vegan protein meals for kids w/ simple ingredients

[SallyK]

Hi there,
My son (the pickiest of picky eaters!) is going to a preschool/daycare 2 days a week. The woman who runs it is awesome enough to make vegan meals for lunch on the days he is there. (she's actually an ex-veg*n) She gets money from whatever government food program, so she has to stick within its guidelines. She keeps asking me for easy vegan protein meal ideas that she can make with minimal prep/cook time. She only does her grocery shopping at our local grocers, so she doesn't have access to fancy things like tempe or seitan. Can anyone suggest some kid friendly recipes? I've already borrowed her a couple of my cookbooks and she's made lentil burgers and tofu "meatballs". They also do a lot of Mexican meals because her husband is from Mexico.
Oh, the other catch is that it has to be NUT FREE. There's a little girl there with nut allergies. :doh:
Thanks in advance!!

[missleigh]

How about bean burritos? Tofu scramble? Lentil soup? What kind of food does he like?

[zoebird]

seems to me that she's definately on the right track. there's a vegan shepard's pie recipe around here somewhere--it's beans (lentils i think) and veggies (like onions, carrots, celery and tomatos) and then the top is mashed potatoes. not summery, but good.

i eat a lot of mexican. i just sub beans (refried or just whatever) for meat in most of the mexican meals (like burritos, tacos, etc). also, don't forget hummus and the like as sandwich spreads.

[msbunnicula]

Are peanut free nut butters okay?

[Edamommy]

I don't know if this helps you but my ds (2years 2months) LOVES Primal Strips! There very high in protein (11 grams) and easy. Maybe stock up on those for your childs' snacks ...

I have a bunch of cheap/easy recipes I'll forward later.

[SallyK]

Nope, all nuts. Isn't that sad?

Primal strips are great for a snack, but we're talking a government funded lunch program. Plus, these aren't available for her to purchase at our local grocer.

[Cinnamon toast]

Let's see...

baked beans on toast
veggie hotdogs (sliced long ways of course)
veggie deli slices
pasta
baked potatoes with toppings
veggie soups
muffins
pancakes & fruit
tortilla/pita roll-ups

[MollyGoat]

Chili is a good one, too--and quick with canned ingredients.

Sloppy joes with beans or TVP instead of meat.

[FreshTart]

Beans and Weiners!!!!!!!!

Can of beans w/ veggie weiners :drool:

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

Sloppy Joes with tvp - or even works with crumbled firm tofu.
Beans on toast.
Anything Mex. can be done with 'refried" mashed beans - they also work as a sandwich spread.
Mac and "cheeze" there are tons of easy "cheeze" recipes that she could make with regular grocery store ingredients if you do some searches...
whole wheat or spelt pasta with beans and veggies
tofu scramble - like scrambled eggs
tofu "egg salad" just make as you would an egg salad sandwich, with mashed firm tofu, and vegan mayo.
Pasta salad with vegan mayo and tofu cubes or beans and veggies - my kids LOVE this on hot summer days!

I'll see if I can think of any more - I have picky "almost vegan" kids....

[Coney]

-Baked beans on toast for sure.
-Bean and rice soft tacos. Easy hand-held food to eat.
-Hummous and carrots and pita
-I second the Pasta Salad suggestion.

[sata_rupa_tara]

Hey I just wanted you to know that although most school cafeterias only offer cows milk with the lunch tickets you can tell them your child cant have cows milk and to please have juice on hand (usually apple or orange).
My son takes litelife turkey flavor deli slice sammies to school every day and hasnt gotten tired of them yet (yay). ALso.. dose them up on protein before and after school,, and send food they will eat at school with them that may be low protein. You can make quick fruit smoothies in the morning with added soy or rice protein (I use 1/2 cup rice dream per person,, some frozen berries,, a banana,, a few ice cubes...some soy yougurt if I have it... and some vegan protein powder such as soy or rice )

[JulieAnne]

I know the little boy I used to babysit for (3 yrs old) goes crazy for edamame! It's fun to eat... and it's a pretty green color!

He also loves smoothies-she can make a couple of batches of smoothies (with tofu in them or protein powder) and serve them in little cups for the kids

Hummus and raw veggies for sure

pasta is a good suggestion

oatmeal might be good w/ friut the older kids help cut up