When you have a toddler at home, it is a big challenge for parents in all aspects. I take it positively. The more they challenge you, the more they are challenging their own cognitive system. They can remember things very well, even the names of their favorite foods. Therefore, making their food choices is a real challenge. They remember what they had had, when you were on a vacation two weeks ago & they start demanding the specific food at home or when you pass by restaurant / similar food outlet chain. They even remember the cabinet where you keep their favorite food items in the kitchen. One moment they are playing & suddenly they come to you & demand something. (And let me tell you, most of the times it is something that you do not want to give them frequently like Chocolate or chips etc. OR it is not a right time for that food for example, when you are preparing lunch, they'll ask for their favorite snack).

The same thing happened yesterday. While I was in my kitchen, thinking about evening snack for my two years old, and he came and said, " ??...??? ????? .. ?????? ??" (Mom, I am hungry, give me a chocolate)  ... (Recently, we had vacations in Switzerland & Belgium and he remembers it very well that we have chocolates at home  )

OMG... Now what .... what to do..???? I do not want to give him a chocolate..  ...IDEA...  

THAT is what I am going to share with you. A quick recipe of what I did then....  [I even carry this with me while shopping or on a day trip. You never know when and where these kids will demand something to munch in.]

Recipe 1-  Groundnut Laddu - a super-quick recipe

Ingredients (for two small laddus)

Roasted groundnut powder - 2 tablespoons

Grated jaggery (???/????) - 1 teaspoon

Ghee - Half teaspoon or as needed (If jaggery is soft, even less ghee would suffice to ensure homogeneity of the mixture)

Cardamom powder- 1 pinch

Procedure:

Mix the above ingredients to form a homogeneous mixture and make laddus (a size of a chocolate ball). For added benefits, you can even add dry-fruit powder to the mixture.

Really a simple and quick recipe... right??? It can come handy when you have a lot to do, but have no time for a fancy recipe. I know they are not chocolates & your kiddo knows it very well. But you can always tell them "We do not have chocolates, but I made laddu for you. They are your favorite ones." If your kiddo loves laddu (most of the kids do), this trick will definitely work. They are healthy power packs of nutrients for your toddlers.

Note:

Store them at cool dry place in an air-tight container or in a refrigerator to store for longer period (and to prevent them from getting rancid).

Nutritional benefits:

• Power pack of nutrients & energy
• No refined sugar
• Source of protein, iron & trace minerals

Recipe 2 - Dry-fruit Laddu or Rolls

Ingredients: (for 8-10 rolls)

1 cup seedless dates (I am taking a 100 ml measuring cup)

1/2 cup mixture of your favorite dry-fruits like almond, cashew nut, walnuts etc. (roughly chopped. If you are giving these to your toddlers- make it into a powder)  

2  teaspoons ghee

1 pinch cardamom powder

Procedure:

Take one and a half teaspoon ghee in a non-stick pan. Add seedless dates & roast them till they are soft. Add the dry-fruits & cardamom powder & immediately turn off the heat. Mix the ingredients well. Take the mixture in a plate. Let it cool down for some time. When it is warm (the temperature you can handle to make laddus with your hands - but make sure that it is not completely cold) make laddus or rolls. OR you can even make it into burfis - just grease the plate / tray with ghee & remove the mixture from the pan to a plate. Spread it evenly in the plate with the help of spatula when hot. When warm, cut into square pieces & cool it down.

Note:

Store them at a cool dry place in an air-tight container or in a refrigerator to store for longer period (to prevent them from getting rancid). Remember that when you keep them in a refrigerator, they can get chewy, hence won't be a good option for toddlers.

Nutritional benefits:

• Power pack of nutrients & energy
• No added sugar
• Source of iron, protein, vitamins & trace minerals

Both these the recipes are really good options (even for adults) as an 'on the go' snack, when you are away from home. You can store both these preparations at room temperature for 8-10 days in an air-tight container & cool dry place (not in really hot summer days). This long shelf life makes it a really good option even when travelling.