lee_yl\" post_id=\"2078264\" time=\"1660396131\" user_id=\"17023:

Both. Big kettle and boil on stove type. :oops:

Now come to think of it, maybe I should change to an electric kettle! Years ago, I wanted to change to an electric airport but my DH said no cos it consumes a lot of electricity to keep water warm throughout the day.

Indeed it takes 20 minutes to boil water using kettle on the stove. I agree with your husband using the electric thermal flask which can keep water warm throughout the day consumes a lot of electricity. I used to have one when I gave birth to my first son many years ago. I was shocked when I received the electricity bill. Then, I kept thinking what new appliance which I used for that month. That was the electric thermal flask. I sold it right away.

Later I found out the most effective and save money way. I boils the water on stove. Then, I invested in good thermal flask. That's Zojirushi thermal flask. It lasts me for about 10 years. It spoiled because the way my helper washed it. She immersed the flask into water. Once the water boiled, I poured the hot water into the thermal flask. It enough for husband who needs hot water to pour on his oats when he wants to have breakfast in the late morning. In afternoon, when I want to make tea, the hot water is still hot enough for a cup of tea or coffee.

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2078043\" time=\"1660264349\" user_id=\"28674:

I presume you mean that you want to steam and stir fry one at a time, but using the same pot? I can't see that it can be done at the same time!

I don't steam stuff, but I know that most rice cookers seem to come with a steaming tray. The size will depend on the size of your rice cooker. And the steaming is done along with the rice cooking. I don't know if that will work for you.

I was a full-time SAHM for many years (now working freelance about 70% of the time), and I now still cook all dinners for my family. I just do a single dish every night with meat and veg, plus rice. I use a deep-ish skillet or flat-bottomed wok which can be used for frying as well as stewing. So I only wash 1 skillet plus the rice pot. Occasionally I will cook 2 dishes, one after another, in the same skillet (non-stick is essential!). Maybe you can consider doing that to save washing up.

I meant stir fry first then use for steaming. Then, I realised the meal preparation will be longer. Because we have to wait for steaming for another 15 minutes. That's a good idea the steaming is done along with rice cooking. Last time when I got helper I didn't pay attention to this and bought a mini rice cooker without steamer.

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2078053\" time=\"1660270374\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2078053 time=1660270374 user_id=53606]
I bought the official (expensive) Tefal brand from Tangs. Cook with a non-metal spatula and wash with a soft kitchen sponge (never scrub with the rough side), it has lasted all this while.[/quote]

My Tefal brand frying pan only last for a year. I used to stir fry vegetables on high flame.

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2078014\" time=\"1660217704\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2078014 time=1660217704 user_id=53606]
Why not get a big wok, which can be used for both stir fry and steaming.[/quote]

I am thinking to buy the traditional chinese wok. It can be used for steaming. It is durable. Those non stick wok can't be used for steaming. It will reduce the lifespan of wok.

Since our domestic helper returned to hometown two years ago, i have handled all the housework. I am a full time wife. I cook for dinner a few days in a week. I stir fry vegetables, steam fish/meat. I use air fryer too. Any recommendation of pot which can be used to stir fry and steam? I don’t want to wash too many pots/woks. If the steamer have to be itself, any recommendation of compact steamer which can fit to steam fish? Thank you.

It has been 2 years without helper. I cook 3 days a week in between ‘da bao’ and order delivery. I am contemplating to instal dish washer. Anybody has dishwasher? Is it consume too much electricity and water?

My friend who is single in her early 40 considering to buy a HDB/small condo. She has stable income. She can take up the loan up to 500K. However, she is in dilemma now. She is not certain whether she can continue to work for another 20 years to pay up the loan. She afraid that she would get retrenchment and not able to find another job on par with her current salary. She is also worried that her health will be deteriorating as she gets older.


What do you think? I advice her to take half of her loan. Don’t know my advice is wise or not then I post here to hear what others’ opinion. Thank you.

