ASEAN Hive Community Challenge #139: "My kids' favorite food" Baon and also "my favorite"

Hi @Hive Family! I'm so excited to share my kids' absolute favorite baon creations with you all! These aren't your average lunchboxes; they're edible works of art, designed to make lunchtime fun and exciting. From adorable animal-shaped pancakes and rice dishes to fun bento boxes packed with their favorite treats, I'll be showing you exactly how I create these delightful meals, along with the costs and ingredient lists. Get ready to be inspired and maybe even try making your own kid-approved masterpieces!

My Kid's Favorite Baon: Adorable Animal Pancakes (Budget-Friendly & Easy!)
Is your little one particular about their baon? Do you spend hours brainstorming unique and healthful lunchbox ideas? So, look no further! This recipe for cute animal pancakes is not only a surefire favorite with youngsters, but it is also extremely inexpensive and simple to prepare. And the best part? It's all made in my kitchen!

The Star of the Show: Animal Pancakes!😍
Forget boring pancakes! They are anything but ordinary. We're talking adorable animal shapes, joyful expressions, and a colorful, dynamic presentation that will get even the pickiest eater enthusiastic about lunch. In this occasion, we created a lovely bear and mushroom!

Ingredients (makes 2 servings):
1 cup pancake mix (or your favorite homemade recipe)
1 cup milk (or water, depending on your pancake mix)
1 egg
2 tablespoons beetroot powder (for the pink color – you can         substitute with other food coloring if desired)
Nori seaweed sheets (for the bear's face)
Small pieces of cheese (for the mushroom's stars and bear's ears)
Edible markers (optional, for drawing faces)

Estimated cost:

less than $5 (depending on your location and grocery store prices; pancake mix and milk are usually pantry staples).

Who is cooking?

Mommy (that's me!) made these delicious pancakes this morning. It only took me around 20 minutes from start to finish, including prep and cooking time.

Where to get it?

My kitchen, of course! This recipe is so simple that you may simply recreate it at home. There's no need for pricey ingredients or equipment.

Let's get cooking!

⛔️In a large mixing bowl, combine the pancake mix, milk, egg, and beetroot powder and whisk until smooth. Allow it to settle for 5 minutes so that the powder may fully incorporate.
⛔️Cook the pancakes: Place a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup batter onto each pancake and shape it like a bear and mushroom. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
⛔️Get creative with your decorations: While the pancakes are still warm, use the nori seaweed to build the bear's face and the cheese bits to make the mushroom's stars and ears. Finish with edible markers.
⛔️Pack, and enjoy! Carefully pack the pancakes in your child's lunchbox.

Tips and Tricks:

🔻Get your kids involved! Let them help with measuring ingredients, flipping the pancakes, or decorating them.
🔻Use cookie cutters to create different animal shapes.
🔻Get creative with the decorations! Use different fruits, vegetables, or even sprinkles to personalize your pancakes.

This recipe is a fantastic way to make healthy and fun lunches for your kids. They'll love the cute animal shapes, and you'll love how easy it is to make! Let me know in the comments if you try this recipe and what your kids think!

Bear-y Cute Bento! My Kid's Favorite Lunchbox Surprise (Budget-Friendly Recipe!)

The Star of the Show: Bear Bento!
This isn't just ordinary lunch; it's a piece of artwork! We're using simple items to create a lively, playful bear mask that will make mealtime an adventure.

Ingredients (for 1 serving):

1 cup of cooked rice.
1 small bit of red-colored food (such as a small piece of processed meat or thinly sliced beetroot)
Two small pieces of cheese or cream cheese (for the bear's ears).
1 tiny sliced apple (for the bear's cheeks).
1/2 cup cooked veggies (such as cabbage and carrots)
1 fried egg for the bear's body.
Cut and shape one small hotdog (for the bear's nose).
Edible markers (optional; see specifics)

Estimated cost:

Less than $4 (depending on your region and grocery store costs; many ingredients are probably already in your pantry!)

Who is cooking?

Mommy (that's me!) created this adorable bento today. It took around 30 minutes to prepare everything, including the rice and egg.

Where to get it?

Straight from my kitchen! This recipe is so simple and customizable that you may simply prepare it at home. There's no need for sophisticated equipment or hard-to-find substances.

Let's Make A Bear!

