Five Fresh + Quick Lunch Ideas for Busy Designers
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To take one more task off your plate, we’ve prepared five mouth-watering yet super simple recipes you’ll want on your plate at lunchtime. These meals are nutritious, delicious, and easy to whip up—perfect for when you’re tempted to go for fast food on a busy day. Quick to make and absolutely worth it, these recipes will elevate your midday break!
1. Shrimp Avocado Salad
You'll need: shrimp, avocados, tomatoes, green onion, cucumber, lemon juice, olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt, pepper.
Quickly sauté shrimp in a pan until cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. In a bowl, mix sliced avocados, tomatoes, chopped green onion, and cucumber. Add the shrimp and toss with a lemon vinaigrette made from lemon juice, olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Serve chilled for a refreshing, light lunch.
2. Spicy Peanut Noodles
You'll need: soba noodles, peanuts, carrots, bell peppers, green onion, peanut butter, soy sauce, sriracha, lime juice, garlic, sesame oil.
Cook the soba noodles according to package instructions. While the noodles cook, thinly slice the carrots and bell peppers. Drain the noodles and toss them with the veggies, chopped peanuts, and a spicy peanut sauce made from peanut butter, soy sauce, sriracha, lime juice, minced garlic, and a splash of sesame oil.
3. Halloumi Greek Salad
You'll need: halloumi cheese, shredded carrots, corn, cucumber, tomato, lettuce, pita chips, olives, red onion, olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, pepper.
Grill the halloumi cheese slices in a hot pan until golden. In a large bowl, combine shredded carrots, corn, diced cucumber, tomato, lettuce, pita chips, olives, and thinly sliced red onion. Top with grilled halloumi and drizzle with a tangy Greek dressing made from olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and pepper for a satisfying Mediterranean twist.
4. Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich
You'll need: baguette or ciabatta bread, eggplant, garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, fresh basil leaves, salt, pepper.
Sauté slices of eggplant with minced garlic in olive oil until tender and slightly caramelized. Slice a fresh baguette or ciabatta and layer the eggplant on the bread, spoon over marinara sauce, sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese, and add fresh basil leaves. Toast in a pan or oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, then enjoy this warm, comforting sandwich.
5. Chicken Pepper Couscous
You'll need: chicken breast, bell pepper mix (red and yellow), zucchini, couscous, olive oil, garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, pepper, fresh parsley.
Cook diced chicken breast and a mix of bell peppers (red, yellow, green) and zucchini in olive oil with minced garlic until the chicken is browned and vegetables are soft. Add cooked couscous and a blend of spices—cumin, paprika, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Stir well, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm for a quick and filling meal.
Hopefully you’ve found inspiration for an upcoming meal! Remember, these recipes are totally flexible—feel free to swap out ingredients or skip what you don’t have on hand. The goal is to whip up another tasty power meal without turning lunchtime into a full-scale kitchen operation. Get creative with what’s in your fridge and enjoy a fresh, satisfying lunch without the fuss!
xx, Danae