Recipes for a Meal On-the-Go: Tuna Salad Pita Pockets or Italian Tote Along Sandwich

For the days when you have to eat and run or even eat on the go, try these Tuna Salad Pita Pockets.  They are also good for brown bagging, picnics, etc.  If you don’t like tuna, try the Italian Tote Along Sandwich.  It makes enough to feed the family or refrigerate extra for lunches throughout the week.  You can have a meal by adding some baby carrots, a bag of chips, and/or a banana.

TUNA SALAD PITA POCKETS

2 pita breads, cut in half
3 cans (5-oz each) chunk light tuna, drained and flaked
1 tbsp minced onion
1/4 cup shredded carrot
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest, optional
mayonnaise
4 lettuce leaves

In a small mixing bowl, combine the tuna, onion, carrot and lemon zest; stir with a fork to blend. Add enough mayonnaise to make mixture of the texture to suit your taste. Line each half of a pita pocket with a lettuce leaf. Divide the tuna salad into 4 parts and use to stuff the lettuce lined pita pockets.

ITALIAN TOTE ALONG SANDWICH

1 loaf (1 lb) Italian bread
1 pkg (3-oz) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup basil pesto
4 oz thin sliced provolone cheese
1/2 lb sliced salami
8 bottled banana peppers, stemmed, seeded, sliced
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup sliced ripe olives, drained

Split loaf of bread in half horizontally. Scoop some of the soft bread from the bottom half but leave at least a half inch thick bottom. Spread the cream cheese on each cut side of the bread. Spread the pesto over the cream cheese on the bottom half of the bread. On the bottom half, layer the provolone cheese, salami, banana peppers, red onion slices, and sliced olives. Drizzle a little Italian dressing on sandwich over the olives if desired. Place the top half of the bread atop the sandwich and press down lightly.

Wrap sandwich tightly in plastic wrap for toting to a picnic, etc. Before serving, cut in six sections and top each with a cherry tomato on a long pick, if desired. If taking for lunch, cut into sections of desired size and wrap each separately. Store extras in refrigerator.

Enjoy!