Home Get Involved Supporters Forum Expert Advice Press Competitions Register Links Contact Accesskeys

Back From School

Teatime - Sponsored by Betty Crocker betty crocker logo

blueberry muffinsPlan ahead and you can greet hungry kids home from school with tasty and nutritious treats.

It's a truth, universally acknowledged, that a child home from school must be in want of a snack. Children always seem ravenous at the end of the school day. So it's understandable when the easy response is to hand over a packet of crisps or snack.

However, with a little bit of planning, and some cunning store cupboard basics at your disposal, it's easy to whip up some nutritious snacks that will keep the kids and Jamie Oliver happy!

Ham & Cheese Bake

Make this base dough ahead of time so you can add in the ham and onion mix at the last minute when the kids are in from school for a tasty treat on cold winter nights.

Ingredients:
250g/9oz Betty Crocker Bisquick All Purpose Baking Mix
80 ml/2½ fl oz milk
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
300g/12oz cooked ham cut into cubes
4 spring onions sliced
1 small red pepper, chopped
3 tbsp cream
100g/4oz grated cheese (Gruyere or Cheddar)

Method:
Preheat oven to 200°C/Gas Mark 8.
Grease bottom and sides of a pan 33 x 23 x 5cm / 13" x 9"x2".
Stir Bisquick All Purpose Baking Mix, mustard and milk until soft dough forms; press onto bottom of pan. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until crust is golden brown.
Mix ham, onions, pepper and cream and spread over crust.
Sprinkle with cheese.
Bake uncovered 6 to 8 minutes until mixture is hot and cheese is melted.

*For fan oven, refer to manufacturer's instructions.

Blueberry Oat Muffins

blueberry oat muffinsPerfect for making ahead of time, these muffins are packed with fibre and fruit for nippers with the nibbles.

Ingredients:
160ml/5¼ fl oz milk
55g/1¾ oz brown sugar
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 egg
260g/9 oz Betty Crocker Bisquick All Purpose Baking Mix
25g/1 oz quick-cooking oats
150g/6 oz fresh or frozen blueberries

Method:
Preheat oven to 200°C/Gas Mark 6. Grease bottoms only of 12 medium muffin cups or place paper muffin cases in muffin tins.
Mix the milk, brown sugar, oil and egg in a large bowl.
Stir in the Bisquick All Purpose Baking Mix and oats until just moistened. Fold in the blueberries.
Divide the mixture evenly between the muffin cups.
Bake for 20 - 22 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from the baking tin and cool on a wire rack.

*For fan oven, refer to manufacturer's instructions.

Snack Stand-bys

Keep a selection of these in your cupboard for healthy snacks at short notice.

Krisprolls and other crackers - slices of cheese on top will keep kids happy 'till suppertime.
Bananas - the original fast food.
Pittabreads - serve with cream cheese, or peanut butter, or hummus.
Yoghurt Potatoes - jacket potatoes are a perfect stand-by supper.
Crudites - fingers of raw vegetables will keep the hunger pangs at bay.

Tasty Tip:

betty crocker cake mixesEasy to prepare packet mixes such as Betty Crocker's Bisquick or Blueberry Muffin Mix can be a godsend to the busy parent. Make sure you have some in your cupboard for school day stand-bys.

Click here for the Betty Crocker homepage and inspirational recipes
betty crocker logo

 

 

 

Betty Crocker and associated words and designs are trademarks of General Mills © 2006.