(Credit: Rachel Tan)
HowevWith work from home now not a default, many of us would have started going back into the office more, including yours truly. However, ever since I’ve returned to work, it’s become harder for me to secure a seat at restaurants during lunch hours. Plus, don’t get me started on the queue for the office microwave! Hence, I figured this electric lunch box could be the solution to my problems. All I had to do was to throw in the ingredients, add some water and plug in the lunch box and by lunchtime, I’d have a freshly cooked meal! After using the electric lunch box for more than a month, I’ve compiled a list of my personal electric lunch box recipes for the office!
The Bear electric lunch box (available on Bear Official Store) has a 1.3L capacity and it comes with two metal bowl layers for your food, detachable plug, a pressure seal cover (to keep the steam stored within the lid and the bowls) and an 80ml measuring cup. This measuring cup comes in handy so I don’t have to eyeball the ingredient I am using! I’ll be using this measuring cup to measure out the ingredients in the electric lunch box recipes down below.
One of my favourite USPs of the Bear electric lunch box is its intuitive one-button design. Simply add water to the base of the electric lunch box, place the metal trays (with food, of course), add your pressure seal cover and put on the electric lunch box lid. Plug it in, push the button and ta-da! The powerful steamer within the lunch box will start steaming your food immediately! Steaming halts when the electric lunch box runs out of water, which is why it is important to measure out the amount of water you intend to put in with the measuring cup provided. A good gauge is that one cup (80ml) equates to around 15-20 minutes of steaming. Now that we have the basics down, let’s hop into these electric lunch box recipe ideas for the office.
Who doesn’t love a dish of steaming hot Japanese curry every once in a while? I like my Japanese curry with a sprinkle of mozzarella, for that extra creaminess!
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30-40 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. First, wash two cups of rice and store them in the upper layer
2. Break off one block of Japanese curry (available on dequo) and place it in the lower layer
3. Throw in chopped diced chicken breast, chopped potatoes and chopped carrots
Just before lunchtime
4. Add two cups of water into the rice
5. Add one and a half cups of water into the Japanese curry mix in the lower layer
6. Put on the pressure seal cover
7. Pour two cups of water into the base of the electric lunch box
8. Stack the layers into the electric lunch box, throw on the lid and secure the latch
9. Lastly, plug in the lunch box and press the start button. This easy lunch box idea for adults should cook within 30-40 minutes.
This electric lunch box recipe is ready when the button light turns off! Take a spoon and stir the curry to make sure everything is evenly distributed. If you’re up for it, sprinkle on some mozzarella cheese (available on limsianghuat)!
This electric lunch box recipe was inspired by an insane craving for Haidilao. But instead of treating myself to the restaurant meal, I decided to cut cost by doing a DIY lunch box idea for adults. I also included an easy dipping sauce inspired by the sesame oil sauce from Haidilao.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 – 40 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Wash one cup of rice and store it in the upper layer
2. Then, add in beef strips (available on DON DON DONKI Official Store), tomato hot pot soup base (available on Food People Official Store), fishcakes and beef soup stock (available on Sing Sing Mart) into the lower layer
3. Next, mince three cloves of garlic with a garlic press
4. Add sesame oil and salt to the garlic. You can adjust the measurements according to your preference
5. Set aside the sesame oil mixture in a small food container (available on miqin2)
Just before lunchtime
6. Add one cup of water into the rice
7. Add three cups of water into the tomato hot pot soup base
8. Place on the pressure seal cover
9. Pour two cups of water into the base of the electric lunch box
10. Stack the layers into the electric lunch box, throw on the lid and secure the latches
11. Finally, plug in the lunch box, press the start button. It should cook within 30-40 minutes.
This electric lunch box recipe uses a tomato soup hot pot base but you can use other Haidilao soup pastes such as mala or even plain chicken stock!
Not all lunch box recipes for adults need to be wholesome. We are allowed cheat days too! If you’re in the mood for something chewy and sweet, turn to some spicy and easy Korean recipes. Korean rice cakes or Tteokbokki are my go-to electric lunch box recipe for lazier days, due to the minimal preparation involved.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30-40 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Add all the ingredients into the metal pot
Just before lunchtime
2. Add three cups of water to the mix of ingredients
3. Then, stir it so that the gochujang (available on Hanguk Kitchen SG) is evenly distributed
4. Next, put on the pressure seal cover
5. Pour two cups of water into the base of the electric lunch box
6. Stack the pot into the electric lunch box, throw on the lid and secure the latches
7. Lastly, plug in the lunch box, press the start button. It should cook within 30-40 minutes.
The best thing about this Korean rice cake recipe is that you can pretty much add anything you want into the mix. For days where I feel like treating myself, I throw in a ramen egg after it’s done cooking!
