300585 Thu Jul 21 14:45:47 -0700 2005 10 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1671475 At the suggestion of a chowhound on the Not About Food Board I will repost this query here. I just bought myself a wonderful new Thermos that holds four (yes, count 'em, four) containers that hold hot or cold food. So, in effect, I can bring a four course meal to work every day. Here's my problem. I don't have a microwave at home to warm the food before packing it up. I'm thinking boil bags. Where can I buy them? Too hot for the oven these days. Also, what to take for lunch? Any and all suggestions are most welcome. Thu Jul 21 14:45:47 -0700 2005 0 georgeb 1 1671476 I can't help you with the boil-in-bags. Do you have access to a microwave at your office? I try to bring my lunch as often as I can. I bring a lot of leftovers from restaurants and from home. I have a toaster oven, microwave, refrigerator and freezer in the office, so I can make/reheat most anything. A local place makes great mozzarella and I often toast some nice bread and have mozzarella, balsamic vinegar, roasted peppers and basil sandwiches. When tomatoes are in season I will sub them for the peppers. I also will substitute pesto for the basil on occasion. Thu Jul 21 14:58:45 -0700 2005 1671475 0 Janet from Richmond 2 1671479 The problem with the office kitchen is that is it not kept clean and therefore I am loathe to even sit there to eat. Let's not even talk about using the appliances. Thu Jul 21 15:16:06 -0700 2005 1671476 0 georgeb 3 1671481 I've worked in similiar offices. I work alone so I am the only one using them, except for my boss on occasion. For a thermos, you have the obvious stuff like soups, chilis and stews and cold soups like gazpacho in the summer. You also could get a small insulated lunch bag with one of those blue things and get things like hummus, bread, cheese veggies, fruit, etc. A good wrap or sandwich would keep well in that until lunch. Thu Jul 21 15:28:36 -0700 2005 1671479 0 Janet from Richmond 1 1671480 I don't often take my lunch to work but occasionally I'll have leftovers from the previous night's dinner that are just begging to be used up. Today, for example, I took a half of a breaded chicken breast, laid a slice of ham on top of it and some sliced mozzarella on top of that and put it into a Glad plate with a lid. Beside the chicken, I added some leftover green beans and covered the plate. Took it out of my office fridge about half an hour before I was ready to eat it and went down to my local deli to buy a little salad and some fresh fruit. Came back, zapped my plate in the microwave for 2 minutes and there was lunch, which I ate at my desk. If your office microwave is really disgusting, couldn't you just wipe it out for yourself? Just because the rest of your co-workers have slovenly habits is no reason for you to suffer. Thu Jul 21 15:26:05 -0700 2005 1671475 0 Deenso 1 1671490 My favorite things to bring to lunch are: *couscous with assorted sautéed veggies and sprinkling of grated parm. *brown rice with black beans, cilantro and shredded pepper jack cheese *hummus with homemade whole wheat pita chips and veggies for dipping *assorted soups *assorted meat salads (Thai beef, chicken, tuna) All of these are easy to make in advance and can be eaten at any temp. I prefer the grain dishes hot so the cheese melts and I have no issue using the microwave at the office. However they could be easily heated stovetop and put in the thermos. Thu Jul 21 16:22:37 -0700 2005 1671475 0 foodiex2 1 1671493 Just watch out for jealous office mates when you roll out your four course meal and they only have left overs. These days (very hot) I have been bringing cut up chicken (rotisierre from the local supermarket), lettus, and a couple of whole wheat tortillas to do my own wraps. I would suggest a soup, a meat, a veggie, and a carb to complete your four course lunch. Thu Jul 21 16:45:56 -0700 2005 1671475 0 Peter 1 1671499 My mom once gave me a toaster oven cookbook for Christmas. I said, Mom, I don't have one. Oh shoot, I said to myself, she's going to give me a toaster oven for my birthday. Indeed she did! I have a small kitchen, but I set it up and I love it! I use it much more often than my microwave [only use that for defrosting or gasp a TV dinner]. You could do chili, a cold noodle salad, a hot or cold soup [gazpacho! or peach or borsht]. And fresh cut up fruits. Or put in a sandwich of prosciutto and provolone. Thu Jul 21 17:12:45 -0700 2005 1671475 0 semmel 1 1671508 George, Go by your favorite Taquira and have them fill the Thermos with Menudo with some warm Tortillas on the side. (Menudo is great for air travel too. Half a Thermos is good for an 8 hour flight.) Thu Jul 21 17:59:28 -0700 2005 1671475 0 Leper 1 1671516 I had homemade pesto with pasta and turkey sausage today (leftovers from last night). I ate it at room temp and it was fantastic. Thu Jul 21 20:18:28 -0700 2005 1671475 0 brooklynmasala 1 1671519 I plan and cook quite a bit on Sunday to round out the weekend leftovers so that I have good lunches - spend alot of time at work and can not get out much. Our work m-wave is kinda gross too but I figure if it is my closed container and heated its not gonna kill me. SO much easier than trying to keep hot from home. That said if it is not an option, I agree with other posters that room temp works out really well. Something that is best served cold, starts out frozen from home. Something good room temp starts out from the fridge at home. Despite the current horror of keeping food out room temp I find that most stuff taken out in the morning and eaten later in the day is just fine. Another option is one of those plug in hot water pots- use hot water for instant miso soup etc. Thu Jul 21 21:07:31 -0700 2005 1671475 0 torty