Lunch ideas

[mynervesarejangling]

Travelling for the day to see in-laws and said we would bring lunch. Hit me with easy, simple lunch ideas please. Often take soup but my mother in law claims it doesn't agree with her now! Thanks!

how long is your journey there?

I’d make a kind of disassembled salad nicoise - take hard boiled eggs, black olives, French dressing, smoked salmon or tuna, salad with plenty of fresh dill and fresh parsely, lemon wedges and new potatoes & dwarf green beans to cook when you’re there, and Id pick up a fresh crusty baguette from Lidl before I set off.

As that’s nice and light I’d take a hot dessert - maybe some Gu chocolate puddings

Roast sweet potato at home and pack up. Take crumbly goats cheese with you. When you get there combine the two with green salad balsamic and olive oil and grated carrot.

If you want meat take cold chicken with you.

Alternatively cook a big veggie or meat lasagne and take over (preferably while still warm).

3-4 hrs

and you balanced soup on your lap?!

jusy go to M&S on the way and grab a load of lovely christmas’s lunch bits

Do they want you to bring lunch?

i can’t imagine having guests that are travelling 4 hours to bring lunch to my home

V large Tupperware container with tight fitting lid, then cling film round it. In a shopping bag, travelled well!

Yes

They're v elderly with mobility issues

Sounds like a good idea. Ideally as I didn't want to just to do Christmas 'picky bits'

I'd make an afternoon tea type thing. Naice finger sandwich, mini sausage rolls and quiche squares. Followed by Victoria sandwich cake and cups of tea.

I'd take a couple of quiche, maybe one salmon and one bacon, plus some oven chips. Easy to transport, and quick & simple to prepare once you arrive.
I'd also take a small selection of fresh fruit.

For this type of thing at this time of year I'd do a slow cooked beef casserole/daube/bourgignon (sp?), and part bake some jacket potatoes, so I could finish them off in their oven.

I would stop off at the nicest supermarket 30-ish minutes before arrival and stock up on good quality meats and pates and cheeses and smoked salmon and a lovely cheesecake.

I am a soup-avoider myself. Unless it's French onion or Borscht.

Are they adventurous eaters? Any health issues to take into account? My mother is 92 and has a very small appetite now. She tends to stick to very familiar foods these days. Anything of that sort going on?

On the assumption that the familiar and easily digested might be better, I'd go for shepherd's or cottage pie. If your baking dish can fit in the cool box, assemble at home, otherwise put mince and mash in separately and assemble there. Finish off in their oven. Serve with peas or other veg as preferred. My husband likes it with baked beans.

Any sort of baked dish that you can prepare ahead and then just pop in their oven works well - baked pasta, lasagna, moussaka etc.

or a casserole/slow cooker type thing that can just be transported in its cooking container and kept vaguelly warm while travelling.

Otherwise I'm with the suggestions for cheese, charcuterie, nice bread, bit of salad. Maybe a quiche.

Think it's an excuse, that's she just doesn't fancy soup!

Good old Shepherd's or Cottage pie. Can't be beaten and everyone (usually) loves it. Add veg (precooked or already roasted), or just a tin of peas and a few carrotts. Keep it simple and transportable.

Well that's what I'd do in your circs.

Call at the local chippy when you arrive.