Not your typical brown-bag lunch

Switch up your routine with these easy hearty recipes

Whether you are looking to save a little money by eating out less, or you’re starting to get sick of your usual PB&J, the new year is a great opportunity to switch up your lunch routine. Here are some easy, hearty recipes that will keep you warm and satisfied during the winter months.

Our Warm Lentil Salad is a delicious marriage of a variety of flavours and textures — cooked lentils are mixed with tender potatoes, crisp asparagus, soft baby kale and creamy goat cheese, then tossed in a flavourful vinaigrette made with sherry vinegar, chives, shallot and Dijon. The salad is best served warm, but keeps well as a cold lunch.

Make our Spicy Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup this weekend, then freeze and reheat for a warm bowl of spicy comfort throughout the week. It’s chock-full of black beans, vegetables and chorizo, making it a high-protein, high-fibre choice for a satisfying lunch that will give you the energy to last through the afternoon. The soup can be served simply with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt for a workday lunch, or jazz it up with additional toppings, like sliced jalapeno, shredded cheese and/or tortilla chips to feed a crowd.

ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen’s column on healthy eating for busy families runs Wednesdays in the food section. For tips on cooking, food safety or household matters, call 1-877-420-9090 tollfree, email bfkanswerline@atco.com or chat with us live online at ATCOBlueFlameKitchen.com.