Would you pack Pinterest's top sandwich in your kid's lunch?
With the end of school up ahead and summer coming soon, you might want to grab some inspiration from this highly popular meal.
Photo: iStockphoto
Ah, sandwiches. Some kids love 'em, some kids hate 'em. With the end of school just around the corner, you're probably loathing them right about by now. But here's some good news: According to Pinterest's user base, bread sandwiches are soooo not on-trend right now.
Wait, what?
Yeap, Pinterest's most-pinned sandwich is in fact, not really a sandwich at all. It's made up of cucumber slices putting the squeeze on cheese and roast beef—and it's been pinned nearly 800,000 times.
Apparently there are plenty of sandwich-haters out there determined to create alternatives to those boring sliced-bread things. The second most popular "sandwich" on Pinterest right now is a no-bread Italian sub roll-up from Our Paleo Life and it's been shared around 160,000 times.
And the third most popular (pinned 100,000 times)—a granola crunch apple-peanut butter sandwich wrap from Two Healthy Kitchens—only appears to be a little more sandwich-like.
This trend obviously serves those on gluten-free and paleo diets, but parents of sandwich-hating kids can rejoice: There are loads of fresh new ideas here. And they'll come in handy maybe even sooner than you think because as every parent knows, even when school ends, the lunch-packing doesn't (hello, summer camp).
So if you're running low on lunch inspo, look to these recipes for kids who hate sandwiches:
8 lunch recipes for kids who hate sandwiches
”Fried” Chicken Fingers
These baked, cornflake coated fingers are convincing fried chicken imposters for two reasons: First, they’re nice and crunchy; second, the leftovers are super good eaten cold. Tuck them confidently into your kid’s lunchbox—and don’t forget his favourite dip. Get the recipe: “Fried” Chicken Fingers
Homemade Alphabet Pasta
Who can say no to classic alphabet pasta? Not quite as quick as cracking a can, this homemade version has sneaky zucchini, red pepper and carrot hidden in the sauce. Make it the night before, then reheat and fill the Thermos. Get the recipe: Homemade Alphabet Pasta
One-Pot Mac and Cheese
This easy, creamy one-pot mac and cheese is the answer to ‘What’s for lunch?’. It cooks up in just 20 little minutes. Get the recipe: One-Pot Mac and Cheese
Lacey-Edged Latkes
Potato pancakes make a pretty fun lunchbox surpise. These minis beg to be dunked in sour cream, ketchup or apple sauce. Add hummus and veggies to the mix for some protein. Get the recipe: Lacey-Edged Latkes
Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs on Rice
Here’s a modern twist on an old favourite: sweet and sour meatballs on top of steaming white rice. Hot lunches are the best lunches. Get the recipe: Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs on Rice
Hockey Rink Three-Cheese Pizza
No need to wait for pizza day, make your own at home and send the leftovers to school. Cold pizza—this one is “ice” cold!—is actually scientifically proven to be more delicious. Get the recipe: Hockey Rink Three-Cheese Pizza
Beef Satay with Thai Dipping Sauce
Lunch on sticks and with dip? Best! Pack these tender beef skewers with super-tasty soy-nut butter dip and your your kid will be the dip-master of the lunch room. Get the recipe: Beef Satay with Thai Dipping Sauce
Curried Lentil-Coconut Soup
This thick soup is stick-to-their-ribs hearty but not too bold in flavour. Pack with whole wheat pita and raw veggies and call it lunch. Get the recipe: Curried Lentil-Coconut Soup
Read more: 10 bento box lunch ideas your kids will love 15 vegetarian dinner recipes that aren't pasta 10 super easy portable hot lunch recipes
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Emily is a content and social strategist, writer, editor and producer based in Toronto, Ontario. Her work can also be found in Chatelaine and on FLAREdotcom.