Veggie Teens

Vegetarian School Lunches: Egg Salad

Here's my second post in this series of great vegetarian school lunches based on recipes from the new edition of Veggie Teens Cookbook: A Cookbook and Guide for Teenage Vegetarians.

Egg salad is great for both breakfast and lunch! Try it on bread or salad with your favorite fixings.  

Recipe: Egg Salad 

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients

4 hard boiled eggs
2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon minced onions
1 tablespoon of dill pickles, finely diced
1/8 teaspoon of salt

Directions

1. Finely chop the hard boiled eggs and put in a bowl.
2. Add remaining ingredients and mash together with the back of a fork.
3. Serve on bread or toast with lettuce and tomato or on a salad.

Vegetarian School Lunches: Desert Dip Wrap and Fruit Kabobs

Back-to-school time! Here's my first post in this series of great vegetarian school lunches based on recipes from the new edition of Veggie Teens Cookbook: A Cookbook and Guide for Teenage Vegetarians.

Our Desert Dip is a great appetizer, snack, or wrap that is perfect for a vegetarian school lunch. Serve with Fresh Fruit Kabobs for dessert. 

Recipe: Desert Dip Wraps 

Makes 12 wraps or 12 servings of dip 

Ingredients

15 ounces black beans, canned, drained and rinsed
15 ounces white corn, drained
2 tomatoes, whole, chopped
1 small can of sliced black olives
½ red onion, diced
2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
1 avocado, diced
1 jalapeno, finely chopped
½ red bell pepper, diced
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Wraps

Lard-free flour tortillas 
Shredded or leaf lettuce
Shredded cheese (optional)
Sour cream (optional)

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients.
2. Refrigerate at least one hour before serving if possible.
3. Assemble wraps and pack for lunch, or pack each of the wrap ingredients separately and assemble at school. 

Recipe: Fresh Fruit Kabobs  

Ingredients

Bite sized chunks of fruit in season:

• Apples - red, yellow, or green 
• Bananas - cut in one-inch chunks
• Berries - strawberries or blueberries
• Grapes - seedless 
• Kiwi - peeled and cut into wedges or slices
• Melon - chunks or balls (see Veggie Teens Cookbook Culinary Techniques for how to make melon balls)
• Nectarines - sliced and cubed
• Oranges - peeled and segmented
• Peaches - sliced and cubed
• Pineapple – fresh or canned

Directions

1. If using apples or bananas, sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent browning.
2. Thread fruit on to wooden skewers.

Meatless Monday: Vegetarian School Lunch Ideas

There are limited vegetarian lunch options at most high schools. You don't have to settle for cheese pizzas, cheese crisps, and salad bar everyday - take your own lunch instead. Here are a few make ahead vegetarian recipes from prior posts that you might want to try:

• Vegetarian Lunch Wrap - Easy idea for any of your favorite fillings
• Veggie Taco Salad - The secret is keeping all of the ingredients fresh
• Mediterranean Pasta Salad - One version of my favorite food: pasta salad!
• Oriental Salad - Fresh ingredients and bottled dressing make this easy one great
• Bulgar Edamame Salad - A great variation on Tabbouleh (or Tabouli)

For more vegetarian school lunch ideas and recipes, check out Veggie Teens: A Cookbook and Guide for Vegetarian Teenagers by Elyse May (aka Veggie Teen).

Meatless Moday Recipe: Lunch Wrap

Post by Elyse May

This easy recipe is perfect for a cool summer lunch or dinner! For more easy recipes for teens, see Veggie Teens Cookbook: A Cookbook and Guide for Vegetarian Teenagers. 

Ingredients:

Romaine lettuce
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Red peppers, cut in thin strips
Black olives
White American cheese or cheddar cheese, Tortilla
Italian dressing

Directions:

1. Cut salad ingredients into bite-sized pieces.
2. Toss with salad dressing.
3. Wrap in a tortilla; close with a toothpick if necessary.

Any salad can be wrapped in a tortilla, flat bread, or pita for an easy meatless meal!

Easy Vegetarian School Lunches

At my high school the only vegetarian options in the cafeteria are burritos, fruit plates, pizza, and fries. If I had to eat these everyday, I would definitely get bored. So I get creative and bring different lunches to school everyday. Not only is it cheaper but it is healthier and tastes better too. Here are easy meals that I often bring for lunch:

• Lunch Salad/Lunch Wrap (Veggie Teens pg. 57)

• Taco Salad (Veggie Teens pg. 59)

• Sandwiches (lettuce, tomato, olives, cucumbers, cheese, and mayo)

• Cheese and crackers with sliced cucumbers and tomatoes

• Veggie Teens Tacos (Veggie Teens pg. 92). I pack the taco shells in one container to keep them crisp and the salsa, veggie taco meat, and lettuce in a divided tray.