Inspiration needed please...

C1aire

I need some ideas for lunches that I can keep in the fridge at work for a whole week. I cycle to work every day, but hate cycling with a rucksack as I get too hot, so the plan is to bring somehting in on Monday with my week's clothes and leave it at work. Any ideas beyond cottage/shepherd's pie, pasta bake/lasagne and soup?

Also, it needs to be store cupboard stuff as I've banned myself from the supermarket until I can afford my cat's dental treatment (£200 :eek: ).

gwinnie

Do you have flour etc? You could make some pasties.

C1aire

I do. Never thought of pasties. Never made them either - how hard is it? I'm a reasonable cook and always up for a challenge!

newlywed

My plan tonight is to make a big batch of red lentil and veg curry to freeze for work next week. Will cook and freeze the rice too.

Getting bored of sandwiches myself. There was a recipe for tortilla/wraps on here the other day though that looked quite easy to make. Then you can add whatever fillings you have.

Could you take tins of tuna with a pot of salad cream (or tins of baked beans) and then microwave some baked potatoes or anything??

overlykeensaver

how about taking a packet of couscous? You just pour some boiling water over it and cover the bowl for about 5 mins -then you can add whatever you fancy to it - tin of tuna, sardines, some chopped nuts etc.

gwinnie

C1aire wrote:

I do. Never thought of pasties. Never made them either - how hard is it? I'm a reasonable cook and always up for a challenge!

Hi Claire, I don't have one single recipe that I follow. I tend to look at recipes for Cornish pasties and empanadas (which are the spicy South American version), then I look at what I've got in the kitchen, especially at whatever's close to its use-by date. Then I use the recipe as a guide for the amounts of pastry, veg, spice, meat and/or cheese. I usually make a shortcrust pastry, and make up as large a batch of pasties as I can so that some can go into the freezer. As for fillings, I'll use anything! I've even used broccoli stems, which work ok if you dice them quite small.

Cornish pasty recipes: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/shortcrustpastry_2801.shtml

Empanadas: http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-0,empanada,FF.html

Michael_K

This isn't exactly what you were asking, but I'd recommend going for a rack and pannier set up if your bike can be fitted for one. No rucksack heat to deal with, and much easier if you're carrying any heavy stuff.

CLARABEL

firstly, I second he pannier and rack solution. I bought a rack for my bike from a supermarket for £15 and bags from lidl fro £4.99 each.

I take my lunch in the panniers each day.

If you are still intent on the weekly route, then I'd say...

quiche...

tuna and pitta breads with salad and a small bottle of mayo or dressing

tabbouleh

poatatoes + filling if there's a microwave to do jacket spuds

pasta salad

:T

get panniers though - they changed my life!!


Clara.xx

angelavdavis

newlywed wrote:

Getting bored of sandwiches myself.

I am glad someone is like me, although I hate them with a passion! I get SO bored with them!!!

I like making soup (red lentil is my favourite) - so easy to make.

I make HM bread rolls - small ones topped with mixed seeds which I eat with the soup.

I also like cooking a vegetable risotto and then heating it in the microwave.

I also do a chilli con carne and rice. Mix together and heat in the microwave.

I use leftover curried meat (drained on kitchen roll) in a wrap with iceberg lettuce and a little onion, together with some seasoned mayonnaise.

stefejb

I'm Thirding the pannier set too - I can get enough shopping for four days on mine - its also safer than trying to balance the wieght on your back. I just take leftovers from the night before for my lunch - do you have a microwave at your workplace

stef

Firehorse

Big vote for the pannier here too. Never used to have a car, so all my shopping was carried this way.

However, back to OP, is there a freezer compartment at work (thinking about storing home made meals)? If not, could you batch cook at home, and Tuesday-Friday take in pre-frozen batch meals, defrost in fridge then microwave. Obviously Monday you'd have to take in something from Sunday.