While desktop dining during a political campaign is almost unavoidable, there are unofficial rules:
- avoid pungent foods unless everyone else is partaking
- if eating by hand remember how easily food can contaminate equipment; best to use a fork or spoon
- try to eat at the same time as everyone else
- expect interruptions
- turn your personal phone off
- tidy up; wipe down your desk and get rid of grotty wrappings and leftovers
- keep the office kitchen clean
One of the biggest problems with lunching al desko is the danger of having your food stolen. If you haven't a personal drawer, invest in a small cold bag from M&S (£) to keep food chilled until lunchtime. Keep food hidden away in a small rucksack under your desk.
An ideal desk lunch includes:
- good portion of protein
- salad
- small amount of carbs
- small portion of sweet for mid-afternoon
- 1-2 pieces of fruit
Safe food storage
Food cooked on Day 1 will be fine on Day 2; after that, freeze it in individual portions in labelled sandwich bags or food containers. When needed, defrost overnight on a plate in the bottom of the fridge; the food will be at room temperature by lunchtime.
- butter bread to the edges
- the carb-phobic should go for thinly sliced bread or wraps
- don't freeze salad; add later
- mayo separates on thawing; add once defrosted
- sandwiches are best frozen individually but you can stack a couple in one sandwich bag, separated by a piece of greaseproof paper
- take sandwiches out of the freezer the night before; they should be defrosted by the morning
- remember: egg white toughens during freezing
- some freezable fillings:
- plain tinned tuna or salmon, well drained; you can add finely chopped onion or raw papers but not mayo; spread a good layer on well buttered bread; when defrosted, add mayo & salad
- smoked salmon
- cooked egg yolk
- cooked meats including meatloaf, leftover burgers, chicken, roast pork
- peanut butter (but not jam), chocolate-hazelnut spreads
- grilled eggplant and zucchini
- sunblush tomatoes (well drained)
- carmelised onion or onion jam
- tapenade (olive paste), mustard
- pickles & chutney
(Sources: Frost bite, MOMables)
Healthy wallet-friendly recipes for lunch al desko
Apart from the salads, all are recipes which can be made in advance and will keep well in a fridge for 2 days
Apart from the salads, all are recipes which can be made in advance and will keep well in a fridge for 2 days
Skinnier Sausage Rolls ' Amazing! Low-fat & interesting. Not heavy'
Skinnier Scotch Eggs, 'full of flavour, good and oniony'; half the fat and price of artisan products
Asian Pork Bao, lower sugar, salt & fat
Tandoori Chicken, low-fat & cholesterol, easy-peasy
Lemon Chicken Tuscan Style, frugal but full-flavoured, make ahead
Thick Soup/stews (fill sturdy cups 2/3 full and place away from the keyboard)
Chunky Lentil Soup, a meal in itself
Bean, Beer & Sausage Stew, heat in microwave
Salads (make and consume on the day unless specified)
Lettuce Salad with Green Herb Dressing, easy in the extreme
Avocado Pilaff Salad, try this before avo prices shoot up
Mango & Chilli Coleslaw (lasts 2 days)
67goingon50 is tweeting quick & easy, healthy & sassy dishes for Political Campaigners every few days on Twitter: @BrightSunEnter1
B Lee/Bright Sun Enterprises accept no liability for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.
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