It is incredibly tempting to forego a trip to the supermarket, avoid the process of putting together a meal, and order $12 sushi for lunch. Buying lunch can set you at least $250 deep each month, which could be slashed by sucking it up and making your own. Moving out of my railroad-style apartment means paper baggin’ it.
Aside from cutting costs, making your own lunch is far healthier– you cut out tons of preservatives, sugars, oils, and, thus, calories. The trick, though, is to prepare food that you really want to eat. So I started making a list of 3 different lunches a week (look on tastespotting for ideas) which could be altered each day, and even used for some dinners. Then I shop like the French do, and go to Trader Joe’s for prepared foods, breads, snacks, canned goods and condiments; to the Union Square GreenMarket for fish and in-season produce; Bodega for Boars Head meat (the factory is in my hood!); and the Italian-owned vegetable store on Knickerbocker for fruit, vegetables, olives, and Italian cheeses.
Some of my favorite sandwiches (all costing under $5):
* Goat cheese, arugula, avocado, and magical mix (chopped celery, walnuts, and xvoo),on hearty 12 grain (adapted from ‘witchcraft).
* Light (on the mayo) egg salad with basil and red-leaf lettuce on pumpernickel (with things like soft bread and mayonnaise-based salads, I always bring the items separately and make the sandwich at work).
* Garlic hummus, baby spinach, roasted red peppers and sprouts on a spinach wrap.
*Honey turkey, coleslaw, and swiss on rye (adapted from Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop).
*Heirloom (when in season) tomatoes, sharp cheddar, cilantro, very little mayo, and s&p on wheat.
*Tuna with celery, parsley and romaine on a big-ass roll.
*Lauren’s Shrimp Salad:
1/2 lb shrimp (blanched for 2 minutes in boiling water) chopped
1 piece chopped celery
Handful chopped cilantro
Handful chopped onion
Mayo, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste.
Mix up and place it in container to marinade overnight. Good for 3 sandwiches!
More homemade lunch ideas to come. Here’s to saving moola.
BrooklynIngredients 