Category: Lunch Ideas

Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Soup

This was my batch cook Sunday soup for lunches during the week and it worked perfectly it stores well in the fridge and reheats well too. There isn’t anything complicated about this soup at all the only decisions you need to make are how may stock pots you want to add and if its 1 or 2 teaspoons of Italian Herbs.

Both of this can be adjusted towards the end of cooking so if unsure always start with the least amount then before you add the orzo taste and adjust if needed. Basil would have been lovely with this soup but unfortunately i didn’t have any at the time of creating the recipe.

The slow cooker and vegetable chopper i use are both on my Amazon shop press the link it will take you there then look under kitchen Gadgets https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/julesthelazycook

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker ‘Greens’ Soup

This one sounds really bonkers but it works so well and all those green vegetables are really good for our bodies and our diets. There is nothing complicated about this recipe you just need to follow the recipe and video and you are done, i made this weeks ago as a batch cook for my lunches during the week.

How long will this soup keep?? you can pop it in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 4 days.

The slow cooker and chopper i use is on my Amazon shop press the link it will take you there then look under KITCHEN GADGETS press here https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/julesthelazycook

by julessmithie

Chicken Broccoli & Pasta Salad

This was a batch cook Sunday but it makes a brilliant lunch idea or even a light evening meal.

I used it as a batch cook for lunches during the week and it held up well in the fridge for up to 4 days.

If you have leftover cooked chicken you could use this and also add any vegetables that are heading for the bin. You will see i used a Pizzeria light dressing but you can use any dressing you like or one that fits in with your diet.

by julessmithie

Batch Cook Sunday COUSCOUS

Another fantastic easy batch cook Sunday recipe usung couscous. For me couscous is really underrated as it can be tasteless if not rehydrated correctly and that for me is usung a vegetable stock pot.

In this recipe you can use anything you like any vegetables that are heading for thd bin will work well. If you are going to use a dressing add it at the point of serving or it will go soggy.

This recipe serves 4 and sits well in the fridge in an air tight container for 4 days.

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker High Protein Soup

This is a BATCH COOK SUNDAY recipe that makes 4 portions and freezes well. Adding high protein meals into your diet can really help with snacking and help keep you fuller for longer.

You can use chicken breast in this recipe if you want but leave it whole whilst it’s cooking.

by julessmithie

Air Fryer Harissa Tinned New Potatoes

Tinned new potatoes are such an under rated food they are already cooked they just need reheating and you can add any flavour to them to take them to the next level.

In this version i have added Harissa paste which is a beautifully warming spice and it works really well in this recipe.

I have used an Air Fryer but you can use an oven if you wish whichever method you use they wont take long to cook remember they already cooked.

The air fryer I use is on my Amazon Shop press the link it will take you there then look under kitchen gadgets https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/julesthelazycook

by julessmithie

Chilli Chicken & Mozzarella Quesadilla

This is basically a food waste recipe you know when you have packet chicken in the fridge ready to go out of date?? well thats how this started. You can use any flavour of chicken or even chicken leftover from Sunday lunch, add any sauce you like for me sweet chilli just works with so may flavours plus its favourite of mine.

I used mozzarella as i know Graeme will eat it but feel fee to use any cheese you like – if you are following Slimming World or Calorie Counting this recipe fits in with these diets.

You can have this as a lunch or a light evening meal idea i served mine with a huge salad.

by julessmithie

Orzo Nando’s Chicken Salad

Another fantastic lunch / packed lunch recipe or even a light evening meal this one ticks all the boxes. Remember orzo is just tiny pasta so you can swap it for any pasta you like.

You will see i didn’t use the original Nando’s sauce to marinate the chicken in the sauce i bought was from Home Bargins for a huge bottle and it was 89p (at the time of creating this recipe) and it tasted exactly the same as the original sauce. However use whichever sauce and your family like and enjoy it will still work the same.

For the dressing i used Nando’s Perinaise sauce now this stuff is expensive but i love it and and little goes a long way, but if you don’t want to buy it then use any dressing you like.

I cooked my chicken in the air fryer but if you don’t have an air fryer just cook it in the oven on 185 degrees for approx 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked this will depend on how big the chicken pieces are.

This will keep in the fridge in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

by julessmithie

ORZO TUNA SWEETCORN SALAD

This recipe makes a fantastic lunch, packed lunch or light evening meal it will last in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 4 days.

What is Orzo?? its a tiny pasta and can be found in most supermarkets in the pasta isle, however if you don’t want to buy another type of pasta you can just use whatever pasta you have and your family like.

You can add any vegetables to this recipe you have that are in the fridge and need using up making it a perfect food waste recipe, because this is how this recipe was born using up what i had before we left the farmhouse in France.

For the dressing i used Pizzeria House Light Dressing, Lighter Than Light Mayo and lemon if you have a favourite dressing then use that but please try the one i used its really tasty and works so well in this recipe.

by julessmithie

Chicken Fajita Quesadilla

This recipe has been created to reduced food waste especially cooked chicken either from Sunday Dinner or packet chicken you have bought and is left in the fridge after only using half of it.

