Hello there, was looking for alternatives to sandwiches... anything different, warm, tasty etc... sandwiches get very very boring!!
Many thanks

Not very healthy but here goes. Sauté onions in butter or oil, fry 2 pieces of bologna layer, onions, mustard, and bologna between 2 pieces of buttered bread and grill. My daughters creation that loves bologna.

Thanks for the answer, now is bologna mince or is it something else... googled it but only found the city in Italy!. sounds tasty though.. anything with sauteed onions... mmmm

Wow, not sure what it is, Google up Oscar mayer bologna or Kahns bologna.Kahn's - The taste you've always loved. (http://kahns.com/lm_Prod_P_21.html)

Ok, got it from wikipedia... its like an Italian mortadilla. I have some of that in fridge, will try it out 2moro.

Another alternative to sandwiches are wraps! I take a tortilla shell and put anything in it (most recently I put turkey, cranberry sauce, nuts and cream cheese in it) and then I put it in a pan on the stove with no oil, just to warm it up and make the outside a little crispy. Sometimes I put chicken, cheese and spanish rice in there too. Or you could make pita pockets and throw anything in those. :)

Hope this helps!

When we got bored with same ole peanut butter and jelly my mom would make us peanut butter and jelly roll ups. You cut off the crust of the bread, roll it thin with a plastic cup and spread it with pb and j. Then roll it up. It is like a little tube. Just a fun variation.

Buy some chicken, beef roast, or ham--bake and shred it or slice it down. Lunch meat isn't the same as it use to be. They put so much chemicals in it it doesn't even have any texture any more. I swear it is like eating the plastic off band aids!

My favorite sandwiches (besides Italian hoagies)

Chunks of chicken with bacon and melted mozzerela cheese and mayo on toast

Shredded roast beef topped with melted cheddar, Arbys sauce and ketchup on an onion bun

Shredded pulled pork with bar b que sauce on a good bun.

Potato skins with cheddar cheese, bacon, chives and sour cream.

BLT's are yummy too!


Ahhh the bacon is what MAKES the chicken sandwich!! :D

Wow that does sound rather tasteless! The shredded chicken sounds good... Strickly no pork diet though... so could do much of the rest... Arbys sauce? You guys have the best condiments in the world... am jealous (",)

Make little pizzas using english muffins; all you need is a split english muffin, marinara sauce, cheese and whatever toppings you like. Pop it into the toaster oven to warm it up and done!

Fish (especially salmon) is really easy to prepare; I make a mixture of melted butter with garlic and dill, pour it over the fish and broil it.

That is really cool, and the kids (obviously being kids) love pizza, sounds tasty and quick to make!!
Many thanks Jillian (",)
Any other tasty morsels?

I'm full of quick meal ideas! :)

Going along with the pizza thing, you can take kaiser rolls (or your favorite rolls) split them open and scoop out the insides. Then fill with ricotta (or cottage cheese if you prefer), and other favorite pizza toppings. Put the "lid" on and stick under the broiler to get all warm and toasty. This makes a quick little calzone.

For a slightly heartier meal, slice up a sweet onion, some mushrooms, and pork, chicken or beef (or all if you want!). Put into a zip-top bag and let marinate in your favorite salad dressing; I like this one: Newman's Own - Products (http://www.newmansown.com/product_detail.cfm?cat_id=7&prod_id=14) because it has a slight Asian-style taste to it, but I don't know if you can get it in the UK. Anyway, let your stuff marinate for a bit, then cook it on the stovetop until the onions are all soft and translucent and the meat is cooked through. Serve over rice or noodles.

"Fake" Chicken Parmesan; Take your favorite jar sauce and put a little on the bottom of a baking pan. Add chicken breasts and top with parmesan cheese and more sauce. Bake until done. Serve over buttered noodles.

Cut chicken into chunks, put into glass baking dish and coat with some olive oil. Sprinkle with Montreal Grill Seasoning McCormick Product Detail - Grill Mates® Montreal Steak Seasoning (http://www.mccormick.com/productdetail.cfm?ID=6209) chopped garlic and rosemary (or thyme, whatever fresh herbs you have). Add zest from one lemon. Bake until chicken is done, then turn the oven off and add a splash of white wine (or chicken broth) and the juice from the lemon. Put back in the oven for about 5 minutes. Serve with your favorite side.

