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Minimal Cooking, Rice & Gravy




5 Easy Rice with Gravy Meals in Asian-Style Cooking (Halal & Minimalist-Friendly)

Rice with gravy is a comforting and satisfying meal that’s easy to make with just a few ingredients. I love how a simple bowl of rice becomes an indulgent meal when paired with a flavorful gravy. Plus, it’s versatile—perfect for budget-friendly cooking but easily upgraded into something gourmet.

Here are five easy Asian-style rice with gravy meals, using halal ingredients and minimal effort.


1. Ayam Masak Kicap (Soy Sauce Chicken with Gravy)

A Malay-style soy sauce chicken that’s savory, slightly sweet, and aromatic. The thick gravy soaks beautifully into the rice, making it perfect for an easy meal.

Basic Ingredients:

2 chicken drumsticks or thighs

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp oyster sauce

1/2 cup water

1 onion, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp sugar


How to Cook:

1. Heat oil in a pan, sauté garlic and onion until fragrant.

2. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned.

3. Pour in soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and water. Simmer for 15–20 minutes.

4. Serve over hot rice.


Gourmet Add-Ons:

Extra Richness: Add sliced chilies and a splash of coconut milk.

Vegetables: Serve with steamed bok choy or stir-fried greens.


2. Daging Masak Merah (Spicy Tomato Beef with Gravy)

A Malaysian-style spicy tomato beef dish that’s sweet, spicy, and full of flavor. It’s a must-have for rice lovers!

Basic Ingredients:

200g beef, thinly sliced

2 tbsp tomato ketchup

1 tbsp chili paste (or sambal)

1/2 cup water

1 onion, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt


How to Cook:

1. Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant.

2. Add beef and stir-fry until cooked.

3. Mix in tomato ketchup, chili paste, sugar, and water. Simmer for 10 minutes.

4. Serve over rice.


Gourmet Add-Ons:

Extra Flavor: Add a dash of soy sauce and a squeeze of lime.

More Protein: Add fried tofu or boiled eggs.


3. Japanese Curry Rice (Kare Raisu)

A mild and slightly sweet Japanese-style curry that’s comforting and hearty.

Basic Ingredients:

1 potato, cubed

1 carrot, sliced

1 onion, chopped

150g chicken breast, diced

1 tbsp curry powder

1 cup water

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp sugar


How to Cook:

1. Sauté onion, then add chicken and cook until browned.

2. Add potatoes, carrots, and curry powder. Stir well.

3. Pour in water, soy sauce, and sugar. Simmer until vegetables are soft.

4. Serve over steamed rice.


Gourmet Add-Ons:

Creamier Texture: Add a splash of coconut milk or butter.

Protein Boost: Add a boiled egg or fried tofu.


4. Butter Chicken (Halal-Style Indian Curry with Rice)

This rich and creamy Indian-style butter chicken is easy to make at home with simple ingredients.

Basic Ingredients:

200g boneless chicken, cubed

1 tbsp butter

1/2 cup tomato puree

1/2 cup coconut milk

1 tsp garam masala

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp salt


How to Cook:

1. Melt butter in a pan and sauté garlic.

2. Add chicken and cook until golden brown.

3. Stir in tomato puree, garam masala, and salt. Simmer for 5 minutes.

4. Pour in coconut milk and cook for another 5 minutes.

5. Serve with warm rice.


Gourmet Add-Ons:

Extra Creaminess: Add fresh cream or yogurt.

Spicy Kick: Add chili powder or green chilies.


5. Taucu Tofu & Tempeh (Soybean Paste Tofu & Tempeh with Gravy)

A flavorful, protein-packed dish with tofu and tempeh in a savory taucu (fermented soybean) gravy.

Basic Ingredients:

1 block firm tofu, cubed

1 small block tempeh, sliced

1 tbsp taucu (fermented soybean paste)

1/2 cup water

1 garlic clove, minced

1 onion, sliced

1 tsp sugar


How to Cook:

1. Pan-fry tofu and tempeh until golden brown, then set aside.

2. In the same pan, sauté garlic and onion.

3. Add taucu, sugar, and water. Simmer for 5 minutes.

4. Mix in tofu and tempeh, coat well with the gravy.

5. Serve over hot rice.


Gourmet Add-Ons:

Veggie Upgrade: Add sliced bell peppers or long beans.

Spicy Flavor: Stir in chopped chilies.


Why I Love These Rice & Gravy Meals

✔️ Easy to Cook – Everything is done in one pot or a single pan.
✔️ Minimal Ingredients – No need for a long list of spices or hard-to-find ingredients.
✔️ Budget-Friendly – Uses simple, affordable ingredients that can be found in any local market.
✔️ Customizable for Gourmet Meals – Add extra toppings, spices, or vegetables to upgrade the dish.
✔️ Perfect for Meal Prep – Cook a big batch, store leftovers, and reheat anytime.

Rice with gravy meals are my go-to comfort food. They’re flavorful, filling, and easy to make even with a minimalist kitchen setup.

Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!


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