Easy COLD meals to bring to work?

Question

I am looking for recipe ideas for easy meals to bring to work that are cold. We only have a stove and convection oven and it would be better if it didn't have to be heated at all.

I have been making pasta salad with just bow-tie pasta, olives, cucumbers, and chicken with italian dressing. Its awesome... but I am getting sick of it so I'm looking for more ideas.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Red Potato Salad

1 pound small red potatoes, cooked and cubed

1 1/2 cups chopped fresh broccoli

1/2 cup sliced celery

1/4 cup chopped red onion

1/4 cup sliced radishes

2 tablespoons chopped green pepper

1/3 cup fat-free Italian, Ranch, or Caesar salad dressing

1/2 teaspoon seasoning blend

1/4 teaspoon dill weed

In a large salad bowl, toss the potatoes and vegetables.

In a small bowl, blend the salad dressing and seasonings; add to potato mixture and toss to coat.

Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until serving.

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Ranch Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 teaspoon dried chives

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.

Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

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Italian Dressing Mix and Dressing

1 tablespoon garlic salt

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon white sugar

2 tablespoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon celery salt

2 tablespoons salt

In a small bowl, mix together the garlic salt, onion powder, sugar, oregano, pepper, thyme, basil, parsley, celery salt and regular salt. Store in a tightly sealed container.

To prepare dressing, whisk together 1/4 white vinegar, 2/3 cup canola oil, 2 tablespoons water and 2 tablespoons of the dry mix.

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Caesar Salad Dressing

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

3 or 4 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

1 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons vinegar

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)

salt to taste, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon

In the blender or food processor, combine the garlic, mustard, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce . Put the lid on the blender and whirl it around until it is smooth. With the blender still running, begin pouring in the oil, in a small, narrow stream. The dressing will begin to emulsify, thicken and become creamy, sort of like mayonnaise. After you've added all of the oil turn the blender off.

Measure in the pepper, Parmesan cheese, and salt to taste, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon, according to how you like it.

Blend briefly to mix in the seasonings.

Scrape the dressing into a pint sized jar.

Store in the fridge.

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Dressing for Potato Salad

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

2 teaspoons prepared mustard

1 tablespoon ketchup

1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup diced onion (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

Mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion and salt and pepper.

Refrigerate until ready to toss with potatoes.

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Ranch Picnic Pasta Salad

SERVES 10 -16

1 (16 ounce) package angel hair pasta (break in half) or 1 (12-16 ounce) package tri-color spiral pasta

4 firm ripe seeded diced tomatoes

1 (2 1/4 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained

2 medium cucumbers, peeled pulp removed and diced

1 small onion, finely diced

1 small green bell pepper, seeded and diced

1 small yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced

3 (1 ounce) packages hidden valley ranch dressing mix

1 (2/3 ounce) package Italian salad dressing mix (prepared as directed on package only using half the oil called for)

1/2 cup olive oil

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Prepare Italian dressing mix according to directions (but using about 1/2 the oil called for).

Mix Ranch dressing with vinegar and oil.

Drain pasta well and rinse with cold water, drain well again.

Place all ingredients into large bowl and toss well.

Refrigerate 12 hours.

Toss before serving.

**Can use 1/2 of a green, yellow, and orange bell pepper to add more color.

You can add other raw hard vegetables such as julienne carrots, blanched asparagus, sliced radish, anything you like.

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Cold Sesame Noodles

http://www.recipezaar.com/95956

SERVES 6

3 tablespoons peanut butter

3 tablespoons warm water

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 teaspoon ground fresh ginger

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

1 teaspoon honey or sugar

3 teaspoons soy sauce

1 lb linguine or spaghetti Japanese Soba noodles, cooked al dente

2-3 tablespoons chopped scallions

1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

1/3 cup carrot, grated into matchstick pieces, you can buy these pre-grated at the salad bar in the grocery store (optional)

While pasta is cooking, pulse all of the ingredients in a food processor just until well incorporated (do not over blend).

When the pasta is cooked, drain, and mix with sauce.

Then add carrots and toss (I never leave the carrots out).

Chill for a few hours before serving.

They are best cold!

Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds just before serving.

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Answer 2

http://www.joycesfinecooking.com/PC%20Re...  (these are easy, yummy, and travel well)

My favorite chicken salad recipe (adapted from Eating For Life cookbook):

1 can chicken, drained well

2 tablespoons light mayo or fat free plain yogurt

1/4 cup diced cucumber

1/4 cup diced carrots

tobasco sauce, to taste

freshly ground black pepper, to taste

mix all ingredients and serve in a whole wheat pita bread.  (keep the salad and the bread separate until ready to eat)  This is also good as a dip for whole grain crackers.

also check out lettuce wraps and gazpacho soup (google search)

  

Answer 3

tuna salad, canned chicken salad

Answer 4

Maybe a simple sandwich like ham and cheese or pb and j?

Answer 5

Hummus in pita bread with salad

Nut butter (cashew, almond, peanut) on crackers

Hardboiled eggs

Tuna salad

Chicken salad

Egg salad

Fruit salad and yogurt

Answer 6

There are millions of salads and sandwiches.  Remember breakfast cereal is a possibility.