5 Affordable and Kid-Friendly Meal Ideas

Even the pickiest young eaters are sure to love these budget-friendly meal options. Not only do these recipes make it easy to add a serving of vegetables, but they also guarantee a delightful dining experience.

Indulge in dishes like Shredded Chicken Tacos and Iron-Rich Meatballs, which are not just tasty and flavorful but also cherished by the entire family.

SHREDDED CHICKEN TACOS

Cannot wait for Taco Tuesday? Ideal for midweek meals, this taco recipe is a fantastic choice any day of the week. Swap out beef for moist, boneless chicken thighs and, for added convenience, cook the taco filling in a slow cooker.

This allows you to prepare it in the morning and return home to a delicious meal. Adjust the spice level to suit your children’s preferences for a hint of flavor.

Recipe: Click Here

GRILLED CHEESE & CHICKEN SANDWICH

Transform the classic grilled cheese into a nutritious delight by adding chicken salad. In just 20 minutes, you can whip up a dinner that everyone will enjoy. The secret ingredient? Mayonnaise.

Recipe: Click Here

IRON-RICH MEATBALLS

Loaded with the extra iron crucial for kids’ healthy brain development, these meatballs are a nutritious treat. Serve them over pasta, mashed potatoes, or alongside some crusty bread to soak up the flavorful tomato sauce.

Image Credits: kidspot.com.au

Recipe: Click Here

BBQ CHICKEN TENDERS

Crafted from boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders, these crispy chicken “wings” maintain their crunchiness with just a light coating of oil—no deep-frying necessary. Enjoy them as an appetizer or make them the star of your dinner alongside vegetables.

Recipe: Click Here

CREAMY PUMPKIN SOUP

This simple recipe discreetly incorporates extra veggies, contributing to enhancing the kids’ immune systems. With a cooking time of 35 minutes and a prep time of just 10 minutes, this quick recipe ensures a wholesome meal in under an hour.

Image Credits: kidspot.com.au

Recipe: Click Here

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Beginner’s Guide To Cooking Your Own Meals

Nothing screams “labor of love” louder than preparing a homecooked meal for your family. Apart from showing your affection, cooking your own meals can help you save a lot of money. With the wealth of information available online, where do you begin?

KEY BENEFITS OF COOKING AT HOME

1. Cooking at home can help you save money. In most cases, cooking your own means are cheaper than eating out. There are several factors contributing to the reduced price of your meal. For starters, cooking at home enables you to opt for affordable ingredients. Moreover, you will have the power to create your own meal plans and shopping lists. Lastly, you can reheat your leftovers when you do not have time to cook.

2. Cooking at home allows you to connect with those around you. You do not have to be a distinguished chef to prepare delicious meals with your loved ones. Spend quality time together by allowing your kids decorate the desserts you have baked or by preparing a romantic dinner with your partner.

“Cooking is all about people. Food is maybe the only universal thing that really has the power to bring everyone together. No matter what culture, everywhere around the world, people eat together.” ~ Guy Fieri

3. Cooking at home encourages control in food portions, especially for people with dietary restrictions. Restaurants do not rely on your preferred food portions. They serve you plates based on their standard portions instead. To get the most out of your money, you will likely finish the entire plate. In contrast, preparing your meals allows you to be more intentional with food servings. Filling your plate with what you can finish aids in reducing waste.

4. Cooking at home enables you to choose healthier options. Fast food typically glistens with high chemical additives, sugar, sodium, and so on. Eating fast food regularly can negatively affect your weight and mood. Eat fresh and wholesome meals by making your own food. Eating healthy meals can make you feel energized on the inside and out.

TIPS ON GETTING STARTED

1. Ask a friend to teach you the basics. Do you know someone who is kitchen savvy? Perhaps, he or she can teach you some of the cooking basics (e.g., steam, fry, and sauté). You can even invite your closest friends for a private “cooking tutorial” via Skype or Zoom.

2. Learn from a local cooking class. Many affordable culinary programs are offered at CCs islandwide. The prices of these classes start from S$16.66. Choose wisely as some of these classes are merely demonstrations with food tasting. Check out the class descriptions and book a slot in the OnePA portal.

3. Keep things simple! Start with the easy recipes and work your way from there. Learn how to sauté veggies, boil egg, and steam chicken. Add herbs, spices, or your secret sauce. Look for quick and tasty dishes online.

4. Give yourself a room for improvement. It is alright to burn the rice or overcook the noodles in your first cooking sessions. After several attempts, things will get easier and tastier. Continue practicing at home.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

As time passes, cooking will no longer become a chore. Do not give up!

Sources: 1 & 2

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Fancy Canned Goods And Instant Coffee Recipes To Keep You Company

As many of us are encapsulated in our own homes for quite some time, many shoppers have filled up their own pantries. Most flats have a wide array of tissue papers, disinfectant sprays, instant noodles, canned goods, and instant coffee sachets. It is best to put your own spin to your daily meals to stimulate your appetite.

