Quick dinner recipes can be extremely helpful for families that tend to be busy or are extremely preoccupied with a never ending list of things. Here are a good number of quick recipes that such families can opt for as they can be done in a short amount of time and will still make you salivate!
Quick Dinner Recipes: Nasi Goreng Kampung
Kampung Fried Rice or commonly known as nasi goreng kampung saves the day when, for a busy family. Full of bold flavours, this no-nonsense dish comes together in just over 15 to 20 minutes with simple pantry ingredients that can be easily found at home. Previously cooked rice is stir-fried with aromatics like garlic, shallots, and chilies for a fragrant base.
Crunchy anchovies or ikan bilis give a good umami bite, while eggs and vegetables like kangkung or long beans balance it out with much needed nutrition. A dash of soy sauce and a pinch of belacan helps to enhance the flavour and take it up a notch to make this a comforting dish. One of the best things about Nasi Goreng Kampung is its ease of adapting it according to whatever one might have in their kitchen such as chicken, shrimp, or even the humble tofu.
This dish calls for a one-pan cleanup, so even more perfect for weeknights. With a fried egg and sliced cucumbers added on top, this dish is indeed homey and filling and becomes a totally satisfying meal. One great way to recycle rice and reduce food waste, with delivery of a full meal — it’s great, whether you’re a pro cook or new in the kitchen.
Nasi Goreng Kampung is easy to make and is a great, tasty option regardless if you are an experienced cook or a novice, beginning their cooking journey. for either experienced cooks or those just beginning. It really is the heart of Malaysian food — rich flavours, simple techniques, comforting home-cooked bliss. With its preparation time and scrumptious taste, this dish of fried rice is what the doctor ordered for families who race against busy schedules but still hanker for a warm, comforting homemade meal.
Quick Dinner Recipes: Sambal Udang
Sambal Udang, or Spicy Prawn Sambal, is the perfect meal for busy weeks when one just needs flavour in an easy package. The spicy sambal from the blend of chilli, onions, garlic, and tomatoes makes for a Malaysian dinner of succulent prawns. Full of flavours, and quick – so just what one needs when in a rush.
To make Sambal Udang, one simply stir-fries the sambal paste in a hot pan until fragrant, then adds the prawns and cooks them until they turn pink and tender. You can add a touch of sugar to balance the spiciness, giving it a slightly sweet and savoury profile. With just 20 minutes of cooking time, Sambal Udang is a perfect dish for busy weeknights — it requires minimal ingredients and can be served with steamed rice for a complete meal.
The mix of the natural sweetness of the prawns along with the kick of spiciness from the sambal sauce makes it a favourite of kids and adults alike. It is versatile and can easily be made spicier, as needed. In a jiffy, filling, full of rich flavour-some action is what describes Sambal Udang. Anyone looking forward to a decent and easy, yummy Malaysian dinner need not slave in the kitchen for hours just for dinner preparations.
Quick Dinner Recipes: Ayam Masak Kicap
Ayam Masak Kicap, or Soy Sauce Chicken, is a great Malaysian dinner in a flurry for busy families who want flavour and satisfaction in one meal. This dish consists of tender chicken pieces braised in a delicious sweet soy sauce-based gravy, fragrant with sautéed onions and garlic and the warmth of star anise and cinnamon.
It requires very minimal preparation time and, therefore, is perfect for weeknight dinners. You can serve it within 30 minutes with a bowl of hot steamed rice. The most beautiful thing that can be done to Ayam Masak Kicap is to take it in many directions, using bone-in chicken for a more intense flavour or chicken thighs for juiciness. The savoury, with a slightly sweet sauce, creates a rich coating on the chicken that produces a comforting and well-satisfying meal without complicated ingredients.
Add a dash of dark soy sauce for smokiness, or a squeeze of lime to balance the sweetness with the tang. This dish fits into most busy families’ repertoires because it requires only one pot or pan, which minimises both preparation and cleanup time. Besides, Ayam Masak Kicap is a dish that can be prepared very well in advance, and it sits well — a perfect leftovers for lunch the next day. Be it a small family gathering or more, this simple yet delicious dish will charm every soul present on the dining table.
Quick Dinner Recipes: Roti John
Roti John is a delicious and fast Malaysian dinner for families in a hurry, which is not complex to make on weekday evenings and is saucy to eat. It is a popular street food consisting of a long, soft bread with baguette characteristics, typically containing a filling made with minced meat of any variety, seasoned with appropriate spices, beef or chicken, onions, and eggs cooked well.
Then the sandwich gets griddled until crispy on the outside and tender inside. This is perfect for busy families because the estimated time needed to prepare Roti John is very minimal, only 15 minutes. Simple and versatile ingredients are used, which allows for easy customisation. You can add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra flavour and nutrition or even switch out the meat for a vegetarian version using tofu or tempeh.
The savoury filling, together with the crispy bread, makes for a satisfying and filling meal that goes well with light vegetables or fries. What makes Roti John magical is its minimal ingredients and one-pan cooking, which makes cleaning super easy. This meal can easily be scaled up to feed a larger family by adjusting portion sizes or preparing multiple sandwiches. Be it for a quick dinner or an after-school snack, Roti John is convenient, full of flavour, and friendly for kids-it’s a family favourite for sure.
Quick Dinner Recipes: Lemongrass Chicken Stir Fry
The Lemon Grass Chicken Stir-Fry, so bright and aromatic, makes it a go-for dish on every busy evening in Malaysia in families that do not have so much time or seek a simple yet healthy, yummy dinner. Stir-fry for 15 minutes with minimal ingredients, one is sure of finding a blend of savoury and spicy, then fragrant scents.
Typically, chicken, to be ready quick, sliced in thin strips retains tenderness and absorbs in great flavours easily. Mainly, lemongrass gives freshness to the dish, while garlic, chilli, and oyster sauce add nice fragrance in the sauce that dresses chicken and vegetables. Common vegetables to be added, such as bell peppers, onions, and baby corn, give a crunchy texture and more nutrition to this dish.
This stir-fry is very versatile, since one can replace chicken with other types of protein like beef or even tofu, to your family’s liking. It is a perfect dish for any given weeknight since it requires minimal preparation, and most of the ingredients are generally available in a typical kitchen. Serve it with steamed rice, and you will have yourself a complete, satisfying meal full of flavour and fullness.
The dish also presents a healthy option for families, as it’s packed with protein and vegetables, making it a nutritious yet quick choice for those hectic evenings when time is tight but you still want to enjoy a tasty homemade dinner. Lemongrass Chicken Stir-Fry is a surefire way to bring the bold tastes of Malaysia to your dinner table in no time!
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