Mason Jar Lunches

This week has been so busy and hectic with back to school. One important part of going back to school is lunch. Coming up with different lunches to take can be challenging after a while, that’s for sure. Some people have their go to lunch which they have day after day and that can get a bit boring after a while. I saw a very cool and inventive way to take lunch the other day when I was at a school and now I want to pack my lunch this way too. I saw a girl who brought her lunches in a mason jar. So cool! One day she had a layered lunch inside of the jar and then one day she made a dessert and just mixed it up and stored it in the jar. I think this idea is awesome and so I wanted to blog about it this week. I have come up with a couple ideas myself and then also found some other cool mason jar “recipes” that you can try out for you or your kid’s lunch soon. There is definitely more mason jar blog posts to come from me. Enjoy your future lunches!

Mason Jar Lunch Ideas

Apple Cubes with Cinnamon – This one is so simple and sounds very yummy. It is the perfect snack or dessert. All you need is an apple or two of your choice, lemon juice, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut up your apples into cubes toss them with a bit of lemon juice so they don’t turn brown and then sprinkle them with how ever much brown sugar and cinnamon that you would like. Done!

Green Salad with Cheese – For this one you can toss a salad together before putting it into the jar or you can put in layers of veggies and lettuce into the jar, whatever you please. Then put a layer of chicken, bacon, ham, or a sliced boiled egg, and then put a layer of your favorite cheese. Yum.

Burrito in a Jar  - Add 1/4 cup salsa, 1/4 heaping cup black beans, 1/4 cup cheese, and 2 tablespoons yogurt or sour cream into your jar. Try adding 1/4 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice to each jar.

http://skinnyms.com/skinny-burrito-in-a-jar/

StoneGable Pasta Salad In A Jar -  

You will need:

1/2 box farfalle pasta (bow ties)

1/2 box Gemelle (twisted, loose spiral pasta)

1/2 box pene (small ribbed tubes)

1-2 bottles of Greek dressing, I use Garden Gazebo

1 red onion, finely chopped 

2 green peppers, finely chopped

1 jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped

1 jar artichoke hearts, drained and rough chopped

10-15 oil packed sun dried tomatoes, drained and finely sliced

1 small can of black sliced olives, drained

1/4 lb sliced pepperoni, thinly sliced

1-2 cups Parmesan cheese, grated

handful fresh basil, chopped

fresh parsley, chopped

thyme for garnish

Cook pasta according to the package directions, or even just a little underdone.  Drain and put into a large bowl. Add 1 bottle of good Greek salad dressing and mix well. Add the remaining ingredients and mix. Add more dressing if desired. Add a sprig of garnish to the top. Jar and refrigerate. 

http://www.stonegableblog.com/stonegable-pasta-salad-in-jar/

Gluten Free Mac and Cheese

You will need:

4 cups Gluten Free Noodles
1 whole Egg, Beaten
1/4 cup (1/2 Stick Or 4 Tablespoons) Butter
1/4 cup Gluten Free All-purpose Flour
2-1/2 cups Nonfat Milk (original recipe uses whole milk)
2 teaspoons Dry Mustard
1 pound Grated Cheese
1/2 teaspoon Salt, More To Taste
1/2 teaspoon Seasoned Salt, More To Taste
1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
Gluten Free Breadcrumbs (optional to top with)

Mix the cheese sauce and noodles together in one large pan. Scoop the mixture into the 4 oz. mason jars. I use this cupcake scooper to do this. Top with some grated cheese and breadcrumbs (gluten free) and bake at 350 degrees on a baking sheet for about 30 minutes.

http://www.fancyashley.com/2014/08/26/gluten-free-macaroni-and-cheese-in-mason-jars/

Mason Jar Yogurt Parfait – These are good for snacks, desserts, or breakfasts. You can make your own variation up or go with the recipe on this website.

http://iowagirleats.com/2013/01/15/make-ahead-fruit-yogurt-breakfast-parfaits/