FIRESTONE, Colorado, July 27, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — With the start of the new school year right around the corner, keeping kids alert in the classroom can be a cinch if they have fun, good-for-you lunches and snacks to eat during their busy day. To help parents start planning for back-to-school, the National Honey Board (NHB) has partnered with Oriana Romero, recipe developer, food stylist, and author of the food and photography blog, www.mommyshomecooking.com, to share scrumptious, child approved and easy-to-make lunch box recipes prepared with a back-to-basic ingredient that parents can feel good about feeding their kids: honey!
As a mother of three, Romero understands firsthand the importance of packing tasty and easy lunch box meals, all made with natural ingredients that parents will enjoy preparing and kids will love eating while away at school. “As a parent, I know that a delicious and wholesome lunch is essential fuel my kids need mid-day while away at school to be alert and ready to learn,” says the Venezuelan-born Romero. “Honey is a fantastic back-to-school ingredient because it complements both sweet and savory lunch options and gives them unbeatable flavor while powering kids up in a natural way that parents can feel good about.”
All of Romero’s lunch box dishes and snacks have a creative touch by incorporating versatile honey as the key natural energizing ingredient, taking these mouthwatering ideas to another level of deliciousness and perfect for young palates.
Exclusively available on mielpura.org, two of Romero’s innovative “Golden Path to Back-to-School” recipes are:
Honey Chia Seed Pudding
Kids will love its flavor and texture! You can also add home-made honey granola.
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons honey
2 cups coconut milk
6 tablespoons chia seeds
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh berries
Preparation:
Combine the coconut milk, chia seeds, vanilla and honey in a medium bowl. Mix well until the honey has dissolved. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferable overnight.
Stir well and divide the pudding into individual portions.
Serve with fresh berries. Add granola, if desired.
Honey Wheat Pretzel Rolls
These Honey Wheat Pretzel Rolls will be a fun twist on school lunches. Fill them with cheese, ham, tuna salad, egg salad, etc. Your kids will thank you!
Makes 12 rolls
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons honey
1 1/3 cup warm whole milk (about 110° F)
1 cup warm water (about 110° F)
2 ¼ teaspoons yeast
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
Egg wash or milk for brushing
Sesame seeds (optional)
Pretzel salt or coarse sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)
Preparation:
Combine milk, water, yeast, and honey in the bowl of a stand mixer. Let sit 5 to 10 minutes until mixture is foamy. Add butter and set aside.
Mix flours and salt in a big bowl.
Add slowly the flour mixture to the milk-yeast mixture with mixer running on low (hook attachment) until the dough pulls away from the bottom of the bowl and a dough forms. knead dough on low speed for 3-5 minutes until smooth and pliable.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let rise for 2 hours at room temperature.
Dust your work surface with a little flour and turn the risen dough out on top. Divide the dough into 16 pieces. To shape into rolls, roll the dough against the counter until round.
Place the balls on a lightly greased baking sheet, cover, and let rest for 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 425º F.
Brush each roll generously with whole milk or egg wash, then sprinkle with sesame seeds and pretzel salt, if desired.
Bake 20 minutes until rolls are golden brown and baked through. Remove them from the oven, and transfer to a rack to cool.
Not only is honey a natural and easy ingredient to prepare kids’ favorite lunch box meals, but it’s also a fun opportunity for kids to help their parents in the kitchen. Discover the inspiring possibilities of honey and the “Golden Path to Back-to-School” recipes visiting mielpura.org.
About the National Honey Board
The National Honey Board is an industry-funded agriculture promotion group that works to educate consumers about the benefits and uses for honey and honey products through research, marketing and promotional programs. For more information, visit honey.com
