August Bring Your Lunch To Work Challenge

glass_half_full

FatVonD wrote: »

Talking of resisting, how in hell do you manage to only eat two squares of chocolate glass_half_full?! I'm an all or nothing chocolate eater myself

:rotfl:Don't know why I am ok with chocolate. Now cake I have more of a problem with!
Getting really into this challenge now. I made some scones on Friday afternoon, they were really popular with the family, all went by Saturday. This afternoon I have made a large Mexican Quinoa Salad from Vegan cookbook. Hoping to share it with OH for lunches through the first part of the week. Apparently it can last 3 days because of citrus (lemon and lime juice) in the recipe.

Florence_J

Batch cooked 4 portions of Mushroom Barlotto today (if anyone is wondering what a barlotto is it's basically a risotto but made with pearl barley), that will keep me safe till Friday

FatVonD

You're all doing so well, I have to 'fess up and say that my cauliflower cheese was made by Tesc0!

DaisyWalker

I've had a bit of a disaster today. Yesterday I made a tortilla I was hoping would last four breakfasts but I didn't cook it long enough so most was inedible. I had to grab a pastry when I got off the train = £1.60. I did bring a thermos of tea at least so that saved spending £1.90.

Lunch was rice salad with peas, mint, and feta. I've made it in the past and it'd been lovely but it was really nasty. Supposed to be two days' worth again. I ate it but won't be able to make myself tomorrow. Luckily I also brought in last night's pudding I didn't have room for - apple pie and custard - so that's cheering me up.

glass_half_full

Florence_J wrote: »

Batch cooked 4 portions of Mushroom Barlotto today (if anyone is wondering what a barlotto is it's basically a risotto but made with pearl barley), that will keep me safe till Friday

Sounds nice, would you mind sharing the recipe? (if it isn't too time consuming to type it out that is)
Lunch today
Mexican Quinoa Salad - 66p (the whole thing cost £4 but I reckon there are 6 portions sharing with OH)
1/2 bread roll - 8p
Crisps - 16p
Total 90p
Saving £2.10p

Destabilising

So, I'm not officially doing this challenge but I figured I may as well try to do it on days I'm at work.


Beef sandwich - 50p
Two apples - 30p
One orange - 10p


Total - 90p

Florence_J

Mushroom Barlotto, the recipe comes from a cookbook aimed at students called 'Beyond Baked Beans Green' by Fiona Beckett. Such a lovely little book, mostly cheap dishes although she does seem to think students can afford prosecco and nori sheets.

The recipe makes 4 portions

Onion (2 medium or 1 large)
garlic
150g mushrooms
3 sticks of celery
cumin and coriander
hot paprika
250g pearl barley
400g tin of chopped tomatoes (original recipe said 1/2 tin but I used all)
500ml stock

Cook the onion and garlic in oil for about 5 minutes then add the mushroom and celery.
Add the spices, chopped tomatoes and pearl barley, and then add the stock

cook for around 25-35 minutes until all the liquid has been absorbed.

I hope this helps

glass_half_full

Thanks Florence J, will give this a try and the book sounds interesting too.

DaisyWalker

put all the tortilla portions back in the oven last night so had a very tasty, and fully cooked, breakfast this morning. Plus I brought my own tea in a flask too so saved on that.

As I threw away lunch yesterday and didn't have a lot of time to prepare a new one last night I bought lunch from the work canteen - £3. But they do give you one free piece of fruit each day so I want to make sure I take advantage of that. Had a very nice plum today. In total it's a saving from what I often spend but still not where I want to be

DaisyWalker

@Florence J do you need to add the stock gradually for the Barlotto or can it all go in at once?