Ideas for simple lunches at home for a furloughed fed

[Bertha Venation]

She is bored to death with all the usual stuff: sandwiches, soup, hot dogs, eggs, lean cuisines, chili . . .

Going grocery shopping tomorrow. Got any ideas for simple stuff that will help un-bore my very bored beloved?

Thanks!

[hlthe2b]

1. Bertha, you are a kind person and your SO is very lucky to have you...

That said, I can't help but be reminded of the countless numbers who can't afford food since they live paycheck-to-paycheck, have had food stamps discontinued or diminished, are no longer getting WIC and the like. The food banks in my own community are so overtaxed they are running dry. I am extremely worried for some friends, colleagues, and of course the countless strangers.

I know that you, especially, would never intentionally be insensitive, but let's remember them as well, ok?

[Bertha Venation]

5. You're absolutely right.

And I don't forget the hungry, hlthe2b. I do what I can.

I hope you pass along this message to those who indulge in food porn. I do not understand that. THAT is insensitivity to the max.

[hlthe2b]

7. thank you for taking my admonishment as I intended...

Unfortunate some of my furloughed friends (and unemployed friends) are in that "beyond vulnerable" group. One is already facing eviction if she can't come up with rent in 10 days and she has no family to help.

Seems creditors don't give a damn about Federal shutdown--hell they are probably among those rooting for it.

[angstlessk]

2. We like the occasional sub sandwitch...here is a link to some ideas

https://www.google.com/#q=sub+sandwich+ideas

[Lars39]

3. Hummus, sliced veggies and pita chips.

My favorite is the roasted red pepper hummus with lots of garlic.

[Earth_First]

4. Tabouli, couscous and pita/hummus all come to mind...

Veggies can be added to all three, and homemade hummus is extremely easy to do it yourself.

[Chan790]

6. Safeway has a new line of heat-and-serve frozen single-serve entrees that are pretty good.

Not at all the normal stuff you see in such meals. Chicken Tikka Masala, Lemongrass Chicken, Asian Style Beef, Five-Cheese Lasagna, Chili-Lime Chicken, Moroccan Chicken, Beef Tamales in Enchilada Sauce, Baked Chicken. (The line-up is a bit heavy on the chicken.)

I believe they're $2 each regular price so the price is reasonable, though I found the portion size small and the included sides a little meh. I didn't look at the sodium or fat but those are generally the things to watch out for on those kinds of meals.

[elleng]

10. Nothing off the top of my head,

but you'll probably find some ideas here, BV.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1157

[mysuzuki2]

11. Microwave a large baked potato.

Load it with various toppings. I especially like the frozen broccoli in cheese sauce. Of course, you could make your own topping from whatever you have in the fridge.

[MiddleFingerMom]

12. A Cheddar-and-sauted-apple omelet and, of course... BACON!!!

[DebJ]

13. Flat breads make good pizzas.

Just toss on some spaghetti sauce and cheese and then whatever else you like.

Put olive oil on the flatbread, bake 2 minutes at 425, put on toppings for about
5-7 minutes more, et voila!

[LiberalEsto]

14. My usual lunch is a piece of fruit and a small piece of cheese

and a cup of tea.

The cheese piece is about the size of 4 dice.

Pear and brie.
Apple and cheddar.
Grapes and whatever kind of cheese you like.

Sometimes I'll do apple slices with sunflower seed butter from Trader Joe's - tastes like peanut butter.

You might find some ideas here:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/ways-to-make-a-brown-bag-lunch-more-appealing

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alexnaidus/around-the-world-in-sandwiches

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ailbhemalone/15-mouthwatering-no-bread-sandwiches

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/40-amazing-grilled-cheese-sandwich-recipes

[Callmecrazy]

15. I'm with MFM on this...

BACON!

[applegrove]

16. Gouda, tomato and cucumber salad in a balsamic vinagrette dressing. Cobb

salad. Omelette with brie and red pepper jelly. Make a dip for endive leaves.

[MiddleFingerMom]

17. Even better than Gouda with that (mmmm, SMOKED Gouda... the "meat" of cheeses) would be...

.
.
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... crumbled goat cheese and sliced or crumbled hard-boiled egg ... and maybe mandarin orange segments.
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Now I'M hungry!!!
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.
.

[applegrove]

18. Hey. MFM. How are you? Me? I am now hungry. Thanks alot!

[Sentath]

19. I know you said you've done sandwiches to death, but what about a BLP

Bacon Lettuce and Plum

Good Bacon
Decent Bread
Tart late season Plums

And, if you feel fancy, a bit of thyme basil sage aioli.

Stolen from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/dining/191arex.html?_r=0

They are wonderful.