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California Culinary Centers Standardized Recipes

A collection of standardized recipes and resources to support schools across California in creating menus to meet the National School Lunch Program meal pattern.

Images of 4 recipes: rainbow chopped salad, vegetarian fried rice with edamame, veggie enchiladas, and orange chicken with vegetables.

This collection of school district culinary center recipes reflects a variety of strategies for scratch cooking, including using locally grown California produce and multicultural flavors that students love.

Use the list of recipes below to build your menu and increase variety and options.

List of Recipes

School Lunch Recipes

Each recipe provides a kid taste test rating, nutrient analysis information, meal pattern contribution, and an ingredient list portioned for school food service yields.

This collection includes the top kid-rated recipes on a scale of one to five forks.

  • Five forks kids rating: Love it, great flavor.
  • Four forks kids rating: Like it, taste good.
  • Three forks kids rating: It’s ok—needs something.
  • Less than three forks: Recipes with ratings below three forks are considered unacceptable or undesirable by students, and are not included in this collection.

Recipes are listed in the following menu categories:

Breakfast

Global Cuisine

Recipe▲▼ Kid Rating
(out of 5 forks)▲▼
Culinary Center▲▼
Carnitas Tacos Five-fork kid rating. Vista USD
Caribbean Turkey Pita Five-fork kid rating. Monterey Peninsula USD
Chicken Adobo Five-fork kid rating. Davis Joint USD
Chicken Pad Thai Five-fork kid rating. Chico USD
Chicken Yakitori Five-fork kid rating. Davis Joint USD
Creamy Cilantro Chicken Soft Tacos Four-fork kid rating. Irvine USD
Cuban Picadillo Five-fork kid rating. Centralia Elementary School District
Ham Fried Rice Five-fork kid rating. Monterey Peninsula USD
Jalapeño Polenta Five-fork kid rating. Manteca USD
Orange Chicken with Vegetables Four-fork kid rating. Conejo Valley USD
Persian Beef Kotlet and Potatoes Four-fork kid rating. Irvine USD
Pork Afritada Five-fork kid rating. Davis Joint USD
Pork Chili Verde with Rice Five-fork kid rating. Natomas USD
Rockin' Moroccan Stew Five-fork kid rating. Monterey Peninsula USD
Thai Chicken with Brown Rice Three-fork kid rating. Conejo Valley USD
Vegetarian Fried Rice with Edamame Four-fork kid rating. Conejo Valley USD

Hot Plates

Recipe▲▼ Kid Rating
(out of 5 forks)▲▼
Culinary Center▲▼
Baked Pasta with Marinara Sauce Four-fork kid rating. Centralia Elementary School District
Barbeque (BBQ) Pulled Pork Five-fork kid rating. Centralia Elementary School District
BBQ Chicken Five-fork kid rating. Riverside USD
BBQ Chicken Pizza Four-fork kid rating. Conejo Valley USD
BBQ Slugger Chicken with Rice Five-fork kid rating. Natomas USD
Buffalo Chicken and Sweet Potato Bake Four-fork kid rating. Irvine USD
Chicken Pasta Parmesan Five-fork kid rating. Natomas USD
Crispy Baked Chicken Five-fork kid rating. Centralia Elementary School District
Fish Sandwich with Jalapeño Tartar Sauce Five-fork kid rating. Manteca USD
French Bread Pizza Four-fork kid rating. Centralia Elementary School District
Mac and Cheese Five-fork kid rating. Centralia Elementary School District
Pasta Parmesan with Vegetables Three-fork kid rating. Conejo Valley USD
Pasta Pesto with Beans Five-fork kid rating. Irvine USD
Popcorn Chicken and Mashed Potato Bowl Five-fork kid rating. Natomas USD
Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich Four-fork kid rating. Riverside USD
Ranch Grilled Chicken Five-fork kid rating. Riverside USD
Rotisserie Chicken Five-fork kid rating. Riverside USD
Sandy's Seasonal Vegetarian Lasagna Four-fork kid rating. Irvine USD
Southwest Beef Penne Pasta Five-fork kid rating. Natomas USD
Spaghetti and Mighty Marinara Sauce Five-fork kid rating. Conejo Valley USD
Sweet and Sloppy Joe Five-fork kid rating. Monterey Peninsula USD

Plant-based Options

Salads

Recipe▲▼ Kid Rating
(out of 5 forks)▲▼
Culinary Center▲▼
Apple Berry Chicken Salad Four-fork kid rating. Riverside USD
Cantina Black Bean Taco Salad Five-fork kid rating. Natomas USD
Chicken Curry in a Hurry Salad Five-fork kid rating. Conejo Valley USD
Chicken Caesar Salad Four-fork kid rating. Clovis USD
Fresh Apple and Pear Chicken Salad Four-fork kid rating. Manteca USD
Kidney Bean Salad Four-fork kid rating. Centralia Elementary School District
Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad Four-fork kid rating. Riverside USD
Pacific Rim Spinach Salad Four-fork kid rating. Monterey Peninsula USD
Power Up! Caesar Salad Five-fork kid rating. Monterey Peninsula USD
Rainbow Chopped Salad Four-fork kid rating. Irvine USD
Santa Fe Caesar Salad Four-fork kid rating. Centralia Elementary School District
Snappy Peach Salad Five-fork kid rating. Monterey Peninsula USD
Southwestern Chicken Salad Four-fork kid rating. Riverside USD
Tuna and Chickpea Salad Four-fork kid rating. Conejo Valley Unified School District

Wraps and Sandwiches

Chili and Soups

 

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, February 27, 2024
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