Michelle My Bell Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 (edited) With the new school year coming, it could be really helpful to have a printout of easy lunch idea. So let's each post one full menu. RULES: 1. Please do not include "leftovers" as your menu item. You can use leftover shredded chicken or some other basic ingredient as part of your menu plan if you are incorporating it into the meal. For instance: Chicken Quesadillas - leftover shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, salsa, refried beans spread on a ww tortilla. Spray pan lightly with cooking spray, heat till hot, Cook Quesadilla till brown on both sides. 2. Recipe preparation must take 10 minutes or less. (Bake time can be a longer, but remember this should be simple) 3. Meals should be healthy and well balanced. 4. Please format it like mine for easy reading. THANKS!!! Here is my contribution: MENU Hot Ham & Cheese Pockets Carrot Sticks Apple Slices with Cinnamon Heat oven to 375 degrees. Take one 8 oz can. of Pillsbury Refrigerated Crescent Rolls and separate dough into 4 rectangles. Firmly press perforations to seal. On ungreased cookier sheet, press or roll each to form a 7x5-inch rectangle. Place diced ham and shredded cheddar cheese on each rectangle. Fold dough in half over filling; press edges to seal. Bake for 10 - 13 minutes. Makes 4 sandwiches. MENU Pita Pizza Fruit Medley with Yogurt Preheat oven to 450, place pan inside to heat. Lightly oil bottom of pita bread with olive oil. Top with Newman's Own Marinara Sauce, Mozzerella Cheese, and toppings (black olives, turkey pepperoni, green peppers, onions, leftover cooked hamburger, etc...) Bake until bubbly. For an added touch, sprinkly parmesan cheese on the crust right out of the oven. Fruit Medley: Slice 1-2 apples into bite size pieces. Mix with Grapes, Strawberries and bananas. Mix in a couple of spoonfuls of strawberry yogurt. Serve. Edited August 2, 2010 by Michelle My Bell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 MENU Grilled Cheese Pickle slices Sweet potato chips Make grilled cheese sandwich for each person on stove top. Plate with pickles and chips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Left-over Soup 1 qt low-sodium chicken broth 1 lb left over meat, diced (you can use chicken, beef or pork) 1 lb frozen mixed veggies 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes 1 8 oz can tomato sauce 2 oz whole wheat pasta pinch of basil minced garlic Bring it all to boil then add pasta, reduce heat and low boil until pasta is done. Serve with bread and butter and fruit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraGB Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 (edited) Nachos Fresh Veggies and Ranch Fruit Nachos - layer lots of blue chips on a jelly roll pan. Mix refried beans, chili powder and cumin with just enough salsa so you can drip/drop it off the spoon onto the chips. Top that with shredded cheese, chopped red onions, green peppers and drip more plain salsa over the top. Broil until the cheese is bubbly and yummy-looking. Serve topped with avocados and/or sour cream. Edited August 2, 2010 by LauraGB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Baked Potatoes (Can be left over ;) ) topped with melted cheese, or greek yogurt, or cottage cheese, or chili Broccoli Fruit (at least that's what we are having because we will have some left over!!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Tuna melts Make up your favorite tuna salad recipe-best with celery! Place on an english muffin or a sturdy bun Top with Cheese Put under broiler to heat Serve with grapes and celery sticks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 Here is another QUICKIE Hummus w/Pita Bread Co-Jack Cheese Stick Apple Slices with Cinnamon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 (edited) Club Sandwich (Turkey, Toast, Mayo, Lettuce, Microwaved Turkey Bacon, Tomato) Baked Chips Jello Cup with fruit (make these the day before) Edited August 2, 2010 by Michelle My Bell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starwarsmomma Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 gosh. I'm a bad mom. LOL Lunch is whatever the kids fix for themselves. LOL Sandwiches usually, sometimes meat, cheese and crackers (homemade lunchables), sometimes leftovers nuked in the microwave. I just dont have any desire to make 3 time and labor intensive meals a day. