The best back-to-school lunches for kids AND adults
If the novelty of making and packing lunches has worn off already, you're not alone. A very scientific study of Canadians found that four out of five would prefer to eat dinner with their in-laws than pack lunch for their kids.
To simplify lunch, we're sharing our go-to recipes that offer a basic, kid-friendly version (i.e. no "weird" things) and the easy ways you can elevate that same dish for your sophisticated palate. See a few of the grown-up recipes below, plus more about lunch hacks and why we love them.
Tuna Salad (For Kids & Adults)
Sending kids to school with tuna salad is a bold move in and of itself (don’t worry, it builds character), so save the addition of protein-rich hard boiled eggs, raw onions and white beans (you glutton for punishment) for your own lunch (preferably consumed at your remote workspace).
Tuna Salad from Downshiftology.
White Bean and Tuna Salad with Eggs and Dukkah from Food52.
Sushi (For Kids & Adults)
Sushi rolls are a fun, customizable kid-friendly lunch, and the base ingredients can be easily leveraged (and elevated) in a sushi bowl for busy parents. Sure, you’re technically still eating their scraps, but with a sprinkling of sesame seeds and Daikon radish, it feels way more thoughtful than stuffing your face over the kitchen sink.
Avocado Cucumber Sushi Roll from Love & Lemons.
Spicy Salmon Roll Sushi Bowl from Simmer + Sauce.
Cold Pasta Salad (For Adults)
We love this easy pasta salad because it’s 90% kid-friendly, with penne or rigatoni, green peas, cherry tomatoes and feta, and 10% “Ugh, Maaawm, what is this?” A.K.A. green herbs. Tossing in a handful of dill, mint and basil, after you’ve syphoned off a plain portion for kids, will bring this pasta salad to life, and reinvigorate your will to live/your stamina to make it to bed time.
Fresh Herb Pasta from EyeSwoon.
Fruit Salad (For Adults)
Let’s play two truths and a lie. Melon ballers instantly elevate a fruit salad. A dusting of green herbs is the ultimate child repellent. And if it weren’t for our kids, we’d likely go months without eating a piece of fruit. GOTCHA! They’re all truths. Chopped fruit is always a crowd pleaser with kids, but to give it a sophisticated spin, squeeze a lemon over the fruit (to enhance flavour and stave off browning) and sprinkle chopped mint. Mint is that person at a dinner party who brings out the best in everybody. Except citrus fruits. Mint and citrus fruits have bad blood.
Mint and Melon Fruit Salt from TastingTable.