Lunchbox salad ideas (VERY exciting!).

[RidgedPerfection]

I am looking to refresh my lunch time salads with a few new variations so am after peoples' ideas - ideally quick to make, will last a few days in the fridge and not too costly please as they're to take to work every day.

I am not a fussy eater although like to avoid overly - processed foods in the main. I like grains, lentils, chickpeas, bulgar wheat etc and all fruit and veg. Pretty open to any flavour ideas and no allergies.

Thank you!!

Made a nice salad this week with quinoa.
Cooked quinoa, cucumbers, lettuce, beetroot, sunflower seeds, lemon vinaigrette. Idea was from 28 day vegan cookbook but I varied based on what I had in fridge.

Chickpeas dressed in a chilli marinade liven up a salad nicely. Or how about a nice panzanelle,

I often roast up sweet potatoes, general root vegs, onions and cauliflower to have cold in salads.

Couscous flavoured with your favourite flavours.

I had a nice easy lunch today.
Half a pack of cous cous, chopped up cucumber and pepper, crumble of feta and a few olives all mixed up. Then I had half a miso marinated chicken breast and pan fried till a lovely golden colour and cooked through.
Filled me up for ages and was just stuff I had in the fridge.

Thank you; I am a bit stuck in my "old faithful" ways so new combinations of my tried and tested staple ingredients are great. I have had panzanelle at a restaurant but it had never occurred to me to make my own - easy and tasty!

Halloumi and watermelon, with chilli oil

Millie2013 that sounds delicious and very refreshing!

Mexican - lettuce, tomato, sweetcorn, black beans, avocado, chilli con carne, etc

Jamie Oliver Frenchie salad (with or without chicken)

Fattoush

Beetroot, walnut and goats cheese w leaves (so quick if you use the pre cooked beetroot)

Sweet corn and black bean salad using tins plus fresh tomatoes, spring onions, cumin and lime juice plus chipotle paste

Potato salad with whizzed up cornichons, capers, oil and whatever herbs are on the go, or with black olives

I know it's not a salad but Hugh Fearnley's oven roasted roots frittata is so easy and freezes brilliantly for lunchboxes

Roasted veg (roots in winter, Mediterranean in summer)with halloumi or feta and harissa or pesto and couscous couscous.
Roasted beetroot with feta or goats cheese and walnuts.

Mint
Red onion
Black olives
Chick peas
Kidney beans
Peppers
Cucumber
Feta
Spring onions
Garlic
Cornichons

Dressing = Vinegar, lime juice, chilli flakes, Dijon, soy sauce, olive oil

My current favourites in salads are roastd beetroot with chilli and roasted cauliflower with garlic and smoked paprika. Just cut into chunks mix with a little tiny bit of olive oil, salt, pepper and any spices and roast for 20-30 minutes depending on chunk size. Good in grain based salads especially. I also like to make a beetroot dip thing, mix garlic, fat free Greek yogurt, a spoon of light mayo, salt, pepper and the juice from the beetroot vacuum pack, add a pack of precooked vacuum packed beetroot no vinegar etc, grate two, chop two, a lady in a restaurant in Greece told me how to make it, I couldn't believe it was so simple, it tastes better after at least overnight in the fridge.

Thank you all so much!

I’ve had a bit of a beetroot and feta thing going on recently. And a sprinkling of nuts on the top. If there’s left over gently cooked broccoli from dinner the night before, even better.

Also love the beetroot and feta, and watermelon, mint and feta is so refreshing too. I always roast a dish of peppers, sweet potatoes,, red onion and courgette seasoned with loads of pepper, chilli flakes and cinnamon. Then make either orzo or couscous (add a stock cube for extra flavour) and mix altogether. Sometimes add raisins and chopped dried apricots too.

Shredded Chinese leaf, grated carrots, grated radish, spring onion and coriander. Dressed with sliced red chilli, ginger, lime juice, soy sauce and sesame oil. Really robust, can make loads and lasts a few days. Lovely with tofu or toasted peanuts if veggie/vegan or shredded chicken, prawn or pork if you are not.