I don't do many lunches, if that's what you're looking for, but all the meals I mention are really easy and pretty kid-friendly. I don't cook many things that take more than 30 minutes or so to prepare, so I'm a big fan of Rachael Ray's 30 min meals. Here's a link to her books; there's a lot of great recipes in there! I have "Cooking 'Round the Clock" and use it all the time.

Amazon.com: rachael ray: Books (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_kk_1?ie=UTF8&search-alias=stripbooks&field-keywords=rachael%20ray)

Also, there's a free magazine Kraft Foods puts out quarterly; you might not be able to get it in the UK, but here's a link to the archives:

food&family Archive (http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/FoodFamilyArchive/)

All the stuff in the magazines is really simple to make, and it gives you some of the nutritional information. It's all really adaptable stuff too, so you can take out or add things you like and don't like to make the recipe suit your tastes more. All the recipes say to use "Kraft" whatever, but of course, that's not really necessary in most cases!

Hello there, was looking for alternatives to sandwiches.....anything different, warm, tasty etc......sandwiches get very very boring!!!!
Many thanks
Hi, try using tortilla wraps instead-very yummy

I'm full of quick meal ideas! :)

Going along with the pizza thing, you can take kaiser rolls (or your favorite rolls) split them open and scoop out the insides. Then fill with ricotta (or cottage cheese if you prefer), and other favorite pizza toppings. Put the "lid" on and stick under the broiler to get all warm and toasty. This makes a quick little calzone.

For a slightly heartier meal, slice up a sweet onion, some mushrooms, and pork, chicken or beef (or all if you want!). Put into a zip-top bag and let marinate in your favorite salad dressing; I like this one: Newman's Own - Products (http://www.newmansown.com/product_detail.cfm?cat_id=7&prod_id=14) because it has a slight Asian-style taste to it, but I don't know if you can get it in the UK. Anyway, let your stuff marinate for a bit, then cook it on the stovetop until the onions are all soft and translucent and the meat is cooked through. Serve over rice or noodles.

"Fake" Chicken Parmesan; Take your favorite jar sauce and put a little on the bottom of a baking pan. Add chicken breasts and top with parmesan cheese and more sauce. Bake until done. Serve over buttered noodles.

Cut chicken into chunks, put into glass baking dish and coat with some olive oil. Sprinkle with Montreal Grill Seasoning McCormick Product Detail - Grill Mates® Montreal Steak Seasoning (http://www.mccormick.com/productdetail.cfm?ID=6209) chopped garlic and rosemary (or thyme, whatever fresh herbs you have). Add zest from one lemon. Bake until chicken is done, then turn the oven off and add a splash of white wine (or chicken broth) and the juice from the lemon. Put back in the oven for about 5 mins. Serve with your favorite side.

I don't do many lunches, if that's what you're looking for, but all the meals I mention are really easy and pretty kid-friendly. I don't cook many things that take more than 30 mins or so to prepare, so I'm a big fan of Rachael Ray's 30 min meals. Here's a link to her books; there's a lot of great recipes in there! I have "Cooking 'Round the Clock" and use it all the time.

Amazon.com: rachael ray: Books (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_kk_1?ie=UTF8&search-alias=stripbooks&field-keywords=rachael%20ray)

Also, there's a free magazine Kraft Foods puts out quarterly; you might not be able to get it in the UK, but here's a link to the archives:

food&family Archive (http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/FoodFamilyArchive/)

All the stuff in the magazines is really simple to make, and it gives you some of the nutritional information. It's all really adaptable stuff too, so you can take out or add things you like and don't like to make the recipe suit your tastes more. All the recipes say to use "Kraft" whatever, but of course, that's not really necessary in most cases!


Oh Jillean, I love you!! That has been very most helpful!!
Am getting hungry now (",)
Thank you:o

hi, try using tortilla wraps instead-very yummy
Yes thank you (",)

Roll out flat one-fourth-size pieces of refrigerator rolls, lay them on a cookie sheet (greased, if the wrapper says to do that), add pizza sauce, whatever toppings you want, grated mozzarella cheese, and bake as per directions for rolls.

This is a terrific Cub Scout activity, snack, and crowd pleaser.