Korean seaweed soup, otherwise known as miyeok guk, is one of my favourite dishes to make on a rainy day. The trick to this electric lunch box recipe is the garlic powder and sesame oil!
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30-40 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Wash one cup of rice and place in the upper layer
2. Add dried wakame seaweed, frozen gyoza (available on Le Le Food 乐乐 Official Store), sesame oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder and beef soup stock into the lower layer
Just before lunchtime
3. Add one cup of water into the rice
4. Next, add four cups of water into the seaweed soup mixture in the lower layer
5. Then, put on the pressure seal cover
6. After that, pour two cups of water into the base of the electric lunch box
7. Then, stack the layers into the electric lunch box, throw on the lid and secure the latches
8. Finally, plug in the lunch box, press the start button. It should cook within 30-40 minutes.
I recommend bringing along your own sachet of salt along with you to adjust the taste of your seaweed soup. You can also consider packing a dipping sauce for your gyoza too!
For something that is healthy and easy on the stomach, this chicken congee serves as my detox meal for the week. Fair warning, this electric lunch box recipe takes a little more preparation effort than the rest as it also requires the use of an immersion blender. But, you’ll be rewarded with a hearty adult lunch box recipe in just 30 minutes!
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20-30 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Add 1 cup of cooked rice in the lower layer
2. Add 3 cups of water
3. Using an immersion blender, blend the cooked rice in the water until fine
4. Then, add the chicken stock cube, half a teaspoon of salt and a dash of pepper
5. After that, rub the chicken fillet with salt and pepper
6. Then, place the chicken fillet in the upper layer, drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle the chopped spring onions
Just before lunchtime
7. Pour one and a half cups of water into the base of the electric lunch box
8. Then, stack the layers into the electric lunch box, throw on the lid and secure the latches
9. Lastly, plug in the lunch box, press the start button. It should cook within 20-30 minutes.
The best thing about chicken congee is that you can add a variety of ingredients to it. Sometimes, I like to add fried shallots (available on Food People Official Store) for a bit of crunch.
Want to skip the queues at the hawker centre for a plate of chicken rice? This electric lunch box recipe will prove to be an easy and healthier substitute!
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30-40 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
1. 1 cup rice
2. ½ cube chicken stock
3. 1 tsp chopped spring onions
4. 2 tsp minced garlic
5. 1 piece chicken breast/fillet (sliced)
6. 1 tsp ginger (sliced)
7. 2 tsp sesame oil
8. Salt
9. Pepper
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Wash one cup of rice and place in the upper layer
2. Pour the chicken stock cube on top of the rice
3. Rub the chicken slices with salt and pepper
4. Place the chicken slices into the lower layer
5. Add minced garlic and ginger slices onto the chicken
6. Drizzle sesame oil over the chicken
7. Sprinkle the chopped spring onions
Just before lunchtime
8. Add one cup of water into the rice and chicken stock cube
9. Put on the pressure seal cover
10. Then, Pour two cups of water into the base of the electric lunch box
11. Stack the layers of the electric lunch box, throw on the lid and secure the latches
12. Lastly, plug in the lunch box, press the start button. It should cook within 30-40 minutes.
Pack along with garlic chilli sauce for some added heat to the dish. For something sweeter, you can always drizzle in some dark soya sauce (available on S-mart) into the rice too!
It doesn’t get any better than this! Kimchi chicken, mushrooms and steamed egg is a healthy lunch box idea for adults. Don’t get turned off by the longer prep time. The mushrooms need to be soaked for an hour, so essentially you’re looking at about 20 minutes of prep time.
Pro tip: Use this Bear Portable Electric Heating Lunch Box (available on PowerPac Official Store) as the separate compartments in the steam trays will come in handy for this electric lunch box recipe.
Prep time: ~ 1hr 20 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Place the mushrooms in the steel bowl of the electric lunch box. Wash the mushrooms under running water.
