Breakfast is known as the most important meal of the day, but that doesn’t mean that lunch isn’t. We may have busy days, but it is important to take a break and to enjoy some good food in the middle of our days.
Lunch doesn’t have to be boring either. We’ve all had mediocre sandwiches or last night’s leftovers at one point or another. There’s no need for lunch to stay this way. Treat yourself to a gourmet dish at a fine dining restaurant establishment and give this meal the attention that it deserves.
Here are eight of the best gourmet lunch ideas to get you started:
1. Warm ravioli salad
Pasta may sound simple, but it can be easily elevated into the best gourmet lunch ideas. It comes in so many shapes and sizes, it can be topped or even stuffed with such a wide variety of sauces and vegetables and meats. It doesn’t make for a very light lunch though. That is, unless you make it into a salad (and I am most definitely not talking about the pasta salad that you see pre-packaged in the grocery store).
This salad starts with warm ravioli. The raviolis are combined with lots of fresh arugula and some sweet cherry tomatoes. This salad is then topped with crumbled feta or goat cheese as well as pecorino romano. Not to mention the spices and herbs – oregano, pepper flakes, garlic – that are mixed in and add a punch of flavour to this dish. The result is a warm salad full of rich flavours bursting through in every bite.
2. Persian herb and leek frittata
Frittatas, an Italian baked egg dish, are a stylish brunch item. Why not try a Persian spin on the dish? And why not extend those delicious brunch foods into lunch time? This Persian frittata features large amounts of herbs. Usually leek, cilantro, dill and parsley. These are mixed in with eggs and baked just as an Italian frittata would be. The result is an incredibly fragrant dish.
3. Quinoa, fennel and pomegranate salad
This salad is filled with colourful super-ingredients and guaranteed to make the person sitting next to you at lunch jealous. It is essentially what its name tells you: a mixture of cooked quinoa, chopped fennel and pomegranate seed.
Quinoa is an ancient grain originating from the Andes and pomegranate seeds are full of antioxidants. Not only is this salad incredibly healthy, but this simple combination of ingredients also packs in the flavour. Quinoa makes a great base for the combination the fennel’s anise flavour and the sharp flavour of the pomegranate. This salad is beautiful, healthy and delicious.
4. Roasted mushroom and herb salad
This salad is wonderfully savory and earthy. The base is made using a mixture of roasted mushrooms and arugula. It is then flavoured with fresh basil, dill and parsley and some Dijon mustard. As with most gourmet lunch ideas, it is simple, but the judicious combinations of quality ingredients make the dish nothing short of elegant.
5. Chorizo and roasted red pepper sandwich
Sandwiches are a lunch staple. They also aren’t usually a gourmet meal. This can easily be changed, if you use the right ingredients. First, take some quality bread from the local bakery: maybe a multigrain loaf or a Khorasan flour loaf. Then, top your slices with quality ingredients: chorizo and roasted red peppers make a great combination.
Spanish chorizo is one of the best gourmet lunch ideas for those who love flavourful and spicy foods. The roasted red peppers are sweet and complement the spice in the meat. The Spanish-inspired ingredients will have you dreaming of your next vacation while you savour every bite.
6. Artichoke Galette with Herbs
Artichokes and puff pastry – yum! This dish is a wonderful galette topped not only with artichokes but also sundried tomato, garlic, leeks, parsley, thyme and olive oil. Just think of a fine buttery and flakey pastry topped with succulent artichokes. As if that wasn’t enough, the herbs and sundried tomatoes really bring out and enhance the flavours.
7. Lasagna
Lasagna is a staple, something that might once have been yesterday’s leftovers. Forget about that, this dish can be made into something far more special. Try a celery root and mushroom lasagne. This is a lasagna that is baked in a rich white sauce and topped with mozzarella and fresh basil leaves.
8. Avocado toast
It’s oh so simple, but also oh so delicious, and even healthy. Gourmet meals do not always need to be complicated. In fact, it’s often more about choosing the finest ingredients. Avocado toast has become a brunch staple, so why not make it a lunch one as well?
A slice of freshly baked bread, topped with some smashed avocado is delicious. It can be made even better by adding the correct garnished. Some lime juice and spices like pepper and chili will add a little punch and a touch of zest to the dish. Then, to turn this staple into a true gourmet masterpiece, add some fresh arugula, a few cherry tomatoes, an egg and a few sprigs of fresh basil.
