Savoury Recipe Ideas:
Sandwiches: I usually make sandwiches in the warmer months. The usual fillings are chicken, avocado and baby spinach; prawn and mayonnaise; roast beef with mustard and rocket or ham with onion jam or tomato chutney and baby spinach.
Healthy Ideas:
Mr NQN doesn't have to restrict his diet (it's not fair is it?) but these ideas are in case you want a lighter lunch. Don't forget curries and noodle dishes also do well for lunches if you have access to a microwave.
Pineapple and Coconut Curry (Vegan)
Cabbage, Pine Nut, Raisin & Pecorino Salad
Vietnamese Chicken and Cabbage Salad
Pastries:
I tend to give these items in the colder months. I also love these because they can be made ahead of time, portioned out and then frozen. And can you tell that I like pastry? ;)
Savoury Side Ideas:
Because there is so much fruit I try and balance things with savoury items that he likes. I prefer giving carrots to celery as the latter takes up too much room in the crisper.
- Carrot, cucumber or celery sticks
- Raw baby corn
- Olives
- Dips and crackers
- Cheese (wedges of cheese or bocconcini)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Dolmades
- Kale Chips
- Popcorn
Fruit Tips:
Mr NQN eats an abnormal amount of fruit and I don't think most of you would eat this much but there is some fruit that is more convenient for lunchboxes than others.
- Whole fruit is best to pack: stonefruit, grapes, apples, pears, cherries, oranges, bananas (they can be placed in the fridge the day before and won't turn black unless they are overripe)
- Buy fruit small enough to fit in the lunchbox
- Put cut fruit (eg. melon, pineapple) in a airtight container
- Place berries in a small container rather than loose. They're very delicate, particularly raspberries and blueberries. Strawberries and blackberries are a bit hardier.
Healthy Treat Ideas:
There is no shortage of sweet treats on the blog but most people are looking for healthier sweet options so here they are!
Hemp "Chocolate cake pop" Balls
Lime Chocolate "Cheesecake" Balls
Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies
So tell me Dear Reader, do you pack or buy your lunchbox? What is in your ideal lunchbox? And how much fruit would you pack?