🔻Prepare the rice: Cook it according to the package directions. Season lightly if desired.
🔻Assemble the bear by shaping the rice into a bear's head on a dish.
🔻 Use red food for the bear's nose and cheese/cream cheese for the ears.   
🔻Arrange the apple slices for the cheekbones.

Add the sides:

Place the prepared vegetables and fried egg alongside the rice bear. Arrange the hotdog to form the nose.

Finishing touches:

If desired, use edible markers to draw details on the bear's face.

Ultimate Kid-Approved Bento Box: Fried Chicken & Fun! (95php Budget!)

The Star of the Show: The Ultimate Bento Box!
This isn't just a lunch; it's an adventure! We're combining kid-friendly favorites into one exciting and visually appealing box.

Ingredients:
1 piece of fried chicken (leg or drumstick)
1 cup yellow rice (can be plain or seasoned)
1 cupcake
A few marshmallows
A small piece of nori seaweed (for decoration)
Small pieces of cheese (for decoration)
Chocolate candies (optional)

Estimated cost:

95 PHP (Prices may vary based on your area and where you buy the ingredients).

Who is cooking?

Mommy (that's me!) created this tasty and entertaining bento box. It took me around 20 minutes to construct everything.

Where to get it?

My kitchen, of course! This bento box is simple to put together and uses products that are readily available at your local grocery or market.

Let's pack a bento box!

Prepare the rice: 
Cook it according to the package directions. To achieve a brighter yellow color, add more turmeric.

Tips & Tricks:

🔻Get creative with your decorations! Make the rice more visually appealing by cutting it into different shapes or using cookie cutters.
🔻Substitute ingredients according to your child's preferences and what you have on hand. For example, you may replace the cupcake with fruit and the marshmallows with other tiny goodies.

This recipe is a fun and simple way to make a tasty and entertaining lunch for your children without breaking the bank. They'll love the diversity and the colorful presentation, and you'll appreciate how easy it is to prepare! Please let me know in the comments if you try this recipe; I'd love to see your creations!

Adorable Animal Bento Boxes: My Kids' Favorite Lunch (150php Budget!)

Lunchbox packing has just been a lot cuter! These lovely animal-themed bento boxes are not only visually appealing, but also filled with delicious and nutritious food, all for a reasonable 150php! And the best part? They are cooked straight in my kitchen!

Panda and Kitty Bento Boxes are the show's main attraction!
Avoid boring lunches! These bento boxes turn dinner into an enjoyable journey. We have a fun panda and a gentle kitten, both with their own distinct charm and delectable contents.

Ingredients (makes 2 servings):
Panda Bento:
1 cup cooked rice
Small pieces of nori seaweed (for panda features)
1 small container of jelly pudding
1 piece of fried chicken (optional)
Kitty Bento:
 slice of bread (for kitty face)
Edible markers (for kitty features)
1/2 cup of cooked meat or tofu (or other filling of choice)
Assorted fruits (e.g., pineapple, papaya, watermelon)

Estimated Cost:

150php (Prices may vary depending on your location and where you buy the ingredients.)

Who's Cooking?

Mommy (that's me!) created these delightful bento boxes. It took me about 30-40 minutes to prepare everything, including cooking the rice and assembling the boxes.

Where to Get It?

My kitchen! These bento boxes are easy to assemble with ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store or market.

Let's Make Some Adorable Bentos!

1. Prepare the ingredients: Cook the rice. Prepare the meat/tofu. Cut the fruits into bite-sized pieces.
2. Assemble the Panda Bento: Shape the cooked rice into a panda face. Use the nori seaweed to create the panda's eyes, nose, and ears. Add the jelly pudding and fried chicken (optional).
3. Assemble the Kitty Bento: Use edible markers to draw a cute kitty face on the slice of bread. Place the bread in the bento box. Add the cooked meat/tofu and assorted fruits.

Tips & Tricks:

🔻Get creative with your decorations! Create creative animal designs using various food products or cookie cutters.
🔻Substitute ingredients according to your child's preferences and what you have on hand.

These bento boxes are ideal for school lunches, picnics, or any other occasion where you want to make midday more memorable.
These lovely bento boxes are a simple and enjoyable way to prepare healthy and entertaining lunches for your children without breaking the wallet. They'll adore the adorable animal patterns, and you'll appreciate how easy they are to produce! Please let me know in the comments if you try this recipe; I'd love to see your creations!

Thank you, @justinparke for starting this conversation.