I recently started working from home. The hardest part to adjust to is not learning how to manage my time or switching to a more casual wardrobe — it's figuring out what to eat for lunch. For the last three-plus years, I've had a deli, restaurant, or something in my building or nearby neighborhood that I'd go to with co-workers. Now, it's my kitchen. And while the leftovers often call my name, I often find the components of my fridge uninspiring. So, I'm starting on this journey of mastering the at-home lunch.

I want my at-home lunch to be (in no particular order):

1. Delicous

2. Filling (aka I don't want to eat another meal mid-afternoon)

3. Not cost me an arm and a leg at the grocery store

4. Use up ingredients I have on hand (see #3)

5. Healthy

6. Fast and easy to make

My mission is to explore the world of sandwiches and salads in hopes of finding a formula that works for me. I'll be sharing those adventures with you here, and hopefully we can find some tasty lunches together — because another grilled cheese sandwich or a bowl of popcorn for lunch, is just not going to do the trick forever.

My first recipe is a quick salad, made with a combination of leftovers and things in my fridge or pantry. It's essentially a taco salad. Here's what you need:

Taco Salad

Serves 1

Ingredients:

Dressing

• 1/8 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1/8 cup lime juice

• chili powder

• salt

• pepper

Salad

• lettuce, torn

• leftover fajita meat (I had chicken)

• leftover fajita veggies (I used bell peppers and onions)

• grated cheese

• guacamole

• sour cream

Directions:

Whisk the olive oil and lime juice together. Add chili powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Whisk together.

Assemble the salad by combining the lettuce, meat, and veggies. Toss salad dressing with ingredients in bowl. Top with cheese, guacamole, and sour cream. Enjoy!

Other things you could add to the salad: broken tortilla chips, beans, salsa, and really whatever else floats your boat!

I would definitely make this salad again. Not only was it fast, easy, and delicious, it felt pretty healthy too! With the right proportions of protein and veggies, it makes a very filling lunch.

What is your favorite way to turn leftovers into a salad?