THE INCREASINGLY WARMER weather lately has been perfect for long lunches in the park, which brings me to the subject of make-ahead recipes.

Summer is no time for a thrown-together sandwich eaten at your desk. With a little planning ahead, you can create any number of vibrant, tasty lunches that are perfect for eating inside or out.

So why not go beyond the usual ham and cheese sandwich this week, and pack a tasty and exciting lunch that you can savour in the nearest park or just in the comfort of your office canteen?

1. Healthy Pot Noodles, from One Yummy Mummy
These one pot noodles can be made a day or two in advance and tossed in a little sesame oil and soy sauce before eaten. A super quick and healthy recipe. Plus, it uses storecupboard ingredients- so it’s great end of week option. Add in whatever veggies you have to hand.

2. Coronation Potatoes with Mango and Almonds, from Deliciously Ella
This healthy take on a coronation sauce is packed with flavour from a delicious blend of curry powder, garam masala, cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Serve on a bed of quinoa and summer vegetables for a vibrant desk lunch.

3. Squash, Chickpea and Feta Burgers, from Delalicious
These miniature burgers are packed with veggies, protein from chickpeas, and full of Mediterranean flavours with sundried tomatoes, olives and fennel seeds. I love mine in a wrap packed with pesto, leaves and hummus.

4. Vegetable Minestrone Soup with Pesto, from The Tiny Italian
A vegetable minestrone soup is a wholesome and tasty meal that can be made in batches and simply reheated in the office microwave. Perfect for those Irish ‘summer’ days when you regret leaving your warm jumper at home. This version from The Tiny Italian is topped with a dollop of pesto which really brings those delicious Italian flavours to life.

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5. Spicy Sriracha Chicken Salad, from Donal Skehan
This vibrant salad is packed with colour and flavour, and is definitely anything but boring! Make a big batch of this to keep you going for 2 or 3 days, and mix things up by serving the chicken on a bed of rice noodles instead of leaves.

6. Beef Taco Salad, from Natural Born Feeder
Made with sautéed mince and roasted sweet potato, this dish will keep you satisfied until dinner. It is so easy to make, bursting with flavour and you can customise the ingredients depending on what you have in the house. Top with spicy sriracha sauce if you like things extra hot!

More: 6 of the best… weekend breakfasts that feel fancier than they are>