From The Straits Times    |

easy dinner solutions when working overtime

Photo: Chookiat Kaewjaroen / 123rf

If your office has a freezer compartment in the fridge, a microwave and a toaster oven, you’re pretty much set. Here’s how to make dinner at your desk on #OT nights less miserable. 

FRIED RICE
Did you know that supermarkets now carry frozen fried rice? We were skeptical, but we were pleased to discover that I’m Fried Rice Prawn Fried Rice is pretty legit after a quick stint in the microwave.

Just keep a pack (each contains two packets of fried rice) in the office freezer for emergencies. We’re also in the habit of keeping a bottle of pork/chicken floss (you can use furikake too) on hand to dress things up a little. 

WANTON SOUP
We’re huge fans of CP snacks, and their Shrimp Wonton bowls have been an immense source of comfort on late nights, or those days when we’re fenced in during lunch by thunderstorms. 

The wontons are plump and meaty with shrimp, and the soup is so flavoursome – in fact, this microwaveable dish can give a fair number of hawker stalls a run for their money!

Psst. We prefer the dumpling soup version to the one with noodles. We find that the shallot oil in the latter throws the balance off kilter.

PRATA
Did you know that prata is one of the most versatile frozen foods ever? We love it so much we have a bunch of #cheatfeed recipes, like here and here for easy snacks and weeknight dinners.

But you can still have your prata even in a pretty barebones office pantry. Just heat it for 10 to 15 minutes in the toaster oven on medium heat (or 160 deg C if a temperature setting is available) and sprinkle some sugar over it. Better yet, make yourself a cup of local kopi or teh (we swear by the Aik Cheong brand) to go with it.

LAKSA NOODLES
You’ve probably seen Kangkang’s pasteurised fresh noodles in the supermarket before. Now they’ve gone and introduced Express Meal Kits.

These are kinda like flavoured instant noodle packets, except the noodles are pasteurised fresh noodles, rather than the more common deep-fried and dried variety. You get the chewy bite of fresh noodles, but they last far longer – 4 weeks at room temperature!

The laksa version is our favourite. The soup gravy is thick and fragrant and lemak – you would almost think you’re slurping it up at a popular Katong laksa haunt!

Also read: 9 work rules to break if you want to be happy at work

OTAH SANDWICH
Otah is not just for barbecues! They make for some really tasty sandwiches too. Our colleague swears by the New Moon brand – she microwaves it and slaps it between toasted sliced bread. 

And hey, the beauty of a no-fuss sandwich like this is that you can hold it in one hand while you work! 

PUT AN EGG ON IT
Eggs make everything better, so we’ve taken to keeping a couple of fresh eggs in our shared pantry (did you also know that Daiso sells egg containers so you can safely bring a handful from home to work? Nifty!) to brighten up mundane instant noodles. You can crack it in when the water is still boiling hot, or cook it briefly in the microwave with your noodles. 

You should also keep your eyes peeled for a packet of Hanjuku Eggs the next time you pass by a 7-Eleven store. These marinated soft-boiled eggs are just like what you get in good ramen joints!

Also read: 5 delicious snacks to eat in the office

SOUP SPOON
Ain’t nothing like hot soup to cheer you up, so if your taste buds are more ang moh, stash a take-home pack of soups like Velvety Mushroom Stroganoff or Tokyo Chicken Stew in the office fridge. The packets are resealable too, so you don’t have to worry about wastage. Toast some bread, and you’re set. 

CHEESE AND CRACKERS
Sometimes, little mental illusions go a long way. Put together a small plate of cheese and crackers to make-believe you’re having your own happy hour in the office. We find that hard cheeses store better in the fridge, and nibbling on complex ones like aged cheddar makes it seem even more like an indulgence.

If you want to go the extra mile, get a $2 wooden or bamboo chopping board from Daiso to feel more atas.

PATE CROSTINI
And while we’re on the cheese and charcuterie theme, consider also pate on crostini (just a fancier term for toasted bread). Pate is one of those super fridge-friendly foods that keeps really well.

It’s not all chopped liver and fat though. If seafood’s more your kind of thing, The Barbie Girls sell some fabulous oak-smoked trout, as well as salmon, pates imported from Scotland. The heady, smoky aroma is quite enough to make you feel like you’re relishing a gourmet treat.