Cold lunch ideas!

[rousieee]

Hi! I know someone has already posted about quick and easy lunch plans, so now does anyone have any lunch ideas to take to work that may take a little longer? I always seem to have variations on the same thing, but would like to have something a little different which I can prepare on the Sunday to take on Monday/Tuesday.

It's not easy to get in on the microwave at lunchtimes so ideally cold ideas would be better!

[givepeasachance]

Try this aubergine stew (it's a bit like caponata I think). It takes about an hour or so to make the night before, then you chill it overnight and all the flavours mingle. I serve it with tortilla wraps or other flatbreads for dipping.
Fry an onion on a low heat in olive oil until it goes clear and soft, then add a couple of garlic cloves (chopped or crushed up) and soften for a minute. Then add a large aubergine, cut into cubes, and saute for a bit until beginning to brown. Then add about a pint of passata or tinned toms, some capers (I like these so I use a couple of teaspoons), a twist of black pepper and a big pinch of chilli flakes (the fairly mild kind you find in middle-eastern corner shops). Simmer with a lid on for about 40 mins or so. I sometimes add cubes of potato that I've cooked in the microwave to make it more filling. It's nice as a hot stew, but even better when it's gone cold and been left in the fridge overnight!

[juliedee4663]

I love roasted vegetable cous cous, very easy and quick to prepare and can eat it cold the next day

[Rachel_murray]

Pasta, couscous and rices are great to eat cold.

I've also tried a roasted Veg couscous with smoked garlic (morrisons) and it was LUSH!

Mediterranean cous cous is nice too with sultanas, orange zest and juice etc

[rousieee]

Some lush ideas there, thanks very much

[smith009]

I agree with that!How about pizza? or mango float its really cold.....and past foods?

[smith009]

and it was also time consuming in putting foods in microwave.

[Carrie]

I often make some sort of a salad at dinner time then store some extra away in a box for work the next day, I use variations of things like chickpeas, couscous, pasta salad, normal green salad. I've been known to add a crazy variety of vegetables in these salads, always a tasty next day lunch.

[simplyfood]

Mexican Rice Salad

2 cups Cold boiled rice
green /red pepper diced
2 oz kidney beans cooked
2 oz cooked sweet corn
1 red onion
i tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cumin powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh chopped coriander


Heat oil in pan when it is hot add the onion and pepper and stir fry for 2-3 minutes till onions soften.Add the kidney beans and sweet corn and stir fry for 2-3 minutes more.Add the spices and mix well. Add the rice and toss well until veg and rice are well mixed.
Garnish with chopped coriander.

[smith009]

Oh thank you for sharing your recipe.... I love mexican foods..