Lunch & a Nice Little Book


Lunch is my favorite meal of the day.

There is no set time that you have to eat lunch.
For me, it's always after 1 pm, sometimes even at 3:00, depends on what I had for breakfast that day.

As you know, I make my husband's lunch everyday.
Partly, because he is too busy to go out and buy lunch, and partly because I like to know that he is eating a healthy, delicious meal, and partly because I am a control freak.

Lunch can be a salad, which it usually is.....or a fantastic sandwich with an amazing filling......maybe soup? but the best lunch for me is something made with leftovers.

There is something satisfying about creating another meal made from last night's dinner.

Do I really need yet another cookbook telling me how to make another Bolognese sauce? No.
I already know how to make a Caesar salad, and do it quite well, I might add.

But sometimes, I like a little lunch inspiration.

I like to see what others are eating for lunch, via instagram, Canal House Cooks Lunch, or this little book called LUNCH at the SHOP.

A group of creative people who own a bookshop in Seattle, make lunch at their workplace everyday.
They sit down at a table together and eat a healthy, homemade simple lunch. (I guess they all like each other too!).

They don't go out and waste money on take-out food (which is usually lousy anyway.....but probably not in Seattle), instead, they fix lunch at the shop.

They don't have a formal kitchen cooktop or fancy appliances, they do much of the prep at home and then tweak it at work.
They purchase good bread, some staples for the office, like a rind of Parmigiano Reggiano, olives, mustard, honey, and some fresh produce.
They bring the rice and lentils that they prepared at home, and do the rest at the office.

It just takes some thought and a bit of creativity to make beautiful, healthy lunches.

I know most of the recipes in this book already, but sometimes my brain needs a little help and inspiration, isn't that what cookbooks are all about?

I loved this book. I would eat everything in it.
The photos are lovely (Canal House people) as is the writing.

It's a quiet little book and makes me happy.

I had some leftover lentils, and before I even finished reading halfway thru, I ran into the kitchen to make this delicious, simple salad!


Lentil Salad w/ Feta & Avocado: (inspired from Lunch at the Shop)

1 cup of cooked lentils
1 ripe avocado, sliced
1 lemon
sea salt & pepper
1/2 cup of cilantro leaves
1/4 cup of feta cheese
2 tbsp olive oil

Arrange the lentils on a plate and lay the avocado slices and cilantro leaves on top.
Squeeze the lemon juice all over the plate and drizzle with olive oil.

Season w/ salt & pepper and finish with the feta cheese.


Something so simple can taste so good.

Comments

Katie said…
Darn it! My library doesn't have this one yet. I do NOT need another cookbook ;-) (maybe).

I do bring my lunch almost every day. You choose where you spend your money. Lunches out have become quite pricey and I usually prefer my own cooking. This book would probably provide inspiration. Anyway, I'd rather spend that money on a great vacation. This year -> Alaska!
I peeked inside of the book on Amazon and it sounds like a really fun read. If you lentil salad is any indication of the recipes, it should be great. Lunch is the meal that stumps me the most. It's mostly sandwiches and salads at our house, but sometimes I need some new ideas. Thanks for the suggestion Stacey.
Sam
me said…
I picked up this book too, because I loved the niceness of it, like you did.
I also bring my lunch to work, usually consisting of leftover pasta from last night, or some quinoa and cooked veggies, even a cold frittata.
I hate wasting $10 on a lousy lunch filled with empty calories and bad food.

I have lost weight and saved money by bringing lunch to work!
Good for me!
Natalia said…
What a cool combination of foods - lentils, feta, avocado! I've been to Seattle several times as my brother lives there - great place to visit not just for the interesting sights, but for their restaurant scene. I can recommend a few fantastic places to try if you ever go out there.

We are heading to our neighbors for dinner tonight - I'm going to make this salad, which I know they'll enjoy as much as I will.