Inspired packed lunches

[Andrew_Culture]

Lunch is a big highlight of my working day and I don't think I've ever really treated food as mere refuelling fodder, so I'm always on the lookout for new and interesting ideas for work scran.

My current favourites include penne pasta with chicken, riveta or rice cakes with cream cheese and ham (I love making them fresh at my desk) and occasionally I'll make myself a couple of burritos.

But I hate repetition so am always on the lookout for new ideas, so what do you pack for lunch? I'm in favour of non-processed foods and am very much looking for unusual ideas.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

My OH usually takes what is left over from the night before. His favourite is my homemade (vegan) Indian meal... but pasta, green beans & pesto is one that works really well.

His more unusual sandwiches are made from homemade raw onion bread, humus and various salad items, and followed by homemade fruit leathers. (guess that's the advantage of a wife at home without job whilst leg gets better!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

The vegan Indian meal sounds interesting. I have access to a microwave so hot food is appealing.

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Avocado cut in half with cottage cheese with a dash of olive oil and salt and pepper.

I also love simple salads, if you can call them that - beef tomatoes with thinly chopped onions and small sweet beetroot, with, of course, olive oil and vinaigrette. Simple enough in a lunchbox and a good side dish to cold meat.

Anything with pasta but one of the best IMO is anti-pasti or one of those cartons you get at Tesco
(I know:sigh) where you can fill up with anti-pasti, olives, sun-dried tomatoes and whatever else they have. Good, hot or cold IMO.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Avocado cut in half with cottage cheese with a dash of olive oil and salt and pepper.

I also love simple salads, if you can call them that - beef tomatoes with thinly chopped onions and small sweet beetroot, with, of course, olive oil and vinaigrette. Simple enough in a lunchbox and a good side dish to cold meat.

Anything with pasta but one of the best IMO is anti-pasti or one of those cartons you get at Tesco
(I know:sigh) where you can fill up with anti-pasti, olives, sun-dried tomatoes and whatever else they have. Good, hot or cold IMO.

Wa-hoo! Now we're talking!

 

[DaveyM]

I like coucous (sp?) with fresh fish ( don't have to worry about the fishy smell cos I work outdoors all day ) sometimes I add pomegranite to it.
It is difficult to find new ideas.
Try a few different oils to give pasta a lift ie Chilli, garlic, seaseme a dash stirred in makes a big difference

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I like coucous (sp?) with fresh fish ( don't have to worry about the fishy smell cos I work outdoors all day ) sometimes I add pomegranite to it.
It is difficult to find new ideas.
Try a few different oils to give pasta a lift ie Chilli, garlic, seaseme a dash stirred in makes a big difference

I've never thought of fish with cous cous, what fish do you use?

I'm a bit of a hot sauce obsessive!

 

[annedonnelly]

Those tins of mackerel/sardines with sauce of your choice mixed with cold pasta or couscous. I like the Aynsley Harriot couscous and often take leftovers for packed lunch.

 

[DaveyM]

I like fresh macarel or plaice (dont like salmon or trout personally ) Sometimes I use prawns or mussels.

Also a massive chilli addict...so get a few shredded chilli's in there for good measure