Hello!

EarlGayTea

Hey I've started meal prepping too! So far it's worked pretty well. I've pretty much been doing the chicken, rice and veggies thing for my lunches because it's simple and easy. But I'd like to branch out and make things a little more complicated once I get more experience with the concept. What's your go to (if you have one) for meal prepped lunches?

Ree13x

Hi there! I've packed myself a lunch on and off for years but have only really just started the prepping thing so while I have lots of experience with cooking I haven't tried out many of the different recipes designed specifically for that purpose. The basic formula for any prep though that I can tell is 4 meals = 1 pound of any meat, assorted vegetables, and 1 serving of carbs (rice, quinoa, pasta, potatoes, etc) per meal. Is there a specific set of flavors that you're looking for or a type of food you like (Ex. Mexican, Thai, etc)? I have been collecting recipes and am more than happy to share even if I haven't had the chance to try them all yet. The one I have pictured is actually what I had for lunch today -It's supposed to taste like Korean barbecue and it's really tasty. Here's the recipe http://damndelicious.net/2017/04/21/korean-beef-bowl-meal-prep/

EarlGayTea

Ree13x wrote: »

Hi there! I've packed myself a lunch on and off for years but have only really just started the prepping thing so while I have lots of experience with cooking I haven't tried out many of the different recipes designed specifically for that purpose. The basic formula for any prep though that I can tell is 4 meals = 1 pound of any meat, assorted vegetables, and 1 serving of carbs (rice, quinoa, pasta, potatoes, etc) per meal. Is there a specific set of flavors that you're looking for or a type of food you like (Ex. Mexican, Thai, etc)? I have been collecting recipes and am more than happy to share even if I haven't had the chance to try them all yet. The one I have pictured is actually what I had for lunch today -It's supposed to taste like Korean barbecue and it's really tasty. Here's the recipe http://damndelicious.net/2017/04/21/korean-beef-bowl-meal-prep/

I LOVE Korean inspired dishes. My favorite meal to prep right now is a ginger soy tofu with beansprouts thing that I kind of concocted based on a recipe in the Big Healthy College Cook Book. I'll definitely have to give this recipe a try when I prep on Monday.

As for flavors, I'm not really picky and I like trying new flavors. I need variety because if food gets too samey I get sick of it really quickly.

Ree13x

Ok, here's a selection from the recipes that I've collected. Some I've tried and some I haven't but they're all very different from one another. Right now I've been making 3-4 different preps on the weekends that time permits and freezing some of the ones that seem like they would lend themselves to that sort of thing. That way I'll have some favorite standbys that I can mix in with whatever I prep fresh for the week for added variety. Rice and grain bowls freeze really well, and potatoes and pastas aren't bad although I've read mixed reviews about cream or cheese sauces. As a rule, only freeze things that you would be OK with microwaving to re-heat (so no salads or fresh veggies). I'll let you know how the eggs in the Korean BBQ bowls end up being after they thaw because they're a new one for me. I'd love to have feedback on any of these. The greek chicken, turkey taco, and korean bbq are ones that I've tried and liked. I'll probably be doing the moroccan and the thai in my next batch of preps!

Recipes:
Greek Flavor Profile:
http://allyscooking.com/2017/02/26/healthy-greek-chicken-meal-prep-bowls/

Mexican Flavor Profile:
http://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/2017/08/slow-cooker-chipotle-honey-chicken-taco-salad-lunch-bowls.html
http://www.tasty-recipes.us/weekday-meal-prep-turkey-taco-bowls/20494/

Moroccan Flavor Profile:
http://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/2017/08/moroccan-couscous-meal-prep-bowls.html

Caribbean Jerk Flavor Profile:
https://www.foodlovinfamily.com/jerk-chicken-meal-prep-bowls/

Indian Curry Flavor Profile:
https://www.budgetbytes.com/2017/08/curried-chickpeas-meal-prep/

Italian Flavor Profile:
https://mealpreponfleek.com/pizza-chicken-meal-prep/

Thai Flavor Profile:
http://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/2015/11/peanut-lime-chicken-lunch-bowls.html

EarlGayTea

I made the Korean BBQ bowl you recommended and it was great! I didn't do the eggs because I low key hate eggs in any form but scrambled. I added kimchi instead.

Ree13x

@EarlGayTea, That looks fantastic. I'm glad that you liked the recipe, and I'll have to try it with kimchi next time. Do you make your own or buy it?

EarlGayTea

@Ree13x I buy it. I really like the one Meijer has. I don't know if you have one near you. But it's really good! Making kimchi is A Process™ and I can just barely cook on a good day. Lol

Ree13x

I've heard that making it can be a lot of work. I'll look for some the next time I'm near Meijer. Even if I keep the eggs it sounds like a great addition.