In today's Bite: Long weekend pancakes and school lunches

Herald online·

31 Jan, 2016 05:00 PM2 mins to read

Recipes for lunchbox muffins, pancakes and ice blocks are all in this week's Bite magazine and over on bite.co.nz. Photos / Bite magazine

Find all your favourite bits from today's Bite magazine online. Follow the hyperlinks in Jo Elwin's editor's letter and lose yourself in bite.co.nz.

It's time to turn our attention to the most important part of the new school year - the lunch box. I like what Mikki Williden is saying here because I have always found that most kids prefer a box full of different treasures that they can nibble away at rather than one great big sandwich full of something they really do not feel like eating that day.

How to pack a nutritious and delicious lunchbox for your wee ones. Photo / Bite magazine

I'm a fan of the quarter sandwich - make one, cut it in to four and everyone (including mum and dad) gets a piece to round out the other lunchbox items. You will find a whole collection of ideas for sandwiches here.

Cool off with iceblocks in chocolate & peanut, coconut & mango or ginger, mint & melon flavours. Photo / Bite magazine

Come 3 o'clock, to reward them for eating all their lunch, you can treat them to a refreshing ice block - deliciously homemade thanks to Geoff Scott's recipes for cocomango ice blocks, chocolate peanut caramel ice blocks and gingermintmelon ice blocks.

Kylee Newton's strawberry cordial is another sweet little afternoon refresher, great to make up and freeze in bottles for those packed lunches too. Strawberries are on their way out so make it now.

Buttermilk pancakes can be eaten with sweet or savoury toppings. Photos / Bite magazine

For those that live in Auckland enjoying an Anniversary Day holiday, I have one word for you ... Pancakes. We have a basic buttermilk batter and three variations - sweet or savoury - to suit your craving.