Tofu Manchurian with Broccoli Macaroni

Yet another twist of the classic and ever popular - Gobi manchurian.  Made from scratch without the dreaded MSG found in pakcaged food, it can be made healthy without the guilt and the effort involved in deep frying. Of course, Gobi is replaced with Tofu and served with Macaroni. Bland tofu actually tastes very good in this dish.

Pasta and Sprouts/Spinach stir fry - Lunch box

Trying to incorporate proteins, carbs and as much nutrition as possible is the only rule I have when packing lunch box. Left over pressure cooker fusili and a sprouts, spinach stir fry seasoned with peanut chutney powder  - was my lunch today. I had refrigerated the pasta immediately after cooking the night before. By lunch time, it was at room temperature and tasted more like a pasta salad.

Picture is hazy and I finished eating before I could take another one. Recipe for the stir fry follows.

Soy Chunks Manchurian and Macaroni - Lunch Box

Fried rice style Macaroni and soya chunks manchurian for a special lunch. This was S's request for his special lunch box treat on his birthday. I packed it for my lunch too and was surprised that it tasted pretty good even when the food was luke warm. It is a pretty healthy too as no deep frying is involved.

Pressure Cooker Fusili

One pot meal that can be completed from start to finish in 20 mins with only 5 mins of prep time. Cooking pasta in a pressure cooker is not for puritans but it drastically reduces the cooking time. Can be made kid/spice/diet friendly without any additional effort. We have all the three groups represented in the house - so this gets done regularly. The glorious yellow color, not properly captured, is because of addition of turmeric powder.

Disclaimer: This method does not work for all types of pasta. At least I have not tried it.

Macaroni with Tofu and Spinach

Quick one pot meal for kids and adults too. Protein from Tofu, Spinach for vegetables, Pasta for Carbs - all in one. Time taken - 10 minutes total if you prep the vegetables while pasta is getting cooked. When cooked with oil, the pasta is equally good when cold and can be packed lunch/snack.