Months ago I wrote a post entitled Sexy Packed Lunches, now that Spring is here I thought we should revisit the brown bag brigade.
Isn’t it depressing when you go to all the trouble to bring your lunch to work, and when lunchtime rolls around you don’t fancy what you have made? We have all been there – soggy sandwiches, rubbery pasta salad and don’t even get me started on the tuna.
My favourite lunches seem to be the sort of things I would like to have for dinner which mean bringing a bit of spice to work. With the exception of anything that might be too, shall we say, fragrant.
Now that it is hopefully getting warmer and vegetables are getting less expensive, I like to make chunky gazpacho which is low calorie and easy. Pair it with a piece of cheese or if I am really ambitious I might make chilli corn muffins.
Another very simple packed lunch is Insalata Tricolori, which is Italian for three-coloured salad but I bet you guessed that. It is tomato, avocado and mozzarella cheese nicely layered with some fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil. I buy myself a bit of bread from the bakery to make it extra satisfying.
TIP – Whenever mozzarella is on sale I buy it drain the water from the bag and freeze until I need it. Works like a treat.
For people that need a bit more protein at lunch – I am a big fan of rice and beans, the original Lean food. So for I make this Rice and Bean Salad and mix in some left over roast chicken. There are so many things you can do with leftover roast chicken but that is for another post.
Please share some of your favourite packed lunches. What is in your lunch bag?
i know exactly what you’re talking about! I have been in situations like that before where I didn’t like the lunches that I brought to work. Hence, what I do is usually buy the entrees like Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choice, both of which are quite good nowadays. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but as long as you have a side, like fruit or crackers, then your lunch should be fulfilled. And if the grocery store has a sale on those items, then stock up!
Hello and thanks for commenting!
I totally agree with you, ready meals are great for lunch unfortunately here in the UK we don’ get many that are frozen or that go on sale unless they are ready to expire. I do stock up whenever I see any in the discount area. Great tip!