Every parent knows the particular disappointment of opening a tiffin box after school and finding lunch untouched. School food has to survive a few hours in a bag, taste good at room temperature and appeal to a child who would rather be playing. Ghee helps with all three. It keeps rotis soft, stops rice drying out, and makes simple food taste like something. Here are seven ideas that work.
1. Ghee and jaggery roti roll
Spread a warm roti with a thin layer of ghee, sprinkle grated jaggery and a pinch of cardamom, roll it tightly and cut it in half. The ghee keeps the roti soft for hours. A classic from many childhoods, and still a favourite.
2. Ghee rice with peas
Cook rice with a little ghee, cumin and green peas. It stays soft and fragrant, does not clump when cold and needs no gravy to go down easily. Add a small container of curd if your child likes it.
3. Aloo paratha triangles
Make small, thin aloo parathas cooked in ghee and cut them into triangles. Let them cool for a minute before packing so steam escapes and they do not go soggy. We shared our full method in aloo paratha with ghee.
4. Mini ghee idlis
Steam mini idlis and toss them while warm in a little ghee with a sprinkle of mild podi. The ghee helps the podi stick and keeps the idlis moist. They are easy to eat with fingers.
5. Poha with ghee and peanuts
Make poha with a ghee tempering, peanuts, curry leaves and a little turmeric and lemon. Poha dries out quickly, so a small spoon of ghee stirred in at the end keeps it soft until lunch.
6. Sweet potato or paneer paratha bites
Grated paneer or mashed sweet potato, lightly seasoned, stuffed in small parathas and cooked in ghee. Filling, soft and child-friendly.
7. Ghee roasted makhana for short break
For the mid-morning snack box, a handful of lightly salted makhana roasted in ghee. Crisp, light and not greasy. See our makhana recipe, and go easy on the chilli for children.
Packing tips
- Cool before closing. Hot food packed straight into a closed box sweats and turns soggy.
- Use steel boxes for rotis and parathas where possible. They hold up better than plastic and do not retain smells.
- A little ghee, not a lot. Half a teaspoon per roti or a teaspoon in a portion of rice is plenty. Too much ghee sets and turns waxy when cold, which children dislike.
- Ghee sets in cool weather. In winter, ghee on cold food can look white. Brush it on while the food is warm so it absorbs rather than sitting on the surface.
- Keep portions small. A tiffin that can be finished is better than a large one that comes back.
Why ghee works in school food
Children have high energy needs and small appetites during a busy school day, and a little fat makes a small lunch more satisfying. Ghee also stays pleasant at room temperature in a way that many oils do not, which is why it has been the traditional fat for travel food and tiffins in so many Indian homes.
If your child has any dairy allergy, check with your doctor before using ghee.
For everyday tiffin cooking, our Desi Cow A2 Ghee is what we use.