The Supermarket Gourmet
by Buck Reed
The Snackle Box (Patent Pending!)
Is your lunch bag getting a bit boring? Or is lunch in a sit-down restaurant getting too expensive? Let’s face it, even fast food is putting a dent in our wallets! So, why not give a Snackle Box (Patent Pending) a chance? Put a little variety and zip into your noon break.
All you need is one of those boxes found in the sporting goods department that holds fishing lures. Yes, buy a brand new one, as you don’t want a used one that might have actually been on a fishing trip! Then, you figure out what to place in the various compartments. Snap it shut and you have an inexpensive lunch for your break in the day that is far from boring. Here are a few of my favorites:
Sliced Deli Meats. I like mortadella, salami, ham, and capicola, but you are only limited by your deli’s selections. I also like roasted and chilled sliced sausages with some mustard.
Sliced Cheeses. Again, you are only limited by what the deli person has to offer. Don’t be afraid to look for weekly bargains.
Specialty Cheeses. I like Babybel, string cheese, goat cheese, Brie, Camembert, and, if you are so inclined, a nice slice of blue cheese. Pairing them up can be quite a culinarian delight if you use combinations like canned pears for blue cheese or fig or mustard for most everything else. I also like a variety of nuts to go with these. Mixing garlic, spices, and herbs into cream cheese to make my own specialty cheese balls at a fraction of the cost of store-prepared ones.
Salads. Pasta salad might work well here, but macaroni, potato, or Coleslaw would be nice as well. Chicken, tuna, and shrimp are also good choices. Egg salad or even deviled eggs would be a nice addition as well.
Prepared Vegetables. Olives are an easy choice here, and adding some feta cheese can brighten up your midday meal. Roasted peppers, sweet or hot cherry peppers, pepperoncini, and banana peppers can add some heat to your palate and pair well with your deli meats. Some capers, pickled onions, or even whole scallions can also be a big addition to your box. I also like cherry or grape tomatoes, celery, or carrot sticks as well.
Seafood. Sardines or anchovies might not be everyone’s first choice—or a choice at all—but you can always find something to pair them with. I sometimes find shrimp on sale and will put a few boiled and chilled ones in my compartment with a sauce. Sweet Baby Rays dipping sauce is good on just about everything and works well with shrimp or other seafood. (Sweet Baby Rays does not pay me to say that, but if they are reading this, I am open to negotiations!).
Sauces & Spreads. Hummus is a good choice, and even the off-brand ones are pretty good. Also, tapenade, pesto, baba ghanoush, and a good vinaigrette will brighten your Snackle Box.
Crackers. With very little effort you can always find a cracker that is on sale that will work well with your lunch. I also like the Naan bread from our friends from the subcontinent of India. Pair that up with some chutney and you’ve got something going.
Fruit. Add some sliced fresh or canned fruit to your box, and you have a nice dessert, or better, something to pair with your other items. Sliced cantaloupe, strawberries, grapes, or watermelon chunks are a good addition.
Dessert. Adding a slice of cake, a couple of cookies, or a brownie is always a welcome treat. Even if you don’t have it with your lunch, it could be a nice pick-me-up for an afternoon snack. Or perhaps a couple of those so called fun-size candy bars might be a good choice. You can get a few of those from your kids’ trick-or-treat bags next month!
These boxes are only about $5.00 and will probably last your whole career. Working with different flavors does not have to be expensive. Plus, doing this two or three times a week will not only save you a few dollars in the long run, but it will also put some pizzazz into your lunch break.
Did you like this article? Or, do you have an idea for another article? Contact me at [email protected] with any comments or if you have an idea you’d like to see featured in this column.
Top Left Compartment: Mortadella / Provolone
Second Compartment: Blue Cheese / Pears
Third Compartment: Hummus / Roasted Red Peppers
Fourth Compartment: Black Olives / Strawberries
Big Compartment: Crackers / Oatmeal Cookies / Chocolate Bars.
