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Hilary, from Harmony House Cookery School, Stillingfleet, has some suggestions for lunchboxes with a difference.

Try a wrap instead of a sandwich

Wraps

Tuna or salmon, coriander, lime and mayonnaise with rocket or salad.
Chicken fajita with salad, yoghurt and peppers.
Chicken Tikka with yoghurt, cucumber and salad leaves.
Chicken, honey and wholegrain mustard with salad and peppers.
Greek salad with feta or wensleydale, roast peppers, olives and tomatoes.ÌýÌýÌý
Hummus with roast vegetables and rocket salad.
Salmon with lemon mayonnaise and salad.
Any fish, beef or chicken dish stir-fried the night before and served with salad and dressing.

Croissants

Open raw croissant dough into small triangles and lay flat in a circle. Lay cooked bacon, brie, tomato slices and/or avocado on half of the croissant. Fold the remaining croissant over the filling and bake at 200°C/400°F/gas 7, for 10 minutes.ÌýReheat for a packed lunch in the microwave for one minute.

Filled croissants

Scones

250g self raising flour, 75g cheese, 75g butter, salt & pepper, 1 egg and approx 60ml milk to bind.

Rub butter and cheese into flour until it resembles breadcrumbs, and then add egg and milk to bind to dough.Ìý Roll out and cut into shapes. Cook at 200°c/400°f/gas 7 for 10–15 minutes.Ìý

Fill scones with cream cheese and smoked salmon, bacon or ham and salad.ÌýTop with cheese and chutney.

Savoury scones

Salads

Take cooked pasta and add mixed cooked beans with diced tomatoes, parsley, red pesto and dressing. Add chorizo sausage, or other spicy continental meats, should you desire.

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Take plain or flavoured couscous.ÌýAdd sun-dried tomato, olives, roast peppers and other roast vegetables with feta cheese or continental meats.

Soups

Homemade soups are an inexpensive and tasty lunch if heating equipment is provided.ÌýPotato and leek, carrot & coriander, vegetable, tomato and pepper.Ìý

Other ideas

Take a fresh loaf of bread, cut off the lid and scoop out the middle. Use the bread as breadcrumbs.Ìý Fill the centre with sausage meat mixed with herbs, eggs, ham and anything else you choose. Cover with the lid and bake 200°/400°F/Gas 7 for approximately 20Ìýminutes. Chill and slice to take for lunch. Also ideal for a picnic.

Ciabatta filled with brie, caramelised onion chutney, baconÌýand salad.

Bread mixes – e.g. parmesan and sun dried tomato – make up, roll out and fill with ham, cheeses, herbs, tomatoes or filling of your choice.Ìý Roll up and bake. Reheat at work.

Desserts

Homemade brownie with nuts or white chocolate.ÌýÌý
Swiss roll - a healthy dessert option.Ìý Substitute half the flour for ground nuts –e.g. almonds or amaretti biscuits. Fill with a flavoured jam or nutty butter cream.

Hilary Finney

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