March-ing and Munching 2013 - Take your lunch to work thread.

Twiggy_34 · 3 March 2013 at 3:31PM

Aha, here y'all are! I've just done my weekly shop and am very pleased with what I've managed to buy both in terms of cost and in terms of naughty but nice low calorie treats.

I think it will probably be chicken & cheeses couscous all week which works out at may £1 a portion. The jelly works out as 8p a portion, the crisps were on offer and work out at 13p a packet and the chocolate bars were the lowest calorie option I could find and cheaper to buy individually at 20p each. Admittedly the tubs for my jelly cost me £3 but hopefully I'll get good use out of them. Not including the couscous the items in the photo work out at around 130 calories which is pretty good going I think

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kittiej · 3 March 2013 at 3:38PM

Hi twiggy - you have been busy, I'm well impressed :T

Did your jelly turn out OK? I always seem to have trouble when I use that sort of packet jelly. I used to love making jelly as a girl, one cube always used to 'disappear' :rotfl:

Great stuff, anyone else out there as prepared as Twiggy? I know I'm not lol.

Twiggy_34 · 3 March 2013 at 3:49PM

I've done my jelly like this before and it always turns out fine, the only difference is that I've bought those little tubs with lids to portion it into. It can be a bit stubborn to dissolve at times though. I did a few taste tests a while back comparing branded versions and shops own and actually preferred the shops own which was a bonus.

I know exactly what you mean about jelly cubes, I have been known to eat a whole pack before if there's been nothing 'nice' lying around in the cupboards! :rotfl:

MrsPorridge · 3 March 2013 at 3:54PM

I have spent the morning making small bread rolls, pea soup and leek and potato soup. The soup recipes from Jamie Oliver. For the 3 days this week that I need packed lunches it will be soup and bread roll. DH will also have the same - he doesn't know it but he is also on the take lunch to work challenge

kittiej · 3 March 2013 at 3:59PM

Hey well done MrsP, that's the way re your DH :T

Those soups sound lovely btw. :j

I am wondering what to do with celery atm, can't make my mind up whether to add it to curry or make soup.

clairey_em · 3 March 2013 at 4:11PM

Hiiii! Been a little while since I posted on here, but I'm still loving my no buying lunch for work rule! I have to admit I have bought the odd kit kat or packet of crisps but literally just the odd one, sandwiches or mug shot always brought in from home. Even when I went out with my boss on a visit I took my own lunch. I think he thought I was weird, but he doesn't really understand the concept of saving the pennies...

Have branched out of my coronation chicken/ chicken and sweetcorn sandwich filler and gone for salmon and soft cheese for this week, looking forward to trying that tomorrow! I still find sandwich fillers a good solution for me not being too keen on sandwiches in general and they really do require minimum effort.

I also love having a good supply of cheesy past mugshots in my drawer at work, means I hardly ever have to go out at lunch where I am tempted by other things!

kittiej · 3 March 2013 at 4:21PM

Hi clairey em and well done on keeping LTW up :T - even if it does raise eyebrows

I too have thought about trying sandwich fillers as a quick standby. Sometimes I feel really tired and it's a struggle to even take bread out of the bag.

Candlewick · 3 March 2013 at 4:26PM

Afternoon all

Kittiej, I sourced a cheap and simple paella recipe and it didn't cost a bean because I had everything in. Obviously it's not authentic because I don't eat meat and the recipe is rather simple however it does taste yummy. Also, I didn't have seafood mix but I did have some prawns left over from Christmas so just used those. The below serves 4 so I have two dinners and two lunches for this week sorted. I also made my usual pasta although I only have enough for 2 lunches so will make do with a sandwich on the other day.

I am going to risk freezing one portion for later in the week so will let you know how it freezes.

Paella a la Candlewick

2 Tablespoons of olive oil
1 Leek, sliced
1 Onion, sliced
1 teaspoon of tumeric
300g long grain rice
1 fish stock
200g frozen peas
400g of mixed seafood (I used about 300g of prawns)

Heat the oil in frying pan and add onion and leek. Cook until soft.
Stir in tumeric and rice until well covered.
Add the fish stock and bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 -20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add peas
Add prawns

From prep to finish took 45 mins and the best bit is there is only one frying pan to wash up.

*Warning* - tumeric stains your clothes so make sure you are wearing an apron or something old!

CW

clairey_em · 3 March 2013 at 4:31PM

Cw that sounds delicious! Would have to try it with chicken though as dh adverse to seafood grr...

kittiej · 3 March 2013 at 4:36PM

CW that recipe sounds yummy :drool: I've added to first post.

You're all making me sooo hungry!

March-ing and Munching 2013 - Take your lunch to work thread.

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