Here are inexpensive ways to get creative with your canned goods and instant coffee options.

#1: SPAM MUSUBI

Last month, I dragged my significant other to a restaurant that serves Hawaiian cuisine. One of the dishes that we tried was the Spam Musubi. It is a popular snack that you can easily make in your own home. Simply gather these ingredients: white rice, nori, SPAM or luncheon meat, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sugar.

Follow the steps found in the video below. What I like about this dish is its fast preparation time and its rich flavors.

#2: CRISPY SPAM FINGERS

Believe me when I say that it tastes better than it sounds! This recipe goes a little outside of the box as it incorporates flour, eggs, and bread crumbs into the meat.
Firstly, you must drench your sliced SPAM or luncheon meat into a mixture of eggs, flour, and bread crumbs. Secondly, you must fry all these “fingers” until each one reaches a golden-brown color. Its exterior ensures that each bite packs a crunch! You can serve it with rice.

#3: TUNA MACARONI SALAD

Canned tuna is a pantry staple that can transform into easy dishes that can be served for family dinners and office lunches. Spice up your usual macaroni salad by adding canned tuna. For a protein-rich lunch that kids will love, you may create a tuna macaroni salad. Just add your sauteed tuna in a macaroni salad filled with creamy mayonnaise, pepper, and celery.

#4: CREAMY TUNA CARBONARA

Complete a wine night indoors by serving a plate of creamy pasta. To make your very own creamy tuna carbonara, you will need the following: spaghetti pasta, eggs, canned tuna, parsley, salt, Parmesan cheese, and ground pepper. Start by preparing the pasta.

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over high heat. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Drain it and set it aside. To do your sauce, you must whisk the egg yolks and add Parmesan cheese. Stir in the black pepper and add some salt. Then, add this sauce to the cooked spaghetti. Lastly, you must incorporate the drained tuna. Garnish with more cheese and serve it hot!

#5: INSTANT ICED COFFEE

It only takes five minutes or less to create your own instant iced coffee. Raid your pantry to gather these ingredients: 3 teaspoons of instant coffee, cold water, ice, and 4 tablespoons of your favorite creamer (e.g., soy creamer).

Get your trusty glass and add the instant coffee and the creamer. Fill it with cold water and stir constantly to allow the mixture to dissolve. Add some ice cubes and you are good to go!

#6: DALGONA COFFEE

Currently, the Twitter-verse and the TikTok nation have been buzzing about the Dalgona Coffee. You have probably seen several videos of people making whipped coffee by mixing instant coffee, sugar, and water together. You read that right! You have to mix everything together using a whisk, a hand mixer, or a milk frother. The result is a fluffy and delicious whipped coffee that you can post on Instagram.

Follow the steps found on the video below to make your very own Dalgona Coffee from South Korea.

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This Affordable Cooking Platform Offers Cooking Sessions That Caters to Different Needs

If you’ve ever attended a cooking class, you’d notice that it typically involves an instructor teaching one dish to the entire class and you barely have any interaction with your classmates.

Wishing there was an affordable cooking platform where you could learn how to cook anything you desire, in a small group of participants whom you can freely talk to and share homemade dishes with? Local cooking platform Living Menu is running a Culinary Exchange, which is essentially a cooking session that facilitates the exchange of dishes from diverse culinary cultures and caters to different needs of people from all walks of life. You could be cooking with a Russian tourist who wants to showcase their national dish and learn about local food culture at the same time, a 70-year-old grandma who wants to share her family recipe and learn about food that’s popular with millennials, or a 30-year-old banker who just wants to pick up some cooking skills.

From only $29 per 3-hour session, ingredients for your dish will be provided and washing up isn’t required! In each session, there is a world of different experiences to fulfil your needs:

Endless learning opportunities

Unlike typical cooking classes with a pre-determined list of dishes to learn, you decide on the dish you want to cook at Living Menu. Prior to attending the session, participants would’ve already decided on a dish to cook, which means you’ll get to learn and taste a variety of dishes in one session. If you’re unfamiliar with the dish you want to attempt, you can even bring a recipe to the session and the resident chef will guide you, provide cooking tips, help you create a dish you can be proud of and boost your confidence in your cooking.

Freedom to experiment with recipes

Whether you have basic or advanced cooking skills, Living Menu’s stylish cooking studios are well-equipped with kitchenware, giving you all the freedom to unleash your imagination. When you’re cooking at home, sometimes you’ll find yourself having to shop for seasoning you’ll barely use just to test out a new recipe which ends up costing a lot. Living Menu solves this problem with pantries that are fully stocked with all the essential herbs and spices for your cooking needs, saving you money and time on grocery shopping!

