Working from home? Whip up meals in 20 minutes with these healthy and quick recipes

Working from home is great, but the deadlines and meetings can make it hard for you to cope, no matter where you are working.

In fact, you might even find yourself skipping proper meals and when you do remember that you haven’t eaten lunch, chances are, you’ll grab something quick and unhealthy — like instant noodles.

But remember that this will only take a toll on your health in the long run.

It’s important to take breaks in between work not only for your physical, but also mental health. Have some time to spare between meetings? Why not try whipping up one of these 10 healthy, easy and quick recipes that’ll take less than 15 minutes of cooking time!

1. Soothing Tea To Start Your Day

Teas are some of the easiest and quickest ways to get your nutrients. What's more, they can be customised according to your likings and needs. You could add your very own choice of tea leaves and even your choice of fruit into your own tea.

There are many ways to make tea - just make sure you aren't consuming too much sugar from adding condensed milk or packets of sugar. One recipe that's filled with nutrients, with no added sugar and would be good to try is an Immunity Booster Turmeric Tea.

Total Cooking Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of fresh raw turmeric
• ¼ cup of fresh raw ginger
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 3 Tbsp of honey
• 4 tsp of distilled water (boiled water that has cooled)

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients until they become a well-emulsified paste.
2. After you've created the base, use 2 tablespoons to 1 cup of hot water; let sit for 2 minutes and add a few mint leaves for serving. Enjoy!

Recipe: Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas

2. Pancakes To Perk Up Your Mornings

Yes, pancakes can be healthy. And with the right ingredient swaps and alternatives, it can actually be nutritious. One easy pancake recipe to try would be this Easy Blender Pancake Recipe:

Total Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 260g all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp baking powder
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 500ml fresh milk
• 30g sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp butter
• 4 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 cups strawberries

Instructions:

1. Pour all the batter ingredients into the blender. Blitz for about 2min until smooth, scraping in the sides to make sure that everything is thoroughly mixed. Transfer the batter into a bowl, cover with cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 30min or overnight.
2. Melt 1/4 tbsp of butter in a non-stick frying pan set over medium heat. Swirl the melted butter to evenly and thinly coat the pan. If there is too much butter, use a paper towel to wipe away the excess.
3. Ladle a scoop of batter into the pan and cook for 30 seconds, or until the mixture starts to bubble. Flip the pancake and cook for another 30 seconds till golden brown. Continue with the remaining batter, greasing the pan with melted butter after 3-4 pancakes.
4. Drizzle maple syrup over the pancakes and serve with strawberries. Enjoy!

Recipe: Consultant chef Lee Chee Kheong / Her World

3. Egg omelette as a nutritious breakfast 

Eggs are among some of the most nutritious foods on the planet, so why not incorporate them into your mornings? For an easy way to get your dose of eggs, try this Egg Omelette With Chopped Onions In Clear Soup recipe:

Total Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, chopped
• Salt, to taste
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 800 ml chicken stock
• 1 small carrot, peeled and sliced
• 2 spring onions, chopped

Instructions:

1. Add the onions and salt to the eggs.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a pan and fry the egg on both sides. Use the frying slice to cut them into pieces. Remove and set aside.
3. Bring the chicken stock to a boil in a small pot. Add carrots and boil for 2min.
4. Divide the soup equally into four bowls.
5. Add the cooked eggs and spring onions.

Recipe: Forest Leong of Shermay's Cooking School / Her World

4. Classic Gazpacho for brunch

Tomatoes are a great source of vitamins. A single tomato can provide about 40 per cent of the daily recommended minimum of vitamin C.

Tomatoes also contain vitamin A, which supports immunity, vision, and skin health; and potassium, a key nutrient for heart function, muscle contractions, and maintaining a healthy blood pressure and fluid balance.

This healthy soup, served cold, is a Spanish favourite that takes advantage of the bounty of the region, from fresh tomatoes to locally-produced olive oil. Here's how you can make this soup:

Total Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 3 tomatoes, diced
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 6 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• ½ cup slightly stale crusty white bread soaked in cold water for 20 minutes.

Instructions:

1. Mix the diced tomatoes, peppers and cucumber with the crushed garlic and olive oil in the bowl of a food processor or blender.
2. Squeeze out the bread, tear it roughly into chunks, and add to the mixture.
3. Blend until smooth and add the salt and vinegar to taste and stir well.
4. Pass the mixture through a fine sieve, then cover and refrigerate until well chilled. Serve with small pieces of cucumber and pepper. Enjoy!

