Back To School Lunch Boxes
As September approaches, so does the end of the school holidays which means that for many the first day back at school is looming. Exciting for some, nerve-wracking for others, however you feel about it, there’s always so much to organise – including packed lunches. ‘Food is Fuel’ could never be truer than for hungry students, and that’s why we love these ideas for nutritious and creative lunchbox ideas. Some of these hacks are great for adult packed lunches too, sure to give you something to look forward to in the middle of the working day.
Firstly, an alternative to the classic sandwich. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with this lunchbox staple – it’s quick, easy, and filling. However, if you’re wanting to shake things up we have some ideas for you. Going viral on the internet recently, a gadget called the CRIMPiT came out. It works by taking a wrap with a filling and pressing down around the edges to create a sort of pocket, with the filling securely parcelled inside.
No more messy sandwiches with the contents spilling out the sides – this lunchbox hack is great for more adventurous fillings especially if in a sauce. This technique is extremely versatile and can be used to make versions of restaurant favourites such as pasties, kebabs, and calzones. Why not cook our Caribbean Chicken Kebabs and out it in a wrap like this with some guacamole and black beans for a burrito-style lunch. For something more simple, incorporate the flavours of a pizza into a wrap with our tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Parma ham.
When it comes to lunchbox hacks that every parent should know, the list is endless. You can wash apple slices before squeezing some lemon over them to avoid them browning before being eaten. But perhaps the most important lunchbox hacks concern how to pack in healthy food without your child noticing! For this, pasta salads are your best bet. The great advantage is you can batch cook your sauce in advance, freeze it, and de-freeze portion by portion. Finely chopped vegetables are super easy to disguise in a tomato or pesto-style sauce, and most supermarkets sell pasta in fun shapes if you want to jazz your dish up. You can even blend vegetables in a thicker tomato sauce so there truly is no evidence! For an easy protein kick throw in some strips of our Maple Streaky Bacon.
Cheese and ham is legendary combination, and a firm favourite for all kinds of packed lunches. To switch things up, try some savoury muffins – also great for batch cooking and freezing so save you time during the week. This recipe is versatile and you can add whatever you want, but we recommend our Traditional Ham and Organic Cheddar, accompanied by some sun-dried tomatoes. These muffins are super easy to store in a lunchbox and create minimal mess. Here’s a great recipe if you want to give these a try! They are certainly very different from your usual chocolate muffin, but equally as delicious.