I'm a SAHM so my lunch isn't put in a bag, but here's something crazy my 5y.o. DS likes in his lunchbox. Leftover fried oysters, and roasted asparagus with tarragon. I like my leftover asparagus cold, but he likes his warmed up. I don't make a aioli much anymore with the remodel going on, but that's fab with cold roasted asparagus.

What discerning tastes for a 5 y.o.! :) I've never had aioli...do you have a recipe? I love asparagus, too. I usually just saute really quickly or grill in the summer.

I was a SAHM for our 4 kids, too...so lots of lunches to pack.

I can't find my favorite aioli recipe. The book got packed in the secondary cookbook box during our move-out for reno. Here's another good one.

Process 2 large egg yolks, 4 t. fresh lemon juice, pinch of sugar, and 1/2 to 1 t. minced garlic in food processor until combined. With the machine running, slowly pour 3/4 c. veggie oil in a steady stream, about 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides. Process 5 more seconds. Add s & p to taste.

It's great with crisp veggies too. Or sometimes I put it on grilled fish if I don't have any compound butter left.

For the asparagus, I toss spears with olive oil, coarse kosher, fresh cracked pepper, and dried tarragon. Then I grill it in summer or oven roast at 475 during the winter. I live in rainy Washington state so we don't grill out all year.

I'm going to try your Arrabiata sauce as the one I made years ago wasn't as good as yours looks!

breezygirl - Thanks for the recipe. Kinda looks like mayo? Do the raw egg yolks ever freak you out? I guess one could always used pasteurized eggs.

I like to cook my asparagus that way, too. Once I tried freshly ground black pepper, there was no going back to the pre-ground stuff. I use a boatload of extra-virgin olive oil...what a lovely invention!

It's very rainy here in Valdez, we even get more than Seattle...conversely, we get the snow, too. This year has been bizarre, though...we've gotten more just plain cold & lots of hurricane-force winds.

Let me know how the Arrabbiata sauce turns out for you...remember to only use the fresh basil :) I use more than called for 'cause, well...it's just plain "Good Eats" as my hero Alton Brown would say :)

Also a SAHM, so no lunch packed for me or DH, who works from home.

Here's what was in the boys' lunches this morning.

WD's lunch.(14yo) GF Brown Rice & Flax Seed Linguine with Mussels in a Lemon Garlic Sauce. He also got a bottle of water, an apple, and some chips.

SB's lunch.(6yo) Turkey sandwich with sambal aioli(from a jar) cut with cookie cutters in a heart shape, and rabbit shape. The rabbit's eye is a sliver of pickle. Carrots & dip. Yes I've read the article about baby carrots, but they're thoroughly washed & peeled and I'm not obsessing about it. Also fruit chews & a juice pouch.

WD is gluten-free to help control his ADHD, so it's imperative that I pack him somewhat exciting lunches. I just like using cookie cutters with sandwiches for SB. That sambal aioli is his favorite sandwich topping.

Today my kids (6th grade DS, 8th grade DD) got home made apple pie for dessert in their lunches.

We celebrated Pi day yesterday (3.14) with, of course, pie. Quiche for dinner and apple pie for dessert. Good dessert left overs today!

Usually their lunches consist of a plain sandwich for DD (just bread and salami - that's what she likes!), with fruit, water, dessert. DS likes a mega sandwich -- a few kinds of meat, lettuce, tomato, cheese on a roll; plus the sides. Sometimes they do hot lunches, with soup or left over pasta or meat in a Thermos. DS is more adventurous - he likes to add salsa and other things to sandwiches. And he put extra hot sauce in our very spicy gumbo on Mardi Gras, while DD was reaching for her water glass due to the spice.

I usually work from a home office, so I mostly eat left overs. Occassional trips to Whole Foods for sushi. Yum. When I work from our downtown office, I eat wherever my office buddies are going, and I pack some fruit in my brief case. (Clementines are perfect to-go food, IMO.)

Lax - great pics! I'm coming to your house for lunch today.

laxsupermom...WOW! You should check out Bento box lunches with your creativity. I'll like a site below...
Here's another site: http://www.laptoplunches.com/

chicagoans - lucky kids to get homemade pie :) Funny how your kids can be so different, huh? I love Whole Foods. Don't have any in Alaska but I'll be in California next week so I get to visit one soon :) I also love Trader Joe's so TJ, here I come!

Here is a link that might be useful: Bento Box lunches

My loved one just phoned and what's in him right now is cheap pizza. ;-)

circuspeanut - LOL I did catch that grammar error after I posted. Once it's out there...all bets are off. Figured someone would have fun with it :) Thanks for my morning laugh LOL