September always brings talk of back-to-school lunches for the kids. But what about us working adults? We're also away from home at the noon hour and need sustenance to get through the day. And turkey on wheat bores us, too, day after day.
Toting a sack lunch to the office is a long-held tradition in the American workplace. It's cheaper than going out, and refrigerators and microwaves in break rooms allow for lots of menu choices. Open any office freezer and you're likely to find a stack of Lean Cuisines, Weight Watchers or some such microwave meals. Around here, they are emblazoned with a name to prevent filching or accidental eating.
Sometimes we rely on prepackaged meals because they are easy, but a little planning and a lunch box full of ideas can make the midday work meal a real occasion. OK, maybe you're not lighting candles at your desk. HR isn't too keen on that. Still, a little effort can bring a welcome and delicious break before the last push of the day.
A few tips for putting together a perfectly wonderful work lunch:
Salads
Pack croutons and dressings separately. This will keep croutons from getting soggy and dressing from turning your greens into an unappetizing mess.
Sandwiches
To keep sandwich bread dry, line with lettuce leaves. Tomato slices or pickles should be between leaves or packed separately.
Microwaves
Food headed for the microwave should be in appropriate containers. And do co-workers a favor and cover food with a paper towel so it doesn't splatter in the appliance.
Drinks
Remember to bring something to drink. No, not a beer. A flavored water, juice or a soda.
Utensils
Keep plastic utensils in your desk drawers. Or better for the environment, bring flatware and tote it home dirty.
Etiquette
Consider your podmates when you plan your meal. They have to smell what you're eating and not everyone loves sardines. (The burned microwave popcorn is bad enough.)
Containers
Find a sturdy container for your lunch. If you don't have an office refrigerator, get an insulated bag and add an ice pack.
25 simple ideas for totable work lunches
The following will lift you from your noontime rut. Who knows? The person to your left might just start paying you to bring extras.
Mediterranean Sampler
Hummus with pita chips and carrot sticks, plus some kalamata olives and a clump of red grapes.
Bowl of Comfort
Leftover chili with shredded cheddar and crackers. Make your version meat or bean only.
Adult Lunchable
Salami slices, cheese cubes and crackers. Apple slices.
Oh, and a cookie.
Sweet and Crunchy
Spinach salad with feta crumbles, dried cranberries and pecans dressed with raspberry vinaigrette.
Comfort Food
A cold meatloaf sandwich on bread of your choice with yellow mustard.
Old School
Tuna-salad sandwich with bread-and-butter pickles on bread of your choice. Pack the pickles separately so they don't get the bread soggy. Chips!
Caprese Baguette
Fresh sliced mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar on a 6-inch length of baguette. Cantaloupe and honeydew melon slices or chunks.
Elvis Special
OK, not exactly, but peanut butter, sliced bananas and drizzle of honey on whole wheat. Feeling decadent? Add the potato-chip crunch, or just eat them on the side.
Wake-up Call
Perk yourself up with a roast beef, havarti and horseradish-mayo on marble rye. Cool down the spicy sauce with cold, crunchy lettuce. Pickled veggies on the side.
Wrap it Up
Pack grilled chicken strips, lettuce, Caesar dressing and grated Parmesan separately, then make yourself a wrap. Terra vegetable chips bring crunch on the side.
Baby Cubans
Salami, roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, dill-pickle slices and yellow mustard on a length of Cuban or French bread. Cut the breads into 1-1/2-inch slices and you've got finger sandwiches. Heat black beans and rice in the office microwave.
Ladies Lunch
Chicken salad made with rotisserie chicken, mayonnaise, sliced almonds and cranberries. Forget the fork; scoop it up with sturdy crackers such as Triscuits. Bring a banana and a baggie of grape tomatoes.
Presto Pasta
Tortellini pasta salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette mixed with a bit of prepared pesto sauce. Load up the salad with some favorites, among them halved grape tomatoes and diced carrots. Grated Parmesan or small diced mozzarella cubes, too.
Get Your Fiber On
A bowl of cooked brown rice is a blank canvas for lots of toppings. Consider sauteed mushrooms; smashed black beans and avocado chunks; sauteed garlic spinach and chickpeas; diced tofu, soy sauce and crunchy veggies. Peeled and diced mango to go with.
DIY Sub
Make your own veggie sub of Jack cheese, julienned green peppers, sliced tomato and cucumber, shredded lettuce, pepperoncini (or pickled jalapenos), onions (if you must) and black olives with a splash of vinaigrette on a hoagie roll.
Lunch-Counter Favorite
Egg salad is often an overlooked work lunch, but you can pack it in a container and pile it on a croissant
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