I used chicken but you could easily use pork, ham, beef etc, these quesadilla make a fantastic quick lunch or evening meal. There is no recipe card for this one but you can see what i used in the video below.

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Cooker Bean & Vegetable Soup

A fantastic winter soup perfect for lunches, plus it can also be used to add those bits in the fridge that are heading for the bin. You can use any beans you like i used butterbeans but any will do use any that are lurking in your cupboards that are not making it into any meals you have eaten.

This soup batch cooks well and freezes well so perfect for staying on plan when you are busy. As the recipe uses beans and pulses it also makes it higher in protein which will keep you fuller for longer.

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Tomato Soup

Another soup from my website that I have amended and changed to a slow cooker version. I changed the recipe slightly to add carbohydrates which will help keep you fuller for longer.

A recipe that gets such great reviews you will see i use balsamic vinegar to sweeten the soup as i think it gives a better taste but you can use sugar or sweetener if you wish.

This recipe also appears in my Cookbook MY FAKEAWAY & EVENING MEALS which is available on Amazon In paperback & kindle format press here https://amzn.eu/d/8iJRPY1

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Parsnip Soup

This is going to be a love or hate recipe personally i loved it but then again i love parsnips. You can also add any other vegetables you have that need using up it will still work and taste amazing.

I made this in December and unfortunately only got around to eating half of it so i froze the rest and can say it freezes well so a fantastic recipe for batch cooking.

For extra flavour you can add curry powder i didn’t i just added salt and pepper but its your soup so feel free to add whatever you and your family like.

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Cauliflower & Broccoli Soup

This is another amazing slow cooker soup recipe, so easy to make but really tasty. Perfect for those who follow Slimming World, Calorie Counting, Weight Watchers and Low Fat Diets.

In the written recipe you will see i have added a potato which is missing from the video after I made this on my Facebook live I realised there were no carbohydrates or very little in the recipe. A potato will also give the soup a thick texture. add carbohydrates turning the soup into a Fuller for longer soup.

Red spilt Lentils you can buy in any supermarket they are dry lentils which you just wash and rinse then add to the slow cooker. Lentils are great for protein and are relatively inexpensive.

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Leek & Potato Soup

What a fantastic way to cook soup as you know the slow cooker will always win for me as it frees up my time to get on with life.

Use any cream cheese you like or even cream the choice is yours. I added 1ltr of water but you may need to add more, if the soup gets too thick after blending add small amounts of water until you get the consistency you want.

by julessmithie

Slow Cooker Carrot & Coriander Soup

When you are short on time the best way to get food on the table is to throw it into the slow cooker. This is an old recipe that is cooked on the hob but i decided to cook it in the slow cooker as i was so busy i didn’t have time to watch pans cook.

I added red lentils to bulk out the recipe plus lentils are great for gut health and full of protein so help keep you fuller for longer.

by julessmithie

SLOW COOKER BUTTERNUT SQUASH & SWEET POTATO SOUP

Another recipe update for 2024 and once again i have transferred it over to the slow cooker but as always you can do this on a pan on the hob if you wish.

Look out for the butternut squash hack in my video i promise it will save you so much time trying to cut these beasts of a vegetable.

All of my recipes are Slimming World and Calorie Counting friendly and low in fat so perfect for those trying to lose weight.

In the video towards the end you will see i added chorizo to the whole batch of soup i just fancied something different you could add bacon or lardons etc. Here is the thing all recipes are just guides so its up to you to add whatever it is you fancy, herbs, cream, more stock etc. All our palettes taste differently so my advice is once you come to blend the soup taste it and adjust it at this point even if you want to add another stock pot just add it from the pot and mix it and the heat of the soup should dissolve it.

The vegetable chopper and slow cooker i use in my video is on my Amazon Shop press the link it will take you there then look under KITCHEN GADGETS https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/julesthelazycook

by julessmithie

Pizza Bagels

A brilliant way of getting a quick lunch and perfect for the little ones, add any toppings use any cheese, add any flavours you like.

You will see from the images below i have also use a wholemeal pitta bread to make these, they work just as well – just use the method in the video.

To top mine i add mushrooms, pepper, tomatoes, and usually a mini peperami stick.

PITTA PIZZA Same method just using a pitta bread instead of a bagel
by julessmithie

Cheats Egg Fried Rice

As you know im all about mid week cheats and hacks and to me standing cooking rice is one of my pet hates and it either turns out brilliantly or a soggy mess 😂😂🙈

So here is a fool proof way of getting perfect egg fried rice everything time………cheat! You will see i used a pouch of microwave rice but heated it in the pan instead of the microwave i love these pouches and they are becoming more budget friendly especially the supermarket own brands. If you have cooked rice that needs using up that will also work

Add whatever flavours you like some people like to add a splash of soy sauce, but in this one i left it out because the meal i served it with already had soy sauce in it.

by julessmithie

Pimp Up Your Packet Rice

Lately i have been using more and more microwave pouch rices mainly because they are just so quick to use. However, they can lack bulk and taste at times so i have put together a little video of how i bulk mine out and add more taste and texture to a boring rice.

You can also do this with any leftover rice you have, add any spices, any vegetables that need using up or any herbs you have its a fantastic way of dealing with anything that is destined for the bin.

by julessmithie