Back to work lunches: Tips for making lunch al desko better
The Good Food team's treats and tricks to ease the transition from home to office.
Some like it hot (or cold)
I've loved eating wholesome salads and reheated leftovers for lunch while working at home. So call me crazy but I'm thinking of spending $75 on an insulated, leakproof bento box that can keep hot things hot and cold things cold – in the same box. Mind. Blown. OmieBox Hot & Cold Lunch Box, thebentobuzz.com.au, $74.95 – Roslyn Grundy
Spice of (office) life
Regrets, I have a few, wasting thousands of bucks over the years on disappointing al desko salads a big one. No more! I am finally going to stock my office drawer with a cute kit of condiments that'll make everything taste more interesting, Tabasco, sriracha, flaky sea salt, tamari, sesame oil and chilli flakes among them. And a bottle opener for, you know, about 5pm on a Friday – Andrea McGinniss
Pour me another
As any black tea lover knows, leaf is a thousand times better than bag. There are plenty of small one- or two-cup teapots on the market that come with built-in strainers to cut down on desk mess. T2 has a whole range ($32-$62) at t2tea.com, or try a 500ml Unitea glass teapot ($68) from simplebeautifulthings.com.au – Louise Radcliffe-Smith
Ziplock bags begone
I'll be stashing my sangers in a Stasher sandwich bag. The reusable and hard-wearing silicone bags have a sturdy press-seal and can be thrown in the dishwasher at the end of the day. Plus they come in a range of transparent pastel colours. From $29.95 at stasherbag.com.au – Annabel Smith
Japanese magic
There's a vending machine within metres from my desk, and every afternoon, about deadline time, the Smith's Chips siren call beckons. However, in 2022, I'm going to fight the urge to scoff unhealthy rubbish with the power of shichimi togarashi. The Japanese pepper mix adds so much flavour to nutritious snacks, it could almost turn a baby cucumber into a Barbecue Shape. Find the S&B brand at major supermarkets – I go through a shaker of the stuff a week – Callan Boys
Tea as medicine
Whether you're heading into the office or still in COVID limbo, you can lift your beverage game by trying a new tea. Gulbarn is a traditional bush medicine that was used by the Alawa people for thousands of years. Now it's wild-harvested, hand-picked and packaged by Alawa families from the community of Minyerri, in the Northern Territory. Its subtle aroma has notes of sweet citrus, tea tree and eucalyptus. $49 for 65g jar from gulbarn.com.au – Megan Johnston