Do you want the recipe for one of my all-time favorite delicious, reliable, convenient lunches?
Here you go:
avocado not to scale
That’s it. I pour out the salad kit, put a cut-up avocado on it, and I eat the whole thing. Sometimes, I let the greens sit in the dressing for a bit before I eat it if I want to go the extra mile.
Let me know if you have any favorite meals for yourself (or for your family, if you must) that are basically a thing that’s already prepared + one other thing you add to it.
Cook pasta, add frozen peas for the last 30 seconds or so, drain, and add a jar of pesto.
Good, and my kindergartener has always loved it too. Sometimes we do chopped broccoli instead of the frozen peas and he loves that as well. (Despite being an otherwise picky eater who will not eat cheese, o heresy!).
Also, sticking a poached egg on top of leftovers. How to poach the egg? Get a mug, fill with cold water, crack the egg into it, cover, and microwave for 30-45 seconds. Sounds terrible but it's not: it will be a near-perfect poached egg!
Cottage cheese plus salsa. I know! Sounds horrible! It was something my mom ate in the 80s when she was dieting! That's where I learned it! But I really like it! Also, salsa on a hot baked sweet potato. It's seriously great. Just plain ol' salsa (I like pico de gallo but you do you!) on a nice hot sweet potato.
Frozen pizza + arugula tossed in olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Somehow the greens stacked on top make it so much better ?!?!
Also, when I make Mac and cheese for my kids I eat it with leftover roasted veggies of any kind + lots of sour kraut. Extra points if it's red saurkrat. Eat the rainbow 🌈 😜
ok, so this isn't like, a healthful hack BUT it has genuinely enhanced my life. the "EVOL" brand of frozen microwaveable truffle mac and cheese is legitimately really really good and filling and warm and has the right tiny amount of bread crumb crunch and is not too truffle-y. You don't even have to poke holes or pull back the wrapping before you nuke it for 04:30. As for my addition to it, usually it's just fresh pepper + eat it out of a real bowl. But plenty of other things would be amazing. I hope this reaches someone in need.
Aldi take and bake veggie pizza. I put a clove or two in my garlic press and sprinkle it all over before baking. ELEVATES that shit to gourmet immediately.
Top Ramen (soy sauce flavor is my go-to) + veggies (broccoli? carrots?) + Trader Joe's frozen gyoza + an egg (boiled in the same pot with the ramen noodles)? OH MY. That's more than one thing, but nothing takes effort!
Locally made pierogies with sour cream. I pan fry the pierogies in olive oil until the outsides are a little cripsy, toss 'em on a plate, and add a dollop of sour cream. Yum.
My thing to add to basically everything are the fried onions that you buy in a can. I have celiac and found gluten free ones at Kroger, and basically add them to all things. Bagged salad kits, stir fry, eggs, etc. For whatever reason they are so delicious and really put that packaged thing over the top.
I do the whole whatever is in the leftover pile + an orange or an apple or an avocado. The thing + another thing is always the best lunch! Last night, I made waffle iron hot sandwiches out of pork my husband had cooked and served them with mini tater tots. 100% family approval! I sound like a frat dude with my waffle iron (i.e. George Foreman grill), but I may never eat a hot sandwich that doesn't come in crunchy squares again!
Trader Joe's frozen fried rice is my favorite base for this kind of recipe - add in an egg or two, any assorted leftover vegetables from other meals, maybe some chicken. My kids go crazy for it.
“Crack dip,” as we refer to it, is always a huge crowd pleaser at gatherings. One jar of roasted corn & black bean salsa (I tend to grab Newman’s Own or Desert Pepper but any will do) + one block of cream cheese. Heat on low and stir until blended. Serve with chips :)
The answer is a fried egg on top of literally anything. The bagged salad? Leftover pizza? Cup o' noodles? Any leftover in the fridge? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
tuna salad (mayo, salt, pepper. Optional additions of chopped pickle, celery, pepper, whatever veg) + the super crunchy, thick-cut potato chips for scooping. Tortilla chips work in a pinch too.
