While ordering at work can be tempting, there are faster, cheaper, and more convenient options that can be prepared at home
Here are some nutritious options to pop into your lunch box with minimal effort.
Carrot Shrimp Pulav
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This needs no sides and can be enjoyed from the desk.
Ingredients:
• Carrot – 3 large pieces
• Shrimp – 1 cup
• Grated carrot – 1/4 cup
• Green chilly – 2 pcs
• Onion – 1 small piece
• Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
• Chili powder – 1/2 tsp
• Pepper powder – 1/2 tsp
• Sunflower oil – 2 tbsp
• Coriander leaves finely chopped – 1 tbsp
• Basmati rice cooked – 2 cups
• Ghee – 2 tsp
• Salt as needed
Method:
Peel and grate the carrot.
In a cauldron (kadhai), heat oil and sputter mustard seeds, add sliced onion and fry until translucent.
Add split green pepper, chili powder, salt and shrimp.
Cover and cook shrimp until half, then add grated carrot.
Stir and cook until shrimp and carrot are well cooked.
Add grated coconut and turn off the heat.
In another pan add ghee, salt, pepper powder and cooked basmati rice.
Combine slowly for one minute, then add the carrot-shrimp mix.
Cover and cook over low heat for 2-3 minutes until well blended.
Add chopped coriander leaves and serve hot.
Mediterranean salad
The dressing can be kept separately and added just before the salad. The meal can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Ingredients:
• Cooked chickpeas (white gram) – 1/2 cup
• Diced Cucumber – 1/4 cup
• Diced carrot – 1/4 cup
• Cherry tomato – 1/4 cup
• Diced apple – 1/4 cup
• Peppers – 1/4 cup
• Onion – 1/2
• Feta crumbles – 2 tbsp
• Lemon juice – 1/2 lemon
• Pepper powder – 1/2 tsp
• Honey – 1 tsp
• Olive oil – 2 tbsp
• Salt as needed
Method:
Mix all vegetables and cooked chickpeas.
Finish with crumbled feta.
In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, pepper powder, honey, olive oil, and salt.
Add the vinaigrette
the salad just before serving. Mix well and serve cold.
Broccoli and sausage pasta
A pasta dish without sauce, it stays fresh in the lunchbox and doesn’t get mushy. Any kind of pasta can be used, but macaroni is ideal.
Ingredients:
• Pasta cooked – 1.5 cups
• Sausage sliced - 1/4 cup
• Brocoli florets – 1/4 cup
• Carrot – 1/2 piece
• Chopped peppers – 1/2 cup
• Chopped mushrooms – 1/4 cup
• Cold flakes – 1 tsp
• Italian seasoning – 1/2 tsp
• Garlic cloves – 2
• Ketchup – 2 tbsp
• Olive oil – 2 tbsp
• Salt as needed.
Method:
Heat olive oil in a pan, add chopped garlic and fry until light brown.
Add sliced sausage and cook well. Add the rest of all the vegetables.
Fry until the vegetables are half cooked. (Don’t overcook and let it lose its colors)
Add chili flakes, salt, Italian seasoning and ketchup.
Then add cooked pasta, fry well for 2-3 minutes and serve hot.
Nizar is a food and travel blogger from Abu Dhabi
