The Midday Gourmet
When we talk about meal planning, we’re usually talking about dinner. So what about lunch? Left unplanned. Left to the last minute. This phenomenon is what I call the lunch dilemma.
More often than not, I come home from the kindergarten pick-up at 11:30 and start the scavenger hunt for lunch. I am usually so hungry and know it will take a few minutes, so I start nibbling on something while I make my daughter’s lunch and figure out what I am going to eat. I grab a Diet Coke and reach for my old standby, pretzels. This gets me nowhere, really… because then I am thinking “what goes with pretzels and Diet Coke?”
My lunch often ends up as a veggie burger or a wrap of some kind–maybe turkey and avocado or tuna salad, maybe leftover beans and rice. Almost anything tastes good in a tortilla. (I much prefer wraps to sandwiches.)
I am now trying, when possible, to actually plan lunch. Leftovers from the previous night’s dinner are often a good choice. Otherwise I go to the wrap.
On occasion though, I have a friend over for lunch. This really requires planning. I have a couple of ideas in my mental stash for when I need an above average lunch.
One of my favorites is chicken salad, which–you guessed it–I make into a wrap. My favorite is Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad. Using a rotisserie chicken as the base is my preference, but when that’s not possible, I cook and dice breasts. In a real pinch I have found canned will suffice (I like the Kirkland premium chunk chicken from Costco). When possible, of course, I make enough chicken salad to last two lunches.
Another of my favorite lunches that I have been known to serve to company is a grain-based salad. If I am not entertaining, I make a big bowl of it to last a few days. If you take lunch to work or school, these salads travel easily in a container as well.
One of my favorites is barley with black eyed peas, tomatoes, diced red or yellow peppers and corn tossed with a lime vinegarette.
Quinoa and wheat berry salads are also among my favorites. I have made all of these (see box) and several other variations.
While there is some prep time required, especially for the wheat berries (which must simmer for almost an hour), I find these dishes completely worth the time. Not only are they quite nutritious, but definitely hearty, and I have also found they can easily impress a friend.