Recipe: Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas

5. Chicken nuggets as a healthy indulgence

Having a fast-food craving? Don't order in, make your very own cheesy chicken nuggets. The best part? They're healthier than the usual nuggets and filled with cheese. Yes, please. Here's how you can make these Healthy, Cheesy, Chicken Nuggets:

Total Cooking Time: 20 Minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 Chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• Laughing Cow cheese cube
• 40g all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 40g breadcrumbs
• 15g grated parmesan
• 1 tbsp dried rosemary

Instructions:

1. Slice 2 chicken breasts into 3cm pieces. Slice a pocket on the short side of each piece, without cutting all the way through.
2. Season with salt and pepper, and stuff each nugget with a Laughing Cow cheese cube.
3. Add 40g all-purpose flour to a bowl, and beat 2 eggs in another bowl. In a third bowl, combine 2 tbsp garlic powder, 40g breadcrumbs, 15g grated parmesan and 1 tbsp dried rosemary.
4. Double-bread each nugget by dredging it in flour, dipping it in egg, and repeating. Then, coat each piece with the breadcrumb mixture, patting down so they stick.
5. Bake in an oven pre-heated to 200 deg C for 20mins. Serve warm with your favourite dipping sauce.

Recipe: Manfred Tham / Her World

6. A poke bowl to satisfy cravings

Fresh, light and filling are what Poke Bowls are. This dish that can be customised to your liking is nothing short of refreshing and healthy. It's also a dish that you'll want to keep going back to. If you're new to making Poke Bowls, you can try making this Hawaiian Poke Bowl recipe:

Total Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

Key ingredients:

• 120g Sashimi quality fish (diced 1cm cube, tuna or salmon)
• 150g cooked rice (white sushi rice, black sticky rice or brown rice)

Dressing

• 45g gochujang paste (Korean chilli paste)
• 15g sugar
• 30ml rice vinegar
• 15ml sesame oil
• 30g soy sauce
• 3g garlic clove (minced)
• 5ml lime juice

Garnish

• 30g Avocado (diced)
• 20g Cucumber (diced)
• 20g Carrot (diced or sliced)
• 5g Radish (sliced)
• 10g mixed green salad (torn to small size) or iceberg lettuce

Instructions:

1. Place all dressing ingredients in a bowl and combine them using a whisk.
2. In a serving bowl, place cooked rice and top with raw fish.
3. Arrange all other garnishes on the rice and fish and serve with dressing on the side. Enjoy!

Recipe: Hilton Sydney

7. Salads to freshen up your day

Crisp, fresh lettuce along with other vegetables and toppings of your choice, what could be more enjoyable for lunch? Salads are the perfect way to freshen up your day – they're light, healthy, quick, and can be personalised to your tastes.

You could even check what leftovers you have and incorporate it with vegetables to make it a salad – it's that simple. But, if you're new to making salads, one recipe you could try would be this Seared Tuna Loin With Papaya Salad.

Total Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

For salad:

• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• ¼ cup of green papaya, shredded
• ¼ cup fresh lemongrass
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, lightly packed
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, lightly packed
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, lightly packed
• 3 x 200g lean tuna loin steaks cooked to your liking

Toppings: 1/4 cup fried onions and 1/4 cup roasted peanuts

For dressing:

• 1/4 cup lime juice
•  2 Tbsp palm sugar
• 2 Tbsp fish sauce
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1/8 tsp Vietnamese chili paste (or fresh chopped Thai chilis)

Instructions:

1. Add all salad ingredients (except toppings) to a large mixing bowl and toss.
2. Prepare the dressing: Whisk lime juice, fish sauce, garlic, chili paste, and palm sugar together in a small bowl.
3. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and stir to coat. Top with fried onions and roasted peanuts.
4. Serve with seared tuna. Enjoy!

Recipe: Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas

8. Spaghetti Bolognese for dinner

If you'd like to indulge in some savoury pasta for dinner, having Spaghetti Bolognese may be the perfect way to do so. With simple basic ingredients and easy steps to follow, this recipe is one that you'll want to come back to over and over again.

