A typical lunch at work in the Netherlands looks like this: Yes, that’s a bit of cheese on a slice of brown bread (and in this photo at least the bread looks like a nice seeded loaf!). I’ve actually read a few different books and articles that mention why the Dutch keep lunch so plain and simple (post-war rationing, frugal mentality, etc) but this is one local lifestyle that I won’t be adopting anytime soon.

I make my lunch every morning to take to work and I love making delicious lunchbox salads, choosing 2 or 3 a week to have for a couple of days each. Now, I have no idea about calorific values or percentages of proteins to carbs to fats but I do know what’s delicious and what fills me up through the afternoon. I also give myself no more than 5 minutes of my morning schedule to prepare lunch so it needs to be quick and easy as well.

These are three of my favourite lunchbox salads to make at the moment:

Sort-of Greek Salad

Includes:

• couscous
• feta
• green olives
• plum cherry tomatoes
• red pepper
• pine nuts
• oregano & black pepper
• olive oil

Bean & Corn Salad

Includes:

• kidney beans
• sweetcorn
• cherry tomatoes
• red pepper
• avocado
• red onion
• coriander or parsley
• dressing made from olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt & black pepper

Nicoise-style Salad

Includes:

• pasta (I use penne for salads)
• tinned tuna
• hard-boiled eggs
• green beans
• red onion or spring onion
• dressing made with mustard, olive oil, black pepper, lemon juice

If you’re a salad fan, let me know your favourite combinations. What do you take for lunch at work?