Nut Free Lunch Recipes

Here are some of my family's favorite nut-free sandwich ideas:

Grilled Roast Beef & Cheese

For a different spin on grilled cheese sandwiches add roast beef and sauté onion, green peppers, mushrooms and garlic. Leftover roast beef is my daughter's favorite but slices from the deli also work well. Use processed cheddar, Swiss cheese, Colby or Monterey Jack. Also be creative with breads. Try sourdough, rye, multigrain etc.

Grilled Jam & Cheese

For a kid-friendly grilled cheese variation combine raspberry or strawberry jam with Muenster or Swiss cheese.

Chicken and Hummus on a Bagel

Cut bagel in half. Spread hummus on one slice. Layer with slices of deli cooked chicken, cucumber and tomato, add spinach and top with the other half of bagel.

Fruit & Cheese on a Bagel

Combine a little cottage cheese, pineapple flavored cream cheese, some chopped dried fruit and a handful of shredded Swiss cheese. Sandwich fruit and cheese filling between two bagels halves.

Turkey, Cheese & Lettuce

Turkey and cheese is a nice combination especially when you add lettuce and a little mayo.

Turkey & Swiss

Layer slices of Swiss cheese on top of roasted or deli turkey, package with a small container of coleslaw for adding just before eating.

Turkey & Pastrami on Rye

Combine slices of turkey and pastrami on rye bread. Add a little mustard and mayo.

Lunch won't be complete for my kids without one of their favorite dips.

Shrimp & Dip

If you thought shrimp and dip was only for parties, think again. If your child frequents the seafood tray whenever you're entertaining consider occasionally sending him to school with a bag of shrimp and a small container of dipping sauce. To make your own seafood sauce, add a couple of drops of lemon juice and a little mild horseradish to a small individual sized dipping container of ketchup.

Veggies & Dip

Pack a container of your child's favorite raw vegetables (carrot sticks, celery sticks, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, green pepper etc.) along with a container of his or her favorite salad dressing.

Hummus with Roasted Red Peppers

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup roasted red peppers, drained (from a jar)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp plain yogurt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Using a food processor or blender, process all ingredients until smooth. To ensure that everything is evenly blended, frequently scrape down sides. Serve with pita wedges, veggies, crackers or nacho chips.

Chunky Cheese and Apple Dip

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise or whipped salad dressing
1/2 cup apples, finely chopped

Combine cream cheese and mayo. Blend well. Stir in cheddar cheese and apples until just mixed. Serve with crackers, celery, breadsticks or pretzels.