Dig out the old Thermos® and join the crowd. Taking a brown bag lunch to work is now the smart thing to do. But, do ideas for brown bag lunches fit in a family cookbook? Why not? It’s time to think outside the lunchbox, and to think outside the traditional family recipe cookbook.

When you think about it, the same ideas used for picnic dining can be applied to workplace dining. (Think “Picnics & Bag Lunches” for your section heading). Not only do brown bag lunches make it easier to commune with co-workers, you can save a bundle every week just by taking your lunch to work.

In fact, experts say the average lunch out costs $7 these days (not including taxes and tips), but the average brown bag lunch is about $2. Quite a savings over time!  Plus, packing your own brown bag lunch means you know exactly what ingredients are in your lunch (which is especially important for dieters).

Taking a brown bag lunch to work doesn’t have to be boring, either.  Try to stay away from the peanut butter & jelly or bologna & cheese syndrome that’s so easy for the kids. And no snack chip products, which are costly empty calories (plus there aren’t many family recipes for these “foods”).

Keep your lunch cool with an ice pack, which can be easily stored at your work station instead of in a shared refrigerator. I personally don’t fancy co-workers poking about in my brown bag (or lunchbox) in the shared refrigerator, do you?  I’ve known people whose brown bag lunch at work has been half-eaten, ransacked, or outright stolen!
 
Following are some of my favorite ideas for less mundane brown bag lunches (or picnics):

Main Course/Sandwiches
- Paté and brie on a crusty French baguette with slivered carrots, cilantro and radishes.
- Selection of deli meats (salami, ham, mortadella) cut to fit saltine crackers, with some pickle slices.
- Soft roll with white cheddar cheese, thick sliced tomato, mayonnaise, salt, pepper.
- Chunks of leftover Costco chicken topped with curry mayonnaise and some trail mix.
- Sliced boiled egg (or mashed) with chive cream cheese and fresh spinach leaves in a pita pocket.

Green Salads
An idea I use for picnic salads will also work for brown baggers.  Tote the salad greens in a plastic bag with a twist tie. Open the bag and pour in a small amount of dressing. Close the bag with the twist tie and massage the dressing into the greens (or shake the bag). I’ve found you can use less dressing that way and mix it just as well as tossing. If you don’t want to use a plate or bowl, eat directly from the bag. Easy!

Finishing Sweets
It’s always nice to finish up a brown bag lunch with a small sweet dessert of sorts. My favorites include:
- Fruit (apple, orange, pear, grapes)
- Dark chocolate bar
- Biscotti or other flavorful cookie

About Leftovers
Leftovers are the working adults’ lifesaver for brown bag lunching. I’ve heard that some co-workers make a pact to share leftovers, so there’s always a variety on the lunch table. If you are lucky enough to work with a diverse workforce, sometimes the shared leftovers from international cultures can be very rewarding (and potential family cookbook additions).

Incidentally, your brown bag lunch doesn’t have to be in a brown bag. But, I’m sure you knew that already.

Happy Cookbooking,

Matilda

For some great ideas for brown bag/lunchbox meals, check out these websites:

Starla’s Free Vintage Recipe Collection

Hillbilly Housewife

Weston A. Price Foundation

Making a recipe book? Check out all the recipe software and cookbook binding supplies we have at CookbookPeople.com.

If you enjoyed this article, you might check out:
• It’s All Greek to Me, but Greek Salad Makes a Birthday, Graduation or Father’s Day Bash a Bit Better
• Cookbooks as Gifts for Co-workers
• Serving Leftovers to Guests

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