Out of packed lunch ideas? Fear not, Nomsters: I’ll save the day with Part 5 of Paleo Lunchboxes 2014, my collaboration with the super-stainless-steel-container-makers at LunchBots!

Paleo Lunchboxes 2014 (Part 5 of 7) by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Today’s packed lunch shines the spotlight on one of my favorite finger foods: Egg Foo Young patties! These portable protein- and veggie-packed savory pancakes are totally customizable with whatever you have sitting in your fridge. (Except for maybe that mushy pile of melting vegetables that you forgot about in the back of your crisper.)

My original recipe for Egg Foo Young is up on this blog, but readers of my cookbook know that I’ve since published a streamlined version in Nom Nom Paleo: Food For Humans. (If you don’t have my cookbook—shame, shame! Lucky for you, I don’t hold a grudge. You can find adaptations of my Egg Foo Young recipe here and here.)

Paleo Lunchboxes 2014 (Part 5 of 7) by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

I’m not pulling your leg when I say that Egg Foo Young’s a crowd pleaser and so dang easy to make. Seriously: I even made a batch for Chef Pete Evans when we cooked together back in March—on camera!—because I knew there was no chance I’d goof.

For today’s lunch, I’ve paired these tasty patties with a warm thermal LunchBots container filled with Garbage Soup because they’re a match made in lunch heaven.

Paleo Lunchboxes 2014 (Part 5 of 7) by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Ready to make this lunch? Then read up on my pro tips to ensure perfect Egg Foo Young patties!

I make Egg Foo Young about once every couple of weeks, and I always fry up a double batch. Why? ’Cause they’re a great way to use up leftover meat. Besides, the patties taste great cold, and they last for up to a week in the fridge. Pretty great, right?

Paleo Lunchboxes 2014 (Part 5 of 7) by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Paleo Lunchboxes 2014 (Part 5 of 7) by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Also, for this dish, I always use thawed frozen spinach that I’ve squeezed dry instead of fresh spinach. The fresh stuff is awesome, but it can make your patties waterlogged—and no one likes soggy Egg Foo Young.

Paleo Lunchboxes 2014 (Part 5 of 7) by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

To get uniform size patties, use a disher to portion out the batter, and flatten each mound into a symmetrical circle with the back of a large spoon.

Paleo Lunchboxes 2014 (Part 5 of 7) by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

After you’ve formed a patty, make sure to cook it undisturbed for about 3 minutes before you flip it. You’ll be rewarded with a pancake that flips easily and you’ll have a nicely browned surface, too.

Paleo Lunchboxes 2014 (Part 5 of 7) by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

I’ll say it again: make extras. Always.

Paleo Lunchboxes 2014 (Part 5 of 7) by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Pack an insulated container filled with piping hot soup…

Paleo Lunchboxes 2014 (Part 5 of 7) by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

…add some fresh fruit, and you’re all set!

Paleo Lunchboxes 2014 (Part 5 of 7) by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

One last note for the adults: pack a small condiment container filled with Paleo Sriracha so you can dip your patties in some hot, hot heat.

Paleo Lunchboxes 2014 (Part 5 of 7) by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

I bet you and your kids can’t wait to dig into this one!

Paleo Lunchboxes 2014 (Part 5 of 7) by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

For those of you new to this Paleo packed lunch series, check out parts one, two, three, and four. I’ll have the next segment up soon, so sit tight!

(Check out my epic roundup of Paleo Packed Lunchboxes here!)


Looking for more recipes? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my Webby Award-winning iPad® app, and in my New York Times best-selling cookbook, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel, December 2013).

About Michelle Tam

Hello! My name is Michelle Tam, and I love to eat. I think about food all the time. It borders on obsession. I’ve always loved the sights and smells of the kitchen. My mother was (and is) an excellent cook, and as a kid, I was her little shadow as she prepared supper each night. From her, I gained a deep, abiding love for magically transforming pantry items into mouth-watering family meals.

Other Recipes You May Like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *