In our recent article about planning your 2021 resolutions we wrote about keeping fit and healthy throughout the lockdown period. But we realise that sometimes it’s all well and good to plan to eat healthily, but then have no idea exactly what to prepare for yourself! Don’t worry, we feel the same too!

So, to give you some foodie inspiration, we have put together three delicious and nutritious recipe ideas for lunch. Each should leave your appetite satisfied as well as your body full of energy and motivation. Plus, you will be well on your way to getting in your 5-a-day without a hassle.

Try each of them for yourself and let us know what you think…

 

Mexican penne pasta with avocado and chilli

Vegetarian

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Serves 2 people

 

Ingredients list

100g wholemeal penne pasta

1 tsp oil

1 large onion, chopped finely

1 pepper, chopped into chunks

2 garlic cloves, grated

Tsp mild chilli powder

400g can of chopped tomatoes

Small can of tinned sweetcorn

1 veg stock cube

1 avocado, stoned and sliced

½ lime, zest and juice

 

How to make

  1. Cook the penne pasta in salted water for 10-12 mins until cooked. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium-sized pan. Add the sliced onion and pepper to the pan, stirring until golden. Stir in the garlic and spices, then tip in the tomatoes, half a can of water, the sweetcorn and stock cube. Cover the pan and let it all simmer for 15 mins.
  2. Squeeze the sliced avocado with the lime juice and zest, and the finely chopped onion.
  3. Drain the pasta and toss into the sauce mix. Spoon the pasta into bowls and then top with the avocado and lime. Scatter over the coriander leaves to finish off.

 

Lettuce wraps with tuna and tomatoes

Gluten free

Preparation time: 15 mins

Serves 2 people

 

Ingredients list

A few drops of oil

A can of tuna

A ripe avocado

½ teaspoon English mustard powder

1 tsp cider vinegar

8 lettuce leaves (iceberg or little gem is best for these)

16 cherry tomatoes – halved

 

How to make

  1. Halve your avocado, remove the stone, and then scoop the flesh out into a small bowl. Add the mustard powder and vinegar together, and then mash it well with the avocado so that the mixture is smooth like a paste. Spoon into two small dishes and put on serving plates with the lettuce leaves, and tomatoes.
  2. Spoon in some tuna onto an individual lettuce leaf, add a spoonful of the avocado mix and top with a cherry tomato. To eat, roll up into little wraps. You might want to add a sprinkle of salt and pepper for seasoning.

 

Vegie club sandwich

Vegetarian

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Serves 1 person

 

Ingredients list

3 slices of wholegrain or rye toast

3 tbsp hummus

1 small avocado

2 lettuce leaves

1 sliced tomato

1 sliced beetroot

Pepper to season

 

How to make

  1. Toast the 3 slices of bread until lightly golden. Spread the hummus evenly over one side of each slice. On one slice of bread, lay half the avocado, rocket, beetroot and tomato. Season with pepper, then cover with another slice.
  2. Pile on the rest of the avocado, rocket, beetroot and tomato with a further sprinkle of pepper. Top with the third slice of toast – with the hummus facing down towards the salad.

 

Yum, yum. We hope you enjoy your lunches this week. Be sure to tell us how they tasted!