Families For Life | 5 dad-proof recipes that are impossible to mess up

Dads, are you up for a challenge to conquer the kitchen? Roll up your sleeves and impress your family with these tried-and tested recipes!

1. Mash Stew with Vegetables

This dish is a local version of the pot pie without the time-consuming pastry. When there’s only one parent in the house and you can’t spend hours watching the stove, this dish is a problem solver.

• Chop carrots, potatoes, onion and tomato into cubes
• Boil the chopped vegetables in a pot
• Once the vegetables start to soften, you can add in shrimp paste, pepper and salt to taste
• For those who prefer meat, you can add in oxtail, beef cubes, or chunks of salmon or chicken. These should be seasoned and cooked separately before adding to the stew.

Mr Neo, 65 years, shared, “you can boil the stew in a slow cooker whilst you attend to other chores. You can also customise the recipe to suit your family’s taste preference. Sometimes we would add celery and peas or Tabasco sauce for its spicy flavour.”

2. Turmeric Rice (Nasi Kuning)

Harry, 56 years shared that Nasi Kuning is a memorable childhood dish. Today, it is a staple in his household and adored by his wife of 25 years and his three children.

• Blend 6 shallots, 3 chili padi, fresh turmeric, and 1 tablespoon of water together in a blender
• Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil into the frying pan and simmer in medium heat
• Add the blended ingredients into the pan and mix well in medium heat
• Add cooked rice into a pan and mix
• Add salt to taste

“Nasi Kuning an aromatic dish that is choked full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory health benefits from the turmeric. The spiciness of the dish adds an insatiable kick,” Harry remarked.

3. Pickled Pork Ribs Soup

For Mr Ong, 49 years, his favourite pickled pork ribs soup is a family recipe passed down from his great-grandmother. The soup becomes thicker and more scrumptious when left to marinate overnight so he recommends to cook more of the soup and eat it over the course of a few days.

• Take 1kg of pork ribs and put in a pot
• Add 1 litre of water and bring it to boil on high heat
• Boil until the pork ribs are soft and skim off the grease
• Lower the fire to a medium heat
• Add 1 packet of Chinese pickled mustard green
• Boil for a further 20-30mins
• Add more water, salt, or vinegar to taste

“It requires minimum effort and ingredients. The tangy, flavourful zest always leave my 2 children wanting for more. That is why I always make it a point to cook a larger pot,” shared Mr. Ong.

4. “No Cook” Egg Rice

Mr Ken Chiu, 70 years, acknowledges that his “no cook” egg rice recipe is one that might be unheard off but guarantees its tastiness. This dish is a unique spin on the traditional egg fried rice that does not require cooking.

“My grandchildren’s favourite breakfast is my egg rice. it is my childhood’s comfort food and it only takes 5 minutes to prepare.”

• Use one fresh egg and separate the raw yolk
• Take a bowl of cooked rice straight from the rice cooker (it is important that the rice is piping hot and fresh out the rice cooker)
• Mix the raw yolk into the rice
• Add 2 teaspoon of salted margarine
• Add salt to taste
• Mix well and enjoy!
• Garnish with chopped up spring onions
• Don’t let the egg white go to waste! Fry it and eat it as a side dish

5. Steamed Egg

For 26-year old Mr Tan, being a young father of one is a blessing. His steamed egg recipe is taught by his mother. “My wife loves the simplicity of this recipe and our daughter, now aged 1, can easily savour this dish without much mastication,” he shared.

• Beat 5 eggs with a fork until smooth and creamy
• Add salt and pepper to taste
• Add proteins (prawns or chicken)
• Add 150ml of water into the mixture
• Transfer the content into bowl and place it into a steamer
• Wait 20 minutes