I'm not from Singapore, but: in asian/chinese shops there's always these cans of mock duck, mock chicken, etc. That's seitan. Maybe you overlooked it in the stores?
Your post reminds me of bentoes, here's a comm that specializes in vegan bento lunches, i think you may find something there: http://community.livejournal.com/vegan_bento/ Not sure if bentoes are insulated or not, prob both.
(btw, i second your comment on one-pot-meals, they can be delicious but just look like brown slop, very appetizing)
You can focus on one pot meals to avoid the brown slop outcome. Turmeric and greens is one way, avoiding other colours that will run and create a brown. Or red colours and greens, again avoiding mixing other colours. White beans don't impart a colour which helps, nor does rice. Fruits like goji berries can add a nice colour that doesn't run also.
oh. yeah, i've seen the asian seitan, but they seem to be loaded with sodium and are really greasy =\ tasty and good as a once-in-a-while treat though ;) i'm actually even thinking about making my own =p
To keep lunches from going off I've successfully used two methods:
1) In hot weather, the day before I'd freeze some beans in the bottom of a container, then the next day I'd put some fresh food I didn't want to freeze on top of it, and the frozen beans would keep that cool, and usually melt by lunchtime.
2) Cook with bamboo mushrooms. They suppress bacterial growth and meals cooked with them take many days longer to go off than usual. I've tested this many times, over years and never, ever gotten sick. Other the space of a day you should be fine. For a pic of them see link below which I just found after googling.
I lived in Singapore for a few years in my high school days, and it was my experience that buying supermarket foods (particularly for a western diet) was actually more expensive than eating out(local foods anyways)...On the other hand, depending on where you're living, try supermarkets further out from the city for cheaper ingredients...If you jump on the MRT to Jurong East, I *think* there's a supermarket not far from the station that I remember being pretty good...Good chances of finding reasonably priced seitan, mock meats etc there...If you wanna save money, stay clear of Cold Storage supermarkets!! Also, I should mention it has been a few years since I was there, but hopefully this all still applies:) just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in lol! Good luck and enjoy your exchange:)
i agree with this comment. "western" ingredients at supermarkets will end up costing more than local coffeeshop/kopitiam/food court food. that said, asian food *will* be cheaper if you cook for yourself
( ... )
and be *very* careful about storing food at room temperature. singapore's extreme humidity encourages bacteria growth. at my home and old office we always kept food in the fridge. food that'd been left out for a few hours would be automatically thrown out as unsafe.
specifically, all that stuff about "bento" not needing to be refrigerated would not fly in singapore. you *need* to keep cooked stuff/cold stuff/vegetarian sushi/etc refrigerated, even in an air-con environment.
you could try of course, but i personally wouldn't risk it. tummy aches + public toilets = not fun.
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Your post reminds me of bentoes, here's a comm that specializes in vegan bento lunches, i think you may find something there: http://community.livejournal.com/vegan_bento/ Not sure if bentoes are insulated or not, prob both.
(btw, i second your comment on one-pot-meals, they can be delicious but just look like brown slop, very appetizing)
basil = pesto? = pasta salad?
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It's a little like painting, with food.
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i'm actually even thinking about making my own =p
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She even has a book or two.
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http://www.veganlunchbox.com/loaf_studio.html
To keep lunches from going off I've successfully used two methods:
1) In hot weather, the day before I'd freeze some beans in the bottom of a container, then the next day I'd put some fresh food I didn't want to freeze on top of it, and the frozen beans would keep that cool, and usually melt by lunchtime.
2) Cook with bamboo mushrooms. They suppress bacterial growth and meals cooked with them take many days longer to go off than usual. I've tested this many times, over years and never, ever gotten sick. Other the space of a day you should be fine. For a pic of them see link below which I just found after googling.
http://www.chieftainwildrice.com/products/mushrooms/mushrooms/815
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(The comment has been removed)
and granola bars for LUNCH? I would def appreciate some recipes! :)
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you could try of course, but i personally wouldn't risk it. tummy aches + public toilets = not fun.
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