Confession- sometimes I get tired of cooking. Sometimes I want ideas for what to make. Sometimes I need a reboost to get the juices flowing on what to fix for my family. As I have mentioned, unless it is farming season, I make two meals per day for us to eat as a family. We all generally make our own breakfasts, but lunch and supper are two that I make and put on the table. My Sweet Husband and the kids help, of course! But, it’s generally my task and I love it.

All that being said, I thought it might help if I gave you a few ideas for lunches that might get your mind working when it is overwhelmed or bogged down, especially as the weather is warming up and summer is approaching!

A Picnic

For those of you that know me well, you know how much I love picnics… all kinds! I enjoy determining when our first outside picnic of the spring will be each year. And, as my Sweet Husband is a conventional farmer, he takes a packed lunch any day he is in the field or hauling grain.

Picnics can look like anything you want them to! We love sourdough rolls, tortilla wraps, chicken or egg salad, and even cold fried chicken… We add sides like pasta salad, carrot sticks, apple slices, hummus and pretzels, chips, or boiled eggs… Dessert can be as simple as chocolate chip cookies, brownies, or watermelon. Make it what your family likes to eat.

Wrapped Hot Dogs

One thing we enjoy much around here are handheld things. When the kids and I take ‘field snacks’ to Daddy and Grandpa, the stipulations are generally handheld and meat… meaning easy to eat while driving a tractor and a protein boost for the afternoon lulls… Because of this, I have gotten creative with all things handheld, adding the element of handmade as well.

I usually make a simple homemade pizza dough and wrap it around the hot dogs. These are all beef organic from Aldi, but any hotdogs/brats will do! Bake the dogs for 12-15 minutes, brush with butter, and enjoy! For the field, I wrap in foil… but for home, we have a side of sauerkraut, skillet potatoes, a salad, mac and cheese… you get the idea.

Breakfast Sandwiches

If you have read any of my recent blogs, you have already seen this photo. Hand held.. check! Meat… check! And, even egg, another excellent form of protein. So, these breakfast sandwiches work as a field snack as well as for at-home lunches. We love roasted peas with our breakfast-for-lunch!

Stromboli

A wonderful ‘pizza style’ lunch we like on occasion is Stromboli. For an even faster meal option, I use my favorite one-hour bread recipe, one like this, and when it is ready for the second rise, I roll it out; fill with cheese and meat; roll up into a long loaf; and bake for 30 minutes or until bread is fully baked through. Brush with butter, cool for 10 minutes or so, then slice! It is great with a side salad and sauce for dipping.

Baked Nachos

Lastly, we love tacos in many forms. This recipe comes together quickly and uses basics you probably have on-hand. Pour a bag of tortilla chips into a 9×13 baking pan (we use Aldi Organic yellow or blue corn tortilla chips, or even Wild Harvest organic scoop-style corn chips). Top with taco meat of your choice (shredded chicken or pork, ground beef, etc). Add beans, corn, and shredded cheese as well as chiles if you like them. Bake for about 30 minutes. Serve with sour cream (or homemade plain yogurt!), salsa, and lettuce. Hits the spot!

Your turn! What are some of your families ‘go to’ lunches? I am always in the mood for ideas!