(above is my Spicy Pastrami)
With kids returning to school comes the pressure of packed lunch ideas. Maybe you’re not a parent but need ideas for your own packed lunch. Besides, bringing your own lunch to work is a much healthier option than going out to eat everyday, and it saves money. If you are like me, if my weekly lunch menu is not planned, I end up making more PB&Js and plain cheese and turkey sandwiches then I would like. Things get boring!
Below is a chart of my most favorite sandwich ingredients. This way everything is laid out in front of me and I don’t have to think up ingredients off the top of my head. It even helps me get a little more creative with flavor combos. Walk around your produce section to come up with your own list, or add to mine. Think about your leftovers – grilled steak, chicken, pork, grilled fish, slice those up and make a sandwich the next day.
Having a chart can help remind kids of options they may not otherwise think up. Let them add their favorites to the list. At the beginning of each week make sure to choose a few sandwiches for the week and make sure you have the ingredients for those. I use lists for everything at home and work, so it only made sense to come up with a list for lunches! (Another idea is to also keep a list of items kids can chose from for sides and snacks to complete their lunch).
Bread | Meat | cheese | Veggies | Spreads/Toppings |
Whole Wheat Cibatta Rolls Rye Pumpernickel Artisan French Sourdough Pita Naan Lavash Tortillas |
Turkey Ham Bacon Salami Chicken Steak pastrami |
cheddar havarti swiss smoked cheddar gouda smoked gouda goat cheese brie blue cheese feta mozzarella |
peppercinis jalepenos bell peppers cucumbers olives arugula endive lettuce sprouts tomato onion coleslaw broccoli slaw avocado chilies pickles |
Pesto Mayo Sun-dried tomato spread Goat cheese spread olive tapenade stone ground mustard red wine vinegar balsamic vinegar olive oil parmesan cheese fresh or dried herbs OTHER: |
My daughter’s favorite is peanut butter, marshmallow cream, and strawberry on whole wheat bread.
As for the spreads here are a few really easy and great tasting spreads for your sandwiches:
Pesto Mayo
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup prepared or homemade pesto
Mix ingredients together in a bowl.
Jalapeno Aioli
1 whole jalapeno, stem cut off
½ cup mayo
¼ cup sour cream
½ bunch cilantro
salt and pepper
Place jalapenos in a food processor or blender until coarsely chopped. Add the rest of the ingredients and process until all combined.
Sun-dried Tomato Spread
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup goat cheese (goat cheese can be substituted with cream cheese or another soft cheese)
¼ cup Sun-dried tomatoes
Place ingredients in a food processor (or blender) and process until smooth.
Goat Cheese Spread
½ cup soft goat cheese (Chevre)
3 mint leaves
¼ c parsley
½ lemon jucied
1/8 tsp honey
In a food processor (or blender) mix all ingredients together until the mixture is smooth.