Back to School Lunch Ideas!

For many, the day after Labor Day is the first day of school.  Back to routine, trying to drag the kids out of bed to make it to school on time and back to preparing school lunches.  I'm always in search of new and fresh ideas for school lunches and loved the idea of Meat and Cheese Sushi and Fruit Sushi for my picky eater.
I may even pack this lunch for myself!

Photo and recipe courtesy Real California Milk

9th and 7th grades

Meat and Cheese Sushi:– 2 soft taco-size flour tortillas– 2/3 cup softened cream cheese– 2 large green leaf lettuce leaves– 4 thin slices deli turkey– 4 thin slices deli ham– 4 (3 X 1/2-inch) strips Cheddar cheese– 4 (3 X 1/2-inch) strips Jack cheese– 4 green onions, trimmed to fit tortilla (use mostly green tops)Fruit Sushi:– 2 soft taco-size flour tortillas– 2/3 cup softened cream cheese, divided– 3 fruit roll ups, divided– 1 kiwi, peeled and quartered– 1 ripe mango, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch strips
Directions:  

Prep time: 15 minutes

Meat and Cheese Sushi

Place tortillas on a flat surface. Spread cream cheese evenly over tortillas and top with lettuce leaves and ham. Place cheese strips and onions on the bottom half of each tortilla and roll up tightly; press gently to compress all ingredients. Cut into 1-inch thick slices. Makes 2 large or 4 small servings.

Fruit Sushi

Place tortillas in a flat surface. Spread 1/2 of the cream cheese over tortillas and top with fruit roll ups, tearing to fit. Place fruit on the bottom half of each tortilla and roll up tightly; press gently to compress all ingredients. Cut into 1-inch thick slices. Makes 2 large or 4 small servings.

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Creamy Mole Chicken Soup

Fall is my favorite season of the year.  I love sweaters, boots, scarves, football, all things pumpkin, comfort food and the of course the beautiful weather.  Although it's STILL 90+ degrees here in Northern California and I'm just itching to wear sweaters and booties and make some soup......I just cannot do it in this HEAT!  But when it does cool down, this is the FIRST thing I'm making. 

Doesn't it look fantastic?!  I would totally scoop this with some tortilla chips.  YUM.

So for those of you in cooler climates, here's a warm and cozy comfort food recipe you can try ASAP.

Recipe courtesy California Milk Advisory Board...thank you!

Creamy Mole Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

– 3 dried pasilla chile peppers, stems and seeds removed and torn into strips– 1/3 cup raisins– 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder1 1/2 teaspoons each: chili powder and dried oregano leaves– 1 teaspoon ground cumin– 1 (32-oz.) container chicken broth, divided– 1 (14.5-oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes– 2 tablespoons California butter– 2 cups chopped onion– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes– 2 tablespoons flour1 cup each: sliced carrots, sliced celery and corn– 1 chayote squash, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch cubes– 1 (15-oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained– 7 ounces can diced green chiles– 1 cup shredded California Monterey Jack cheese– 1/2 cup light California sour cream– Crumbled California Cotija cheese, baked tortilla strips, diced avocado, fresh cilantro leaves and sliced green onions (optional toppings)
Directions:

Place dried chiles in a large saucepan and cook and stir for 2 minutes or until fragrant. Place in a blender with raisins, cocoa, spices, 2 cups broth and tomatoes; puree until smooth. Place back in saucepan. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet. Add onion and chicken and cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add flour and cook for 1 minute more. Add to stockpot with remaining broth, carrots, celery, corn, squash, beans and canned chiles. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes. Slowly add cheese, stirring constantly and cook just until melted. 

Ladle into bowls and top each serving with sour cream, crumbled Cotija and any desired toppings.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

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