Onion ideas for a credit crunch lunch

Wednesday, 29 February 2012 11:07 AM

Onions are a cheap and cheerful store cupboard staple, ideal for adding flavour to meals during the credit crunch. But if you want to get creative, you can use onions for much more than pasta sauces. British Onions has a series of fun recipes for you to try.

British Summer Bread Salad is a versatile lunch option - make ahead of time and take to work as a packed lunch or prepare for a picnic. The longer you leave it, the more intense the flavours.

Ingredients: 1 small cucumber, roughly chopped; 1 large British red onion, roughly chopped; 3 very ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped; 2 ready roasted peppers, roughly chopped; 2 tbsp capers, rinsed and drained; 1 small stale crusty loaf, ripped into large cubes; Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper; 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 2 tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 red chilli, finely chopped; 1-2 tsp sugar; handful fresh basil, freshly torn.

1. Place the cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, roasted peppers and capers in a large bowl and add the bread. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.

2. Whisk the olive oil, red wine vinegar, chilli and sugar and some salt and pepper together and add to the bowl with the basil. Give it a good mix, then cover and leave in the fridge for at least and hour overnight for the flavours to combine. The bread should feel moist but not soggy. Serve as a starter or a salad.

3. Tip: if you do not have very stale bread – rip your bread and bake in the oven for 7-10 minutes until beginning to crisp. Preparation Time: one hour.

Giving your child a healthy lunch is important

Healthy lunch box ideas

Getting the kids to eat healthy is difficult at the best of times but getting them to eat healthy at school, when you’re not around to watch what they’re eating can seem an impossible task.

Onion waste is full of nutrients

Onion waste is full of nutrients

We could be throwing away the most health beneficial part of an onion, after research found that the brown skin and external layers are rich in both fibre and flavonoids. While the bulbs have been found to contain sulphurous compounds and fructans.

Stacey Soloman celebrating the Jubilee lunch

Celebrities reveal plans for Jubilee lunch

Celebrities and personalities are amongst those who have revealed details of what they would bring to a Big Jubilee Lunch table on June 3. The Lottery-funded Big Jubilee Lunch is part of the programme of events to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.

Brits hit the kitchen to beat credit crunch

Home baking enjoys credit crunch revival

It seems we are cooking and baking more now than we did five years ago according to Canderel. Over a third (37%) are reviving the trend for baking and home-cooked meals. Almost half of the Brits (43%) spend at least an hour a day in their kitchen

Summer ideas for the BBQ

New ideas for summer BBQs

It seems an end is finally in sight for this summer rain! As the sun makes an appearance again, it's the ideal time to break out the BBQ and try some new recipes. Here are some ideas for those who want a break from the burgers.

Pack a healthier lunchbox for kids

Lunchbox ideas with a cheese twist

Bored of the same old sandwiches? Cathedral City have teamed up with nutritionist Juliette Kellow to launch Chedds, a snack for children aged seven to 10 years old. Juliette has come up with some fun, child-friendly ideas for lunchboxes.

Make your own lunch to save money

Save £29 per month making your own lunch

It seems that the appeal of rushing to buy a pre-packed sandwich, or pricier treat in our lunch hours has been usurped by the need to save cash. Saving money is a top priority for Brits with 45% stating saving money as the reason.

Baking ideas for National Vegetarian Week

Dessert ideas for National Vegetarian Week

National Vegetarian Week (May 21-27) is the UK’s annual awareness-raising campaign promoting inspirational vegetarian food and the benefits of a meat-free lifestyle. Try making this Carob Fudge Cake, an irresistible dessert.

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Broccoli helps kill cancer cells

Broccoli helps kill cancer cells

We have long been told about the health benefits of superfoods but now Sulforaphane, one of the primary phytochemicals in broccoli has been proved to selectively target and kill prostate cancer cells, leaving normal prostate cells healthy and unaffected.

Over half of Brits want to shed 'at least a stone'

weight loss

The study commissioned by diet aid manufacturer Slimsticks, also discovered that a worrying one in five people have followed an ‘eating is cheating’ starvation diet and one in ten have tried a liquid diet.