These three lunch options are healthy and delicious, yet easy to make at the same time. Start out your school year with the perfect balance of nutrition and flavor.
1. Greek Orzo Salad
This flavorful and easy to make salad combines the deliciousness of Greek dressing with healthy vegetables, feta cheese, and orzo.
Salad Ingredients:
- 1 cup of orzo
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 medium sized cucumber, diced
- 1 cup of grape tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup sliced olives (optional)
- ½ cup diced red pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
Dressing Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice (juice from one lemon)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pinch of crushed red pepper
To make the salad, cook the orzo per the directions on the package. While the orzo is cooking, combine the dressing ingredients in a jar, and the salad ingredients in a bowl. Once the orzo is finished, drain and rinse with tap water. Let it cool and then add it to the salad ingredients. Toss all of the salad ingredients, and then add the dressing and toss again. Refrigerate and then pack with an ice pack.
2. Grilled Chicken Panini
This delicious panini is delicious, and is the perfect sandwich for a school lunch. The ingredients and steps are simple and quick, and the sandwich can be made with ease.
Ingredients:
- 2 slices of sourdough bread
- Softened butter
- 1 slice of cheddar cheese
- 1 slice of tomato or avocado slices
- Chipotle mayonnaise, homemade or store bought (if homemade, see note for recipe)
- Cooked, sliced chicken (home-cooked or store bought)
To make the panini, butter the bread, and place butter-side down on the panini maker (or a cast-iron skillet). Next, spread the chipotle mayonnaise over the bread. Then, add the grilled chicken, the tomato, and the slice of cheese. Finally, put the other slice of bread on top, butter-side up, and close the panini-maker and cook until golden brown. If using the skillet, put a piece of foil on top of the bread, and put some weight on it (could be another skillet, or some jars). After 2-3 minutes, flip the sandwich to cook the other side, and cook till golden-brown. Once the panini is ready, cut in half and pack.
Note – Chipotle Mayonnaise Recipe
- Blend ½ cup of mayonnaise with 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1 clove of garlic, 1 tsp of lemon juice, and a dash of salt and pepper in a food processor.
3. English Muffin Pizzas
These little pizzas are a perfect lunch. They are very easy to make, and are healthy as well.
Ingredients:
- 1 English muffin cut in half
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon red pesto
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper
- Any toppings
To make the pizzas, toast the muffins, and leave them to cool. Preheat the broiler, and once the muffins are cooled, mix the tomato paste and pesto, and spread it over the muffins. Scatter the cheese and any toppings, and then place the muffins under the broiler and cook for about 4 minutes. Once the muffins are golden-brown, they are ready to go!
By: Harjas Kaur