2. Add some cornflour and rub them into the mushrooms to clean any dirt
3. Wash the cornflour from the mushrooms
4. Pour hot water onto the mushrooms and let them soak for an hour till they turn soft
5. Cut the chicken breast meat and kimchi (available on Sing Sing Mart) into smaller pieces
6. Add sugar to the chicken meat and mix with the kimchi
7. Transfer the mixture into the steaming tray
8. Cut the stalks off the mushroom
9. Add them into a separate bowl with the cut carrots
10. Add half teaspoon sugar, half teaspoon sesame oil, half teaspoon cornflour and one teaspoon oyster sauce into the mushrooms and carrots
11. Mix them together and transfer the mixture to the steaming tray
Just before lunchtime
12. Crack the egg and add one and a half shell of water to it
13. Mix it and remove any air bubbles from the surface. This is to ensure it’ll steam evenly.
14. Add two cups water to the base of the electric lunch box
15. Place the kimchi and chicken tray first. Then put on the pressure seal cover.
16. Stack on the tray with the mushroom and egg before attaching the lid and securing the latches
17. Lastly, plug in the lunch box and press the start button. This yummy electric lunch box recipe should cook within 30 minutes.
This pasta dish is one of our favourite electric lunch box recipes for the office!. All you have to do is put a bit of time aside to prep this meal the night before and you’ll have yourself a restaurant-grade creamy pasta for lunch the next day!
Prep time: ~ 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Cut red and green capsicums (available on GrocerKing Official Store) into thin slices. You can choose to use celery, broccoli or carrots too. However, ensure that these are thinly sliced so they’ll cook thoroughly.
2. Shred the rotisserie chicken. You can pack the shredded pieces and place them in the freezer overnight.
3. Pack the pasta, milk, chicken broth and cheese into air tight containers to bring into work with you the next day.
Just before lunchtime
4. Plug in the electric lunch box, switch it on and add some water into the base of the electric lunch box. After which, place the large steamer pot on top.
5. Using a fork or spoon, spread some butter into the steamer pot, making sure to coat the sides evenly
6. Add the fusilli pasta (available on Shopee Supermarket) into the pot
7. Add some chopped garlic if you wish to and mix it in lightly
8. Pour in the chicken broth (or chicken bullion) and milk into the steamer pot
9. Give the mixture a stir. Ensure that the liquid covers the pasta for it to cook evenly.
10. Add the shredded rotisserie chicken and peppers into the mixture. Do not mix them together with the pasta.
11. Top it off with some parmesan cheese.
12. Attach the lid of the electric lunch box and let it cook for about 30 minutes. Dig into this delicious electric lunch box recipe after that!
What can you make with leftover rice, a few vegetables and meat? Fried rice of course! Fried rice is still one of the best lunch box ideas for adults. This electric lunch box recipe is super easy to prepare. You can always switch the recipe up by including your favorite vegetables and meats!
Prep time: ~ 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 1
Recipe Ingredients:
Recipe Instructions:
To prepare the night before
1. Cut the carrots and luncheon meat (available on GB Foods Shop Official Store) into small cubes so they’ll be able to steam easily in the electric lunch box
2. Place the leftover rice in one layer of the electric lunch box
3. Arrange all your cut ingredients in the other layer of the electric lunch box
Just before lunchtime
4. Crack the egg and beat it. Add 1 teaspoon of soy sauce and a few drops of sesame oil into the mixture.
5. Pour the beaten egg into the leftover rice and mix the rice, making sure that all the rice is coated with the egg
6. Scoop the luncheon meat, green peas and carrots on top of the rice. All the ingredients will be now in one steaming bowl.
7. Pour one cup of water into the base of the electric lunch box
8. Attach the lid of the electric lunch box and let it cook for 30 minutes!
I hope that this list has helped give you some inspiration for easy dishes you can make with the Bear electric lunch box! My favourite recipe is the Korean rice cakes as it takes the least amount of time to prepare and is oh-so-delicious. If you’re looking for something other quick and healthy recipes, check out the Korean sauna-style egg recipe featured in these easy rice cooker recipes. As for days when you just don’t feel like cooking, order from some of the best tingkat delivery places in Singapore!
This article was updated on 23 April 2021. Additional research done by Rajveen Kaur Aujla.
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