Friday, 20 May 2011

[S$20 Budget Meal] Baked Tom Yum Chicken, Lime and Mango Salad, Sweet Corn and Tofu Soup

For this set of Budget Meal I took about roughly an hour from the preparation to cooking whereby I multi-task two different dishes at one time. It is pretty quick and easy after you pop-in the prepared mid-joints into the oven, you will have more time to prepare the Tofu soup which takes you less than 15 minutes. And overall for this set of Thai Fusion Budget Meal I spent about S$7.80 to feed a family of 4.

This is similar to cream of corn soup but in Asian style with clear soup broth and whole corn kernels instead of the blending the corn kernel. The adding of tofu give it an extra texture for this soup as well as boost up protein intake for kid. (this recipe is specially dedicated to my best friend, Joyce who loves tofu and sweetcorn combination)

Ingredients: (serves 2 - 3)
1 Box of Silken Tofu, cut into 1" cubes
1 Fresh Sweetcorn, remove the corn kernels
2 Medium Tomato
1 Egg, lightly beaten
1 Litre of Water
1/2 Knorr Chicken Stock Cubes

Thickening:
50ml Water
1.5 Tablespoon Cornflour/Potato Flour

For this recipe I took extra steps in preparing the tomatoes by boiling it in water to remove the outer skin to have a smooth texture for the kid. But you can always omit this step if you are in a rush by using just the cut tomato wedges with skin on.

Method:-
1. Bring a small pot of water to boil, drop in tomatoes and let it boil for 1 minute(you will see the skin starting to peel off from the tomato) before you remove and soaked them in ice water.

2. Slowly peel off the outer skin of the tomato, cut into halves and scoop out the seeds. Chop them into big chunks and set aside.

3. Bring 1 litre of water to boil, add in sweetcorn kernels and stock cube then let it simmer for about 5 minutes before adding in the tofu cubes.

4. When the mixture comes to boil, let it simmer for another 2 minutes, lower the heat and stir-in the cornflour mixture(mix water and cornflour together)till the soup thickened.

5. Turn off the heat, swirl in the beaten egg till cooked through. Add in tomato chunks.

6. To serve, ladle soup into serving bowls, garnish with chopped spring onion and dash of pepper.

Total cost for this dish is about S$2.70 with breakdown shown below:-
Cost of Ingredients:
~ Sweetcorn = S$0.60
~ Silken Tofu = S$1.50
~ Egg and Tomatoes = S$0.60


Other than Tofu and Sweetcorn, spicy food is also one of Joyce favourite selection of dish. For this recipe I marinated the mid-joints with 2 tablespoons of store bought Tom Yum paste together with some fresh lemongrass and lime juice for extra refreshing taste and fragrant. If you prefer higher level of spiciness, add in 1 – 2 bird eyes chili (sliced) into the marinade ingredients.

Ingredients: (make 8 mid-joints)
8 Chicken Mid-Joints
2 Stalks of Lemongrass, lightly pound and sliced into sections
2 Tablespoons of Tom Yum Chili Paste
Juice of 1/4 Green Lime

Seasonings:
1 Teaspoon Light Soy Sauce/Fish Sauce
1/2 Tablespoon Cooking Wine
1/2 Tablespoon of Cornflour
1 Teaspoon of Sesame/Olive Oil

Method:-
1. Trim and rise the mid-joints, pat dry with kitchen paper towel then marinate it with all the above ingredients and seasonings for at least an hour in the fridge.

2. Arranged the marinated mid-joint together with the marinade on prepared baking tray line with baking paper or aluminium foil.

3. Bake the mid-joints in oven toaster for about 30 minutes turning at least twice or more for more even colour. OR

*4. Bake in preheated 180 degree oven for about 25 or till cooked through(turn at least twice for even coating of colour).

5. Remove and serve together with Mango Salad.

Total cost for this dish is about S$3.50 with breakdown shown below:-
Cost of Ingredients:
~ Chicken Mid-joints = S$2.80
~ Lemongrass = S$0.20
~ Tom Yum Paste = S$0.50


LIME AND MANGO SALAD

The cold mango salads will definitely draw great attention if you can get hold of sweet and juicy mango that is full of flavour. But if you can’t try at least to find the ripe and decent type instead of those that are hard and sour.
Ingredients: (serves 2)
1 Honey Mango, about 200g
1 - 2 Bird Eyes Chili, sliced
1 - 2 Shallot, sliced and chopped
Grated Rind of 1 Green Lime
1 Tablespoon of Fresh Lime Juice
1/4 Teaspoon Fish Sauce
1/4 Teaspoon Sugar

Method:-
1. Peel of the skin of the mango and cut the flesh into 1cm cubes, set aside.

2. Combine all the remaining ingredients together in bowl, mix well before tossing in the mango cubes.

3. Quick and a quick stir, wrap the bowl with cling wrap and keep in the fridge until serving time.

Total cost for this dish is about S$1.60 with breakdown shown below:-
Cost of Ingredients:
~ Mango = S$1.00
~ Green Lime = S$0.40
~ Chili and Shallot = S$0.20


10 comments:

  1.  Love anything with mango in it :D... yum..:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nasi Lemak Lover20/5/11 3:33 pm

    love that lime and mango salad, sound so appetizing! 

    ReplyDelete
  3. You are a wondercook!

    I like adding tomatoes to lots of dishes including soup!

    ReplyDelete
  4.  I love this super delicious meal with low cost. Worth trying :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. the corn soup is very easy to prepare and yummy too :)

    ReplyDelete
  6.  Thanks Tigerfish :) you do have a lot of useful and interesting kitchen tips and knowledge that I love to read on.....

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks Ann :) do come and join us too if you are able to work out some dishes :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. ahpoohbear22/5/11 9:32 pm

    thank you my dear friend!!! 

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ellena, you are so amazing.  With a low cost budget and short time, you cook such a wonderful meal! You are a true mom whom everyone wish to have!!!

    ReplyDelete

Dear All,

Thanks for leaving down your comments. I do value each and every of your suggestion(s) or comment(s) so if you are signing off as Anonymous, please kindly leave your Name so that I could address you. Thanks

Lastly, please DO NOT SPAM as Spam comments will be deleted immediately.

Regards
Ellena (Cuisine Paradise)

ShareThis