Fill Your Office Drawer With Everything You Need for More Delicious Work Lunches

My first “real” job after college was at a large engineering company, and the most frustrating part (for me) was packing my lunch. I came to the conclusion that mediocre brown lunch bags are just part of adulthood, but that was terribly wrong. With just a few condiments and spices tucked away in my drawer, I could turn my sad little dinners from “horribly tasteless” to “hey, that’s really edible.”

All around are good guys

When putting together lunch, it’s easy to focus on the main course (there are great options for them) and forget about details like salt and pepper, but the seasoning doesn’t have to be late. A good seasoning can be the difference between an enjoyable lunch break and something you are going through. The items below can help with food from any brown bag (or fancy lunch box) and should always have a place in your small work closet.

• Salt: In this godforsaken world, there are two types of people: fancy salt lovers and people who think fancy salt lovers are stupid and stupid people. As you probably guessed, I’m a big salt drinker (haters line up on the left) and have been known to eat large flakes of pyramidal salt straight from the jar. Jars of “artisanal” sodium chloride are very popular , but I’ve always been very happy with Trader Joe’s salt pans . The pink Himalayan tributes are my favorites, but lately I’ve found myself using their garlic mill for everything.
• Pepper: These stale paper “pepper” bags, found in many cafeterias, bring little to the table. The solution is simple: get a pepper grinder. You can find them at just about any grocery store, although, again, Trader Joe’s has some really good products (including lemon pepper!).
• Crushed Red Peppers: Need something to add to the spicy flavor? Look for nothing but crushed red pepper. Not only is it easy to store, it’s cheap and suitable for just about anything.
• Lemons and limes: Citrus fruits are very versatile, and their sour juice can help decorate everything from take-out tacos to afternoon tea. In addition, they do not need to be stored in the refrigerator, and if you put a few pieces on the table, then the smell in the whole booth will become divine. (You can also put them in a cute little bowl on the table; a bowl of lemons can be as beautiful as a vase of flowers.)

You can stop right here and be on your way to a much more delicious lunch. But go on, there are more delicious updates too.

Dress up your sandwiches

Sandwiches are perhaps the most common brown bag lunch, and they can be either really excellent or really sad. A good sandwich for the weight of the truffles, and this is what you need to keep on the table to decorate yours.

• Mustard: Fortunately, mustard is fairly stable at room temperature (unless it contains fruits or vegetables), so you can hide the jar in a drawer and spread it over at the last moment to prevent the bread from getting wet and soaked in mustard. I love yellow French, but consider buying something a little more sophisticated for your special dinner, like whole grains or something with horseradish.
• Vinegar: I have been told that I am too addicted to acetic acid in my food, but I cannot imagine an Italian substance without a little vinegar. Red wine vinegar is a classic choice for sandwiches, but good quality balsamic can serve a dual (or triple) function. Not only is sweet fruit vinegar great for substrate, it’s also great for dressing salads or even topping on fresh fruit.

If you have access to a fridge, you might get something really out of the ordinary. Mayonnaise, pickles, and pepperoncinis are some of my favorite sandwich fillings.

Transform your takeaway

You might think that taking something with you will satisfy all your needs at lunchtime, but takeout is often not enough when it comes to additional services. While a restaurant may have a bottle of hot sauce for every table, it is doubtful that the same courtesy will be extended to your finished order. (Note: All of the following can also be used to flavor frozen foods, but the best way to deal with lean food is to simply avoid it entirely.)