Meet new people

The Culinary Exchange is also a great way to socialise and make new friends through the common language of food. Cooking sessions are held in an intimate group of up to 5 participants, so you can watch how others prepare their dishes. You’ll also get to know fellow participants and hear the stories and inspirations behind their dishes. As they say, strangers are just people who have yet to become your friends.

Discover food from different cultures

 Pandan Muah Chee

From Singaporean, Vietnamese, to Portuguese and even Fusion, get to know dishes from diverse culinary cultures and the stories behind them. With participants from all over the world, you’ll even get to taste dishes that you don’t come across in restaurants or from street stalls in certain countries. Dishes that people only cook at home, which have been passed down through generations. At Living Menu, you’ll never know who you’re cooking with, but there’s always something new to discover.

Cook with friends and family

If you prefer cooking with people you know, the cooking sessions are also available for group bookings. The sessions will run as usual with the resident chef who’s on hand to assist you in your needs. If you’ve run out of fun activities to do other than going to the movies or café hopping, a cooking session at Living Menu can be an alternative recreational activity for you to enjoy with friends and family, perfect for gatherings or celebrations!

To book your slot on Living Menu’s Culinary Exchange, head to www.living.menu. Living Menu is also rolling out its exclusive Host and Chef beta programmes for food enthusiasts to earn money through their passion for food and cooking. Find out more here.

 

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3 Quick, Easy, And Affordable Meal Ideas Under S$20

Assuming the basic ingredients including salt, pepper, sugar, garlic, onions, and eggs are available at your home, here are the affordable meal ideals you can simply and swiftly prepare for the whole family:

1. CRISPY ROMAINE SALAD

Increase the vitamins absorbed by your body through this low-calorie dish that takes only 15 minutes to prepare.

INGREDIENTS (SERVING 4 PAX)

1 large Romaine lettuce (S$3.50 per 300g at Quan Fa Organic Farm)

2 medium carrots (S$0.80 per 500g at FairPrice)

0.30 cup of mayonnaise (S$2.65 at FairPrice)

2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar (S$6.50 at Delicia)

1 small clove of garlic

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1 cucumber (S$0.65 per pack at FairPrice)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

DIRECTIONS

Cut the unpeeled cucumber vertically in half then, cut it horizontally into thin “half-moon shapes”. Then, coarsely chop the Romaine lettuce. Get a huge serving bowl and place your cut cucumber and lettuce there. Afterwards, peel the carrots directly into the serving bowl.

On a separate small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper well. Then, add this sauce mix to the serving bowl.

2. VELVET SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH HERBS

Give your good ol’ scrambled eggs a twist by adding fresh herbs. This recipe takes a total of 20 minutes to prepare.

INGREDIENTS (SERVING 4 PAX)

9 eggs

1/4 cup of milk (as low as S$2.40 at FairPrice)

1/4 cup of butter (S$3 per 250g at FairPrice)

1 tablespoon minced oregano (S$4.35 per 15g Mccormick Whole Mexican Oregano at FairPrice)

1 tablespoon minced thyme (as low as S$4 at FairPrice)

2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese (S$5.55 per 125g Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese at FairPrice)

Chives (follow self-preference)

Salt and pepper (to taste)

DIRECTIONS

Whisk the eggs and milk in a medium bowl for about 1 minute. Melt the butter over medium to low heat in a large sauté pan (preferably non-stick). Then, pour the mix of eggs into the pan and gently stir it with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Cook it over low heat.

When the eggs finally lose the “raw look”, put the thyme, oregano, chives, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper in the pan and stir these ingredients to distribute. Immediately pour an additional 2 teaspoons of milk to the eggs once it is very creamy and moist. Finally, remove the egg from the heat.

3. CONFETTI RICE PILAF

This is a colorful compliment to any of your chicken dishes. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare.

INGREDIENTS (SERVING 4 PAX)

1 small onion

1 carrot

1 celery stalk (S$1.60 per pack at FairPrice)

1 tablespoon of butter

1 clove of garlic

1 cup of white rice (as low as S$4.95 at FairPrice)

1 chicken broth (S$1.75 per 60g of Knorr Chicken Cubes at FairPrice)

0.25 cup of water

0.25 cup of Parsley leaves (S$3.85 per 7g of Mccormick Parsley Flakes at FairPrice)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

In a saucepan, heat the butter on medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, garlic, celery, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir all this for 6 to 8 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Add the white rice to the pan then store for 1 minute. Then, put the chicken broth and water into the pan while boiling it on high.

Reduce the heat to low then cover and simmer for 16-18 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed and the white rice is tender. Afterwards, you must turn off the heart but keep it covered for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with the fork and stir the parsley.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Isn’t it incredible that you can make yummy dishes of four servings under S$20? Try it now and enjoy! 🙂

Sources: 1,2, & 3

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