To turn the tradition on it's head, I'm soliciting recipes for quick lunches. Maybe some of you are also in this predicament - I never know what to make for lunch. Somehow, going out for lunch seems much more interesting, partly because I don't have to make it! Cooking during the day just doesn't interest me.
So, what have I tried so far - leftover Chinese is my favorite, but these days fattie-fat-fat eats it all and leaves nothing for the next day. (it's night-time depression, not hormones, right?)
In the summer, my favorite lunch is sliced tomatoes, just picked from my backyard, with sliced vidalia onions and sprouts with mayo rolled up on a soft flour tortilla. I also like grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches, and I got a panini grill to make them quickly. But now tomato season is over and I'm tired of grilled cheese by itself. I need some suggestions!
The keyword is quick. What can I keep in the 'frig that I can throw together without much prep that is yummy and only moderately fattening? (fyi - salads are too much prep. it isn't that I'm lazy; I'm just busy!)
Thanks for your suggestions!!!!!
TIP:
Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
Patton Lee Beaugus
mikelkpoet
bobbot
marytkelly
David Cox
fingerlakeswanderer
Salon.com
Comments
The other standby when I want to nibble but not cook is cheese, crackers, baby carrots, peppers or tomatoes and a dollop of hummus or dip
Buy roasted veggies at supermarket deli/prepared food area (or make them yourself on weekend and save). Get flour tortillas and soft goat cheese. Spread cheese on a tortilla, cover with veggies, and roll to make a wrap. Flavorful, not heavy.
Also, sandwiches of sliced cucumber and goat cheese or cream cheese on wheat bread (toasted, if cream cheese).
Sliced zucchini sauteed in olive oil and garlic with some basil, sprinkled with some parmesan, and a chunk of bread.
Or, do you have some small (8-9") pieces of flatbread? I get it at the dollar store. Make a single serving pizza. Use a couple of tablespoons of tomato sauce with a couple shakes each of basil, garlic and oregano. And then top it with either left over veggies or crumbled bacon or sausage and whatever cheese you happen to have on hand. Pop in a 400 degree oven for about 6-8 minutes. Good stuff.
can of rinsed chickpeas (garbanzo beans), add some or all of: diced red onion, red or green bell pepper, diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, diced feta cheese. can add meat -- chicken -- but i eat italian tuna (white meat tuna has lots of mercury, cheaper dark tuna in oil much less) -- or no meat. drizzle with really good olive oil, sea salt/kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper. this always makes enough for at least two people (or more, if you just up the quantities) but it saves beautifully for at least two days.
Blue- I think I saw a program with that recipe - sounds great. I am definitely getting some eggs today and will look for Emeril's seasonings.
John, I haven't made coq a vin since I was trying to impress a potential boyfriend (who I subsequently married and never made it again). But, if you want to come over and make it, it sounds like a good lunch.
Walter - it looks like eggs are the perfect food for lunch! I stopped eating eggs b/c of the cholesterol, but maybe I should reconsider. The pizza idea sounds great though. Thanks!
Ms Femme - more eggs! I like your chickpea salad - though I am not a happy salad maker normally, the idea that it would last more than one day is compelling. Thanks for the suggestions!
cassiopia- your marinated salad is making me think of something greek, even with the rice vinegar. I have sworn off tomatoes that are not grown locally, but maybe I can find some for a few more weeks to try this.
Pour some in a medium sized bowl, add 1/4 cup craisins (dried cranberries), 2 tablespoons salted sunflower seeds, 1/4 cup of cubed swiss cheese, or feta for stronger flavor, and dressing made by mixing 3 tablespoons light mayo with a squirt of lemon juice. Toss thoroughly to distribute dressing. Sprinkle grated parmesan on top.
Because I'm a meat eater, I usually add either 1/4 cup of cubed turkey breast, or 1/4 cup homemade bacon bits. The bacon bits especially add a little pizazz of flavor.
Just got back from the store with... eggs! Also, pasta, makings for flat bread pizza, goat cheese, cukes and peppers, stock for cooking chickpeas, and makings for thai spring rolls - no one suggested them, but I have made them before and forgot about them. Basically you need rice wrappers and rice noodles which are "cooked" by pouring hot water over them. Then stuff the softened wrappers with rice noodles, along with sprouts, shredded carrots spring onions and baby cooked shrimps tossed with rice vinegar and a little fish sauce. Probably UK's cole slaw mix would work too. Dip in sweet chili sauce - healthy and yummy!
Hey!