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 gosh. I'm a bad mom. LOL Lunch is whatever the kids fix for themselves. LOL Sandwiches usually, sometimes meat, cheese and crackers (homemade lunchables), sometimes leftovers nuked in the microwave. I just dont have any desire to make 3 time and labor intensive meals a day. LOL :iagree: Lunch is 'catch as catch can' around here. And yes, often times its just 'leftovers' unless the kids settle for sandwiches, etc. They dance with joy if its just leftovers :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich with Kids Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Ramen, Baby! We usually have salad or a veg. and grapes, bananas or a cut apple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 Chili Dogs with cheese (Turkey Hot Dog) Pasta Salad (Cooked Pasta, Raw Broccoli, Mozzarella Chunks, Italian Dressing) Watermelon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Ravioli - frozen from Trader Joe's with fresh parm Bagel sandwiches - ham, turkey, and cheese with a little honey mustard placed inside a bagel, wrapped in foil and popped into the oven. Pancakes - I don't really like to start my morning off with cleaning up the kitchen, but the kids love them so why not for lunch! Eggs - same as above! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 Egg Salad Sandwich Carrot Sticks or Cucumbers or Red Peppers with Ranch Grapes, Bananas Yogurt Dip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Mostly sandwiches or leftovers, but my dh reminded me how to use the BBQ last week, so we've had a few BBQ lunches, which is fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 Roast Beef Wrap Carrots with Hummus Dip Roast Beef Wrap 1 large flour tortilla or wrap bread 3-4 thin slices roast beef Cream cheese Lettuce On the large tortilla spread cream cheese. Next put roast beef slices on the tortilla. Then put the lettuce on top of the roast beef. Roll up your wrap. Cut it in half. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarlaB Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 1. Mini pizza (or Pizza Faces if you have little ones)- -Arnold Sandwich Thins -Tomato Sauce -Mozz cheese, veggies, olives, etc...we've even used cooked spaghetti for hair Assemble and broil till cheese is bubbly Add carrot sticks & fruit 2. Pizza Sandwiches Essentially, grilled cheese w/ spaghetti sauce Add veggies & fruit 3. Lettuce Wraps -Whole Romaine lettuce 'hearts' -Chicken strips -Shredded Cheese -Ranch Dressing Use Romaine as 'shell' and fill w/ cooked chicken strips, cheese, veggies & ranch dressing- very quick & yummy :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Using the Artisan Bread in 5 Mins a Day, Basic Boule Monday: Pita Bread Tuesday: Cinnamon Scrolls Wednesday: Calzones Thursday: Sandwiches Friday: Zucchini and Pinenut Pizza Monday: Hamburgers Tuesday: Pizza Wednesday: Cheesy Scrolls Thursday: Toasted English Muffins, topped with bacon and egg Friday: Soup with Garlic Flat Bread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmoe Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Potato Soup Garlic Toast Cucumber Sticks Peel and chop potatoes and carrots (1 of each per person) Peel, chop, and saute one onion with above carrots. Salt and Pepper vegs. Add Potatoes. Add enough broth to cover veggies. Add any seasonings you wish to add (thyme or hot sauce or worchestershire sauce or ?) Cook until potatoes and carrots are mushy Mash right in pot with broth. After it has cooled for a minute or so--add shredded cheese of your choice. May add dairy product at this point---sour cream, cream, yougurt, half and half, milk, soy milk, or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Baked Potato with topping of choice Grilled cheese & Ham Sandwiches with fresh fruit, veggie Grilled pizza sandwiches-use pizza sauce,sliced mozzarella, and whatever else you desire Tuna Salad with carrot sticks Peanut Butter & Jelly with veggie soup Chicken Salad sandwiches with grapes English Muffin Pizza Taco Salad Egg Salad Sandwiches Mac & Cheese, salad and applesauce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayne J Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Hot ham and cheese sandwiches, pretzels, grapes. (assemble deli/thin sliced ham and meltable cheese of your choice on a roll or bun, wrap in foil and heat in oven til warm and gooey) BBQ ham sandwich, yogurt, carrot sticks/celery sticks/sweet pepper strips with Ranch dressing (BBQ ham--in a saucepan combine thin sliced/deli ham and your favorite BBQ sauce. Heat til warm through and serve on rolls--or if your kids are messy like mine, on hot dog buns) Hummus and stuff. Whatever you can find. (Pretzels--hard or soft, veggie sticks, pita chips, toast triangles, cheese chunks etc.) Add fruit and vanilla or lemon flavored yogurt for dipping. Hardboiled eggs, celery with cream cheese or peanut butter, apple or pear slices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Sloppy Joes with homemade fries Chili Cheese fries Pot of bean soup with homemade bread BBQ Cups/Taco Cups--flatten refrigerated biscuit dough and place in jumbo size muffin tins. Brown ground beef and either stir in bbq sauce/taco seasoning. Spoon into muffin tin over biscuits. Top with cheddar cheese. Bake. Serve with a salad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cents Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Pillsbury Grands Biscuit Pizzas: 1 can of any type Grands Biscuit, Instant pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese. Heat oven to 375. Flatten the biscuits onto a lightly sprayed pan, spoon on some sauce, top with cheese and any other toppings. Bake