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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask what is your favourite office lunch is?

27 replies

Namechange1011111stairs · 08/03/2023 09:23

By office I mean place of work obviously.

I tend to do meal deals but One: I don't actually like them all that much. I'm sure they used to be nicer and Two: they are spendy!

I'd rather not have sandwiches everyday but lack imagination and need something easy/quick. I don't mind a little prep though. We don't really have leftovers.

So hit me with your favourite veggie working lunches!

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 08/03/2023 09:27

Do you have access to a microwave?

I’ve just made myself a packed lunch of humours and salsa with celery, breadsticks and tortilla chips to dip in.

soup? Jacket potato?

BitOutOfPractice · 08/03/2023 09:27

humous. Not humours! 😬

SnowLemons · 08/03/2023 09:28

Bagel cream cheese and gerkins

SnowLemons · 08/03/2023 09:28

Avoid garlic and onion

Onceuponatime56 · 08/03/2023 09:31

I tend to vary different dishes:

  • vegetable fried rice
  • roasted or green veg pasta bake (pesto, tomato or cream cheese sauce)
  • sweet potato or carrot soup
  • bakers omelette
  • shepherdess pie
leftovers is the easiest way to do it but if not I make enough for three days at a time and just change the menu each week.
Igenix4 · 08/03/2023 09:35

I have 3 that I switch between each week,
Quorn chicken and pok choi spicy noodles,
Tomato soup with bread, I use those quick packet soups that you just add hot water too
Beef chilli and rice bowl with roasted veggies - could swap the beef mince for extra beans

I do meal prep on Sundays and Wednesdays so I can just grab whichever I want and then it's just a case of using the kettle or microwave at work

7Worfs · 08/03/2023 09:37

I used to prep a massive salad in the evenings, consisting of:

Pasta, cucumber, tomato, carrot, radishes, olives, boiled eggs and whatever else was in the fridge, and carry separately a can of tuna to add on the spot. I used those boxes that have a top shelf for snacks so also carried nuts and grapes for snacks.

Best eaten in the kitchen area though, and thoroughly rinsing the tuna can immediately.
Boiled eggs should be peeled at home, as they release most smell during peeling.

beguilingeyes · 08/03/2023 09:41

For a meal deal I like Sainsbury's pasta, mozzarella and tomato salad. It's lush.

Hereforthedramaz · 08/03/2023 09:50

My favourites are :

Homemade "Poke Bowl" - some kind of precooked protein (Tesco chilli salmon fillets are my favourite), a microwave rice or grain pouch, grated carrot and sliced cucumber.

Same chilli salmon fillets flaked onto a bagel with sliced cucumber

This does use a George foreman type grill but, plain wrap fold in half with parma ham and sliced cheese (pretty much any kind), grilled for a few minutes.

very simple- toasted pitta soldiers and taramasalata

Utterlybananas333 · 08/03/2023 09:52

Vegetable wrap, bean salad, pasta salad, spinach omelette, bean burger. Etc

southlondoner02 · 08/03/2023 10:05

If I don't have time to cook or have leftovers, I like falafel. I take shop made falafel- I like the gosh ones in different flavours, pitta, hummus and salad leaves. Usually take some other veg like cherry tomatoes, sliced peppers, sugar snaps to have on the side. I keep pitta and falafel in the freezer so can just take what I need and heat in the microwave/ toaster

LindorDoubleChoc · 08/03/2023 10:12

I work from home but don't make elaborate lunches.

I often have eggs for lunch - scrambled with toast and marmite, or a fried egg sandwich, or a cheese omelette in a wrap or with toast on the side.

Smashed avocado on sourdough, fresh soup (home made if I have any left over, I make a lot of soup) or in a tub from the supermarket. I always have vegetarian if buying soups or sandwiches as I don't trust the meat.

About twice a month I treat myself to a gorgeous salad box from a local restaurant but it's about £6 or £7 so I can't justify doing it more often.

A small supermarket veggie pizza if they are on special offer.

In the summer - mozarella, tomato, avocado and black olive salad. Yum.

dancinfeet · 08/03/2023 10:14

chicken and duck sushi from lidl- it’s my once a week treat (I don’t like fish sushi). The Lidl vegetarian sushi is very nice too!

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 08/03/2023 10:15

I'm a homemade soup gal. Tasty, healthy, cheap, doesn't make me chonky. Today's is butternut squash and sage.

It does mean however that I'd never in a million years order soup when in a restaurant as in my mind it's strictly 'weekday lunch' grub.

MuddledMindy · 08/03/2023 10:18

Today I have smoked mackerel, left over egg fried rice, some roasted veg and spinach and feta cheese

evtheria · 08/03/2023 10:18

I do those prepped noodle soup things in a jar/food flask. There are vids on IG showing to fill the flask with:
assorted chopped veg (ones that are delicate and don't need cooking, ie broccoli bits, sliced chilli, crushed ginger & garlic, bean sprouts, shredded greens, shaved carrots)
a small handful of precooked or thin noodles,
and either some miso paste or veg bouillon. Then in office just add freshly boiled water from the kettle!

evtheria · 08/03/2023 10:19

PS
All the vids show people making them in glass mason jars, which is very delightful and pretty but I tried that first time and nearly dropped it, it was that hot to hold.

familyissues12345 · 08/03/2023 10:23

My favourite is cous cous, pomegranate and feta.

I use those ainsley Harriet sachet for the cous cous - the tomato one is nice.

Other favourites are the wafer thin quorn "ham" with Mayo on a warburton thin, or cheese and chutney on crackers

Seasonofthewitch83 · 08/03/2023 10:39

I love tomato rice with smoky black beans, cheese, taco seasoned chicken if I can be bothered with toasted tortillas. Very warm and comforting and v cheap without the meat.

My current go to is making my own Joe and The Juice spicy tunacado sandwich- tuna, pesto, tomato, jalapenos and tobacco and I like to add a slice of mozzarella cheese. Im using a danish rye flatbread but its not QUITE the same....

Seasonofthewitch83 · 08/03/2023 10:40

Oh also in the summer - salad of choice with chicken, croutons and mixed through with hummus - delicious!

WandaWonder · 08/03/2023 10:52

I fall asleep at my desk if I have a hot meal and midday

Somedays I just have cheese and crackers or just random stuff put together salad-ish

user1471434829 · 08/03/2023 14:01

I do thw ainsley harriet packet cous cous (1/2 a sachet) with cherry Tom's, feta, olives, cucumber, red onion and a dash of olive oil. Takes 5 mins to make and easily transportable! I find salads don't travel well getting bashed about in my bag on the tram. I have salads most days at home. I used to have a lot of pasta bakes, but try to keep calories down at lunchtime now.

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 08/03/2023 14:05

I make a big pan of soup on a Sunday and it lasts me the week, a protein yoghurt and a banana.

strivingtosucceed · 08/03/2023 15:38

I usually buy lunch when I go to work since I don't go very often. If i'm WFH however i'll make a normal meal. Eg today I had a brunch burrito (scrambled eggs & stir fried onions tomatos & cheese). Other meals i've had recently:
Chilli con carne w cherry tomatoes & avocado
egg fried rice
Okra gumbo + rice
spag bol
grilled cheese
beans on toast (was having a bad day)
bibimbap
stir fry

Usually I batch cook, but sometimes i'll whip up a lunch if it doesn't take too long.

Hobbesmanc · 08/03/2023 17:28

I love half a ripe avocado with cottage cheese and a pita. I keep a variety of hot sauce, spices etc at work to jazz stuff up.

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