Being confined to your home during the MCO is the perfect opportunity to whip up something delicious every day writes Indra Balaratnam
BEING at home during the Movement Control Order doesn’t have to be an inconvenience. Use the time to polish up your cooking skills and prepare healthy meals for your loved ones.
First, make sure your pantry is stocked with the essentials. These include cooking oil, butter/margarine, jam, mayonnaise, santan, salt, vinegar, pepper, herbs and spices, sugar, salt, sauces,marinades, instant yeast, aromatic ingredients (onion, garlic, ginger, serai, turmeric and dry chili that you require in your cooking).
Herbs and spices are also very high in antioxidants, so do use them liberally in your cooking to add flavour.
When preparing meals, always keep it simple. Don’t overwhelm yourself with cooking. With the staples at hand, you have all kinds of options to make. Have some idea of the dishes you plan to cook.
Online recipes and videos are helpful too. Keep things simple and uncomplicated so that everyone in the family can consume what’s cooked.
Here are some ideas for nutritious but easy meals and snacks during this time:
Meat dish/curry, stir fried vegetables served with rice or bread.
Baked chicken or fish fillet served with roasted potatoes and steamed vegetables.
Nasi lemak with egg sambal and extra sliced cucumber and tomatoes.
Pasta with minced meat sauce and vegetables, topped with some cheese (optional).
Breakfast cereal or oatmeal with milk, topped with sliced fruit, nuts and seeds.
Omelette with an assortment of vegetables, served with rice or toasted bread.
Crackers with sliced cheese and tomatoes.
One-dish noodles, fried rice with meat or beans and vegetables.
For snacks, have yogurt, bubur kacang, homemade cekodok and pancakes.
Curries, stews, soups and one-dish meals like fried noodles, pasta and fried rice keep well in the fridge or freezer so you don’t have to cook every day.
*The writer is a consultant dietitian.
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