Glamorous lunch on the go

I love lunch! Not as much as I love dinner, but lunch can be quite amazing if you give yourself the time to make it! I prefer a great patio, a glass of white wine, and a close friend to enjoy it...but I can't get that every time. Nope, like most, I eat my lunch at work, often in an hour, and then I'm moving and shaking for the rest of the day. I love starchy carbs, but usually they leave me feeling groggy and heavy for the rest of the day, so I love to eat light during lunch so that I can enjoy an amazing dinner in the evening. BUT, lunch can be glamorous, delicious and really simple to make. My best advice: invest in some great food containers that you can take to work with you! I am a sucker for packaging, and there is nothing better than opening up your lunch in a nice glass bowl. And don't be afraid to create a beautiful presentation! You are worth it! (I am a little obsessed with this lunch box!)

My favorite salad is nicoise-light, flavorful, and sooo easy to make! Plus, it's very well rounded and a great source of protein, and nutrients! The classic nicoise has string beans, but I love asparagus so I used that instead! I brought this for lunch the other day and it was fantastic! I sat on a bench, in the sun, surrounded by colorful tulips and was as content as can be. It was a perfect meal!

Nicoise Salad on the Go

Nicoise on the Go

• 1 hard boiled egg
• 1/2 cup asparagus (sliced at diagonally)
• 1 cup raw organic baby spinach
• 1/2 cup tuna salad
• 2 baby red potatoes (boiled with skin and chopped into cubes)

Tuna Salad

• 1 can tuna (drained)
• 1 tbs mayonnaise
• 2 tbs finely chopped red onion
• 1 tbs fresh parsley chopped
• Sea salt and pepper to taste

Lemon Dill Vinaigrette

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tbs Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp honey
• juice of half lemon
• 1 tsp fresh dill (finely chopped)
• 1/2 shallot (minced)
• salt and pepper

(Serves 1)

Bring 4-6 cups of water to a boil. Add egg and cook for 10 minutes. In the last three minutes, add asparagus. Remove from heat, and run under cold water for 30 seconds. Set aside in fridge until ready!

Poke potatoes with a fork and place in microwave for 4 minutes. (Way faster than boiling, and you get the same result!) Let cool for a couple minutes and chop into small pieces.

Combine all ingredients for the tuna salad in a bowl, add salt and pepper to taste.

Combine all ingredients for the dressing and whisk rapidly until well blended.

Now we plate! Start with the spinach than in three sections, add sliced egg, potatoes and asparagus. Top with tuna salad and voila! Deliciousness! I always bring the dressing in a separate container as I hate soggy lettuce! You can make this in less than 20 minutes so it's easy if you're in a pinch. Pair with a delicious french roll, crackers or fruit...whatever your fancy. The best part about this salad is that it will keep you full for a good portion of the day!

Happy Eating!
Kendra