A Weeks' Working Lunch

For me, being a stay-at-home-mum requires more than just looking after children. It means looking after my husband too. Not that I particularly want to, but I think it comes part of the 'stay-at-home' package. Now, I don't mean this in the old fashioned 50's way - I don't wear an apron and do my husband Ian's ironing (I will tell you why one day - there is a story behind it). But I do make his lunch and make sure his dinner is ready for him when he comes home.

A while ago, we calculated that he spends approximately £1680 on lunch every year! It may not seem much in the grand scheme of things but over time, it does add up (especially if you are a family of one income). Me making Ian's lunch for him, started with my father making me a packed lunch everyday when I returned to work from maternity leave. My dad stayed with us for a while, to look after Aaren and during that time and because my father loves to cook (he is a feeder), he used to make me yummy spicy vegetable sausage sandwiches and biryani's to take into work. I think Ian got a bit jealous - not that he wasn't offered this service too. I think he just got fed up of Indian food all day long!

So, when my dad left and I went back to being a stay-at-home-mother I thought I would take up the sandwich maker role and thus began the routine. I'm usually on auto pilot in the mornings. I wake up, head straight downstairs, put Aaren's porridge in the microwave and make Ian's lunch. All in a space of 7 minutes!

I like to make things that are quick and easy. I always have turkey slices and wafer thin ham in the fridge and a plethora of condiments from cranberry and mustard sauces through to mint and harissa.

I thought I would take a few pictures of what I made Ian this week. Nothing too ground breaking but tasty nonetheless (so he tells me).

nb. I don't put any margarine spread on Ian's sandwiches as he doesn't like it!

Turkey, Cranberry and Salad

Cheese, Pickle and Salad

Ham, Cheese, Mustard and Salad







Ham, Cheese, Mustard and Salad on Multi-Seed Bread

Roast Chicken and Cranberry on Multi Seed Bread

Chicken in a Bag

I'm not sure if I have mentioned this previously, but I am a Pescatorian. This essentially means that I eat seafood but no meat or chicken. I gave up meat about 5 years ago, as a challenge to myself and have stuck with it ever since. I don't miss it all and am happy to be making the little contribution to an animal's welfare. Saying that, I don't have a problem with cooking meat and I make it all the time for Ian.

His favourite dish of mine is 'Chicken in a Bag'. I am certain this is because it doesn't require me to do any real cooking except chop up a few vegetables. It is so simple and effortless to make (preparation time is about 10 minutes) and I therefore end up making it once a week and it lasts for two dinners. Easy.

You can buy different varieties of these 'bags' nowadays in most supermarkets. I use the Colmans brand and have also started using Maggi. I tend to use the Paprika flavour as that usually gets the most compliments!

The best thing about the 'Chicken in a Bag' recipe is that naturally, I don't follow it and just use all the vegetables that I need to get rid off.

Sweet Potato

My secret ingredient - Chorizo

Hearty Carrots

A plethora of colour

Skinned Chicken

The star of the show

In the bag, with the spices mixed in

The Finished Product

The smell is divine