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Hey guys! What are your ideas on portable lunches? I ask because we’ve got the fridge set up at Windstone and can start bringing our own lunches. I need ideas! PB & J can only go so far. Also, school starts soon and I will have to make do with only a backpack and no fridge on two days out of the week!
I love the idea of bento boxes, only I haven’t usually got the time to make one. For those who don’t know, bento boxes are a Japanese style of lunch that’s packed into a little tupperware-ish box. They’re usually incredibly cute and full of decorated fruit and such. But the idea of a box seems to make sense!
Anyhow– what do you guys do for portable lunches?
They have some pretty nifty ideas.
Since I work at night, my lunch is essentially dinner (I just eat at my desk… usually digging in shortly after getting to work :P). Sometimes, my mom just cooks an extra helping of what is for dinner, and I’ll take that with me the next night.
Rice goes with lots of stuff! I used take some frozen veggies (fresh if I could get them, but frozen isn’t bad) and either nuke or cook them with some sort of sauce (I was well stocked in sauces). If I wanted meat, I’d cut up some meat (or tofu) into smaller bits and cook them with the same sauce. I’d mix the veggies in with the meat once the meat was cooked and then either pour it on the rice or mix it all together. I’ve used spicey sauces, teriyaki, ginger, orange citrus sauces, speedie sauce (it’s a central NY thing)… lots of different things! I’d have different types of frozen veggies (pepper mix one night, broccoli with mushrooms, carrots and onions another, etc.), sauces and and meats. Similar, all easy to cook (about 10-15 minutes tops with easy cleanup).
Another good thing is curry. You can make the curry and have it on the side with your rice.
Other than that, I just do some soy yogurt, some pieces of fruit/cut up veggies, something sweet as a treat, and a couple of sandwiches (vary them, otherwise I’d get bored real quick!).
I don’t know about the time involved with bento boxes, but they look nice!
Okay–college or work lunches. Here are some of the things I survived on fairly cheaply:
tortilla sandwiches = any kind of sandwich you like, just use tortillas instead of bread, and roll them up. The tortillas stay fresh longer than bread, and you can get many different flavors now.
chips/crackers/cookies/dried fruit = buy a normal sized bag/box, then immediately divide into single servings, put in little zipper bags, and seal. Makes it easier when getting a meal ready–just grab and go–and they won’t go stale as quickly.
Ramen = Yes, it’s cheap, but a lot of folks don’t like it. I wouldn’t use the seasoning packet, just the noodles, and would chop leftover meats or veggies into it once hot, add my own seasonings and an egg. Completely changes it into a meal. Very doable if you have a microwave or even a coffee pot for the hot water.
Sandwich meats = I buy what’s on sale at the deli, and split it out into individual portions once home. They freeze well (most of the time) and I often eat them rolled with cheese slices.
Egg salad/hard boiled eggs = cheap and easy! Since I can’t have bread or tortillas, I make egg salad (just chopped egg, mayo, yellow mustard and salt) and roll it into sliced sandwich meat. Turkey is my favorite. I eat it with tomato and/or avocado slices, and sometimes chips. I shell the regular hb eggs all at once, and keep in a zipper bag with a tiny bit of water–3-4 days (in the fridge, of course).
Macaroni and cheese with chili = one of the ones I miss the most! Make each separately, then top the mac with your favorite chili. Microwaveable, and tastes better the second day.
Plain or vanilla yogurt with frozen fruit = whatever fruit you like, put it on top of the yogurt while frozen, and it keeps both cool.
Cereal = whatever you like. With or without milk.
Tomato sandwiches = fresh sliced tomatoes with salt, pepper, and mayo on white bread. (if you have a sunny window, you can keep tomato plants inside all year, and harvest them constantly 😉 )
‘fried rice’ = I use leftover meats/veggies, rice, a tiny bit of butter, and an egg. Fix a batch ahead of time, and microwave the next day. Yummy!
Hamburger Soup = ground beef, turkey, or chicken; season, brown and drain; add 2 cans of your favorite mixed veggies, drained; one can of peeled, diced tomatoes; your favorite broth; season to taste. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes and enjoy. Microwaves nicely. (could add pasta, too)
Fresh fruit = whatever looks good and is on sale.
Trail mix = make your own so you know what’s really in it. Put in zipper bags or small plastic containers.
Yikes–now that you’re worn out from reading this! 😯 I’ll hush, for now… 😳
Mirrako… you are my hero! Cheap food for the university poor person!!!! That I can grab on the go! Hahaha which is even better… *starts to make grocery list*
Oh my gosh, between the both of you I think I’m covered for the rest of my life! I’ll have to save this list for future reference! Cheap, easy food is a wonderful thing. And it looks pretty healthy, too. Love the idea of putting frozen fruit in yogurt to keep it cool… I never thought of that!
I’m off to go look at Lunch in a Box!
I’m always happy to talk about food–it’s one of my passions!
I’m very glad that these ideas were helpful! 😀
Well… today we were lame and just ate supermarket sushi. And tomorrow I will make sandwiches… nothing too exciting.
Have you seen those hotdog octopi they have on Lunch in a box? They’re really ridiculously adorable. It’s something about the way they curl that’s pretty realistic, too.
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