Buttered white rice (I normally use leftover rice or minute rice) with kimchi and a fried egg or two on top. Ultimate comfort food and relatively nutritious
An avocado smushed up with some salsa and dollop that onto a really crunchy (in the texture *and* culture sense) cracker like Wasa or Ryvita. Technically three things but two are just opening packages.
My favorite "can't even" lunch right now is to make a plate with sliced apples, peanut butter, crackers, and cheddar cheese. Infinite possibilities and all are delicious
Packaged Ramen + either a scoop of mayo or a raw egg. Or both. You need to temper the egg so I have to be in the mood but it's delicious and it makes me feel like I'm giving my kids more of a full meal. If I'm getting really fancy I'll add greens such as green onions, bok choi, kale, spinach, or whatever's in the fridge.
I am full of delight and despair at this thread - so many great ideas! But also so many threats to my work/life/lunch balance if feeding myself during the day is so easy and delicious! 😂💕
I am impressed with all of you eating salad for lunch which I should do more.
My favorite easy lunch is kind of a girl dinner lunch. Cut up baguette from the store with cheese and prosciutto or salami. Then whatever else I have — cut up fruit, olives, dried fruit, etc.
Any of those frozen meals (like the healthy choice brand power bowls) that are made with lots of veggies and protein and have good flavour but are virtually devoid of carbs and therefore not an actual meal, plus a 90 second microwave rice pouch - usually long grain and wild.
Costco was sampling Primal brand Buffalo sauce by mixing with canned chicken, and put on hawaiian roll. way more delicious than I'd expect given the simplicity. About to have that for lunch.
Heck yes, these Taylor Farms salad kits have been my jam for work lunches in 2024. I cook up a couple of Caulipower frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer and throw in a Tupperware for the office.
(Note: the chicken tenders must be the "spicy" ones, which are far, far superior to the regular ones.)
Big plus one for the Southwest salad + avocado. I eat it lat least twice a week. I usually add 1-2 hardboiled eggs and some shredded cheese. Chef's kiss.
Oh, I do this one all the time--but just for me 😂 I pretend I'm Elaine from Seinfeld and that this is my BIG SALAD. I eat with zero guilt and it's FAB! (I do let the greens soak a bit b/c it gives them that extra bit of zazz.) My FAVE family recipe that they all don't seem to hate and that feels fancy and not like we're always surrendering to incessantly bland pastas, is the sheet pan recipe from the NY Times Cooking section... it's the roast chicken, with pears, and arugula... and it's so full of flavor--everyone forgets they are eating greens. https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022667-sheet-pan-roasted-chicken-with-pears-and-arugula
Oohhh, I will have to look for that chopped salad! Mine is Momofuku ramen (fancy I know, you can order on Amazon) with a soft boiled egg on top. Last week I mixed in a TBSP of peanut butter with the Tingly Chili Noodles flavor, and it was amazing.
Cook pasta, add frozen peas for the last 30 seconds or so, drain, and add a jar of pesto.
Good, and my kindergartener has always loved it too. Sometimes we do chopped broccoli instead of the frozen peas and he loves that as well. (Despite being an otherwise picky eater who will not eat cheese, o heresy!).
Also, sticking a poached egg on top of leftovers. How to poach the egg? Get a mug, fill with cold water, crack the egg into it, cover, and microwave for 30-45 seconds. Sounds terrible but it's not: it will be a near-perfect poached egg!
Costco pre-cooked beets, cut. Costco goat cheese log, Crumbled. Any dressing. Salt & pepper. Extra fancy: Trader Joe’s candied pecans. Perfection
Cottage cheese plus salsa. I know! Sounds horrible! It was something my mom ate in the 80s when she was dieting! That's where I learned it! But I really like it! Also, salsa on a hot baked sweet potato. It's seriously great. Just plain ol' salsa (I like pico de gallo but you do you!) on a nice hot sweet potato.
Frozen pizza + arugula tossed in olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Somehow the greens stacked on top make it so much better ?!?!
