Elsie’s Grandma’s Chicken Salad

2 c. cooked chicken, chopped

1 c. celery, biased sliced

1 c. green grapes (cut in half)

1/2 c. mayonnaise 

salt, pepper, nutmeg

1/2 c. sliced almonds

1 boiled egg, chopped 

Mix all ingredients, except nuts. Add nuts last.

Cucumber Sandwich Filling

4 pkg cream cheese, softened 
1 c. mayonnaise (more if needed)

4 medium cucumbers (peeled, seeded, finely chopped)
2 t. fresh dill or 1 t. dried dill
1 t. garlic salt

Press the cucumber through a colander to remove excess moisture. Process cream cheese and mayonnaise in a blender or food processor until smooth. Combine mixture, cucumber, dill and garlic salt chill until ready to use to allow flavors to blend.

Yields: 4 c. (Serves 24-32)

Brite’s Curry Chicken Salad

3 lb. chicken, cooked and chopped (5-6 c.)
1/2 sm. red onion, finely diced
1/3 yellow pepper, diced
1/3 c. pecans, chopped
1/4 c. golden raisins
1/2-3/4 c. mayo
1/2-3/4 c. sour cream
2 t. curry powder
1/8 t. pepper
salt, to taste
pinch of dried parsley

Combine ingredients and serve chilled.

Brown Bagging It: Gluten Free

• cubes of meat which have been marinated and grilled (chicken is especially good)
• cubed cheese
• shredded roast with barbecue sauce or seasoning (beef, pork, chicken, venison)
• sliced ham, turkey, or summer sausage (make sure any lunch meats are gluten-free)
• pickle rolls (ham, pickle, cream cheese)
• jerky
• lettuce wraps (like a tortilla wrap with lettuce instead of tortilla)
• chicken, tuna, or egg salad  (with GF crackers, corn chips, or served in an avocado half)
• deviled eggs
• cottage cheese
• trail mix or gluten free granola bars
• homemade Lara bars (dried fruits and nuts ground in food processor and formed into bars)
• green smoothies w/ ground nuts or some other protein added
• avocados
• veggies & dip
• fruit
• sour cream and salsa with tortilla chips
• yogurt or pudding
• potato salad
• carrot raisin salad
• green salad loaded with meats and cheeses
• layered taco dip with chips
• baked beans
• soup in a thermos

2 Printable Blank Lunch Menus

These are similar to my other printable menus, but only have places for weekday lunches. I use these to plan what to pack in my husband's lunch each day. But they would also work well for children who pack their own school lunches.

Weekday Lunch Menu (with room for four weeks worth of lunches)
______'s Lunch Menu (two weeks worth of lunches, for two different individuals)

Tuna Salad



A little bit more mayo than usual, but still good!



2 cans tuna, drained

1 small onion, diced

small handful of fresh spinach, chopped

1 carrot, grated

1/4 c. dried cranberries

1/4 c. grated cheddar cheese

1/4 c. chopped walnuts

1/4 c. sunflower seeds

1/4-1/2 c. mayonaise

Combine tuna, vegetables, dried fruit, cheese, nuts, and seeds. Add mayonaise to taste. Serve in a bowl or wrapped in lettuce or a flour tortilla.

Recipe notes: You can vary ingredients and amounts to suit your taste. I've added flax seed, wheat germ, and raisins at different times. The batch of tuna salad shown in the picture had some fresh diced tomato added.