If you’re a long term, new or aspiring vegetarian, thinking of lunch ideas that are filling, healthy and tasty aren’t easy but we’ve created a list of top 5 lunch ideas to help you out. These packed lunches are not only so easy to prepare the night before but will save you some coin. These recipes can all be tailored to your taste and can be packed for yourself, children, a partner, a friend, or a colleague. Be the lunchtime star with these lunches that are great for school or the office or on the go.

MONDAY: TOFU POWER BOWL

Ingredients:

• Tofu & Marinade (homemade or bottled)
• Sushi/brown rice/quinoa
• Edamame beans
• Cucumber
• Shredded carrot
• Lime

How to make:

1. Marinate your tofu in any sauces/spices (We normally choose a peanut sauce)
2. Cook your sushi rice, brown rice or quinoa to packet instructions
3. Prepare your edamame by boiling it in water or buying it premade
4. Cut cucumber and shred carrot
5. Assemble and add the juice of 1 fresh lime.
6. (OPTIONAL) Add sesame seeds, poppy seeds or hemp seeds on top

TUESDAY: PASTA WITH LENTILS

Ingredients:

• Pasta of your choice
• Pasta sauce
• Soaked lentils
• Vegetables of choice
• Onion

How to make:

1. Saute onion in olive oil for about 5 minutes then add garlic and pasta sauce
2. Stir in lentils and cook for about 20-25 minutes or until the lentils are soft
3. Add the cooked pasta
4. Add a touch of Vegetable broth or water if needed
5. (OPTIONAL) add chopped parsley, grated cheese and chilli flakes

WEDNESDAY: SUMMER ROLLS

Ingredients:

• Rice paper rolls
• Tofu
• Thin rice noodles
• Cucumber
• Mint
• Purple cabbage
• Peanut sauce

How to make:

1. Wash and prepare all veggies
2. Cook tofu to your liking
3. Soak thin rice noodles in hot water
4. Add ingredients to your rice paper (easiest when they’re added to the middle of the roll)
5. Fold in the sides of the rice paper and roll
6. Dip in peanut sauce and enjoy!

THURSDAY: WRAPS (SEASONED OYSTER MUSHROOM AND GREEK YOGURT)

Ingredients:

• Mushrooms (best works with oyster)
• Seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, zaatar and salt & pepper
• Lettuce
• Chopped tomato
• Greek yoghurt
• Red onion
• Pita/flat bread

How to make:

1. Marinate your oyster mushroom in seasonings and fry them off in a pan
2. Prepare your lettuce, red onion and tomato.
3. Assemble your cooked mushroom and fresh vegetables on the Pita or flat bread
4. Wrap it up well in tinfoil or clingwrap
5. Pack your Greek yogurt in a small container to add before eating

FRIDAY: CHICKPEA SALAD SANDWICH

Ingredients:

• Chickpeas
• Mayonnaise
• Bread of choice
• Kale
• Tomato
• Red onion

How to make:

1. Add canned or soaked chickpeas to a bowl and incorporate mayonnaise (or vegan mayo) - ensure to drain your chickpeas well so it doesn’t make your bread soggy
2. Mash chickpeas and mayo with a fork
3. Wash and prepare kale, tomato and red onion
4. Assemble your chickpea mixture with veggies onto bread (a sourdough bread works well)

We hope these easy recipes for packed lunches have encouraged you to organise your lunch for the week and be creative with them. Everything is a choice when it comes to your lunch, the sauces and seasonings so feel free to put your own spin or flare to these recipes.

Enjoy!