Also, when I make Mac and cheese for my kids I eat it with leftover roasted veggies of any kind + lots of sour kraut. Extra points if it's red saurkrat. Eat the rainbow 🌈 😜
"avocado not to scale" lol!
I love to cut up an avocado, cut up a grapefruit, mix the two, and enjoy. So good!
ok, so this isn't like, a healthful hack BUT it has genuinely enhanced my life. the "EVOL" brand of frozen microwaveable truffle mac and cheese is legitimately really really good and filling and warm and has the right tiny amount of bread crumb crunch and is not too truffle-y. You don't even have to poke holes or pull back the wrapping before you nuke it for 04:30. As for my addition to it, usually it's just fresh pepper + eat it out of a real bowl. But plenty of other things would be amazing. I hope this reaches someone in need.
Aldi take and bake veggie pizza. I put a clove or two in my garlic press and sprinkle it all over before baking. ELEVATES that shit to gourmet immediately.
Top Ramen (soy sauce flavor is my go-to) + veggies (broccoli? carrots?) + Trader Joe's frozen gyoza + an egg (boiled in the same pot with the ramen noodles)? OH MY. That's more than one thing, but nothing takes effort!
Locally made pierogies with sour cream. I pan fry the pierogies in olive oil until the outsides are a little cripsy, toss 'em on a plate, and add a dollop of sour cream. Yum.
Steam in bag green beans + a creamy salad dressing. The whole bag.
I think the best dip in the world is Greek yogurt with some salt and pepper, olive oil, and hot sauce stirred in. I literally salivated typing that.
Chips and dip but make it cookies and plain Greek yogurt. The sweetness and the tang.
My thing to add to basically everything are the fried onions that you buy in a can. I have celiac and found gluten free ones at Kroger, and basically add them to all things. Bagged salad kits, stir fry, eggs, etc. For whatever reason they are so delicious and really put that packaged thing over the top.
Trader Joe's Bruschetta + pre-cooked lentils + feta. 30-60 seconds in the microwave. Delicious salad or add chips for a yummy dip.
I do the whole whatever is in the leftover pile + an orange or an apple or an avocado. The thing + another thing is always the best lunch! Last night, I made waffle iron hot sandwiches out of pork my husband had cooked and served them with mini tater tots. 100% family approval! I sound like a frat dude with my waffle iron (i.e. George Foreman grill), but I may never eat a hot sandwich that doesn't come in crunchy squares again!
Trader Joe's frozen fried rice is my favorite base for this kind of recipe - add in an egg or two, any assorted leftover vegetables from other meals, maybe some chicken. My kids go crazy for it.
“Crack dip,” as we refer to it, is always a huge crowd pleaser at gatherings. One jar of roasted corn & black bean salsa (I tend to grab Newman’s Own or Desert Pepper but any will do) + one block of cream cheese. Heat on low and stir until blended. Serve with chips :)
Avocados are so expensive here! If you can regularly get avocados for under a couple bucks without having to buy 6 at once, count yourself lucky!
My personal "can't be arsed" lunch is a boiled egg with two pieces of white toast. Yesterday I also had tomato juice as a beverage. Fancy!
The answer is a fried egg on top of literally anything. The bagged salad? Leftover pizza? Cup o' noodles? Any leftover in the fridge? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Ramen noodles + frozen peas and carrots for the kids. always a hit
"avocado not to scale" has me howling for some reason. thank you for brightening an otherwise miserable week.
tuna salad (mayo, salt, pepper. Optional additions of chopped pickle, celery, pepper, whatever veg) + the super crunchy, thick-cut potato chips for scooping. Tortilla chips work in a pinch too.
Buttered white rice (I normally use leftover rice or minute rice) with kimchi and a fried egg or two on top. Ultimate comfort food and relatively nutritious
Bagged salad plus shredded rotisserie chicken!
An avocado smushed up with some salsa and dollop that onto a really crunchy (in the texture *and* culture sense) cracker like Wasa or Ryvita. Technically three things but two are just opening packages.
