Chana Masala
December 20, 2024
“We have all these students that come from different backgrounds and different origins. We want to represent them and give them food that’s oriented to their palate.” – Ashley Rothschell, Child Nutrition Services Senior, Cypress School District
When you tailor food to your students’ tastes, they’ll enjoy coming in to get it. The School Food Professionals at Cypress School District are always trying to cook foods that speak to who their students are, where they come from and what they like. “We’ve got a large Indian population here, so we started serving dishes like tikka masala,” Ashley said, “and they were a hit.”
These efforts not only celebrate students’ heritage but also encourage other kids to expand their tastes and try something new. “We’re like ‘Here’s this interesting dish that you normally don’t eat. Give it a try,’” Ashley said. “We let them have a little sample, and, if they like it, they can have a full meal of it. And a lot of times, that’s just what happens.”
Cypress School District’s tikka masala is just one example of how culturally inspired meals can have a meaningful impact and spark curiosity about new flavors.
Interested in making delicious and healthy recipes inspired by Indian cuisine for your kids? The Lunch Box has several simple and scalable options, such as chana masala and butter chicken.