One of the trickiest aspects of parenthood is ensuring that your little ones are getting all the nutrients they need and that their meals are delicious enough that they’ll want to finish each bite.
As we head back into the school year, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut with the same-old meals and snacks. That’s why B-well, together with Munchie Monster and his colourful friends, are here to lend a helping hand with the fantastical Taste Explorers Cookbook.
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With over 25 recipes created in partnership with dietitian Dr Monique Piderit as well as nutrition tips and a time-saving two-week meal plan that shows you the ideal breakdown of meals and snacks, the free, downloadable cookbook is an easy-to-use tool that will take the stress out of the school year for busy parents.
Even better, with cute, eye-catching space critters used throughout the campaign and cookbook design, even your kids will want to get involved in meal prep.
Ingredients for better living
Driving this innovative, colourful back-to-school cookbook is Southern Oil-owned B-well, the well-known producers of oils, mayonnaise and dips using locally grown canola.
‘As dieticians, we’re all about good-for-you fats,’ says Dr Piderit. ‘Canola oil is a big feature in the B-well range – whether as standalone oils, in cooking sprays or in mayonnaise and sandwich spreads – and it’s rich in heart-smart, brain-benefitting fats called monounsaturated fat and low in the not-so-good saturated or trans fat.’
‘The B-well mayos and sandwich spread are also eggless and dairy-free, making them excellent products for parents catering for kids with food allergies,’ she adds.
‘At B-well, we’re all about producing ingredients for better living, so naturally a range of recipes that promote nutrient-rich eating for children is right up our alley,’ says B-well Brand Manager Lunique Theunissen.
‘B-well canola oil offers plenty of benefits for the whole family – it’s endorsed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of SA and is one of the very few oils to carry the CANSA Smart Choice seal.’
‘It contains up to 12% omega-3 fatty acids, has an excellent omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio of 2:1 and can reduce the production of molecules and substances linked to inflammation,’ Theunissen adds.
Cookbook insights
‘As a busy mom of two who leaves home early in the morning to start my workday, the Taste Explorers Cookbook is something of a passion project for me,’ says Lunique.
‘A lot of items in the cookbook are assembled quickly (like our Veggie-Packed Meatballs) or can be made from leftovers (such as the Sneaky Cauli Chicken Curry Mayo Wrap), which are timesavers that mean I get to spend more quality time with my kids when I get home.
‘My hope is that this cookbook will help parents across the country to plan and cook balanced meals for their little ones quickly and easily – and most of all, enjoyably!’ she adds.
With delicious recipes ranging from Egg-Free French Toast Fingers and Sweet Potato Fish Cakes to Creamy Veggie and Potato Salad and Mac n’ Cheese Slices, there’s plenty of inspiration to find within the free downloadable cookbook.
Additionally, the Munchie Monster team provides nutritional information with each recipe to help parents better understand how the food is promoting their children’s growth.
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Download your cookbook for monster magic
To download your copy of the B-well Taste Explorers Cookbook and meet the intergalactic Munchie Monster and his friends, just purchase any B-well canola oil, mayo or sandwich spread from any major retailer and scan the QR code on the funky tag attached to the lid.
Not only will you get the free cookbook, meal plan and an adorable Munchie Monster-themed alphabet download, but you’ll also stand a chance to win weekly prizes.
You can also visit the B-well website to download the cookbook directly.
Sneak peek recipes
Here is a taste of some of the nutritious, quick-and-easy, kid-friendly recipes from the B-well Taste Explorers Cookbook:
Sweet Potato Waffles
- 2 cups cake flour
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- A pinch of ground nutmeg
- 3 tablespoons B-well Thick & Creamy Mayonnaise
- 1¼ cups milk
- 1 tablespoon B-well Sandwich Spread
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
- combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside.
- Mix the mayonnaise, milk, sandwich spread and vanilla extract in a small bowl.
- Add the wet ingredients and mashed sweet potatoes to the dry ingredients, stirring until well combined.
- Follow your waffle maker’s instructions to cook the waffles.
Veggie-Packed Meatballs
- 500g lean minced meat
- 1 cup finely chopped mixed veggies (carrots, bell peppers, spinach)
- 2 tablespoons B-well Canola Oil
- 1 teaspoon mixed herbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Preheat oven to 180ºC.
- In a bowl, mix the minced meat, finely chopped veggies, canola oil, sandwich spread, mixed herbs, salt and pepper until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into meatballs and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until cooked through.
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Picture: Gustavo Fring / Pexels
