Thinking outside the (Lunch) box!

Who says you have to have sandwiches in your lunch box? Children usually find them unwieldy, boring and they end up as a soggy mess on their laps. Avoid this by removing the filling and serving it on the side!

For example, my children would not eat tomato sandwiches for anything  but would consider a cherry tomato or two as they are much sweeter  than the regular ones. Include this with a couple of slices of cheese and a fresh bread roll all wrapped separately and you essentially have a cheese and tomato sandwich without the mess or waste.

So let us begin with the bread option after all this is a recipe blog! Consider a buttermilk scone instead of your sliced bread. This is a traditional Irish recipe  and can be prepared the night before and stored uncooked in the fridge. When you get up take them out of the fridge turn on the oven and when it is hot enough cook your scones for 15-20 minutes and you have a fresh alternative to your usual bread.

Recipe

• Ingredients
• 400 g / 2 ¾ cups plain flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (Baking soda)
• ½ tsp salt
• 350 ml/ 1 ½ cups buttermilk or natural yogurt thinned with a little milk

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180
2. Sift the dry ingredients into a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Pour in most of the buttermilk. Remember you can add but not take away!
   
   Using one hand or a knife and bring the flour and liquid together, adding more buttermilk if necessary.  The dough should be soft but not too wet and sticky.
3. When the dough comes together, turn onto a floured work surface and bring together a little more.
   
   At this point you can make a loaf by placing the dough in a greased loaf tin. Divide into two rounds and flatten the dough into two rounds about 1.5cm deep. Cut each round into 6 pieces
4. Place the scones onto a floured baking tray and chill in fridge until you are ready to cook. Then bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes. A loaf will take about 35-40 minutes
   
   When ready, the scones will sound slightly hollow when tapped on the base and be golden in colour.
   
   Cheat

No time to bake? Buy a soda farl or loaf from your nearest supermarket and use that instead!