Boxed chicken broth + frozen chicken & cilantro dumplings from Costco (or any other frozen dumpling) + handful of baby spinach thrown in at the end.
A bagged salad with some lunch meat on it
My favorite "can't even" lunch right now is to make a plate with sliced apples, peanut butter, crackers, and cheddar cheese. Infinite possibilities and all are delicious
Leftover quinoa, scrambled egg, Greek yogurt (or sour cream) and some cheddar cheese. Yum!
Packaged Ramen + either a scoop of mayo or a raw egg. Or both. You need to temper the egg so I have to be in the mood but it's delicious and it makes me feel like I'm giving my kids more of a full meal. If I'm getting really fancy I'll add greens such as green onions, bok choi, kale, spinach, or whatever's in the fridge.
LOL I do this salad https://www.taylorfarms.com/products/asian-chopped-kit/ + frozen chicken tenders cooked in the air fryer (and I also eat the whole thing).
I like sliced avocado + genoa salami (just dump in a bowl and add pepper).
I am full of delight and despair at this thread - so many great ideas! But also so many threats to my work/life/lunch balance if feeding myself during the day is so easy and delicious! 😂💕
Instant ramen plus shredded cheese (any kind!). I've been doing this since high school and it is sooooo good.
Not quite the same but stir fry noodles. You buy the noodles precooked, add in the frozen veggies with the sauce packet and voila. An awesome meal.
A longstanding easy thing is rice-a-roni plus cut up chicken breast in the pan during the simmer phase. Add frozen peas if you’re feeling fancy.
(Checking back in to say thank you for your service, I have eaten this as lunch or a dinner side probably six times this month)
I am impressed with all of you eating salad for lunch which I should do more.
My favorite easy lunch is kind of a girl dinner lunch. Cut up baguette from the store with cheese and prosciutto or salami. Then whatever else I have — cut up fruit, olives, dried fruit, etc.
Lol. A bagged Caesar salad with extra Parmesan reggiano
And yes I eat the whole bag.
Any of those frozen meals (like the healthy choice brand power bowls) that are made with lots of veggies and protein and have good flavour but are virtually devoid of carbs and therefore not an actual meal, plus a 90 second microwave rice pouch - usually long grain and wild.
Trader Joe's lentil vegetable soup + 2 slices of toast is my go-to when I don't want to cook
Costco was sampling Primal brand Buffalo sauce by mixing with canned chicken, and put on hawaiian roll. way more delicious than I'd expect given the simplicity. About to have that for lunch.
Shredded lettuce +. Decent ranch + anytizer popcorn chicken. Additional toppings (croutons friend onions etc if available.)
Ramen + a fried egg
Heck yes, these Taylor Farms salad kits have been my jam for work lunches in 2024. I cook up a couple of Caulipower frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer and throw in a Tupperware for the office.
(Note: the chicken tenders must be the "spicy" ones, which are far, far superior to the regular ones.)
Big plus one for the Southwest salad + avocado. I eat it lat least twice a week. I usually add 1-2 hardboiled eggs and some shredded cheese. Chef's kiss.
Oh, I do this one all the time--but just for me 😂 I pretend I'm Elaine from Seinfeld and that this is my BIG SALAD. I eat with zero guilt and it's FAB! (I do let the greens soak a bit b/c it gives them that extra bit of zazz.) My FAVE family recipe that they all don't seem to hate and that feels fancy and not like we're always surrendering to incessantly bland pastas, is the sheet pan recipe from the NY Times Cooking section... it's the roast chicken, with pears, and arugula... and it's so full of flavor--everyone forgets they are eating greens. https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022667-sheet-pan-roasted-chicken-with-pears-and-arugula
Oohhh, I will have to look for that chopped salad! Mine is Momofuku ramen (fancy I know, you can order on Amazon) with a soft boiled egg on top. Last week I mixed in a TBSP of peanut butter with the Tingly Chili Noodles flavor, and it was amazing.