.zeit\" post_id=\"2027400\" time=\"1623911405\" user_id=\"171271:

I've been trying to find Nando's Mango & Lime marinade for my chicken leg/thighs in Singapore but to no avail. I love this flavour. I don't really like their Peri Peri marinade, but am borderline fine with their Coconut & Lemon, Lemon & Herb options.

star89: The easiest & most foolproof is the Grandma Oriental style - dark/light soy sauce, oyster/hoisin sauce, garlic, honey (& butter / EVO optional). Won't go wrong.

If you want the type with super crispy skin, then you must pat dry the skin and dry marinate with spices, herbs, kosher salt (butter/EVO optional) overnight. Thyme/rosemary/garlic/cilantro/Italian spices are all ok. I sometimes add a drop of liquid smoke to give it some char tar aroma, but I heard it's not very healthy.

There's also the Five Spices Grilled Chicken which I also make. It's so easy. I love my chicken to be infused with star anise.

Tried Cumin+paprika+Szechuan peppercorn+kosher salt before. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0mwlSzffsY&t=79s, but is an acquired taste. If you add greek yoghurt, it becomes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6x6zp0n0QE.

I will grill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-lM3jfgClw sometimes. But only during the sch hols, as I need to marinate the chicken with Indian plain yoghurt overnight.

Another hot favourite of mine is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evkRRBsLYwA) which you can find in So Pho in the form of wings/drumlets. But without a maid, you need to grind a lot of stuffs yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glwj443zfX8 is quite similar to the Vietnamese Fish Sauce grilled chicken. But the Thais add cilantro roots + black peppercorn + palm sugar instead of brown sugar. The Thais also use tamarind paste to make its devilish dipping sauce.

If you're too free, you can grill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7ZYgfyFlh4 using kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), coconut oil, tamarind juice, candlenut, turmeric and galangal, etc. Or just go to a foodcourt to tapao from Riverside!

If you don't have much time, try Japanese Teriyaki chicken, Miso chicken, Korean Gochujang chicken, or Cantonese Char-siew and Plum-Glazed chicken. These are much easier to prepare with readymade marinades. Make sure u marinate your chicken thighs with the sticky teriyaki or yakitori sauce.

When you want to venture to something more exotic, try the Peruvian Pollo a la Brasa (sour cream is added), Mexican grilled chicken (pineapple & orange juice is added).

Thank you for sharing the recipe.

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2026931\" time=\"1623661174\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2026931 time=1623661174 user_id=53606]
Nice! I also use my oven more often now. Discovered that marinated chicken legs are very juicy when oven baked! Much more worth my money than chicken wings.[/quote]

That’s yummy. Can share the recipe? I have been struggling to find quick and tasty recipe for my family.

Estéema\" post_id=\"2003544\" time=\"1606109877\" user_id=\"66413:

star89\" post_id=\"2003510\" time=\"1606099170\" user_id=\"8134:

I am joining this club. I sent off my helper home yesterday. Trying not to get a new helper since I work at home. There is a school bus to send my boy to school next year. I hire a maid mainly for my MID boy who is coming to 13 years old next year. I feel so sad every time he told me that he misses Kakak. They had quite close interaction to each other. Kakak sent him to school everyday. Kakak rode scooter and he rode bicycle. They were like siblings. My boy spoke more to my helper too. In my deep heart, I know that my boy has to learn to be independent. Helper is not our family member. It's easier to train him to be without Kakak now rather than 2-3 years later. Any mother who has special needs kids going through this? Can PM me how you overcome the initial life without helper? TIA.

I’m glad u’re trying to go w/o helpers. Wld be challenging but I think I’ve made a strong brave step fwd!

Wld hv been better if u cld hv transferred yr heller to ano Spore family tho. Not easy for some families to find experienced helpers & I’m sure yet young helper Wld need continual income. Hope she can be contacted & get ano job for a Spore family here

I will not be so brave to make the big step if she still want to work in Singapore. I would have renewed her contract instead. So far, the helpers who worked with me returned home for good i.e. marriage, etc.