3 for 3 Lunch Challenge – Lunchbox Ideas

Each week I will try to help you stretch your food budget by showcasing 3 different ways to serve 3 main ingredients in your lunchboxes. I will use additional ingredients but will try to keep them limited to common pantry or refrigerator items. At times I will also suggest tools and techniques to help enhance your lunch packing. I have not accounted for any dietary considerations but you can swap out for Gluten Free, Nut Free or other types of products as appropriate for your family!

Turkey Slices, Cucumbers and Clementine Oranges – This week as we draw closer to Halloween I have added some seasonal details for fun!

 

#1 R.I.P. Sandwiches (pictured above)

• I cut 4 coffin shapes out of a white/wheat swirled bread using a Wilton Coffin Cookie Cutter (use any type of bread you prefer and cutting into shapes is totally optional, you could make one sandwich then slice in half as an alternative).
• Using the same cutter, I sliced american cheese and turkey slices the same way.
• I thinly sliced and cut in half some cucumbers.
• I spread pesto mixed with mayo on each of the 4 slices of coffin bread  (regular mayo, cream cheese or whatever spread you prefer can be used instead)
• I built my sandwich by adding the cheese, the turkey and then the cucumber.
• Next I inserted 2 gravestone food picks for fun.
• I peeled a clementine orange and inserted a leaf food pick to give the appearance of a pumpkin.
• I added some pistachio nuts around the sandwich to look like dirt.
• Finally I added some Pirate Brand Booty snack but go ahead and substitute for the snack of your choice.

 #2 Spook-a-Bobs (pictured below)

• 2 large flatbread crackers were placed along the left hand side (you can use any cracker of your choice flatbread or otherwise).
• Using Halloween themed food picks I built 4 kabobs of turkey and cheddar (cut your turkey slice in half the long way, fold in half and roll up).
• I placed a Laughing Cow Cinnamon flavored cream cheese here as well.
• Cucumber slices and a whole peeled clementine orange was added (for fun I cut the word BOO out of cucumber skin using mini cookie cutters and a food pick to secure it).
• Lastly a special treat of Enjoy Life Crunchy Double Chocolate cookies was placed in the small compartment.

 

#3 Pumpkin Patch Salad (pictured below)

• Place about 1 cup of the salad greens of your choice in the large compartment.
• Sprinkled sliced black olives over your greens.
• Layer with cheese, turkey and cucumbers. I used a small Wilton Pumpkin Cookie Cutter to create a pumpkin patch and tucked in some food picks to create the appearance of more pumpkins in my patch!
• I made another “salad” of chopped clementine oranges and chopped cucumbers. This is presented in a pumpkin shaped silicone baking cup.
• The snacks or treats, depending on how you look at it, for this lunch are banana chips.
• Be sure to include a fork and your favorite salad dressing in a small leakproof container!

 

 

Always substitute for the snack of your choice and make adjustments for dietary considerations as necessary!

Tip: When using cookie cutters on bread, cheese or other items use a cutting board underneath. Press firmly down on the cutter then slide back and forth until you feel the cutting board with your cutter. Use a pair of scissors to touch up cuts.

Tip: Remember to add crunchy snacks in the morning so they stay crunchy!

All three lunches are shown in an Easy Lunch Box.

You may also enjoy:

3 for 3 Lunch Challenge – 9/30

3 for 3 Lunch Challenge – 10/7

3 for 3 Lunch Challenge – 10/14

3 for 3 Lunch Challenge – 10/21

3 for 3 Lunch Challenge – 10/28

3 for 3 Lunch Challenge – 11/4

3 for 3 Lunch Challenge – 11/11

3 for 3 Lunch Challenge – 11/18

3 for 3 Lunch Challenge – 11/25

3 for 3 Lunch Challenge – 12/2

 

You may also want to check out:

Lunch Notes – Sending Your Children Off With Love

Quick Tips for Better Sack Lunches

Tips for Packing Hot Lunches

Lunnchbox Tip – Freeze PBJ’s to Save you Time and Money (DIY Uncrustables)

Here is a how to get started Menu Planning Monthly. We believe it helps us to stay on budget and cook from our Stockpile and save more!