Ingredients (Serves 4 adults):

• One medium sized broccoli (about 300 g), cut into smaller pieces
• One small carrot, sliced
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (or similar)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
• Water for blanching

Cooking Instructions:

Step 1:  Heat up some water in the saucepan.

Step 2:  When it is boiling, add the olive oil and salt.  Thereafter, put in the sliced carrots and broccoli.

Step 3:  When both vegetables are cooked, take them out with a strainer to drain away any excess water.  Set aside in a salad bowl.

Step 4:  Add the oyster sauce and toss the vegetables till it is well mixed.

Step 5:  If you are preparing it for your lunch box, place the broccoli immediately in your thermos food jar to keep it warm.  You can also choose to store them in a microwave-safe container and reheat them at your workplace.

This method of cooking does without the need for stir-frying with a wok, so cleaning up is also a breeze, especially if you are rushing to work.

There are other vegetables that can be cooked this way too, like brussel sprouts, kailan, xiao bai chye, etc.

Remember to include more vegetables in your diet always!

It is important to know at least how the food should be stored after cooking and the type of containers that are most suitable.  Basic food safety and hygiene procedures during the cooking process should also be kept to as well.  You wouldn’t want all the money you saved from bringing lunchbox meals to end up at the doctor’s right?  LOL.

Here are some tips to share with you:

For items that should be kept chilled, like salads, sushi, cold cuts, yogurt, milk, always transport them in an insulated bag with a cooler pack.

For hot meals, it is most convenient to transport them in a thermos flask.  Single thermos flasks are great for a single-dish soup meal.  But if you have two dishes and rice, there are also thermos flasks with three or four compartments to separate them.  Just take them out one by one and it will look like you are having a feast!

For simpler meals like peanut butter sandwiches, muffins, cookies, or roast chicken pitas, that does not require any heating up, you can store them in a normal plastic container.

For lunchbox meals that are cooked in advance, for e.g., the night before, you have to be extra careful though in handling your food for the next day.

• Make sure the cooked food is allowed to cool before storing in the fridge.
• If you intend to reheat the food with a microwave at your workplace, remember to store your food in microwave-safe containers only as normal containers may melt during heating and contaminate your food.  In the morning, transfer your containers from the fridge directly into an insulated bag (preferably with a cooler pack) so that it stays cool till your lunch time.
• If you intend to bring your food in a thermos flask, reheat them thoroughly at home before transferring them into the flask.  Make sure the cover is sealed well to keep the food warm.

When reheating food in a microwave, make sure the lunchbox is steaming hot before taking it out.  I usually do a “Defrost” for 1 minute, followed by a “Medium High” setting for 2 minutes.  If you suspect that the food is not hot enough, do reheat another minute.  If you see steam coming out of the food, it should be ready.

These are what I usually take note of while preparing my lunch box meals and so far everything has been fine (no tummy aches and visits to the doctor).  LOL.

Looks like I must be doing it quite right?

You can too!