We're teaming up with fellow food bloggers to host a Brown-Bag Challenge, a month-long initiative to eat consciously and save money by packing a lunch each weekday instead of eating out. Join us here and share what you're eating on Facebook andTwitter with the hashtag #brownbag.
Day 13 is cheeseburger and fresh sweet strawberries for my 3rd grader. He asked for 2 cheeseburgers just in case he would have a very big appetite at lunch time. Nice!
Juice pouch and a bottled water
are regulars in his brown bag.
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| Steamed Ocra with Sambal |
My hubby packed ocra with sambal and steamed rice.
I will be having this at lunch time as well. And I can't wait til
it's time to start munching on them.
Ocra is a bit tricky to prepare. They can become starchy once you
cut them. You want it crunchy. To achieve this and to prevent its stickiness, STEAM
them. But watch it til it's color become alive. That's bright green in color. Once they've turned brownish green, you know you've overcooked them, and lost all
the nutritious part of it. Give it about 8-10 minutes over high heat. Then mix with
sambal. Some like it really spicy. So it's your choice.
Let me know how you'd like yours.
Sambal Ingredients:
10-15 dried chilies, soaked (optional)
2 fresh Red Chilies, chopped (optional)
3 candlenuts
4 shallots
2 cloves garlic
2 tsp. Roasted Shrimp Paste
3Tbsp Vegetable Oil
2-3 Tbsp Lime Juice
2 tsp sugar
3-4 Tbsp water
Salt to taste
Combine first 6 ingredients and blend them into paste.
Cook under low heat with the oil until fragrant.
Add the rest of the ingredients.
Simmer and serve with steamed okra.
Mix them only when everyone else is ready to eat.
That way okra won't be soggy and slimy. Only mix a good serving size.
When brown-bagging, pack them separately.
Enjoy!