© Steve Lee, Home Economist: Sian Davies
If youre tired of soggy salads and burned out on peanut butter, weve got just the thing to cure your lunchtime blues! When we asked our staffers for their favorite brown-bag recipes, they dished up super suggestions like a chicken-friendly salad and an easy wrap thats bursting to the brim with crunchy veggies. For more great ideas, check out our top tips boxand soon youll be packing a lunch with punch!
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"Save the Chickens" Salad
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1 lb. (450 g) of your favorite chicken substitute (Chic-Ketts or Cheatin Chicken Chunks)
1/2 cup (50 g) diced green and red pepper, celery and/or red onion
Pinch of parsley
Pinch of chives
3/4 cup (150 g) vegan mayonnaise
Dice the Chic-Ketts (or use a food processor) and add the diced vegetables, parsley and chives. Mix well. Add the vegan mayonnaise and stir well. Chill. Serve as a sandwich filling or with crackers.
Makes 4 servings.
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Animals Hero
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1 submarine roll or mini baguette
6 veggie deli slicesturkey, ham, salami, bologna or your favorite flavor
2 soy cheese slices
1/4 red onion, sliced thin
3 tomato slices
Red and green pepper slices
4 Tbsp. sliced black olives or stuffed green olives
1 cup (50 g) shredded romaine lettuce
Olive oil or vegan mayonnaise, to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste
Slice the roll or baguette in half. Spread with vegan mayonnaise, if desired. Place the ingredients on the bread in the following order: deli slices, soy cheese, onion, tomatoes, peppers, olives, romaine lettuce. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Makes 1 serving.
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"Meatball" Sub
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1 lb. ground beef substitute
2 slices white bread, crumbled
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. ketchup
1/8 tsp. garlic salt
Pinch of pepper
1/8 tsp. oregano
1-2 cups spaghetti sauce
Soy parmesan cheese
Sub rolls
Mix together faux ground beef, bread, onion, ketchup, garlic salt, pepper and oregano and roll into meatballs. Place in a single layer in a large, lightly oiled baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Pour spaghetti sauce over the meatballs and heat for an additional 15 minutes. Sprinkle with soy parmesan and serve in sub rolls. Meatballs can be reheated in the microwave for lunch.
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Crunchy Vegetable Wraps
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4 Tbsp. Tofutti cream cheese,
your favorite flavor (or any nondairy cream cheese)
4 10-inch flour tortillas
1 cup (50 g) shredded spinach
1/4 cup (15 g) alfalfa sprouts
1/2 cup (75 g) shredded red
cabbage
1/2 cup (75 g) sliced avocado
1/4 cup (50 g) chopped
tomatoes
1/2 cup (100 g) diced cucumbers
2 Tbsp. finely diced red onion
Salt and pepper, to taste
Spread one tablespoon of cream cheese over each tortilla. Sprinkle an even amount of the remaining ingredients on each wrap; roll up.
Makes 4 servings.
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Spicy Sesame Noodles
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2/3 cup (150 g) peanut butter
4 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green onion, chopped
2 Tbsp. sesame oil
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 lb. (225 g) linguine
2 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
In a saucepan, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic and green onion and mix well. Add the sesame oil and cayenne pepper. Heat slowly, whisking until smooth.
Meanwhile, cook the linguine according to the package directions. Drain.
Place the linguine in a large bowl, add the peanut sauce and toss to coat.
Garnish with the toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot or cold.
Makes 4 servings.
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Clockwise from top left:
Spicy Sesame Noodles, Crunchy Vegetable Wraps, Animals Hero, "Save the Chickens" Salad, "Meatball" Sub
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Top Lunchtime Tips
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Try hummus, bean dips, seasoned baked tofu or stir-fried veggies as the center of your sandwich. To give sandwiches a kick, use creative condiments like salsa, horseradish, barbecue sauce, salad dressings and guacamole. Hold everything together with bagels, tortillas, pitas or chapatis.
When preparing dinner, make more than you need and use the extras for lunch. Leftover veggie meat loaf on hearty bread makes a super sandwich. Spread last nights refried beans on a tortilla and top with salsa and guacamole for an almost-instant burrito.
Make easy vegan versions of family favorites like tuna salad and turkey salad by using Tuno, Tofurky and other mock meats. Soy cheese slices make great grilled cheeze sandwiches.
Toss sliced or diced fresh veggiessuch as bell peppers, onions, carrots, cucumbers and spinach leaveswith your favorite dressing and stuff into a pita pocket for a quick salad sandwich. For more filling fare, add black beans or chickpeas.
For more tips visit GoVeg.com.
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