Category Archives: Packed lunches

Chicken, Arugula, Cauliflower and Chickpea Salad with Lemon, Mustard and Anchovy Dressing (4)

Posted in Packed lunches, Picnic, Salad, Uncategorized by
Posted in Chicken, Packed lunches, Picnic, Salad, Salad Dressings by

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I love this salad!  There are lots of textures and flavors, none of which dominate the other and they seem to complement each other too. I poached the chicken in my usual way which gives the chicken more flavor (place chicken on aluminum foil, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, drizzle over 1 tbsp. olive oil and juice of half a lemon and cook for half an hour). When making a dressing I like to put the ingredients in a jar with a screw top lid and give the ingredients a good shake until they emulsify.

1 large chicken breast – poached (see above) and cut into bite size pieces.

1/2 a cauliflower – cut into smallish florets, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 oz. arugula (it is more than it sounds)

1 x 15 oz. can of chickpeas – rinsed and drained

1/2 a shallot – finely chopped

Place dressing in a large mixing bowl.

Add arugula and toss well.

Then, in order, add chicken, cauliflower, chickpeas and shallot one by one tossing well before adding the next ingredient. This ensures a good, even coating of dressing.

Lemon Anchovy Dressing

Juice of 1/2 a lemon

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

2 – 4 anchovy fillets (try 2 to start with a taste) – finely chopped

Mix lemon juice and mustard until smooth then add oil and anchovies.

 

 

 

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Melon with Mango Sauce (4)

Posted in Breakfast, Fruit, Packed lunches, Picnic, Vegan, Vegetarian by

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So simple and is great for breakfast, packed lunch, fruit salad. All you need is one ripe mango pureed in food processor and some melon cut into bite size pieces. Place melon in bowl and spoon over the mango puree – et voila!

 

Jo’s ‘Pizzette’ (4 or more if for Tapas)

Posted in Eggs, Hors d'Oeuvres, Lunch, Packed lunches, Picnic, Vegetarian by

 

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This little invention of mine, ‘pizzette’, is a cross between the Italian pizza and the Spanish omelette. Basically it is an omelette topped with things you might (or might not) find on a pizza and you can vary the toppings endlessly – today I used harissa paste, spinach and sliced new potatoes. You can serve it hot or cold; you can serve it as a meal, or you can cut it up into slices/pieces and serve as tapas/hors d’oeuvres.

1 tbsp. olive oil seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper

6 eggs

a spoonful or two of harissa paste (depending on how hot you like things) plus a bit extra to put on each slice of potato

5 oz. spinach – rinsed then wilted in a small skillet/frying pan

4 – 6 new potatoes – boiled and sliced

When omelette is cooked (tricky part is turning it over) place it on a plate and smear all over with harissa paste.

Place spinach on top and then slices of potato on top of spinach.

Pop a small blob of harissa paste on each slice of potato.

 

Fennel, Orange and Hearts of Palm Salad with Orange Vinaigrette (2)

Posted in Packed lunches, Salad, Salad Dressings, Uncategorized by

photo - Fennel, Orange and Hearts of Palm Salad

A lovely salad with a sweetness and some crunch. The vinaigrette has honey and mustard in it as well as orange juice. Perfect light lunch or good to take to work.

2 x oranges – cut into segments

Small head of fennel – cut into smallish pieces

2 x hearts of palm – sliced

1 slice of red onion – cut into small pieces

Place all ingredients in a salad bowl and pour vinaigrette over salad.

For the vinaigrette, place juice of one orange, 1 tsp. honey, 2 tsp. Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper in a bowl and whisk with a fork

Jo’s Fiery Mushrooms (4)

Posted in Appetizers, light lunch, Packed lunches, Picnic, side dishes, Vegetarian by

photo - fiery mushrooms

Harissa paste adds the fiery taste – a tablespoon is all you need (or more or less depending on how spicy you like things). Great as an appetizer/starter, side dish, to take on a picnic or to work as lunch. Can be eaten hot or cold, is vegetarian and if you are able to eat bread it would good for mopping up the juices.

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1/2 an onion – chopped

2 cloves of garlic – finely chopped

8 oz. small mushrooms – sliced

1 cup crushed tomatoes

1 tbsp. harissa paste

1 cup veg. broth/stock (add more if needed but in the end you want a thickish sauce)

 

Place oil in a cast iron casserole dish and when sizzling add onion and garlic.

When softened, add mushrooms and stir for a moment.

Add crushed tomatoes, harissa paste and veg broth.

Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes or until sauce is thickish.

 

 

Chickpea and Carrot Salad with a Chutney Dressing (serves 4 as a side dish)

Posted in Packed lunches, Salad, Salad Dressings by

Chickpea and Carrot Salad with a Chutney Dressing (serves 4 as a side dish)

Adapted this from a vegetarian sandwich I was offered on plane but couldn’t eat.

Take 1 can of chickpeas, 1 carrot (grated), handful of raisin/golden raisins and place in serving bowl.

Take 1 tbsp. mango chutney (Major Grey brand) and add 1 tbsp. unsweetened almond milk. Stir until blended. Pour over veg. and toss.photo - chickpea salad

End of Summer Salad (serves 4)

Posted in Packed lunches, Salad by

photo - Summer SaladEnd of Summer Salad (serves 4)

Fresh corn on the cob is a sign of summer to me and I found some pale yellow corn cobs yesterday and made a tasty salad combining it with red onion, lime juice, fresh cilantro/coriander, chicken poached in lemon juice and olive oil (and I added those juices to the salad too) and red pepper flakes (to offset the sweetness of the corn). Omit chicken and you have a nice vegetarian/vegan salad.

2 x chicken breasts (poached in aluminum/tin foil with juice of 1/2 lemon and 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil for 30 mins)

4 x corn on the cob

1/2 red onion – finely chopped

2 tbsp. cilantro/coriander – finely chopped

Juice of 1 lime

Red pepper flakes (according to taste)

Cut poached chicken into small pieces and reserve juices.

Boil corn until just cooked and cut off from cob

Place chicken, chicken juices, corn, red onion, cilantro, coriander, lime juice and red pepper flakes in a bowl, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and mix well together.