I like to pack my own lunch. Yes, I’m giving up the social hour at work, but frankly the lunch offerings in my neighborhood tend to pale in comparison to what gets produced in my own kitchen. I wish I could say that it’s because I’m an amazing cook, but really it’s just that corporate lunch spots tend to be that uninspiring. Too unhealthy, too bland, too expensive, too time consuming. All I want for lunch on a work day is something to eat (at my desk, in the office kitchen or outside near the fountains) that gives me a jolt of flavor and wakes up my palate without making me want to sleep for the rest of the afternoon. And, surprise surprise, that usually comes from home.
The question then becomes what to bring. Once you’re freed from the time constraints of a one mile radius of your office, the world really becomes your oyster, with certain limitations. Not for me are the lean cuisines heated up in the communal microwave by my coworkers, the aroma of Fiesta Grilled Chicken or Oven Roasted Beef Burgundy permeating the floor. Leftovers can be nice and quick, but they’re not always available and I hate reheating for the above mentioned aromatic reasons. A sandwich only reaches its pinnacle of sandwichness when it’s freshly made, and doesn’t spend at least four hours curled up in your purse or desk drawer waiting to be eaten. What I really want is something that can be made in advance (because who has time to cook lunch every morning?), holds well (preferably at room temperature) for several hours and still tastes and looks appealing and fresh.
Enter this salad — roasted vegetables, beans for protein, and a bright salsa verde to lend color and flavor. It’s satisfying (all that fiber!) without being stultifying and will wake up your tastebuds without earning you dirty looks from your coworkers. You can make it on Sunday and eat it for the next three days and the flavor stays fresh. Just don’t get too intimate in a meeting — the garlic may scare people off (this may, however, be a bonus).
- 2 whole pickled jalapeno in escabeche (or the equivalent), finely chopped (I like Embasa brand which are available in my local grocery store. Or you could make your own)
- 3 T cilantro, finely chopped (if you're a cilantro hater, replace with Italian parsley)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 T lime juice
- 4 T olive oil
- 3 Yellow Summer Squash, chopped into bite sized pieces
- 12 oz. cauliflower florets, cut into bite sized pieces
- 2 -4 T olive oil
- salt
- 1 c. cooked cranberry beans (these could be replaced with any cooked beans, including chick peas or cannellini. I just happened to have cranberry beans)
- Combine all ingredients. Salt to taste. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 450. Toss squash and cauliflower in olive oil. You want each piece to be lightly coated in oil. Spread vegetables on a cookie sheet in a single layer, sprinkle generously with salt and roast until browned and soft -- 20-30 minutes. Let cool, and combine with beans and salsa verde.
That looks great! I don’t mind heating up leftovers or even broiling a salmon before I leave for work in the morning, but this would give me the vegetables that are so hard to get when you’re working a lot.
Looks delicious! It makes sense from a number of perspectives to bring lunch from home rather than to buy it.
I love anything with salsa verde!
I’m bookmarking this one. It looks healthy and tasty. What’s not to love when I eat every day at my desk?
This looks so delicious, Kate! I am always on the run around lunch time (preschool drop off and pick up) so I usually eat out. Nothing I have looks as good as this!
What beautiful photos, writing, and tasty recipes! Can you pack my lunch?
Great meeting you today!
I’m definitely going to try this! Been brown-bagging it lately because I always seem to have tons of leftovers when I try to cook my week’s dinners in advance.
Do you think roasting the garlic with the veggies would mellow the flavor out a bit? Also, would canned beans work or are they too salty/mushy?
Oh Yum!!! Must make this as cilantro and cauliflower are two of my favorite ingredients!
This looks amazing – what a great “take to work” lunch!
I totally agree with you about packing your own lunch. And what a great dish to pack- looks delicious!
Kate that looks dee-lish. I love anything with Salsa Verde! A great lunch option that you could nosh on for a few days!
Inspired by that beautiful top photograph, I made something similar over the weekend. I used whatever I had on hand: cauliflower, navy beans, and the cilantro that came with our CSA this week. Sadly, no squash, but the dish didn’t seem to miss it. Thanks for the inspiration.
Looks delicious!!!!