Total Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 500 grams Minced Beef
• 300 grams Minced Chicken
• 3-4 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 Onions , finely chopped
• 1 cup Mixed Frozen Vegetables, Carrots, Peas and/or Green Beans
• 2 sticks Celery , finely sliced
• 200 grams Mushrooms , finely sliced
• 6 cloves Garlic , crushed
• 600 grams Peeled Tomatoes , canned or bottled
• 1 cube Chicken Stock
• 1 tablespoon Tomato puree
• 1 teaspoon Dried Mixed Herbs (optional)
• 350 grams Spaghetti , dried
• Fresh Basil Leaves , torn for garnish
• Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper , to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil in a saucepan and fry the onion, carrot, celery and garlic gently for 5 minutes.
2. Add the minced beef and chicken. Season with salt, pepper and dried mixed herbs. Mix well.
3. Add the canned tomatoes, frozen vegetables and continue to mix with chicken stock. Cover and simmer gently for 8-10 minutes.
4. Continue to cook over a low heat while you cook the spaghetti as per pack instructions, season to taste.
5. Add the mushrooms and stir for 2-3 minutes more.
6. Drain the spaghetti, spoon the bolognese sauce over the top and serve. Sprinkle with some basil leaves.

Recipe: Food For Life

9. Easy Omu rice balls to end off your day

At only 189 calories per serving, this light and low-calorie meal would be a great dinner. Omu rice isn't always the healthiest option, but when you swap some ingredients out for another, it can be a hearty option that's great for most dinners.

Here's how you can make this healthy, quick Easy Omu Rice Balls:

Total Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 30g minced garlic
• 80g corn kernels
• 80g green bell peppers, diced
• ½ tbsp + 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 300g cooked overnight rice
• ¾ tsp light soya sauce
• A dash of ground white pepper
• 3 eggs
• Optional: A handful of bonito flakes

Instructions:

1. In a pan over medium heat, saute the garlic, corn, and green peppers in ½ tbsp olive oil until aromatic.
2. Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook until slightly brown.
3. Mix in the cooked rice. Season with ½ tsp light soya sauce and white pepper, then set aside.
4. To make an omelette, whisk the eggs with ¼ tsp light soya sauce. Set out two rice bowls. Set a non-stick pan over medium heat, add 1 tsp olive oil, then slowly pour in half the egg mixture. Swirl to fill up all the gaps, then turn to low heat. When the omelette is cooked to a light brown, drape it over one rice bowl. Cook the remaining egg mixture and drape it over the second bowl.
5. Gently spoon half of the fried rice into each omelette, then tuck in any excess omelette "skin". Flip the omu rice balls into a freezer-proof container. Leave to cool before freezing.
6. Reheat in the microwave at medium for 6min, then garnish with bonito flakes to serve. Enjoy!

Recipe: Melvyn Lee, chef-owner of Source / Her World

ALSO READ: 2 recipes for light and healthy dining on a hot day

10. A Sweet & sour pork twist to refresh your palate

Pair it with rice or noodles and you'll have the perfect main dish. Sweet, savoury and tangy are flavours that this dish has, and that's not even the best part – it only takes 10 minutes to make this dish. Here’s how you can make Sweet & Sour Pork With Fruits:

Total Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

Key ingredients:

• 6 thin slices of pork belly
• 6 pieces of shine muscat
• 6 strawberries
• 6 cherry tomatoes
• 50g sliced onion
• Potato starch (personal preference)
• Fine strips of leek (personal preference)

Black Vinegar Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons of black vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
• 5 tablespoons of water
• 1 teaspoon of soy sauce
• 5 tablespoons of sugar
• 4 tablespoons of crystal sugar
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon of potato starch with water

Instructions:

1. Lay sliced pork belly on a flat surface and sprinkle salt and pepper
2. Coat shine muscat, strawberry and cherry tomato with potato starch
3. Coat sliced pork belly with potato starch
4. Place a piece of shine muscat on the pork and nicely roll up. Do the same with the strawberries and cherry tomatoes
5. Once all ingredients are nicely rolled up, sprinkle potato starch onto them
6. Heat oil (mid temperature) and deep fry above ingredients
7. Prepare black vinegar sauce:
   1. Combine water, sugar and crystal sugar in a pan and heat up.
   2. Once boiled, add all vinegars and soy sauce.
8. Stir in the fried pork. Once blended, thicken with potato starch and water.
9. Garnish pork with onion and leek. Enjoy!

Recipe: Hilton Tokyo

This article was first published in CLEO Singapore.