Make the kids make their lunches themselves... I like it... he he he (",)
Are refrigirator rolls (damn you used a much more descriptive title for them) like sub rolls?
Many thanks wondergirl

Refrigerator rolls are in the refrigerator section of the grocery store and are made by Pillsbury or other bread companies and are in a cylindrical can about the side of an empty toilet paper roll and you pop them open and lay the rolls on a baking sheet to bake them.

I was saying something about condiments earlier... its not just condiments, I don't want to visit the US because I won't leave... love my food, will have to find these rolls... am doubtful but will persevere.
Thanks Wondergirl

Oh Jillean, I love you!!! that has been very most helpful!!!
Am getting hungry now (",)
thank you:o

You're welcome! :)

Here's a link to one of my favorite recipe sites - All recipes – complete resource for recipes and cooking tips (http://allrecipes.com/Default.aspx)

You can change the number of servings and it will change the recipe for you, and it can convert to metric units as well. I've found just about everything on that site - and lots of new stuff to try. You can even make an account and save recipes in a "recipe box" so you don't have to go searching.

Happy cooking!

You well of cooking knowledge you (",)
Thank You once again. Jillian

I was watching the rachel ray show one day and she made a sandwich that had waffels as the bread and then inside it just had peanut butter and some fruit like bananas. It looked pretty easy and very tasty.

Meatloaf and fried/baked chicken dusted in crumbs are foods that are good warm or cold. Good for school lunches too


Meatloaf can be made with ground turkey or ground chicken.

Buy a large ham and slice it up in pieces and store it all sliced up in the refrigerators so the kids can make their own sandwiches or to fill their pita breads. Cut it up in smaller pieces to add to scrambled eggs or as a side dish for breakfast.


For the winter make wonderful meatball soup.

Just add garlic salt, one egg, and chopped onions to the ground meat.
Or just regular salt and the egg and leaving out the onions
Or just the egg to hold them together leaving out the salt and onions and the garlic salt
You can add tomato sauce for coloring and flavor if you want.
I always leave the tomato sauce out and eat it plain.


Boil the water
Add the meatballs to the boiling water.

The meatballs will be cooked in 10 minutes

Add whatever vegestables you like

This is one way my dog will eat the vegestables. She loves this soup..

Very young children can easily eat this soup if you use turkey ground meat because the meatballs are so very tender which makes them easy for young children to eat. I find beef ground meat too tough and I'm an adult. LOL


Cook some dry beans and add ground meat or the ham to them for a warm meal. Or you can buy the whole plain canned beans and add your own ground meat or ham. Makes them taste like you cooked the beans fresh yourself.

Meatloaf and fried/baked chicken dusted in crumbs are foods that are good warm or cold. Good for school lunches too


Meatloaf can be made with ground turkey or ground chicken.

Buy a large ham and slice it up in pieces and store it all sliced up in the refrigerators so the kids can make their own sandwiches or to fill their pita breads. Cut it up in smaller pieces to add to scrambled eggs or as a side dish for breakfast.


For the winter make wonderful meatball soup.

Just add garlic salt, one egg, and chopped onions to the ground meat.
Or just regular salt and the egg and leaving out the onions
Or just the egg to hold them together leaving out the salt and onions and the garlic salt
You can add tomato sauce for coloring and flavor if you want.
I always leave the tomato sauce out and eat it plain.


Boil the water
Add the meatballs to the boiling water.

The meatballs will be cooked in 10 minutes

Add whatever vegestables you like

This is one way my dog will eat the vegestables. She loves this soup..

Very young children can easily eat this soup if you use turkey ground meat because the meatballs are so very tender which makes them easy for young children to eat. I find beef ground meat too tough and I'm an adult. LOL


Cook some dry beans and add ground meat or the ham to them for a warm meal. Or you can buy the whole plain canned beans and add your own ground meat or ham. Makes them taste like you cooked the beans fresh yourself.

Add salt to your own personal taste to the meatball soup

If you use ground turkey, the meatballs cook in ten minutes. The beef will take longer.

Quesadillas are a very quick and easy meal or snack. Just put cheese on one of the tortillas and cover it with a second tortilla and warm it up on the grittle or pan. Later, you can add guacamole or anything else you want or eat them plain.


They sell toaster ovens that turn off by themselves when you set the timer. This could make it safer for kids to fix themselves something to eat.

