Pack a Deli-Delicious Lunch!
It's hard to send lunches to school or day care every day. The competition is fierce—getting kids to be happy with homemade items when everyone else has pre-packaged special lunch kits is a challenge!
For just about every fancy lunch pack item you see, however, you can make your own with ingredients from the deli. The only difference is that your lunch specials will be cheaper, healthier and tastier!
Some of the special lunch packs are a snap to duplicate. Crackers and meat slices? With deli meats, you can provide better-quality meats, sliced to your child's thickness preferences. And you can pack whole-grain crackers that are healthier than other choices.
Mini pizzas are easy to make as well. Use a cookie cutter (or a knife) to cut tortillas or pita breads into rounds, and then add a spoonful of pizza or spaghetti sauce. Pack some shredded mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices and your pizza will beat everyone else's.
If you're packing a sandwich, make it a great one. Swap out plain old white bread for any number of specialized choices. There are whole grain breads, buns, wraps, pitas and tortillas. You can use party rye bread for mini-bite lunches or large hoagie buns with piles of shaved meat for mega-monster sandwiches. Add some cool veggies to sandwiches, too: besides iceberg lettuce, try any of the other varieties, plus maybe cole slaw, thinly sliced bell pepper or cucumber for crunch, and a flavored salad dressing instead of mayo.
As your child may tell you, the key ingredients to a special lunch kit is the extra: the treat that goes along with lunch. And here's where you can really score! Sure, you can pack cookies, fruit and juice boxes, just like the commercially-packaged lunches have. But your choices can add a healthy edge and still taste great! You can pack baby carrots with low-fat ranch dressing, low-fat cookies and 100% fruit juice boxes. Add a few stickers, a joke written on the plastic bag or some other little trinket and your child will be the envy of the lunch room!
Check out some of our deli favorites:
Turkey breast is a mild favorite that kids love. It’s usually featured as tender white meat with a golden brown edge. Sliced or shaved, turkey sandwiches are tops on most people’s lists. Turkey adds plenty of protein, plus a flavor and texture all its own. Muenster, Cheddar, Jalapeno or American cheeses taste great with turkey. Cut a thicker slice of turkey into bite-sized strips or thread thicker chunks onto a toothpick with cheese. Or add a slice to a tortilla, fill it with cheese and vegetables and fold in half or roll up.
Honey Ham is America’s favorite deli meat for sandwiches. If you think ham, Swiss and mustard is a great sandwich, try combining ham and turkey in the same sandwich for a real treat. Or use ham with Muenster or American cheese. Cube a thicker slice for additions to potato soup, scalloped potatoes or bean soup and pack in a thermos. Make a delicious variation of a grilled cheese sandwich by using raisin bread, ham and American cheese. It tastes great cold!
Roast Beef from the deli is extra-lean top round with a peppery dark edge. When combined with hearty breads and Dijon mustard or horseradish sauce, you’ve got a great sandwich. Add some Cheddar cheese for nutrition and flavor, or Jalapeño cheese for a little zest. A thicker slice can be used as the meat with potatoes and a vegetable for dinner.
Bologna is a type of sausage that originated in Bologna, Italy. It's made from beef and pork and has a mild flavor. The American version is much different in taste and appearance than Italian bologna is a sandwich favorite. Reduced-fat bologna is now available and that makes it a healthy, tasty lunch choice!
Cheese and deli meat go together beautifully, and picking out your favorite type of cheese is a fun challenge. Take your child to the store and ask for deli samples so that you can find your preferences. Mozzarella and provolone are extremely mild; American and Havarti are smooth and creamy; Cheddar and Monterrey Jack are tangy accents to the meats you use. Try a few and decide for yourself!
Published 07/06/07
