How To Make Creative and Delicious Bag Lunches

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Tired of eating ho-hum, overpriced takeout for lunch? Try some of these inspired homemade options.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Casserole ingredients
Sandwich ingredients and bread
Burrito-size tortillas
Leftovers
Cream cheese or cheddar
Beans
Salsa
¾ c. white wine
½ tsp. cornstarch
¼ lb. grated fondue cheese
½ garlic clove
Pre-cut vegetables
Baguette chunks
Casserole dish
Microwave-safe food containers
Aluminum foil
A bento box
A stainless-steel thermos
A medium saucepan
An insulated lunch bag
A long fork
An insulated ice bag (optional)
Agua fresca ingredients (optional)

Warning: Lunches kept at room temperature can spoil. Pack your lunch with an insulated ice bag, or keep it refrigerated until you're ready to eat.

Step 1: Make a one-dish wonder

On Sunday, bake lasagna, mac-and-cheese, or another hearty casserole. Pack individual portions in containers and reheat at lunchtime.

Tip: Make sure your lunch container is microwave-safe. Some plastic containers leach harmful chemicals when microwaved.

Step 2: Enhance your sandwich

Take the boring out of a basic sandwich with spreads like hummus, pesto, or olive tapenade and pita or naan instead of the usual sliced loaf. Liven up fillings by adding grapes and walnuts to chicken salad or dressing tuna salad with olive oil and a hint of balsamic vinegar instead of mayo.

Step 3: Wrap it up

Reuse leftovers and make them more portable by wrapping them up in a tortilla. Or, concoct a quesadilla by combining equal parts cream cheese or cheddar, black beans, and salsa, spreading the mixture on a tortilla, and folding the tortilla in half. Wrap in foil and heat it in a toaster oven at lunch, or eat it cold.

Tip: Complement your tortilla with an agua fresca: Combine water, blended melon or mango, and sugar to taste, and pour into an insulated thermos.

Step 4: Bento Box

Buy a Japanese bento box or pack a plastic container according to bento-box guidelines: Three parts grain, like rice or pasta, one part protein, and two parts fruits and vegetables. Even though the boxes originated in Japan, the rules apply for any cuisine.

Tip: Pack the bento box—or any lunch container—without any gaps so that food won't slide around in transit.

Step 5: Melt up fondue

Try a French twist. Prepare cheese fondue by combining white wine, cornstarch, fondue cheese, and garlic in a medium saucepan. Once the mixture melts, remove the garlic and pour the cheese into a thermos that has been preheated in boiling water for 10 minutes. It will keep in an insulated lunch bag for several hours. Bring along vegetables and baguette chunks, and use a long fork to dip them into the cheese.

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• cooking
• eating
• foods
• homefamily
• ideas
• lunches
• making
• packing
• school
• tasty
• work

[reap00004]

Longest "You will need" I've ever seen

[jiggymonkey88]

"Sandwich ingredients and bread"

isn't bread a typical sandwich ingredient?

[mainecoast54]

Yes case I am an alocoholic

[hottiegirl110]

Step 1: get takeout

[TheZernia]

@reap00004 Go see the "How To Make A Water Bottle Rocket" video.

You'll die. :P

[AnonymousReborn]

@MrAhmedrocks234 The actual alcohol would evaporate, leaving the flavor of the wine. But why would a 4-yr old and 6-yr old have a fondue set for snack/lunch time in the first place?

[AnonymousReborn]

@MrAhmed

[MrAhmedrocks234]

I'm 12 and I was just wondering what if my kids 4 years old and 6 years old go to school? Do I still give them wine and alcohol?

[bett4u]

bueno

[joanna8ddd]

I dont know about u guys, but I skip the You Will Need part >>

[LaserPiratePewPew]

new title: how to make destructive and malicious douchebags

[lomo1275]

why does howcast have to be so complicated. ugh. ill just do it myself!