7 Buffet Tricks To Maximize Every Cent

From a wide selection of hotel buffets to hawker centers, Singaporeans just love to eat! If you are a devout food enthusiast such as I am, you will be able to relate to the sheer excitement that I get from seeing a well-stocked buffet table. Just think about all the vibrant and glorious food that you can eat in one seating!

What’s more? You can enjoy eating as much as you want without judgment from others. Such freedom comes with a price. Only a fool would walk out the door without ensuring that he or she actually got a good deal. On that note, here are some tricks you can apply to your next all-you-can eat buffet trip.

#1: DO YOUR RESEARCH

Singapore offers a decent amount of buffet options with varying food quality, price, and value. Do your research to find where you can get the best deal. Stay true to your preferences when it comes to the food selection. Go to a buffet whereby you can eat most of their offerings.

Researching will also help you learn about the fine print. Know what is included and what is not. You do not want any nasty surprises at the end of day!

#2: GET AN OVERVIEW

Plan your eating strategy by getting an overview of all the food options upon arriving. Yes! Salads or fresh vegetables may be ideal starters. However, do not get a mountain of lettuce and toppings if you are planning to survive the entire haul. Look around and focus on the premium stuff, which you can indulge on.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#3: TAKE SMALL PORTIONS

Buffets typically have unlimited refills. You can always go back for more! Do not get stuck with a large serving of pasta that does not taste as pleasant as it looks. Instead, get small portions of everything you want to taste.

#4: TAKE DISHES YOU CANNOT COOK AT HOME

You are celebrating something special as you are blessed with rows and rows of savory food. Choose dishes that you do not or cannot cook at home.

It is rare for me to eat seafood at home. Recently, I devoured several salmon breads topped with caviar as well as all the seafood I can eat in the buffet to maximize my experience.

#5: DO NOT FAST

Most people starve themselves as way to eat as much as they can in a buffet. These people forget that their stomach needs to prepare prior to the battle. The stomach needs stretching before it prepares for any rigorous activities such as eating in bulk.

Drink water throughout the day to stretch it. Furthermore, it is recommended to eat a light meal before you enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet.

#6: STICK TO YOUR PREFERENCES

The Indian buffet place nearby may offer an amazing promotion on their signature dishes. However, it is not amazing if you do not like curry or spiced food.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

You are only trapping yourself if you focus on the price-to-food volume ratio! If you are not keen in eating a bulk of food from a specific cuisine, skip it.

#7: DO DAMAGE CONTROL

Once you are finished eating your glorious feast, the only thing left is damage control. Drinking probiotics is beneficial for your digestion. Another alternative is peppermint tea. Peppermint tea soothes the stomach, reduces bloating, and cures any nausea you may be experiencing.

You can purchase peppermint tea bags for as low as S$3.25 at FairPrice.

Sources: 1 & 2

Read More...

Save Big By Cooking Your Own Meals

On average, it is about five times more expensive to order food from a restaurant than cooking your own meal at home. It is no secret that eating out can snip your budget in a short span of time. However, many opt to place their orders online through food delivery apps due to their busy schedules or lack of talent in the kitchen. I cannot deny the convenience that Food Panda or GrabFood sells!

Eat better food and save money in the process by following these kitchen suggestions.

#1: PREP MEALS IN BULK

My significant other’s mother leads an efficient life by prepping meals on Sundays. She cooks three to four dishes, which can be reheated whenever one pleases. Try cooking boiled eggs and steamed vegetables that will last for two to three meals. This way, you and your family will be able to enjoy your cooking even when in a hurry.

Simply label the food accordingly and pop it in a freezer bag or a microwaveable container. Serve this pre-cooked meal with fresh sides and you are ready to go!

#2: USE A SLOW COOKER

On the other hand, my partner’s father seems to be fascinated with the slow cooker. He cooks ribs and fish using a slow cooker and vacuum seals these meals to last for a little over a month. Imagine that!

