Pinwheels are appealing to young children, and almost any sandwich can be turned into a pinwheel. To make one, spread the sandwich filling over a small whole wheat tortilla and roll up tightly. If the pinwheel does not hold together, you can use a little cream cheese to seal it. Spread a 1/2–inch strip of cream cheese along one end of the tortilla. Roll up the tortilla starting with the opposite end and working toward the cream cheese, and press tightly. Using a sharp knife, slice into one-inch rounds.

Pinwheels can also be made with whole wheat bread. To do so, cut the crusts off a slice of bread and flatten it with a rolling pin. Spread the sandwich filling over the bread, roll it up and slice it into pinwheels. Young children may only eat 4 pinwheels and a few apple slices or a couple of grapes for lunch. It’s always preferable for them to experience success with smaller portions than be overwhelmed by a big sandwich.

Yield: Serves 1 or 2 young children

Substitute canned tuna for the salmon in this recipe, if you like.

1/2 can (7 1/2 oz/213 g) salmon, drained and skin removed
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1 8–inch stalk celery, quartered lengthwise
1 8–inch whole wheat soft flour tortilla
1/2 tsp light cream cheese

The night before, in small bowl, combine salmon and mayonnaise. Prepare celery, reserving 1 celery stick for pinwheel. The remaining celery can be cut into sticks and packed with other vegetables for tomorrow’s lunch. Refrigerate salmon mixture and celery overnight.

In the morning, evenly spread salmon mixture over tortilla, leaving a 1–inch border around tortilla. Place celery at one end of tortilla. Spread cream cheese on opposite end in 1/2–inch strip. Starting with end of tortilla with celery, roll up tightly, working toward cream cheese end, and press tightly so that cream cheese “glues” pinwheel together. With sharp knife, slice into 1–inch rounds, discarding ends. Pack in reusable container.

Excerpted from Good Food to Go by Brenda Bradshaw and Cheryl Mutch, M.D. Copyright © 2011 by Brenda Bradshaw and Cheryl Mutch, M.D.. Excerpted by permission of Random House Canada, a division of Random House of Canada Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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