5 Quick & Tasty Lunch Ideas

In this post I share five quick and tasty lunch ideas which are perfect for the whole family.

I prepared two fillings to be used for lunch throughout the week, and the recipes are as follows:

1. Chicken Tikka

Ingredients:

• 500g Chicken Thighs (cut into small chunks)

For the marinade:

• ½ cup Greek Yogurt
• 1 tablespoon Sunflower Oil
• 1 teaspoon Garlic & Ginger Paste
• 1 tablespoon Paprika
• 1 tablespoon Tandoori Masala
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
• 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice

Method:

• Add the marinade ingredients to a large mixing bowl, mix until combined then add the chicken, coating the chicken chunks in the marinade. Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
• Add the marinated chicken to a large frying pan on medium/high flame. Use a pair of tongs to mix the chicken in the pan and cook until the chicken has changed colour and released it’s water.

2. Mince Filling

Ingredients:

• 375g Lamb Mince
• 1 teaspoon Garlic & Ginger Paste
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander
• ½ teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
• 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice

Method:

1. Brown the mince in a large pan on high heat, using a whisk or meat masher to separate the mince. Stir in the garlic and ginger paste, salt and spices, then squeeze in the lemon juice.

Now that we have a couple of fillings prepped, here are some delicious and easy lunch ideas.

1. Flatbread Pizzas

Ingredients:

• Flatbreads
• Passata (or Tomato Puree)
• Toppings of your choice

Method:

Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C Fan assisted

1. Open the flatbreads and lay them onto a foil-covered oven rack.
2. Spread the passata over the flatbread using the back of a spoon.
3. Add your chosen toppings. I used the chicken tikka and mince filling that I had prepared, cheese, tomato slices, spring onion slices, mushroom slices and sweetcorn.
4. Bake in the centre of the oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown on top.

2. Filled Croissants

Ingredients:

• Croissants
• Fillings of your choice

Method:

Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C Fan assisted

1. Slice the croissants in half lengthways.
2. Add fillings of your choice. I added salami and cheese to some croissants, and cheese and tomato to others.
3. Bake in the centre of the oven for 5 minutes. Alternatively air fry the croissants.

3. Burger Bake

Ingredients:

• 8 Sliced Brioche Burger Buns
• 1 tablespoon Sunflower Oil
• 600g Chicken Mince
• 1 teaspoon Garlic & Ginger Paste
• ½ teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Garam Masala
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• ½ teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
• 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
• 2 tablespoons Passata
• 8 Cheese Slices
• ½ cup Fried Onions
• 3 Spring Onions (sliced)
• 2 Tomatoes (sliced)
• Peri Peri Mayonnaise (or similar)
• Ketchup
• ½ cup Grated Cheddar Cheese

Method:

Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C Fan assisted

1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan on medium flame, add the mince and cook until mince has changed from pink to white and released its water. Stir in the garlic & ginger paste, salt, spices and lemon juice, then mix in the passata.
2. Place the bottom slice of the burger buns in a large baking dish. Add a slice of cheese to each burger, then fill with the chicken mince.
3. Add a layer of fried onions and spring onions, then place a tomato slice in the centre of each bun.
4. Squeeze the mayonnaise and ketchup all over the burgers then add the top of the burger buns. Sprinkle over the cheese.
5. Bake in centre of the oven for 5 minutes or until cheese on top has melted.
6. Break into individual burger portions to serve.

4. Viral Wrap

Ingredients:

• Tortilla Wraps
• Fillings of your choice

Method:

1. Place a tortilla wrap on a large plate, and add a slit by cutting it from the edge to the centre.
2. Add four different fillings to each quarter of the tortilla wrap. Some ideas for fillings include cheese, salami, lettuce, tomato sauce, chicken.
3. Fold the wrap over each filling until it looks like ¼ of a circle (like a large samosa)
4. Spray a little oil in a frying pan on medium flame. Fry the wrap for one minute on each side until golden brown.

5. Ramen Noodles Your Way

Ingredients:

• Ramen Noodles
• Vegetables and cooked meat of your choice

Method:

1. Prepare the noodles according to instructions on the packet and add any sachets that are included with the noodles.
2. Add veg and meat to the noodles. Bring to the boil and cook for one minute. Serve right away.