Using a slow cooker is a money saver. You can cook larger meals with enough leftovers to freshen up your second meal. Moreover, it enables you to purchase less expensive and tougher meat because it acts as a tenderizer.

#3: CREATE WITH WHAT YOU HAVE

Challenge your creative juices by cooking food with the ingredients available in your kitchen. It is easy to build your meals through daily grocery shopping. However, regularly cooking what is already at hand enables you to maximize your resources and minimize food wastage.

Curb your spending by scavenging the vegetables and meat available in the fridge. Consume food that will go bad soon before if it is too late!

#4: BUY WHAT IS ON SALE

Last but not the least, you may travel through the grocery aisles to purchase items that are on sale. Use this opportunity to purchase chicken breast or salad dressings, which are on sale. Purchase extra pack or pieces whenever possible to secure your future cravings.

I cannot deny that our modern generation consumes things in an instant! When we want things, we want them now. This increases the chances of ordering out and slimming your funds. Hence, you must learn the power of delayed gratification.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

You cannot always eat what you want, but you can make most of what you have.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Read More...

Save Time And Money By Following These Food Hacks

As much as we want to prepare delicious and healthy meals for our entire family, doing so can be a quite a chore!

This is why some of us opt to order in or to eat out. However, this can lead to an increased spending and to an unhealthy lifestyle. The solution is to find ways to save yourself money and time while prepping your meals. Start with these simple food hacks:

#1: EGGSPIRED

Equipped with a shopping list in one hand, I enjoy my weekly trips to the grocery. Egg is among the items that will always be present on the list. For many of us, it is difficult to tell whether a set of eggs is expired. When this happens, you either throw out edible eggs or take the risk of eating expired ones. Avoid these situations by following a simple trick:

Put your eggs in a bowl of water. The expired eggs will float and the fresh eggs will sink. Quickly grab the good eggs in the bottom of the bowl.

#2: POTATHROW

I love potatoes! Whether it be mashed or fried, potatoes can drive many people into frenzy! Say you want to fry potato wedges or mash some potatoes. It is best to spend as little time as possible in peeling each individual potato. Furthermore, you are only wasting money by peeling too much.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

So, take a sharp knife and gently run the blade around the circumference of the potato. You must break the skin without puncturing the potato. Repeat this step for each potato that you intend to cook. Place all the potatoes in a pot and add boiling water. After all these are fully boiled and drained, you may put the pot under cool water for a few seconds. This is the perfect time to gently remove the potato’s skin using your fingers. Watch as the skin slip right off as you save energy on a simple task.

#3: FREEZE-FULL

One of the kitchen tools that many of us often under-utilize is the freezer. Using the freezer efficiently to properly store your food will save you money, effort, and time. Keep this tip in mind – maintaining an empty or an almost empty freezer is a mistake! The freezer has to double its work to cool itself, which will lead to energy wastage. The coolness is retained better if the freezer a little more full.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

I am not saying that you must completely pile up items as that will restrict air circulation. Instead, you must replace what you use with new frozen food items. Practicing this cycle will ensure that your freezer is used to its fullest potential.

#4: MEATICULOUS

Meat gets ridiculously more expensive as time passes. By buying large amounts of meat when it is on sale can help you save money and time in the grocery store. You can either cook everything at the same time or store everything in the freezer into usable portions.

For instance, you may use ground beef for spaghetti sauce and chicken strips for salads. There will be no leftovers!

Sources: 1 & 2

Read More...

Why Is Bird’s Nest So Expensive?

There are interesting reasons why the Bird’s Nest delicacy is known as the “Caviar of the East”. For starters, it costs about S$40 to S$135 to get a single bowl of Bird’s Nest Soup. While, edible Bird’s Nest costs about S$5,600 per pound. You can finish polytechnic studies with that amount of money!

Do not get me started with the price of the highest grade of Bird’s Nest. The highest grade are the most expensive because it is the purest. It is 90% edible upon harvesting and requires little amount of processing.

