School Lunchbox
Rainbow Rice Balls with Fish & Vegetables for School Lunchbox
Prep
20 min
Cook
10 min
Servings
2
Level
Easy
These colorful rice balls (nasi kepal) aren't just eye-catching for kids—they're also packed with nutrition from tuna, carrots, and spinach subtly blended into fluffy rice. Easy to shape by hand or with a mold, they're perfect for a lunchbox that will make kids excited to open their meal container. The taste is lightly savory with a touch of natural sweetness from the vegetables, sure to make school lunchtime more fun.
🧂 Ingredients
🍽️ Servings: 2
Adjust the servings and the ingredient amounts & nutrition below update automatically.
- 3 scoops (about 400 grams) warm, fluffy cooked white rice
- 1 small can (100 grams) canned tuna in water (halal), drained
- 1 medium piece carrot, finely grated
- 1 handful spinach, blanched briefly then finely chopped
- 1 tsp halal chicken bouillon powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 sheet nori, cut into small pieces for garnish
- 1 tsp toasted white sesame seeds
- to taste cooking oil for greasing hands
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👩🍳 Instructions
- 1 Heat a little sesame oil in a pan, then sauté the shredded tuna with the bouillon powder and garlic powder until fragrant and slightly dry. Set aside.
- 2 Divide the warm rice into 2 portions. Mix one portion with the grated carrot until it turns an even, soft orange color, then season with a bit of salt.
- 3 Mix the second portion of rice with the chopped spinach until evenly green, and season with a bit of salt as well.
- 4 Grease your hands with a little cooking oil so the rice doesn't stick while shaping.
- 5 Take a handful of the carrot rice, flatten it in your palm, place some shredded tuna filling in the center, cover with more rice, then shape into a ball or triangle while pressing gently.
- 6 Do the same with the spinach rice, so you end up with a combination of orange and green rice balls.
- 7 Stick small pieces of nori onto the surface of the rice balls to make a face or pattern as desired, then sprinkle with a little toasted sesame seeds.
- 8 Arrange the rice balls in a lunchbox lined with lettuce or parchment paper, and let them cool slightly before sealing tightly to prevent moisture buildup.
💡 Tips
• Use rice that's still warm so it's easier to shape and blends well with the vegetables.
• You can swap the tuna for shredded chicken or scrambled eggs for variety.
• Store in an airtight lunchbox with a small ice pack alongside to keep it fresh until midday.
• Invite your kids to help shape the rice balls at home so they'll be more excited to eat their own lunch.
📊 Nutrition Facts / serving
310
Calories (kcal)
14 g
Protein
7 g
Fat
45 g
Carbs
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