Victor Kuntz's 2-Minute Healthy Lunch

When he doesn’t have time to cook at home, he often puts together this plate: the chef shares his quick idea for a balanced lunch on extremely busy middays.

A meeting ends at 1:30 and the next one starts at 2:00. You’re working from home and you’ll be grabbing lunch in a hurry again. In situations like that you usually grab a yogurt or a piece of fruit, and later you find yourself nibbling on cookies in front of the screen because you’re still hungry. “You should’ve made an omelet, it’s fast!” your partner says. True, but you didn’t want to deal with dishes. We get it: when you’re pressed for time even the smallest chore feels like a chore. It might not take long, but it weighs on your mental load. Still, putting together a quick, satisfying lunch can be far simpler than it seems, says Victor Kuntz, a Top Chef semifinalist. When he’s rushed he avoids extra dishes. He shared his “lazy recipe” with us: a healthy bite ready in two minutes flat.

“During the week I’m rarely at home. If you peeked in my fridge you wouldn’t find much!,” the chef jokes. He often eats out, but sometimes he’ll make himself something quick after work. After a day spent cooking he doesn’t feel like turning back to the stove. In those moments he keeps it super simple: “When I’m in a rush, here’s what I make: stracciatella and beet toasts. It’s my lazy go-to.“

He starts by toasting slices of sandwich bread in a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil. “I use the Les Rustiques line from Harrys. I’m partial to the semi-whole version — it almost tastes like real sourdough,” he says. Once the bread is golden, he spreads a generous spoonful of stracciatella cheese on top. Then he layers a few slices of cooked beet, sprinkles on some finely chopped chives and finishes with a pinch of fleur de sel. That’s it — a filling snack with fiber and protein that helps stave off afternoon cravings.

Sandwich bread toasting in a skillet with olive oil — Toast bread quickly in a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil to avoid extra dishes.

It’s a handy trick to remember on busy days. With a handful of items in the fridge and pantry you can cobble together a fast midday meal without complicated cooking or a sink full of dishes — and avoid reaching for the cookie jar at 4 p.m.