Brown Bag Lunches That Will Send You Packing It’s always been a challenge to create school lunches kids will actually eat. Cookies and chips always seem to get snapped up, while snadwiches and fmit never make it out of the bag. Careful shopping can help make lunches both sweet and nutritious. Lots of people—kids and adults—are choosing to “Brown Bag It” these days. Some carry lunches to control the quality and quantity of what they eat; others to cut costs, save time, or to cut calo ries. Besides, most people feel that a homemade lunch tastes belter. Whatever the reason, the basis for most bag lunches is the sandwich. A good lunch includes protein, fresh fruits or vegetables, bread and a beverage. Let’s take a look at each of these. The only limit on sandwich combinations is your imagination and your refrigerator. Some of the suggestions may sound strange, but give them a try. Protein •Cheese: slice or grate; combine . C old pizza with pickles, nuts, onion or *yogurt-good by itself or mixed crushed pineapple. with cut up fruits or vegetables. •Nuts: try chopped walnuts and Fruits and Vegetables raisins with cream cheese. Pack a t least one fruit or veget •Peanut butter: in addition to the able, preferably fresh. Offer some old standbys of jelly or honey, try 0 f t h e less common fruits. Try raisins, sliced apple or banana, switching from apples and oranges chopped prunes, Swiss cheese, let- to strawberries, pears, cherries, tuce and mayonaise. grapes, oiange sections, sliced •Egg: mix chopped, hard pineapple, melon wedges, berries, cooked egg with yogurt or mayon- plums and pears or grapes once in a naise. For variety, add one of the while. For a change from carrot following: onion, celery, green/ slicks try lettuce wedges, cherry pepper, raisins, grated carrot or tomatoes, cauliflower and florets zucchini, nuts, olives, grated or cucumber strips, cheese or chopped pecans. If you’re sending canned fruit, •Fish: if you cook fish for din- drain off the sugary syrup and put Recipe Topics If you have recipes for the topics listed below, please share them with us. We welcome your recipes, but ask that you include accurate measurements, a complete list of ingredients and clear instructions with each recipe you submit. Send your recipes to Lou Ann Good, Lan caster Farming, P.O. Box 366, Lititz, PA 17543 Sept. 24- Oct. 1- 8- Get out your recipe files and send your favorite pork recipe to Lancaster Farming. During October in honor of Pork Month, we will feature YOUR favorite recipes using pork products. Whether it is stir-fry, grilled, broiled, or cooked, we want to hear from you.* When you send a recipe, the state Pork Women’s Council will mail you a free barbecue apron. The aprons, which are made from navy blue, high quality poly/cotton twill, are suitable for both men and women. LIMIT: ONE PER FAMILY. Make sure you include your name and full address so your apron will not be delayed. Send your recipe to Lancaster Farming Pork Promotion, P.O. Box 366. Lititz, PA 17543. ner, cook enough for tomorrow’s sandwiches. Mix with mayonnaise or tartar sauce. Add lettuce for col or and extra nutrition. •Meat: what did you have for dinner last night? Meatloaf? Ham? Chicken? Roast beef? Slice it and add a pickle, or chop it and mix with other chopped good ies...celery, fruit or other vegetables. •Processed lunch meats (bolog na, salami) are tasty and quick, however they arc expensive, and can be high in fat and sodium. A brown bag lunch docs not have to mean a sandwich. In fact, lunch without a sandwich opens up many possibilities, one of which is less preparation. Try: •a hard cooked egg left in the shell—nature’s protective covering. •cold, cooked meat such as a chicken leg or several slices of roast beef or pork. •cubes of cheese and meat Breakfasts For Hungry People Pork Month Pork Month Pork Bored with the same old lunch? Try cream cheese on a bagel. Top with sliced apples and sprinkle with raisins, nuts and dates. the fruit in a plastic container. Bread Provides energy, vitamins and fiber. Use either whole grain bread or enriched white bread. For varie- ty, try rolls, bagels or crackers Beverage Milk is recommended. Fruit juice is fine, if the lunch contains some cheese or yogurt for calcium. Avoid soda and high sugar drinks. Snacks or Desserts Try to keep them simple and low in sugar and fat. Some possibilities could be fresh fruit, oatmeal cook ies, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, unsalted popcorn or peanuts. A surprise can brighten your child’s or your spouse’s day. A note that says, “I love you,” a short poem or a funny picture will cer tainly be a hit. (Turn to Page B 8) Featured Recipe Darlene Burkholder, Alburtis, goes whole hog over pork- the other white meat. “Pork has come a long way in recent years,” she said, “It’s lean and nutritions.” She believes that cooks unaccustomed to the new breed of pork often over code it and destroy its natural flavor. As the National Pork Women Council Director, a fulltime nurse and the wife of Stephen Burkholder who was named the PA Pork All-American, Darlene has a file full of fresh ideas for pork. If you’d like to learn how you can win a barbecue apron through the exciting pork promotion that she tihs planned, read page 816. In the meantime, try her favorite pork recipe. Bavarian Pork Dinner 2 cups cubed red potatoes 'A cup water 1 small onion 1 can 16 ounces washed/drained sauerkraut > 2 pound boneless loin roast 1 medium apple (cored and thinly diced) 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon caraway seed 2 tablespoons flour 1 cup apple juice Browning Agents: 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes '/• teaspoon minced garlic 'A teaspoon lemon pepper In large floured cooking bag, combine potatoes, onion rings, and water. Microwave at high for 7 minutes or until potatoes ‘stick’ done. During this, rub the exterior of the roast with the mixture for browning. To the potatoe/onion mixture, combine sauerkraut, brown sugar, lemon juice, diced apples, and caraway seed. Top with pork loin and close cooking bag, venting the tied end. Micro wave at 30% power for 20-25 minutes, inverting the roast at this time. Microwave roast at 30% power for another 20-25 minutes. At this time, add the apple juice, flour combination. Microwave at 30% power for 5-10 minutes, or with, roast reaches 155 degrees. Allow standing time of approximately 10-15 minutes. Garnish with cored apples and parsley. .