My son has got to do a project at school. He has to make a nutritionally balanced snack either hot or cold, must contain a starchy carb and a protein. He has to research, plan, draw and then cook this can anyone offer any suggestions - nothing too complicated please, he is not that keen! Any help greatly appreciated

Hi Jooley,How about roast potatoes with chicken wrapped in bacon. Optional extra, a portion of baked beans, or corn.Oven to 200c. Boil a few small new potatoes till just cooked, drain and allow to cool slightly, then halve and toss in a little olive oil with some salt and pepper, put around the edges of a small oven tray.Take a skinless chicken breast, lightly oil and season, wrap in a few slices of streaky bacon, tucking the ends under the chicken. If he wants to add a bit of effort, get him to stretch the bacon first by holding one end and running the back of knife firmly along the slice. Spread a little olive oil on the space in the centre of the tray with the potatoes and place the chicken with the bacon slice ends under and put in the oven for about 30 minutes until the bacon is crisp. If the potatoes are not crisp enough, remove the chicken to 'rest' while they finish.

If the school says it is too bit for a snack, say it is for two people!

Hope that helps

David

Option 2.

Cook and drain some rice. Slice some bacon and cook in a non stick pan with a little oil. Dice a portion of cooked chicken and add to the bacon with a small can of drained corn and a handful of frozen peas, stir in the rice and add some soy sauce, if the mix seems a bit dry add a little water, stir and season to taste, check it is all hot and serve.

David

Thank you David.....I will mention both of these to Son tonight, they both sound ideal option 2 is more his kind of thing effortwise. Thank you very much for your help, I will let you know what he decides and no doubt have more questions.

shouldn't he do his own homework!!!

Of course he should, but like most mums I am sure, I'm just trying to help. At the end of the day he has to cook it, I am just helping him plan. His homework sheet for this project was two A4 sheets of paper with instructions it made me stressed reading it, let alone having to actually do it.

David, my son is debating between your option 2, or a chicken and Serrano ham sandwich, in a wholemeal roll with perhaps some pesto (my idea), the school intends to pick some of the ideas to incorporate onto their lunchtime menu, I thought a 'chicken sandwich' might be popular with teenagers. Thank you for your help.

Hi Jooley, sounds like a good idea. If he is going to do that, I suggest he slices the chicken into thin strips and uses some mayo mixed with a little chopped basil leaves in place of any spread on the bread. However, if he is having to make this in advance and keep it for a few hours, I would spread the roll with some butter to stop it becoming too soggy.

As an alternative, a few drops of extra virgin olive oil on the roll and use the ham to hold the chicken and mayo mix in the centre. Serrano ham being dry will act as a good seal and the use of olive oil will add a little taste and texture to the finished sandwich.

Good luck.

David

Hi Jooley, just read your post, and all I wanted to say was, that I am pleased to see that there are still some parents of today willing to help their children with their education, and I hope your son did well, also the school in which he attends, for giving him a project like this, so that children learn the nutritional value in what they eat, if more schools and parents did this we would'nt have so many over weight children today.