Image Credits: baligraph via flickr.com

How do you store an expensive delicacy as such? Do not worry about consuming everything in one sitting as you can refrigerate it for about two weeks.

The high cost of the Bird’s Nest comes from its dangerous retrieval process, its painstaking cleaning process, and its expansive health benefits (according to Traditional Chinese Medicine).

The Bird’s Nest comes from the saliva of the Swiflets. Swiftlets live in limestone caves around South East Asia, Indian Ocean, North Australia, and Pacific Islands. These birds build their nests three times a year – in spring, summer, and autumn. Each nest takes about 30 to 35 days to build. Interestingly, males primarily build the nests by attaching them to the vertical walls of the limestone caves. Removing these nests can be dangerous! Retrievers will start by climbing the outside of the cave to attach the ropes. Then, they will drop down the ropes to the cave floor. These ropes will be tied to handmade ladders and poles to ease the collection process.

Image Credits: Francesco Veronesi via flickr.com

The tedious retrieval of the Bird’s Nest does not stop there! In fact, researchers observed that it can take a person approximately eight hours to clean 10 nests. Commercial cleaners often use bleaching agents to speed up the cleaning process. All these hours seem to pay off as consumers are hooked by it! Many of the demand comes from the traditional belief of its health benefits.

Bird’s Nest can be consumed alone or as an additive in dishes, beverages, and cosmetics. It is rich in protein, which contains essential amino acids. Moreover, it contains six hormones including testosterone and estradiol.

Previous research has indicated that the nests contain substances that can stimulate cell division and growth and enhance tissue growth. This is why many use it for their skincare or beauty regimen.

Now, you know why the soft and jellylike delicacy comes with a hefty price-tag!

Sources: 1 & 2

Read More...

Try These New Food Twists In Singapore

From Milo-coated chicken to salted egg yolk fries, here are some of the new flavors available in Singapore.

Salted Egg Yolk Fries by McDonald’s

Last Christmas, I discovered that my nephew has been allergic to potatoes. Imagine not being able to eat fries and all its glorious flavors! What’s more? McDonald’s just introduced the Salted Egg Yolk Fries. It takes the trend to another level! Simply upgrade your regular fries by adding S$1.20.

Pandan Ice Cream by McDonald’s

Launched at the same time as the Salted Egg Yolk fries and the Peach Pie (i.e., retails for S$1.40) is none other than the Pandan ice cream. Local-inspired Pandan desserts are now available on the McDonald’s menu. Begin by trying the Pandan Soft Serve Cone, Pandan Twist Cone, or the Pandan ChocoCone. These three retail for about S$1 to S$1.20.

Image Credits: mukahpages.blogspot.com

McDonald’s Sundae or the McFlurry fans will be happy to hear that the Pandan flavor extends to these treats as well. Pandan Soft Serve Sundae costs about S$2. While, the McFlurry is S$3.

Sweet Potato Milkshake by Don Don Donki

Expect nothing but long queues at Don Don Donki, especially with their newly offered Sweet Potato Milkshake (S$4.90). Members can get this unique milkshake at a dollar off. However, you can also collect points and redeem these in-store points for additional discounts.

This drink is available on a limited time only. Head down to their outlets at Orchard Central or 100 AM to enjoy this drink while stocks last!

Milo-Coated Chicken Pops by Flavour Flings

You do not have to cross the Malaysian border to get the hugely popular calorie bomb called the Milo-Coated Fried Chicken. In Malaysia, the spicy fried chicken is coated with the cocoa powder and Milo dip. In Hougang, an eatery called Flavour Flings recently added the Milo-Coated Chicken Pops to its menu. It costs about S$9.90 per plate. This comes with the Sambal Belachan Mayo and Nacho Cheese Sauce.

Does it sound weird to you? Well, it seems that the people of Have Halal Will Travel gave it a resounding thumbs up. Judge it for yourself!

Image Credits: Flavour Flings via facebook.com

The new year 2019 calls for more foodventures! Be bold enough to try at least one of these dishes. 🙂

Read More...