snacks. Stay tuned!