Surprise Lunch!

I taught school for about 6 years before I had kids. Making a lunch every day could get a little old.  At my last school the parents would often bring lunch to a teacher when it was their birthday or other special occasion. I still remember the split pea soup they brought me on my birthday; it was made with yellow split peas and had home grown and canned tomatoes in it. It was such a treat, and Tina if you are out there reading this I sure would like the recipe for that soup..... Now that my kids are in school one of my favorite things to do is surprise their teachers or the staff up at the school with a special lunch. It doesn't take much to make it special and personally, I think most of us would agree that it's special because YOU didn't have to make it!

My daughter's teacher last year, Mrs. Monson, works at a store called PS - Stores in Redmond. She works there just once a month now but used to teach some of the gift wrapping classes. Anyway, we went to a class on wrapping up edible gifts. Wow! There were tons of great ideas. I picked up a few things for all my food giving endeavors, these little lunch boxes being one of them. They were like $2 and they had all sorts of different ones.

These are all the goods out on the table. I try to include a fun drink, this is Sanpellegrino Limonata, but it could be a seltzer or bottled water, some fruit, a salad, a "main dish" ie... sandwich or soup, and a treat of course!

The sandwich I made this time was smoked turkey with Havarti and butter lettuce. I like butter lettuce because well, first of all it's cute, but the leaves are small, tender, and crunchy. I put the sandwich on a Brioche roll I bought at Trader Joe's. I think the roll makes it seem very "up scale deli" don't you?

I have to say my salads are always a HUGE hit with the teachers.....this one is baby spinach with pomegranate perils, candied walnuts, and Gorgonzola cheese. The dressing is homemade and slightly sweet. I put the cheese on the side this time because Gorgonzola is a strong flavor and maybe not one everybody likes. I bought the candied walnuts at Trader Joe's, they make a great snack by the way. I often make candied pecans for the salad too, just melt a couple tablespoons of sugar in a frying pan and add 1/4 cup chopped pecans. Coat them with the sugar and dump them on foil to cool. Once they are cool you can break them up with a knife. (This salad is DELICIOUS, would be a great addition to Christmas dinner too)

I have a  salad theory: I like a cheese, a nut, and a fruit. The cheese brings a nice tang and creaminess, the nut adds a bit of crunch and the fruit a slight sweetness. Here with the pomegranate perils they are a little sour too so I balance with a sweet dressing. Often I think we get too many things in our salad and it just turns to mush....

I also got these cute little tags at the PS Store and the red and white baker's twine. I wrote the menu on the tag, so they know what they are getting. And a little Merry Christmas at the end.....


I am sharing this with you as an idea. It's a simple way to show appreciation for those in your life who are important to you. Anyone can buy a gift card, this to me says, I see you, I appreciate you, what you do matters, and thanks a million for loving my kids.

Give it a try! As a former teacher, I know it will mean the world to them!
Ginger

Dressing:

Inspired by: Sarah

Place in a jar with a lid:

1 clove minced garlic

3 T. honey

5 T. apple cider vinegar

salt and pepper

1/2 cup olive oil

Put lid on tight and shake vigorously.

Here is the link to the cookies. They are delicious and a fun twist on a gingerbread cookie. White Chocolate Ginger Drops.

Happy December!
Ginger

P.S. Here is another goodie I sent up to school last week. I got the adorable bags at the PS- Store and filled them with Muddy Buddies, have you tried them yet? The recipe is on the back of the Chex Mix box. Muddy Buddies, is something that has to leave my house quickly or it will be consumed by ME!!