Yellow Sponge Cake

Ingredients:

1. All Purpose flour - 1/2 cup
2. Sugar -1/2 cup
3. Baking powder -1 tsp
4. Baking soda -1/4 tsp
5. Eggs - 2
6. Unsalted butter - 1/2 cup (1 stick)
7. Vanilla extract -1/4 tsp
8. Salt - a pinch
9. Orange juice - 2 tbsps (optional)

Method: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

1. Add eggs, butter, sugar, salt, vanilla extract in a bowl beat them well these are the wet ingredients.
2. In another bowl swift the flour, baking powder, baking soda these are the dry ingredients.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients little at a time.
4. Mix them well.
5. Add orange juice (optional).
6. Grease the cake pan.
7. Pour the batter into the pan.
8. Bake them for about 25 to 30 mins, until the tooth pick comes out clean when poked in the middle.

In Microwave oven:

1. Pour the batter into a microwave safe cake pan or bowl.
2. Bake them for about 5 to 7 mins, until the tooth pick comes out clean when poked in the middle.

Note:Orange juice actually adds flavour. You can add any citrus juice.

Lemon Pasta

Ingredients:

1. Whole wheat pasta - 1/2 box
2. Salt - 1/4 tsp
3. Red chilli flakes - 1/4 tsp
4. Parsley - 1 tbsp
5. Lemon juice - 1/4 cup.
6. Garlic - 2 cloves, chopped
7. Olive oil - 1 tbsp

Method :

1. Cook the past a as per the instructions on the box, it should have a little bite to the tooth.
2. In a frying pan, add Olive oil, Garlic, and red chilli flakes.
3. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan.
4. Turn of the stove, add lemon juice, salt and parsley.
5. Stir and Cover them for 5 mins. To let the pasta absorb the juices.

Note:

This serves 2 person. For side dish, any stir-fry can be used.

Broccoli Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

1. Olive oil - 2 tbsps
2. Salt -1/4 tsp
3. Pepper - 1 tsp
4. Broccoli - 2 heads

Method:

1. Heat oil in a frying pan. Cut the brocolli florets.
2. Put them in the pan.
3. Season them with salt and pepper. Stir and cover them.
4. Cook them in medium heat.
5. Open the pan, insert a fork into one of the stems. If it's tender, it's done else leave it for 5 more mins.

Notes:

This Serves 2 person.

This broccoli stir-fry is good with lemon pasta. Instead of broccoli , Asparagus and brussel sprouts can also be used. Brussel sprouts should be cut lengthwise for this recipe. For Asparagus, hold one and snap the end, the wooden part breaks and use the rest of it.

"Orange" Juice

Ingredients:

1. Orange Juice - 3/4 cup
2. Carrot Juice - 1/4 cup

Method:

You can buy or prepare both the juices separately. Mix them in a container, refrigerate and serve.

Kids who hates to eat or drink vegetables will never know there is a vegetable in it.

Spaghetti and Peanut Butter

I know the following recipe sounds weird until you try it! Kids love them.

Ingredients:

1. Whole wheat Spaghetti - 1/4 box
2. Smuckers natural Peanut butter - 1 tbsp
3. Pepper - 1/4 tsp
4. Salt - to taste.
5. Cooking oil - 1/4 tsp.
6. Frozen chopped spinach or finely shredded carrot - 1 tbsp

Method:

1. Cook Spaghetti as per the instruction in the box.
2. Cook spinach or carrot in a microwave safe bowl by adding just a tbsp of water for 1 minute.
3. Drain the spaghetti with little starchy water in it.
4. Add the peanut butter, salt, pepper, cooking oil, Spinach or Carrot when the spaghetti is hot.
5. Close it for five minutes, let it all get mixed.
6. Ready to eat.

Note:
This is not for kids with peanut allergy.This is an excellent meal for the kids who love peanuts. Carrot or spinach is good to add, since they never change the taste. Instead of pepper you can add "Curry Leaf powder" or "Sambar powder" or "Garam masala powder".