Quick, easy office lunches

[whattodowhat]

I know it's probably been done to death but had a quick search and couldn't see anything and about to rush back out the door

Starting a FT office role next week, not the best facilities but also would like to cut calories where pos.

I'm not a terrible cook but I won't enjoy it so would appreciate anyones ideas for quick easy lunches. Don't mind things that need heating but easy prep would be great. Being able to make in advance is a bonus.

TIA!

Pitta bread with stuff in

Caponata - fry up two copped aubergines, add a chopped red onion and a small amount of garlic (optional). When fired up a bit add a tin of tomatoes, a tin of beans of your choice, half a pack of olives, 3tablespoons each of balsamic vinegar and capers and some parsley if you have it. Season to taste. Nice cold with feta and/or bread, or heated up with pasta. Reasonably healthy.

Greek salad
Chicken Caesar salad
Mixed bean & red pepper salad with feta cubes
Cous-cous with olives, cucumber, tomatoes and diced chicken

Do you have a microwave in the office? I always keep a tin of soup and a pack of oatcakes for emergencies!

otherwise I make extra dinner and pop it in my funky bento box for the next day (so salad and pasta) and take some fruit with me.

I have a fat thermos for winter so heat rice in the microwave in the morning and pop it in then heat leftover stew of Dahl and pop that on top. It keeps nice and hot. Leftover homemade soup is also very good on a thermos.

Amazing ideas, thank you! No idea what a bento box is but will have a Google later.

Keep the idea coming!

Break a couple of eggs into a jar or Tupperware, add salt, pepper, cheese and any other flavours you like (spring onions/peppers/chilli). Couple of slices of bread and butter.

At punch time just microwave the eggs for 2 mins, stirring part way through.

If they have a microwave freeze your left overs (unless they are fish).

A sandwich - sometimes the classics hit the spot.

Salad - when you get going it takes no longer than the kettle boiling.

I tend to make up batches of these types of things at the start of the week and then pack a couple up in tupperware the night before to make a salad:

Couscous - add chopped cucumber raisins, red onion, grated carrot etc and a squeeze of orange juice
Hummous
Over-roasted cherry tomatoes
Basil/rocket pesto
Roasted veg such as sweet potato and courgette
Couple of hard-boiled eggs

Then I sometimes add a slice of ham or some cheese and crackers, and voila. I have one of those boxes with a little pot for dressing too so I make vinaigrette and take some of that so I can dress it just before I eat it. And I always keep salt and pepper at work.

In the winter I tend to take soup in a flask or sometimes leftover chilli or curry.

I've got a fridge and microwave so try to mix it up as much as possible. This time of year, I make up a couple of salads two or three times a week. I make potato salad, quinoa salad, rice salad, pasta salad, you get the picture. Add some cold meat, cherry tomatoes, chopped veg, cucumber, peppers, gherkins, hard boiled eggs, etc etc. I try to make each day different to stop it becoming boring.

Leftovers are also common with me, and I do often cook extra roast vegetables at tea purely to have for lunch the next day with feta and spinach. Frittata is lovely for lunch with a side salad. I'm a big fan of soups so even in summer, I sometimes have lentil soup, with crackers and cheese.

Jar salads (got the idea from tiktok)

Dressing in the bottom. Layer of cucumber as a barrier then throw in meat / egg / tomatoes etc. Top with lettuce and screw the lid on tight

Shake before opening to spread the dressing through then top into a bowl to eat

I make 4 on a Monday and eat one a day. They're still fresh on the 4th day

I like the idea. The only thing is the dressing, doesn't it go watery when it goes warm? Not sure yet if we have a fridge

I'm in the salad camp.
Usually some mixed salad leaves, spring onions, cherry tomatoes, plus optional radish, celery, avocado. Occasionally left over roast pepper/courgette/aubergine. Then add eg. salami, goats cheese, smoked salmon, shredded ham, boiled egg, bacon, tuna. Big dollop of mayo on one side.

My latest one on repeat is felafel balls, cooked and cooled, with bagged salad greens, red onion, cherry tomatoes and a big splodge of tzatziki.

So easy, filling and doesn't need heating.

The last one was spiral pasta salad with tuna, corn, spring onions, capsicum, celery, parsely or what-have-you, with mayo and horseradish. Could actually go that right now, mmm.

Cereal, yogurt, frozen berries

Buy a food thermos for the winter. I heat up soup or do a quick stir fry in the morning if I have time or reheat chilli etc from the night before. It will still be hot at lunch time (sometimes too hot) but you don't have to worry about keeping it chilled whilst at work or waiting for the microwave to be free.

My quick and easy is the precut carrot sticks from the supermarket and a tub of houmous or similar dip

I had a colleague who used to heat up meatballs in marinara sauce for his thermos then make his own meatball marinara sub at lunch. An Aldi subway rolls, a few slices of cheese, some basil leaves and you're done. I'm a vegetarian so never tried it but it looked so delicious.

Tonight for dinner I am making herb rice and a curry (maybe Dahl).

I will keep some aside for tomorrow lunch. Heat up the rice on the microwave in the morning and pop into my fat thermos, then heat the curry/Dahl and pour it on top and it will keep warm for lunch.

Oh and I got some lovely bread from my local ME store today (it says it’s naan but it’s more like fat pita) and will take some of that too because it’s bloody lovely.

My office is next to a Lidl. I often buy some of their polish sausage (Kolbasa) and have that with their creme fraiche potato salad. Not a cal-wise option!

Otherwise i am Queen of Leftovers heated in the microwave.

I do the same as pp and keep emergency soup and oatcakes in my locker but do try to bring something in every day. Today I had broccoli and quinoa for lunch and it was tasty and filling, the dressing in particular was good.

www.wellplated.com/broccoli-quinoa-salad/

I’ve also made Nadiya’s Rosti Quiche recently, portioned it up and frozen it to take in, obviously it’s not as crispy as when it’s just made but still delicious. I changed the filling and made mine beetroot, cream cheese and dill.

Leftovers are always a winner too.

Emergency soup 😋😆

Does nobody just eat a sarnie anymore?

I'm sure loads of people do, but I guess posters just assumed the OP had head of sandwiches and was after other suggestions! And it does get a bit dull to eat a sandwich 5 days a week for over half the year.