Book Review: Lunchbox

This is part of my Summer Reads series where I’ll be sharing book recommendations –  a series of “not just cookbooks”.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher. I was not asked to write about this book, nor am I being compensated for doing so. This post was not reviewed by the publisher or author prior to publishing. Aviva is also an IRL friend 🙂  I only write about and promote books/ products I really believe in/ recommend. All opinions are 100% my own.

Typically I don’t review cookbooks for my Summer Reads series but since this is the final Monday where I’ll be sharing recommendations and it’s SO close to the start of the new school year in the northern hemisphere (with some schools already in session!), I’m making an exception for one you might need in your toolkit this fall!

From the publisher:

Say goodbye to the same boring, limited lunch rotation, and hello to everyone’s new favorite meal of the day! Lunchbox has literally months’ worth of recipes for flavorful, filling, nutritious, and delicious meals—guaranteed to stay fresh until lunch. With chapters on Soups, Sandwiches, Salads, Warm Bowls, Cold Bowls, Handpies, and Brunch for Lunch—as well as simple, satisfying snacks and sweet treats to pack alongside—these straightforward recipes will get you out of your lunch rut for good.
 
Every recipe has a “Get Ahead” tip, calling out exactly what can be made ahead of time, as well as a “Packing Tip” on how to pack a balanced and beautiful lunchbox; the steps are fuss-free, and all ingredients can be found in your local grocery store. In addition to the recipes are lunch packing strategies and multi-week meal plans to help you efficiently plan your menu and your time, streamlining meal prep to avoid that stressful morning crunch. Special callouts are included—such as “Great for Kids”—and all recipes are completely nut-free. With plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, hot and cold weather seasonal suggestions, and freezer-friendly choices, too.
 
Lunchbox has something for everyone. Whether it’s back to the office or back to school, Lunchbox is packed with satisfying recipes and ideas to start your day off right.

The end of summer can be a little bit like Sunday evenings – instead of the Sunday scaries, it’s the “September scaries” – and it’s not just children who approach the start of the school year with some trepidation. While many people think that parents are rejoicing at their offspring being back in school full time, there’s also that “omg, LUNCHES” stress. For those parents (and non-parents) who pack lunches, the end of the summer can be a bit fraught – thinking “HOW am I going to get back to the routine? HOW am I going to manage to get everyone out the door with a nourishing, tasty lunch every day?” As one of those non-parents who packs both my and Neil’s lunches every day, I share this stress.

Years ago, I shared my thoughts on “building a better lunchbox” and how I manage Neil’s and my lunches each day. We also plan our dinners to include extra portions for leftovers (we both have access to microwaves at work which helps here) but if I’m being honest, I’m always looking out for ideas and inspiration to brighten our lunchtimes, and this year I was thrilled to receive a copy of my friend Aviva’s book, Lunchbox.

If you follow Aviva on Instagram, you’ll be familiar with her lunchbox photos. You might have even gleaned a few tips from following her. Lunchbox compiles over 75 recipes for lunch foods that are easy to make, pack, and eat on the go and even if you’re not packing a “lunchbox” per se (as in, packing the food in the bento-style boxes), you’re sure to find loads of inspiration for recipes that will brighten your lunch hour!

As well as the recipes, the front matter of the book includes helpful sections like Lunch Packing Strategies, Lunch Packing Gear, Prepping your Kitchen, and Packing your Lunchbox to set you up for success (though I don’t think my lunchboxes could ever look as pretty as Aviva’s 😉 ) There’s so much information in these sections that is helpful even if you are a seasoned lunch-packer, lots of solid, common-sense advice that comes from packing nearly 4000 lunches. If Aviva suggests a product or a strategy, you know it’s because it’s tried and true!

The recipes themselves are divided into the following chapters: Brunch for Lunch, Sandwiches, Flatbreads, Soups, Salads, Cold Bowls, Warm Bowls (& Handpies), Snacks, Dips & Spreads, and Baked Sweets & Treats. There really is something for every type of lunch eater and a guarantee that you’ll find something to please the fussiest eater (not limited to children!).

Because most of the recipes are for smaller serving sizes (2 in a lot of cases), I appreciate the “Get Ahead” tips for prepping recipes or elements of recipes ahead of time. For us, for many of these recipes, I’d definitely want to make more than just one day’s worth of food at a time.

I love that the recipes call for ingredients that can be purchased in a regular supermarket – Aviva wrote this book during the first year of Covid when it wasn’t easy to source some ingredients so if she could write and photograph the book then, we can certainly find the ingredients now! All recipes are nut-free so they are school-friendly and there are lots of vegetarian and vegan options too.

The recipes include “Packing Tips” – items that go with the recipe which is a helpful inclusion (although the photos are great for this too). Aviva has also included a series of “Suggested Lunch Plans” to really help you get ahead, including ideas for Kid-Friendly lunches, Hot Weather lunches, Cold Weather lunches, and – my favourites – “Tonight’s Dinner + Tomorrow’s Lunch” and the “Make Ahead” plans.

I’d suggest you sit down with the book and read it a bit like a novel because it’s full of insight that you might miss if you are just looking for one particular recipe or a recipe in a certain category. Have a notebook handy while you browse too as you’re sure to get some ideas!

In short, this book is packed with inspiration and ideas to make packing lunch not only enjoyable but easier – a great way to start off the school year feeling a bit more in control of all those lunchboxes to come!

 
Buy Lunchbox on Amazon (this affiliate link should bring you to the Amazon store in, or closest to, your country). For free worldwide shipping, buy from The Book Depository.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to mazon.com and affiliated sites.  This post also contains affiliate links from The Book Depository. This means that if you click over and purchase something, I will receive a very small percentage of the purchase price (at no extra cost to you). Thank you in advance!

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Buy my books! In the French kitchen with kids and French Food for Everyone: le goûter  (after school snacks) and le dîner (dinner) are out now! Click here for details and how to order!

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