Back to school meals

We don't have kids yet, but I always imagine the day, I am going to feed my little ones. Here are some ideas for dishes you can prepare for you students during the "Back to School" month. Some of them have fruits, that make them super sweet and kid-friendly (like the grapes in the arugula salad). Others are very creative and pleasant to the eyes (like my individual lasagna alla amatriciana). But all of them use fresh ingredients, full of nutrients and great for brain development.



Arugula, grapes, and pine nuts salad




Ciabatta Open Faced Sandwiches with Red Pepper Hummus and Feta



Grape, arugula, and pine nuts salad, served with whole wheat grissini



Roasted Eggplant, Caramelized Onions, and Chicken Burgers, served with roasted sweet potatoes




Roasted Eggplant, Caramelized Onion, and Chicken Burgers on house oatmeal roll




Mini-tuna steak with avocado-yogurt aioli and sweet potato fries




Tuna Steak topped with Avocado-Yogurt Aioli and Sweet Potato Fries




Red Cabbage Slaw with Grapes and Pine Nuts




Chicken, Red Bell Peppers, and Onions Calzone




The inside of the chicken, red pepper, and onions calzones



Creme Brulee with Fresh Blueberries



Orecchiette with Ratatouille Roasted Vegetables and Goat Cheese




Oatmeal Dinner Roll to round out the Ratatouille pasta salad




Calzones for a party!




Nice crusty cheese and pepper stuffed focaccia




This focaccia is made with roasted garlic, so tasty




Each slice of stuffed focaccia is creamy inside and crispy outside




Radishes, Jicama, and Red Cabbage Slaw with pine nuts




Pistachio Pesto Fettuccine with slow roasted tomatoes and shrimps




The focaccia is great with the creamy pasta and the sweet tomatoes




The avocado-yogurt dressing is great for the jicama-radishes-red cabbage slaw




Oatmeal Dinner Rolls are ready for a party




Sicilian Pesto Pasta with Herbs de Provence Tuna Steak




Pizza with zucchini, slow roasted tomatoes, and tuna




Pesto, Cheese, Tuna, Grilled Zucchini, and Cherry Tomatoes pizza




Individual Lasagna alla Amatriciana (before baking)



Our individual lasagnas served with baked wild salmon



Arugula Salad with White Grapes and Pistachios




Polenta Triangles with Balsamic Reduction and Grilled Shrimps




Each triangle is covered with goat cheese, pine nuts, and dried cranberries




Polenta Triangles are great for a light dinner or as part of a multicourse dinner




Again, my focaccia pairs well with this Italian delight




Oatmeal Roll is great for lunch, together with corn-risotto with shrimps




Risotto Salad with Fresh Corn, Red Peppers, Kalamatas, and Shrimps




Goat cheese, Nectarine, Shrimp, and Arugula Pizza




Apricot Jelly Roll Cake with Greek Yogurt and Pistachios




Use the same apricot jam to decorate the elegant dessert




Arugula and Strawberries Salad with Radishes and Goat Cheese Ball with Pine Nuts




The goat cheese and pine nut crostini is excellent with the sweet and tangy salad




Individual lasagna paired with shrimps and balsamic reduction




I used cinnamon stick to decorate my apricot jelly roll cake




Restaurant quality dessert is not difficult to make!




Roasted Pear and Pastry Cream Tart: light, but full of flavors