Three quick and easy lunchbox fillers from top chefs

From puff pastry bites to oaty banana traybakes, keep the kids full and sustained this school year  

Three lunchtime recipes to take in to the new school year

Orla McAndrew’s Puff Pastry Bites

A tasty treat for school lunchboxes

Servings

8

Preparation Time

 8 mins

Cooking Time

 25 mins

Total Time

 33 mins

Course

 Baking

Cuisine

 Irish

Ingredients

• 1 sheet of puff pastry

• 1 egg, beaten with a little water

• 1 apple, grated

• Cheddar cheese

• Tomato relish or ketchup

• Ham, chicken, chorizo

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C.

2. Cut a rectangle of puff pastry into eight squares.

3. Brush the edges with egg wash. Grate some apple and cheddar cheese into the centre, add a dollop of relish or tomato sauce, sprinkle on some cooked ham, chicken or chorizo and grab the edges of the pastry to make a little parcel.

4. Bake for 25 minutes and allow to cool before packing into lunchboxes.

Caitlin Ruth’s Greek Salad

A tasty salad for school or work lunches

Servings

1

Preparation Time

 5 mins

Total Time

 5 mins

Course

 Side

Cuisine

 Irish

Ingredients

• 5 cherry tomatoes, cut in half

• ¼ cucumber, peeled, seeds scraped out and cut into chunks

• ¼ block feta, crumbled

• 8 kalamata olives, stones removed

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tbsp wine (or other) vinegar

• Pinch salt

• Pinch dried oregano

• A bit of thinly sliced red onion (optional)

Method

1. Mix all of the ingredients together.

2. Decant into a well-sealed container.

3. Accompany with some baguette that has been buttered.