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Ploughman's Lunch

UK

Ploughman's Lunch

A traditional British cold lunch platter with cheese, pickles, and fresh vegetables.

~10 mintotal~810 kcalper serving~38g protein~80g carbs~40g fat

Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients using the UK food composition tables, so treat it as a guide rather than a measurement. A typical recipe lands within about a quarter of the true figure. Makes about 1.

Ingredients

  • 1-2 handfuls lettuce leaves
  • 1-2 tomatoes, sliced
  • ½ cucumber, sliced
  • 1 apple, sliced
  • 100g cheddar or preferred cheese
  • 2 tbsp chutney or pickle
  • 80g crusty bread or crackers

Cooking Steps

  1. Wash and slice lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and apples

  2. Create a platter with cheese, bread, chutney, and vegetables

  3. Add protein if desired (eggs, ham, nuts)

  4. Sprinkle with herbs or cracked black pepper

Optional Enhancements

  • Add boiled eggs
  • Add sliced ham or roasted chickpeas
  • Add radishes, celery, or beetroot
  • Add fresh herbs like parsley or chives

Plant & Growing Tips

  • Lettuce: Sow regularly spring-autumn. Grow in partial shade in summer
  • Tomatoes: Grow in greenhouses or sunny patios. Feed weekly once fruit sets
  • Cucumber: Grow in greenhouse or warm corner. Provide vertical support
  • Apples: Plant bare-root trees in winter. Prune annually

Natural Pest Control

  • Basil near tomatoes: improves flavour and repels pests
  • Chives deter aphids on cucumbers
  • Companion flowers attract pollinators
  • Bird nets protect ripening apples

Harvest

  • Lettuce: Pick outer leaves first in cool morning
  • Tomatoes: Pick when fully coloured
  • Cucumbers: Harvest when skins are glossy
  • Apples: Lift gently, and if it comes away easily, it's ready

Storing & Freezing

Assemble fresh. Vegetables keep 2-3 days refrigerated separately.

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