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Super Lunchbox Recipes!

These delicious and nutritious recipes are courtesy of Emma Drake, mum of two and lunchbox-maker extraordinaire!

Hidden Veg Tomato Sauce

This can be added straight-up to pasta, or used as a base for Bolognese, soup or pizza sauce.

Ingredients

1 tin whole tomatoes
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 stick celery, chopped
1 onion, peeled and chopped, or two shallots
1 head of broccoli, including stems, chopped
1 red, orange or yellow pepper, chopped
Fresh or dried thyme
1 tablespoon ground flax
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons cream cheese or vegan cream cheese

Method

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Line a baking tray with foil and spray or rub with oil.
Add chopped veggies, sprinkle with thyme and spray or drizzle more oil.
Roast in the oven for 20-30 mins until veg is tender.
Remove and leave to cool.
Once cooled, place all veg, ground flax, cream cheese and tomatoes in a blender. Blend until smooth.

7. Pour into a small pan and season to taste and add a dash of Worcestershire sauce.

8. Taste and adjust seasoning as required.

9. If your sauce is too thick you can either add vegetable stock or water to thin it out. Keep it thick if using for pizza sauce.

10. Will keep in the fridge for three days or alternatively freeze in ice cube trays until needed.

Super Healthy Smoothie

Ingredients (makes 1 smoothie)

1/3 cup Greek yoghurt or 1/3 cup milk/almond milk
Teaspoon ground flax
Half a banana
Handful of berries
Handful of frozen spinach
Dash of honey or a couple of dates (if needed)

Method

Blend in a bullet/blender and place in a thermos.

Salmon Fishcakes

Ingredients (makes 8 fishcakes, or 16 small fish balls)

8oz potatoes (roughly 2 small or 1 medium potato)
Approx. 8oz tinned salmon (2 tins) or tinned tuna
2 finely chopped spring onions
Salt and pepper
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons of dill or thyme
1 tablespoon butter or dairy-free spread
Splash of milk or unsweetened dairy alternative
2 tablespoons ground flax (optional extra omega boost)
4oz of panko breadcrumbs, dried homemade breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes
Olive oil for cooking, or parchment paper to freeze

Method

Peel potatoes and boil until tender (10-12 mins). Drain.
Drain the tinned fish and remove any skin. Small salmon bones can be left in but remove the bigger ones.
Flake the fish and add a dash of lemon juice.
In a large bowl, mash the potatoes with some butter or olive oil and add a splash of milk or dairy alternative. Do not over-moisten; it needs to hold its shape in a patty.
Add the chopped spring onions and fish.
Add the herb of choice and season with salt and pepper.
Divide into 8 balls and flatten to roughly half an inch thickness.

8. Coat with breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes (optional). Make sure to roll the edges as well.

9. Sauté in a frying pan for approximately five mins each side until golden.

10. Alternatively, place uncooked fishcakes on a parchment covered baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, place in a freezer-proof container, making sure the fishcakes are separated by parchment. Defrost and cook as above.

11. If making fish balls rather than cakes, these usually take about three to five minutes to cook and are great for lunch boxes with lemon mayo, salsa, hummus or guacamole.

ANZAC Cookies

Ingredients (makes about 24 cookies)

2 cups of all-purpose flour or gluten-free alternative
2 cups of rolled oats
2 cups of sugar
1 cup desiccated coconut
8oz, 1 cup or 2 sticks butter or dairy-free alternative
2 tablespoons Tate & Lyle golden syrup
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup boiling water

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Line baking sheets with parchment.

3. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl with the exception of the baking soda.

4. In a microwave safe bowl melt the butter with the syrup. Place in the microwave and stir every 30 seconds until the butter has melted and the liquids can be mixed together.

5. Dissolve baking soda in the boiling water and add immediately to the syrup mix. Be careful as the liquid may bubble.

6. Add liquid to dry ingredients and stir to combine.

7. Using two dessert spoons, spoon onto a prepared baking sheet and flatten slightly.

8. Bake until golden and firm (approx. 15 minutes).

9. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

For more advice on how to build the perfect lunch box – click here.

Features

Features

Super Lunchbox Recipes!

Hidden Veg Tomato Sauce

Super Healthy Smoothie

Salmon Fishcakes

ANZAC Cookies

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