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Some of my favourite, frugal lunches

Lunches are always a struggle. Even after I sat down and made up a master list of grocery items (lunch ideas, dinner ideas, and a list of all ingredients that we usually buy), I sometimes still find it difficult to plan what I’m going to take to work in that week.

T and I are ridiculously big eaters, and days where we have leftovers are very much the exception rather than the norm. For me, there are three main criteria when it comes to lunch: Preparation, cost and how much it will fill me up.

Potatoes – In a salad, with chickpeas in a curry, in a hash with spring onions and cornbeef

Eggs – Frittatas, omelette sandwiches

Pasta – Carbonara, or tomato-based sauces with beans/chickpeas/capsicum

RiceĀ  – with soy and veggies, or fried rice – vegetarian/chicken/ham/mince, with or without eggs – the combinations are endless

Chili – With or without meat

I guess I’m just not very much of a sandwich person. Though I’m quite partial to the odd Subway, or Vietnamese sub from Banh Mi Bale.

What about you?

[Photos – Click on each image for source]

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8 thoughts on “Some of my favourite, frugal lunches

  • Reply Airam July 29, 2010 at 04:47

    It’s like you read my mind, I was just looking for new lunch ideas. Thanks!

  • Reply Amanda July 29, 2010 at 12:23

    That’s a lot fancier than me! I generally just have fruit and yoghurt for lunch – generally because I don’t tend to cook at night and have leftovers (and if I cook, it’s generally something really simple and small – e.g. grill a single chicken breast with a side salad).

    I think I might have to start looking at bulk cooking and freezing portions for lunch though – when I move into my apartment and stop being able to get fruit and veg for as cheap as I currently do, I imagine I’ll be eating a lot more pasta and rice and a lot less produce!

  • Reply Amber from Girl with the Red Hair July 29, 2010 at 14:53

    Potatos! I poke some holes in it with my fork, throw it in the microwave for 3 minutes and throw some cottage cheese on it. Voila, dinner!

  • Reply Robin - Twentysomething Test Dummies July 29, 2010 at 17:02

    Oh, we definitely speak the same language. I just saw all my glorious comfort foods staring me in the face. Perf, McGerf. I lOVE banh mi – it makes me happy and doesn’t weigh me down as much as others.

  • Reply debbie July 30, 2010 at 04:33

    Leftovers are my very favorite lunches of all. I love nothing more than opening that fridge and remembering something quite wonderful that I get to eat!

  • Reply Link love (Powered by couscous and waffle cardigans) « Musings of an Abstract Aucklander August 1, 2010 at 15:39

    […] I mentioned banh mi bale sandwiches earlier this week, and guess who posted a Vietnamese sandwich recipe? […]

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