Pin Recipe A playful and creative lunch platter featuring assorted sandwiches arranged to look like train cars running along edible tracks—perfect for delighting kids and encouraging healthy eating.
This is a delightful way I prepare lunches that never fails to excite my children and make mealtime more interactive.
Ingredients
- Bread & Sandwich Fillings: 8 slices whole wheat or white sandwich bread, 4 tbsp cream cheese, 4 tbsp peanut butter (or sunflower seed butter for nut-free), 4 tbsp strawberry jam, 4 slices cheddar cheese, 4 slices turkey or ham (optional)
- Edible Train Tracks & Decorations: 2 large celery stalks (for tracks), 1 cup pretzel sticks (for cross-ties), 16 round cucumber slices (for wheels), 8 cherry tomatoes (halved, for wheels), 1 red bell pepper (for train engine details), 1 yellow bell pepper (for train windows), 1 cup baby carrots
Instructions
- Prepare the Sandwiches:
- Use cookie cutters or a knife to cut bread slices into rectangles (train cars) and one larger shape for the engine. Make assorted sandwiches: spread cream cheese and cucumber, peanut butter and jam, cheddar with turkey or ham, or any desired fillings. Assemble and gently press sandwiches together.
- Arrange the Tracks:
- Place celery stalks parallel on a large platter or board to form rails. Lay pretzel sticks across the celery at intervals to create cross-ties.
- Build the Train:
- Place sandwich rectangles on top of the tracks as train cars. Use cucumber rounds and cherry tomato halves as wheels, attaching with a dab of cream cheese if needed. Decorate the engine using bell pepper slices for details and windows.
- Add Extras:
- Place baby carrots, extra cucumber rounds, and additional veggies around the board for snacking and color.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately, letting kids drive their train cars along the tracks before eating.
Pin Recipe My family loves gathering around this colorful platter, making lunch a fun and engaging event for everyone.
Required Tools
Large serving platter or board, sharp knife or cookie cutters, spreading knife, small bowls (optional for dips)
Allergen Information
Contains gluten (bread), dairy (cream cheese cheese), and possible nuts (peanut butter). Use nut-free spreads and gluten-free or dairy-free alternatives as needed. Always double-check ingredient labels for allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories approximately 310 total fat 10 g carbohydrates 42 g protein 10 g per serving
Pin Recipe This playful lunch idea makes mealtime enjoyable and encourages kids to eat a variety of healthy ingredients.
Recipe FAQs
- → What breads work best for the train sandwiches?
Whole wheat or white sandwich bread slices work well and can be cut into various shapes easily.
- → How are the edible tracks created?
Celery stalks form the parallel rails while pretzel sticks are placed across as cross-ties, creating a realistic rail effect.
- → Which veggies are used for the train wheels?
Round cucumber slices and halved cherry tomatoes serve as colorful wheels attached with cream cheese for adhesion.
- → Can the fillings be adapted for dietary needs?
Yes, use nut-free spreads, vegan cheese, or gluten-free bread to accommodate preferences and restrictions.
- → How to decorate the train engine?
Slices of red and yellow bell peppers are arranged on the larger sandwich piece to simulate windows and engine details.
- → Is the platter suitable for young children?
Yes, but supervision is recommended due to small vegetable pieces that might pose choking hazards.