Pita pizzas are deelicious. Put whatever toppings you like over spaghetti sauce and cheese.I like fresh vegetables, tomato, peppers, whatever. Flour tortillas are great for quick breakfast too. Burritos with potato, egg and cheese, add fresh salsa, yum!
Corn tortillas are wonderful stuffed with leftover chicken and chiles, sour cream and cheese, baked a few minutes. Until cheese melts.
Cheese and crackers are good. So many combinations possible.
Celery spears and cream cheese . A stuffed apple is sooo healthy, split and core an apple, fill cavity with peanut butter and raisins, or cream cheese and chopped walnuts. Almost any fruit sliced and served with a cream cheese mixed with orange juice concentrate dip is yummy. Salads are good for lunch, put lettuce and vegetables in a container, put whatever meat and topping in separate container so as not to get soggy. Add dressing just before eating.
My faves are chinese chicken, and tostada salads.
Now I have to raid the frige.

Tacos (reg and soft), burritos, quesadias
Pepperoni rolls (pepp rolled into crescent rolls) dipped in spag sauce
McD type pancake griddles
Microwaveable White Tower small burgers
Ad infinitum

You people are highly culinary!! Many thanks for the fantastic ideas (",)

Keep forgetting to come back here with more thoughts.


Pigs in a blanket that can be cooked in your toaster oven. Pillsbury and maybe other companies make the blankets. They come in containers like the buiscuits. All you have to do is roll the hotdog.

Make hard boiled eggs ahead of time. Peel them and store them in the frig. They will be ready for the kids to make their own egg sandwiches. They can warm the eggs in the microwave over if they want them warm.

Buy baby carrots for the kids to munch on. I hear kids love them.

Brief instructions for making hard boiled eggs.

Put the eggs in a single layer in a pot. Add enough water to cover all the eggs by an inch. Turn on the burner and bring the water just to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat, cover, and start timing. The eggs should cook for XX minutes.

I leave mine for about 12 minutes in the summer and 17 min in the winter. You will have to experiment to see what you like or try Google.

To get the kids to eat their veggies, have them help prepare them.

Tacos (reg and soft), burritos, quesadias
Pepperoni rolls (pepp rolled into crescent rolls) dipped in spag sauce
McD type pancake griddles
Microwaveable White Tower small burgers
Ad infinitum

I forgot about tacos/nachos! If I might brag for a moment, I make AWESOME tacos! :)

Ground beef (or chicken, pork, turkey, sausage)
1 can corn
1 can black beans
1 package rice (prepared; white or flavored, your preference)
Taco seasoning mix
Toppings (cheese, sour cream, salsa, hot sauce, etc)

Cook the ground beef and add the corn, beans and seasoning mix. Let simmer and add the prepared rice. Let simmer until liquids are more absorbed and everything is well mixed. Spoon over tortilla chips, into soft or hard taco shells. If with soft taco shells, roll onto plate (burrito-like) and top with salsa, sour cream, cheese, hot sauce, whatever you like. Knife and fork required! :)

Feel free to use the large size corn tortillas for tacos for larger hands. You only have to make one large taco instead of two smaller ones.


Feel free to use the whole wheat large tortillas too. They are very tender and crispy

Don't forget the veggies. Kids can't concentrate to do their homework without veggies. Human's can't live solely on flour (ground up grains).

Have the older kids help cut up celery and carrot sticks

Make them veggie soaps.

Use canned soaps and then add fresh veggies to them. Chop up the veggies ahead of time and store them in a glass container with olive oil. They last longer in glass with olive oil.

Here is a really good and SIMPLE chicken soup recipe:

Buy a package of legs only (or thighs) and cook them in a large pot of water. When they are done cooking add what ever vegestables you want. You can add about a tablespoon of rice. Add an onion cut in half. Add salt to flavor. Optional: tomatoe sauce for color and flavoring.

By cutting the veggies is large size, you can easily select the veggies out of the soup to customize each plate with whatever veggies each person will eat.

A whole cut up chicken works too.

Enjoy!!

P.S. I add very small pieces of carrots and zuchini to my meatloaf. About a tablespoon of each. It's a good way to introduce veggies to non veggie eaters.

Another P.S. remove the skin from the chicken.