No Microwave Needed
Since school has started and people are heading back to school and work I figured I would write this post as a way to help with the task of lunches. You don't always have access to a microwave so bringing those leftovers doesn't always work if it needs to be heated. So today I have compiled 7 recipes below that are good options for lunches and the best part is they don't need a microwave :)
BLT Wraps or Salad or Sandwich
This one seems like a no brainer. BLT's are staples of lunches because it is so easy to make. All you need is bacon, lettuce and tomato as well as bread/wrap and mayo.
When assembling your sandwich toast your bread first as this can help with the soggy factor that can sometimes happen when you pre-make sandwiches. Another thing to try is pack it deconstructed and assemble right before you eat it. For the wrap you can also toast your wrap in a pan on the stove before assembling if you desire but usually wraps don't get soggy.
Chicken and Strawberry Salad
For this recipe all you need is 1-2 chicken breasts cooked with your favorite spices, strawberries cut into quarters, as well as your favorite salad base (spinach, lettuce, rocket, or spring mix to name a few) and anything else you want to add. For this salad you can add everything to the container except the dressing always keep that in a separate container to the side and add before eating. For this salad I would suggest either a vinaigrette or lemon juice and oil dressing but again its totally up to you.
If you cook more chicken then you need for this recipe then you can save some in the fridge for another day or use it in another recipe.
Macaroni Salad
There are many ways to make a macaroni salad. For today's purposes I'll share one that I found. All you need is macaroni noodles, ham, cheese, and these are optional you can also add peppers, green onions, radishes, and tomatoes. You add all this to a big bowl and mix well with mayo and (this is what I do) add a bit of mustard for a kick. At this point add any spices that you want as well. Make sure to mix this really well as you don't want to take a bite and have nothing but spice be there. Make sure to let the salad sit for at least an hour together before splitting it into containers for lunch.
Chickpea Salad
I love chickpeas. They are a very versatile bean. I personally love chickpeas in salad. For this recipe you need 1 can of chickpeas well rinsed, and I like cabbage, carrots and you can also add kale and onions. Mix all of this together in a bowl and for dressing I would suggest something like a coleslaw dressing but add some spices to it and add a little water. You can also use a tahini based dressing. That way you are making the dressing a little thinner so that the salad itself is the star rather than the dressing. This salad is so filling and tastes so good.
Bento Box
This lunch idea is super easy and you don't need a special bento box to do it. You can add veggies, fruit, crackers, cheese, meat etc and be really creative. Pinterest is a great resource for ideas like this.
Mini Quiche
Quiche are a great lunch idea. You can make lots of them at a time using muffin tins. For this you will need lots of eggs; scrambled in a big bowl. Add your spices and a touch of either cream or milk to make them a little creamier. Add some of the egg mixture into each greased muffin space. At this point you can add other items like mushrooms, peppers, spinach, cheese, broccoli, meat etc. Make them the way that you like. After adding the extra's throw in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15-20 mins or until they are fully cooked and lightly brown on top.
Buddha Bowl
For this follow the simple idea that there are 7 layers in it.
Base: Lettuce, Watercress, Swiss Chard, Leafy Greens, Baby Spinach, Soba Noodles, Radicchio, Kale, etc.
Veggies: Carrots, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Green Beans, Cucumber, Tomatoes, Zucchini, etc.
Protein: Eggs, Beef, Quinoa, Chicken, Seafood, Lentils, Tofu, etc.
Complex Carbs: Corn, Brown Rice, Wheat Berries, Sweet Potatoes, Buckwheat, Barley, Peas, etc.
Sweet: Apples, Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Any Berries, Papaya, Mango, etc.
Crunch: Cucumber, Red Pepper, Sesame Seeds, Snow Peas, Chia Seeds, Edamame, Nuts, etc.
Flourish: Chives, Cilantro, Tahini, Green Goddess Dressing, Avocado, Peanut Sauce, Hummus, etc.
Make it your own, again make sure that the dressing is kept separate until you are going to eat it.
Here are 37 other Buddha bowl recipes to try