• Cookware: Having real cutlery not only makes your meal a little special, it also means you don’t have to struggle with fragile, fragile forks (or spores) while enjoying your Pad Thai or Caesar salad. You can buy a cute bamboo set if you want, but I recommend just bringing your usual fork, knife and spoon from home with you.
• Soy Sauce: Chinese takeaway is a miracle, but the little soy sauce packets that come with your meal can sometimes be too salty. Good soy sauce should be savory, but saltiness is only part of the flavor profile, and a rich, umami-flavored flavor should accompany sodium. These little soy sauce fish from Little Soya are low in sodium, gluten free (if you like that kind of thing), and are adorable and conveniently packaged for one-time use. Of course, there is no reason why you can’t hide a small bottle of your favorite brand in a dark, cool drawer, since soy sauce will last in the refrigerator for about a month.
• Hot Sauce: Hot sauce is a transformative condiment that can turn even the simplest dishes into a treat, and you should never go without it. The spicy product usually inspires fierce brand loyalty and I’ll never tell you which brand to use, but if you want to buy super portable (and easy-fold) hot sauce bottles, Dave’s Gourmet , Tabasco, and Texas Pete all have mini bottle packs. for your pleasure. If you’re a rooster fan, you can always grab the reusable Sriracha2Go and take hipster ketchup with you wherever you go. (There is nothing wrong with full-size bottles, but mini-bottles allow you to fit more in the box, which means variety , and variety is the highlight of the meal.)

You don’t need a pantry of sauces, but a few small bottles won’t take up much space and will dramatically improve the quality of your meal. If you have the opportunity to purchase perishable items that can be bought in a drawer, you might want to consider including ponzu sauce , fish sauce, and sambal olek (fresh chili paste).

Season your salad

The devil’s greatest trick was to convince me to buy prepackaged salads. They tempt you by looking good, but the salad is always tasteless and the fillings are usually boring. If you find yourself the victim of such a salad, don’t panic. These flavorful add-ons might not be able to turn your iceberg into a buttery salad, but they can at least distract you from low-quality greens and turn that judgment error into something edible.

• Olive oil: Toss a bag from another manufacturer’s ranch and sprinkle it with something nice. Buy something extra virgin and cold pressed that shouldn’t be too hard to find at any grocery store you frequent these days. (If you need any direction, check out this taste test from Bon Appetit .) This liquid gold is great for salads (especially when combined with a little acid like vinegar or lemons), but it can also be drizzled with leftover vegetables or mix with them. rice dishes or spread on sandwiches for additional saturation.
• Nuts: When I had 9 to 5, I was never left without a can of nuts. Almonds, walnuts, and pecans are all great snacks, but they also add texture, flavor, and nutrients to your plate of uninspired greens. Do you really want to go up a notch? Take something candied or spicy. (And never look back, my friend. Never look back.)
• Bacon: People love to poke fun at these salty snacks, but you know you secretly love them. “Real” should be refrigerated, but I agree with you: I don’t mind salty textured soy protein. They add salt, texture and umami. Indeed, what more could you ask for?
• Nutritional Yeast: It may not have an attractive name, but trust me when I say a little nooch makes everything better. Although often referred to as “cheese” for vegans , everyone should learn to love this yellow cereal. Its nutty, zesty flavor instantly enhances everything it touches, but it’s especially beneficial with sad salads. (It also makes a great addition to microwaved popcorn after dinner.)

You don’t have to go crazy and buy a Costco-sized can of nuts or a barrel of olive oil; but adding a small amount of EVOO stock to a home can make a big difference. (Your friends in the fridge are capers, pitted olives, and shredded cheese. This all makes for a great savory punch that will be very valuable in a pre-packaged salad.)

To cleanse

Ah, the consequences. Pouring garlic hot sauce over your afternoon tea is good and good, but a little afternoon hygiene will help you win friends and influence people in your corporate quest. Nobody wants to be the soup guy on the tie (or the lady with the sauce on the blouse), so keep a few Shout Wipes or a Tide Stain Pen with you to avoid damage. Also, don’t ignore your mouth. I always love having a floss and a small bottle of mouthwash on hand, and I use these Colgate Wisps rigorously when I don’t have access to a toothbrush. (Don’t forget the mints. Nobody complains about the guy who always has mints.)

So these are my recommendations for your desk drawer (and a pair for your office refrigerator). Just a few items to choose from can turn your dining game from bearable to enviable and dramatically improve the quality of your midday break, and – given that most of your meals are eaten at work – you deserve it . According to Retta, the patron saint of self-care:Treat. Hey. Self-sufficient .

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