The Little Book of Lunch ─ 100 Recipes & Ideas to Reclaim the Lunch Hour

The beautiful, internationally acclaimed guide to turning your midday meal into a masterpiece—featuring 100 easy, inexpensive, delicious recipes designed to be made ahead of time with just a few ingredients.

There’s something depressing about “running out” to “grab lunch.” Sandwiches, soups, salads, sushi: the choices are overwhelming. But when’s the last time you really enjoyed eating lunch while hunched over your keyboard?

That’s why Caroline Craig and Sophie Missing have reclaimed the noon hour for all those who love a tasty bite. Dining “al desko” doesn’t have to mean another weary forkful of a sad salad. Instead, lunch can be one of life’s great simple pleasures—especially when it’s made at home in just a few minutes, from ingredients you have on hand.

Craig and Missing know firsthand the challenges of busy schedules, tiny salaries, and no spare time. They share their hard-won wisdom in 100 recipes littered with time-saving techniques and tips to make each meal special—plus weekly menus and Sunday shopping lists to make it all that much easier.

The Little Book of Lunch features clever approaches to classics, making them easy for transportation; delicious at room temperature; and quickly assembled for when you barely have five minutes, or for when the cupboards are bare. It includes:

‧ Wholesome, healthy salads like tabouleh and the miracle “rainbow rescue” bowl

‧ Make-ahead meals like grilled halloumi, vegetable and avocado couscous

‧ Inspired twists on tuna salad and the BLT from the Sandwich Hall of Fame

‧ Quick soups like “faux pho” and spicy lentil and coconut

‧ Sweet treats to bribe colleagues, like salted caramel brownies

Caroline Craig grew up in London but comes from a family of fruit farmers and wine producers. A childhood spent gobbling home-grown black truffles, tomatoes and peaches left her with little choice but to shape her life around food and entertaining. Caroline writes a column for The Guardian with co-author Sophie Missing, and works at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Sophie Missing grew up in London and studied English at UCL. She worked in publishing for four years, where she edited lots of delicious cookbooks. She now works as a freelance writer, editor, and occasional food stylist—but still makes a lot of packed lunches.