Cold lunches for work

glider3560

I normally cook a big pot of something for tea, freeze some and portion an good amount for lunch the next day. It works well and fills me up.

However, the kitchen area at work is filthy. I microwave with the lid on but loose, so splashes don't dirty it. We've now been told that everyone using the microwave, fridge or sink must sign up for a cleaning rota, or else not use these facilities. There are some incredibly messy people here, and it does not seem right to have to clear up when I'm tidy, so I have opted out of using the kitchen.

My work is in the absolute middle of nowhere. The nearest civilisation is a Sainsbury's, about 6 miles away. Good store (large hot counter, cafe, sushi counter), but too far to travel to each day. The on-site canteen only serves one hot meat option and one hot veg option each day, which are normally very basic cheap foods (e.g. meat or veg burger, fish & chips, reformed chicken in breadcrumbs, etc).

That means I now need to think of things to eat that taste nice cold.

So far, I've done:

• sandwiches
• bake at home baguettes with various fillings
• jacket potato with tuna mayo (tuna was ok, but potato not nice cold)
• cous cous (not very filling)
• pasta (just about ok cold, but not great)

Does anyone have any suggestions? I eat quite big portions, so find salads don't really fill me up. I'm bored with sandwiches already.

Ms_Chocaholic

What about something like this and you can have hot food at work
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermos-Stainless-King-Flask-Midnight/dp/B001ET6P9Q

PasturesNew

Cup a soups are nice; if opting out of the kitchen also means you've no access to the kettle, take your own flask of plain hot water to add to the sachet.

Other cold stuff that's nice:
Cheese triangles
Frittata, as a slice, or as a pitta/baguette filling
Quiche is lovely cold - ditto pizza.
Pasta salad, layered salad ... just concentrate on layers/items that are tasty and filling (e.g. boiled eggs, potato salad, cheese, pasta)

You can buy food flasks, which have a very wide neck, so you just unscrew the top and eat directly from it. The more expensive/branded ones will also say they keep stuff hot for 24 hours, so "until lunchtime" will be OK.

Owain_Moneysaver

Your employer is legally required to provide certain welfare facilities at work, and to keep them clean.

This includes a supply of drinking water and a means of heating food or water for hot drinks.

The fridge and microwave (if there is also a kettle) may be negotiable, but they can't stop you using the sink for water (unless there is a separate drinking water supply).

VfM4meplse

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Your employer is legally required to provide certain welfare facilities at work, and to keep them clean.

This includes a supply of drinking water and a means of heating food or water for hot drinks.

The fridge and microwave (if there is also a kettle) may be negotiable, but they can't stop you using the sink for water (unless there is a separate drinking water supply).

Apart from the legal requirement, it would be nice if the employer encouraged people to treat the place like home, ie to leave the kitchen as you would like to find it.

And re-think the couscous - add lots of salad veggies, tomatoes and pesto to it - or try bulgar wheat instead. I promise you it will keep you going until the end of the day if you eat enough of it.

Wi88le

Would something like a small pressure cooker be an option, plug it in under your desk or in the canteen? Argos have the pressure King pro in a small size.

VfM4meplse

Wi88le wrote: »

Would something like a small pressure cooker be an option, plug it in under your desk or in the canteen? Argos have the pressure King pro in a small size.

Its not very nice for the OP’s co-workers, though!

elsien

Bean salad is quick and filling. Mixed beans, cannellini, that sort of thing, you can chuck in peppers, celery, raw carrot, whatever you've got to hand and make it more filling with boiled eggs, tuna etc.
I also keep a stack of mini falafels, samosa etc in the freezer. You can make a quick yoghurt dip if they're a bit dry.
Another vote for frittata - put sweet potato in to make them more filling. I make them in muffin cases and freeze them.

Wi88le

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Its not very nice for the OP’s co-workers, though!

If it’s in a canteen then it’s no worse than a microwave, under a desk would depend on the layout of the office, own office etc

Spendless

Chicken drumsticks with coleslaw/potato salad.

Tikka/tandoori small chicken fillets etc, with an onion salad, mango chutney and poopadoms.

Scotch eggs.

Pasties.

Floss

Pasta salad is best when mixed when the pasta is warm and given a good dollop of salad cream to add flavour & prevent it sticking together

I often have yogurt with h/m jam at 10ish then salad of rocket, cucumber, cherry toms, cheese (not much usually feta or cheddar) with cold meat/chicken tikka/hot dog sausages in. If that's not enough then maybe have something high in protein or low gi to accompany or follow it.

Also, I would consider a hot food flask for your home made leftovers.