Noodle salad/ other options packed lunch.

[TheLadyIsAVamp]

Looking for some new ideas, I do loads of variations of pasta, rice, cous cous salads aswell as sandwiches, pittas, subs etc. I love the idea of a noodle salad but have never made one! Anyone have any nice recipes to share? Or even some other lunchbox ideas? 💡

This is easy and delicious

www.nigella.com/recipes/sesame-peanut-noodles

At the moment I love a home made muesli (oats, chopped nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, flax seed, wheatgerm, dried raisins, cranberries and gogi berries) topped with frozen berries. Then add milk of choice.
Also a salad with chopped sugar snaps, apple, edamame, petite pois, courgette and quinoa with a bit of soy sauce on.

I think for a noodle salad to work you need 1. lots of crunchy bits as otherwise it's all a bit soggy and 2. a really punchy dressing.

Other than that, you can pretty much do what you like.

I quite like a sort of thai style steak noodle salad - thin slices of beef (use a small actual steak, or leftovers from a roast). Noodles (obviously). then some sliced cucumber and peppers. Dressing is soy sauce and lime juice, with lots of herbs - mint, coriander and some sliced chilli. Topped with sesame seeds. YOu coudl do it with chicken or I guess something like fresh tuna. Or to make it vegetarian, up the veggie portion or add tofu?

I was going to suggest this too. It's really good.

I do grated carrot, finely shredded carrot, sweetcorn, cooked chicken and sesame seeds with a soy dressing.

Is there a microwave?
I've started making cabbage soup and it's so yummy! My son now makes it, adds shredded chicken for protein and takes it in to work. Need a good tight container (thermos could work too).
One cabbage,
Couple onions
Several carrots
A (head? Bunch?) celery
Garlic
Two pints chicken stock (can be vegetable).
Tin chopped tomatoes
Smoked paprika
Garlic Italian herbs
Salt and pepper
Chinese five spice

Chop up the onions, carrots, celery in big pot cook til softened. Add the chopped up cabbage and spices (I add at least two teaspoons of each, one teaspoon of salt and pepper), and grated garlic (as much as you want). After ten minutes add the stock and chopped tomatoes and cook another ten. Taste and add spices if needed.
Ta da! When you want to serve it just add shredded cooked chicken in to warm. It will keep for four days in the fridge. I don't add the chicken and it makes a filling low calorie healthy meal.

If there's a microwave my go to was udon noodles, miso paste, gyoza/cooked salmon/tofu and some frozen veg like peas or edamame. Pop it in a pot for transport, top up with boiling water in the office and microwave for 3-4 minutes for delicious noodle soup.

These are absolutely delicious, relatively simple and healthy, if you've got an Asian supermarket nearby.

https://healthynibblesandbits.com/fresh-vietnamese-spring-rolls-with-video/

Peanut noodle salad (I love this with soba noodles)
https://eatwithclarity.com/thai-noodle-salad/

Vietnamese noodle salads are amazing, I do tofu bun chay but don't have a recipe to hand as I just Google for a dressing recipe everytime I make it. If you wanted one with meat bun cha has meatballs.

I make this Thai chicken noodle salad it's really easy and delicious

Not noodles but this is lovely

Spanish-style Chickpea Salad
www.ocado.com/recipe?recipeId=128767&animated=1

Lots of ideas, thank you!

ottolenghi.co.uk/recipes/giant-couscous-with-golden-raisins-lemon-and-almonds

This is soooo good!

Another vote for Nigella’s noodles - delicious 😋

I take ready cooked gyozas and heat them up in the microwave with a sachet of miso soup on the side! If I'm feeling flush I have some Thai chilli crackers as well!