for 10-12 min. Easy, fast & the kids can do it themselves too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guateangel Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 gosh. I'm a bad mom. LOL Lunch is whatever the kids fix for themselves. LOL Sandwiches usually, sometimes meat, cheese and crackers (homemade lunchables), sometimes leftovers nuked in the microwave. I just dont have any desire to make 3 time and labor intensive meals a day. LOL Me too! 7 year old is picky so she prepares her own lunch which is usually Ramen Noodles, Sandwich, Hot Pocket, Chicken Nuggets, Hot Dog, etc. with a side of fruit and a veggie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty in Pink Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 We eat lots of: Fried egg sandwiches (on bread or mini bagel) Homemade pizza (I raid the 'day old' bread rack at the bakery for italian, french, and rustic loaves, and freeze them to use for pizza at a later date) Bean burritos Cheese ravioli (frozen) with marinara sauce (from a jar) Baked potatoes with toppings Cheeseburgers (frozen turkey burger patties cook up in about 5 minutes) Pasta primavera (whole grain pasta cooked, drained, and tossed with olive oil and whatever veggies we have on hand that need to be used up, garlic, herbs, etc.) Macaroni soup (elbow macaroni, ground beef, a can or two of diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, bell pepper) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisamarie Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Quesadillas shredded cheese between 2 tortillas grilled in the george forman Pizzadillas Mozza cheese and pepperoni slices between 2 tortillas grilled in the george forman Hot sandwiches grill favorite sandwich in the george forman Lunchables-style lunch sliced summer sausage, crackers, and cheese Mac-n-cheese or shells-n-cheese (I switch it up for variety) Beans, yellow rice, and cheese (sometimes add in leftover meat) Rice: In a 3 qt pot, add 2 cups basmati rice, 4 1/2 cups water, 6 chicken buillion cubes, about 1 t onion powder, 1 t garlic powder, and 1 t turmeric (I just sprinkle it in so it's approximate). Bring to a boil and simmer on low, covered, for 10 minutes. Turn off heat, stir, and let sit on warm burner for 5 more minutes to soften. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Thanks so much for all the wonderful ideas. We are usually "whatever you can find and make yourself" for lunch but it's nice to have some ideas! Sometimes DH is home for lunch or we just want something different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Food4Thought Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 For the GFCF crowd: Japanese rice balls (sticky rice smooshed together - google onigiri for instructions) Tuna salad Carrot sticks & Sugar Snap Peas GF Rice Cakes topped with peanut butter and honey Apple Slices Favorite Kale Smoothie (a complete meal in itself! Serves 2-4): 1 cup kale (about 3 leaves) 2 bananas 1 pint strawberries 1/2 avocado 1/4 cup hemp protein powder 2 cups water Put all in blender and blend until smooth. Yum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaichiki Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Lunch is whatever the kids fix for themselves. Yep: lunch is fend-fer-yerself 'round here. I justify it this way: it teaches them independence, allows them to feel proud of themselves and try new creations, and gives them hands-on with a nutrition curriculum. Breakfast is similar most days. (Ssssh! They even help me make dinner! :tongue_smilie:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baseball mom Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 MENUGrilled Cheese Pickle slices Sweet potato chips Make grilled cheese sandwich for each person on stove top. Plate with pickles and chips. Do you ever put the pickle slices on the sandwich before grilling? Very good. My bunch asks for grilled cheese with pickles all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Today, its baked beans on toast (on baked potato instead of toast for me) with bacon on top. I am trying to get more protein into my kids- we are mostly vegetarian but my growing son is not eating well and tends to have too many carbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlaskaGrownFamily Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Subbing! We're in a sandwich rut here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkwynn Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 MENU French dip sandwiches raw veggie (cukes, baby carrots, tomatoes are favorites here) applesauce or raw fruit (banana, apple, peach, pineapple, whatever) For french dips, warm one can of beef consomme in saucepan, and add enough roast beef deli meat for your crowd (we use the Boar's Head Oven Roast Beef, it's sooo good.) Once it's heated through, fill sub rolls (or cut portions of french bread) with roast beef and top with pepper-jack or provolone cheese. Pop in the oven to broil until cheese is melted. Give each person a ramekin of the