Warm + Comforting Lunch Ideas

This time of year it’s typical to crave meals that are warm and comforting especially if you live somewhere where it’s still the dead of winter. However, it’s common for discussions in appointments with clients to circulate around boredom around the same go-to meals or meals lacking that sense of satisfaction and/or comfort. Lunch in particular can be a tough one, especially if you’re short on time for lunch and/or have to pack a lunch to consume outside of your home any given day. Here’s some ideas that hopefully nail down the theme of warm and comforting winter lunches.

•Soups, stews and chili. If lacking a carbohydrate pair with something like a dinner roll or cornbread or add pasta, rice or potatoes to the recipe 

•Warm sandwiches or a melt such as a tuna or turkey melt, grilled cheese with tomato and pesto or an egg sandwich (good any time of day!)

•A warm grain bowl. This can also be a great way to use up miscellaneous leftovers. Pair your favorite grain (rice, quinoa, farro for example) with a protein of your choice (chicken, tofu, shrimp to name a few) and add whatever toppings make sense otherwise (corn, beans, roasted veggies, cheese, nuts, seeds, dressings and sauces). Following a theme can also be helpful such as a Mediterranean bowl (orzo, falafel or chicken, olives, feta, cucumber, tomato, onion and tzatziki) or a taco bowl (rice, ground beef, corn, black beans, peppers, onion, salsa, guacamole, cheese, sour cream)

•A baked pasta dish can be a great thing to prepare ahead of time for the week for meals. Use your favorite shaped pasta, sauce (red sauce, Alfredo, pesto), protein, veggies and cheese (topped with mozzarella or parmesan or mix it all together with ricotta)

And finally, here are a few more ideas if you’re short on time or did not have time to prep anything (because hey, it happens and we still gotta eat!)

•Rotisserie chicken or chicken/tofu nuggets + microwaveable mashed potatoes + frozen steam-in-bag veggies

•Store-bought soup + side salad + bread

•Frozen dumplings or potstickers with frozen stir fry veggies and rice

•Egg or tofu scramble with toast and fruit

Here’s to warm and comforting meals made easy as we journey through winter still!