Lunch/Dinner Ideas with just a

Kettle and Microwave

Location: On my lunch break enjoying my nice lunches :)

Date: 6/8/2024

When travelling you don't always have access to a kitchen. You usually have access to a fridge and kettle and if ya lucky, a microwave. But often no anymore than that. That's for cheaper/hostel type travelling anyways. I am currently living in a shared accommodation where I only have a kettle, microwave and fridge for a kitchen. I have learnt some great lunch/dinner ideas that are quick, easy and healthy, to still fuel my body with nutritious food. If you are living with no access to a full kitchen, or just want some quick meal ideas, then keep reading. I hope you find some inspo for your next meal!

Side note - I have no qualification at all regarding nutrition and I am not providing any health or nutrition advice. These are just some of my favourite meals lately and my experience/thoughts. For any guidance around your health and nutrition, please contact a medical professional.

Starting with a Classic - A Sandwich

Don't forget the great basics of a sandwich. Sandwiches can be very versatile and you can change it up a bit so you don't get too bored. All you need is some bread and your desired filling. Below are my fav sandwich combos at the moment.

• Chicken and veggie sandwich. I buy pre cooked chicken and load it up with yummy fresh veggies such as cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce and capsicum. Top if off with a nice sauce such as mayonnaise, mustard or tzatziki, you are good to go.

• Cottage cheese and veggie sandwich. On your bread add cottage cheese, fresh veggies (I just buy what's in season and what's the cheapest, but your choice here) and sauce of choice. I don't always use sauce. It just depends if I'm more on the go travelling or back at home.

• Greek style sandwich. On your bread add feta, tzatziki sauce, cucumber, tomato (and olives if that's a bit of you).

You can really put anything on a sandwich. When I make my meals I like to look at what nutrition I’m getting from it. I always make sure I'm getting a good source of protein. It's needed in your diet as well as making a meal more filling. For an even more filling lunch, pair it with a snack such as a piece of fruit or nuts/seeds..

Couscous Salad

• I love this fresh and veggie packed meal for lunch or dinner.

• Ingredients:

  • Couscous

  • Stock cube/chicken stock

  • Fresh veggies of choice (I like cucumber, capsicum, and carrot)

  • Protein source (chickpeas, cottage cheese, or chicken are my go tos at the moment)

  • squeeze lemon juice.

• Cook one serving of couscous as per instructions. I found a couscous that you can just add boiling water from a jug (add the stock cube to the water or use chicken stock instead - this adds more flavour). Mix in, cover and sit for 5-10 min, until it's cooked. I usually start cutting and prepping the other ingredients while it's cooking.

• Put the couscous in a bowl and fluff it up. Add all the other ingredients, mix in and enjoy. Feel free to play around with what other ingredients you may enjoy.

Greek Style Mashed Potatoe Salad

This came about as I tried to make a stuffed potato recipe using a microwave to bake the potato. The potato cooked but I damaged the potato shell too much when trying to scoop out the flesh. I ended up making what I call a Greek Style Mashed Potatoe Salad, and I love it! I think this is my tastiest microwave meal yet.

• Ingredients: (for one serving)

  • One medium sized potato

  • Teaspoon olive oil

  • Teaspoon dried oregano

  • Feta

  • 1 medium tomato

  • ¼ of Cucumber

  • Tzatziki sauce

  • Salt and pepper as desired

  • Optional olives

• Scrub the potato then prick with a fork and place on a microwave safe plate. Microwave on high for 5 mins. Turn the potato over and cook for another about 5 min. Just cook until it's soft. I check using a fork as the potato is too hot to touch!

• Remove from the microwave and cut lengthways.

• Scoop the flesh out of the potato into a bowl and mash a bit with a fork or spoon.

• Prep the other ingredients (cut as needed) and add to the bowl and mix together. Then voila, it's done. You can always keep the mashed potato separate in the fridge in a container and add the other ingredients when you want to eat it so it's fresh. This is what I often do.

• Feel free to add other ingredients too to jazz it up. I don't like olives but for a greek style meal I think others would enjoy some olives. Also I find the feta salty enough that I don't need extra salt. But others may want to. So season to taste with salt and pepper as desired.

I hope you enjoyed these ideas and let me know your thoughts if you try any!

Happy eating! 😊

Ruby-Rose x