warm consomme to dip their sandwich into. These are good for quick dinners, too - very filling! Note: if you let the consomme boil, the deli meat will shrivel/curl up like crazy, lol. I try not to let it get that hot, but more often than not, I don't. It still tastes good, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKDmom Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 (edited) Yep: lunch is fend-fer-yerself 'round here. I justify it this way: it teaches them independence, allows them to feel proud of themselves and try new creations, and gives them hands-on with a nutrition curriculum. Breakfast is similar most days. (Ssssh! They even help me make dinner! :tongue_smilie:) :lol: So I'm not a bad mother?? I'm just teaching them independence? Phew! ETA: I am copying and pasting all these recipes. I'd love to be a little less neglectful about feeding my kids. ;) I'll let dd pick some out every week and keep me accountable. Edited August 3, 2010 by bonniebeth4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 I often do chalupas - made with seasoned ground beef that I keep made in advance and frozen. Take a flat crispy corn tortilla, smear on some warm refried beans, cooked/seasoned ground beef and grated cheese. Put under broiler until cheese melts. Top with lettuce, tomato, and fave salsa. Stir Fry - using leftover rice and meat plus frozen veggies. Saute in skillet until all cooked. I season with soy sauce and five spice powder to our taste. Pigs in a Blanket - hot dogs wrapped in dough (I use cheap biscuits) served with fresh fruit and veggies (usually carrot and celery sticks) English Muffin pizzas My son's favorite though is box mac and cheese with fish sticks. His other fave is frozen pizza with canned fruit cocktail. Or some crazy frozen Banquet meal. I admit I keep them around occassionally for those days when even a PBJ is more than I can make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntPol Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 My kids won't eat sandwiches unless we are out and about. They had too many in public school lol. My daughter won't eat meat other than an occasional chicken nugget (and that is with lots of pushing by me) Pizza on a Stick Cut string cheese into cubes and put on a skewer with pepperoni slices, ham cubes, meatballs, and cherry tomatoes. We tend to have: Bagel/Muffin/Pita pizzas Tomato soup and grill cheese Cheese Quesadillas Chicken nuggets and tator tots or fries Macaroni and cheese Baked Potatoes w/toppings Taco Bar (daughter loves shells with cheese, lettuce, and tomato) Hamburgers (dd eats bun with cheese) Pasta of some sort w/buffalo chicken strips for my meat eating son and apples or celery w/peanut butter or cream cheese or my dd _served with whatever fruit we got in our produce box and some sort of veggie (DS will eat carrot sticks, lettuce, broccoli and DD will eat carrots, tomatoes, and cucumbers) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmethystMoon Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 vegetable noodle soups & biscuts vegetable noodle soup 16 oz beef broth 2 cans condenced tomato soup 2 cans diced tomaotes frozen vegetables diced cabbage quick barley alphabet noodles(or whatever soup noodes you want) -put all ingredients except noodles into a pot and simmer until everything is soft, add noodles and simmer until they are done. Serve with biscuts or some other bread and you are done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenn in Mo Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Mock Stir-Fry I cook up a LOT of rice at the beginning busy weeks to keep in the fridge. I boil a few lbs of chicken at the same time (different pan :D) These I keep on hand for the week, but on that first day, I heat up 2 bags of frozen veggies at the same time that these cook. My basic sauce: 4 Tb arrowroot powder (cornstarch would be fine) 2 Tb soy sauce (completely guessing here) and something sweet...today, I pureed a leftover hunk of cantaloupe into it. Agave nectar, apricot jelly, whatever works. I stir this together and then pour over the nearly-cooked veggies (which still have some water with them.) Bring the sauce to a boil and then pile it all on plates. Lots of leftover chicken for chicken salad sandwiches and lots of rice for rice pudding or casseroles later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiffijo1 Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 yummy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiffijo1 Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 French Dips are my favorite, I will have to try and make them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiffijo1 Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 I have a potato soup idea...after I boil the potato's I drain off some of the water and then I add some instant mashed potato's as a thickener. You can buy the loaded instant and it also adds lots of flavor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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