Decent options for microwaveable lunch

[skinny]

My dept at work has recently relocated to an industrial unit in Reading and so my options for lunch (excluding making anything cos I'm lazy, or sarnies and crisps which I consider more snacks than food) are limited to what I can pick up from the waitrose or tesco nearby.

I used to get by on a packet of tilda rice and a 'Look what we found' chili but they've stopped selling that at tesco. I tried a chili in a can which was acceptable with a packet of rice but I also tried a jerk chicken in a can which was definitely not...!

Any tips on a decent filling lunch from either supermarket before I just work my way through more of those meals in a can (I also have toaster and kettle available!)

[Shaw Tarse]

Don't be so lazy, bulk cook chilli, spag bol,etc, freeze it & take it with you!

[Sheets Tabuer]

Have you thought about walking up and down until something takes your fancy, I believe this is how shops work.

[43034]

Shaw Tarse said:

Don't be so lazy, bulk cook chilli, spag bol,etc, freeze it & take it with you!

Yep. That's what I do. Either take in microwavable rice or a jacket potato. You could cook a garlic bread at home and just have it cold with your bol.


Other options include:

Beans on Toast
Cornedbeef, mash and beans (microwavable mash is pretty decent, reheating home made stuff is hacking).
Bangers and mash (+ veg)
Jacket beans and cheese


Mostly the same food with different options. Works for me though!

[All that jazz]

skinny said:

My dept at work has recently relocated to an industrial unit in Reading and so my options for lunch (excluding making anything cos I'm lazy, or sarnies and crisps which I consider more snacks than food) are limited to what I can pick up from the waitrose or tesco nearby.

I used to get by on a packet of tilda rice and a 'Look what we found' chili but they've stopped selling that at tesco. I tried a chili in a can which was acceptable with a packet of rice but I also tried a jerk chicken in a can which was definitely not...!

Any tips on a decent filling lunch from either supermarket before I just work my way through more of those meals in a can (I also have toaster and kettle available!)

I'm not a fan of Tesco, in fact I actively avoid the place usually, but when I was marooned in N Wales a while back with empty cupboards and only a microwave at my disposal late one night I decided to see what they had. Due credit to them they do a pretty tasty bangers, mash and gravy ready meal for a few quid. I was quite impressed, to the point where I went back and stocked up on some for the following days! Only takes about 5 mins in the micro and you could do a lot worse.

[paolow]

skinny said:

My dept at work has recently relocated to an industrial unit in Reading and so my options for lunch (excluding making anything cos I'm lazy, or sarnies and crisps which I consider more snacks than food) are limited to what I can pick up from the waitrose or tesco nearby.

I used to get by on a packet of tilda rice and a 'Look what we found' chili but they've stopped selling that at tesco. I tried a chili in a can which was acceptable with a packet of rice but I also tried a jerk chicken in a can which was definitely not...!

Any tips on a decent filling lunch from either supermarket before I just work my way through more of those meals in a can (I also have toaster and kettle available!)

My wife has this issue - I am lucky enough to have a full kitchen at work but she only has a microwave. When I cook dinner I cook for four and two portions get frozen in tubs every time. She gets an easy 'menu' of frozen meals for work and from what I gather the staff with sarnies are envious.
The foil tubs can be bought for circa 10p per tub / lid so well worth it. We did try plastic reusables but it wasnt worth the aggro as they dont last forever in any case...

[All that jazz]

Foil tubs in a microwave, Paolo?

[paolow]

All that jazz said:

Foil tubs in a microwave, Paolo?

Nah - it goes in a bowl first silly! Tub gets slung out....

[Zoon]

All that jazz said:

Foil tubs in a microwave, Paolo?

Depends, Neff ones have metal shelves and suggest putting a spoon in the cup when boiling water.

[skinny]

Thanks all. I have taken in pasta bolognaise a few times but there's only so much of that you can eat. Tesco is pretty depressing - several times I've walked out empty handed

I had a thought tho. I'm gonna make a massive pot of slow cooked pulled pork. Should be good for some decent sandwiches just with coleslaw for a while

[Ashtray83]

I do boiled eggs in the kettle at work! Cold kettle full of water drop the eggs in boil up leave for 2 mins perfect eggs!