ChirpBirdee

5 Easy One-Pot Asian Meals You Can Cook in a Rice Cooker (Halal & Minimalist-Friendly) One-pot meals are my favorite go-to dishes, especially since I only have a rice cooker as my main cooking appliance. Cooking in a rice cooker means less mess, minimal effort, and easy cleanup—all perfect for a minimalist kitchen. Despite its simplicity, the rice cooker can make some seriously delicious Asian-style meals. Here are five one-pot halal-friendly meals that are simple to cook but can be elevated with extra ingredients for a more gourmet touch. 1. Chicken Rice (Hainanese-Style or Nasi Ayam Simple) This is one of the easiest and most flavorful rice dishes you can make in a rice cooker. The chicken cooks along with the rice, absorbing all the aromatic flavors. Basic Ingredients: 2 cups jasmine rice, washed 2 chicken drumsticks or boneless chicken thighs 3 cloves garlic, minced 1-inch ginger, sliced 1 tbsp chicken stock powder (or 1 halal chicken bouillon cube) 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/2 cups wate...

5 Easy Asian-Style Fried Noodles (Halal & Minimalist Cooking) Fried noodles are one of the easiest, most satisfying dishes to make. They’re perfect for minimalist cooking because they require just a few ingredients, cook quickly, and can be customized to your liking. Whether I’m in a rush or craving something flavorful, fried noodles always hit the spot. Here are five Asian-style fried noodle recipes, all made with halal-friendly ingredients, that you can keep simple or elevate with gourmet add-ons. 1. Classic Soy Sauce Fried Noodles (Mee Goreng Kicap) This is the simplest fried noodle dish, made with just soy sauce and aromatics, yet it’s full of flavor. Basic Ingredients: 1 pack yellow noodles (or instant noodles, drained) 2 tbsp cooking oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) 1 tbsp light soy sauce 1/2 tsp white pepper How to Cook: 1. Heat oil and sauté garlic until golden brown. 2. Add the noodles and stir-fry over medium heat. 3. Pour in both soy sauce...

5 Easy Asian-Style Fried Rice Dishes (Halal & Minimalist Cooking) Fried rice has always been my go-to quick and satisfying meal. It’s the perfect dish for minimalists—it requires just a handful of ingredients, comes together in minutes, and is incredibly versatile. You can keep it simple or elevate it into something gourmet by adding extra ingredients. Here are five of my favorite Asian-style fried rice recipes, all made with halal-friendly ingredients. 1. Classic Garlic Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng Bawang Putih) This is the simplest fried rice dish, yet so flavorful. It’s great for days when I don’t feel like cooking a complicated meal. Basic Ingredients: 2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old) 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp cooking oil 1 tsp soy sauce Salt & pepper to taste How to Cook: 1. Heat oil in a pan and sauté the minced garlic until golden brown. 2. Add the rice and stir-fry over medium heat. 3. Season with soy sauce, salt, and pepper. 4. Stir well and serve hot. Gourmet A...

Handheld Tetris & A Simple Radio: Nostalgic Entertainment in a Minimalist Life Growing up, I didn’t have fancy gaming consoles or a big TV to entertain me. What I did have, though, was a handheld Tetris game—a simple device with a tiny black-and-white screen and just a few buttons. It was nothing high-tech, but it was everything to me. I remember sitting next to my grandmother, both of us huddled over that little device, taking turns stacking blocks and trying to beat each other’s high scores. She wasn’t much into technology, but Tetris? She loved it. She would laugh every time I lost, telling me, "You think too much, just go with the flow." And honestly, she was right—overthinking always led to bad moves in the game. I still have that Tetris game today. It’s old, the buttons are slightly worn, and the beeping sound is a little softer than before, but it still works. Every now and then, I pick it up and play a few rounds, feeling the weight of those childhood memories in ...

My Minimalist Kitchen Swaps: Simple, Functional, and Clutter-Free In a previous post, I shared my minimalist kitchen setup, which leans more towards a pantry than a traditional kitchen. Over time, I’ve streamlined my cooking process, reducing the number of kitchen tools and appliances I own. This shift naturally led me to rethink my dishware, utensils, and cookware. There was a time when I thought I needed an extensive collection of plates, cutlery, bakeware, and fancy kitchen gadgets to cook properly. But as I simplified my space, I realized that most of these items weren’t necessary. I started swapping out excess kitchenware for versatile, durable, and practical alternatives that truly serve my needs. Today, I want to share the kitchen swaps I’ve made and what I currently own. 1. From Melamine to Stainless Steel Dishware When my children were younger, I opted for melamine plates and bowls to avoid accidents with breakable glassware. However, I started noticing a few problems: Some in...

My Minimalist Kitchen: How Just 5 Essential Appliances Make Cooking Easy When I first moved out of my mother’s house, I thought I needed an entire cookware set, a well-stocked pantry, and a perfectly organized kitchen to be able to cook decent meals. After all, I had watched my mother and late grandmother cook elaborate dishes with a variety of pots, pans, and utensils. From selecting the freshest ingredients to mastering the art of budget-friendly cooking, they made everything look effortless. But once I settled into my own tiny rental flat, I quickly realized that I didn’t need a fully equipped kitchen to make delicious, home-cooked meals. Space was limited, and I didn’t want to clutter my home with unnecessary items. Slowly, I streamlined my cooking process and found that a simple, practical setup was all I really needed. Now, my kitchen setup looks more like a pantry than a traditional kitchen, but it works perfectly for my needs. I’ve narrowed it down to just five essential applia...

Why Minimalist Fashion Works for Me: Everyday Comfort with Jerseys, Cargo Pants, and More For a long time, I thought minimalist fashion meant wearing only neutral colors and having a wardrobe of plain white t-shirts and black pants. But over time, I realized that minimalism isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about having a wardrobe that works for your lifestyle, is versatile, and makes getting dressed effortless. That’s why my go-to clothing choices revolve around comfort, functionality, and durability. Jerseys, cargo pants (including denim ones), overall dresses, yoga pants, and midi dresses are the core pieces in my wardrobe. They’re practical, easy to style, and perfect for everyday wear. Here’s why I love them. 1. Jerseys: The Perfect Everyday Top Jerseys are one of my favorite wardrobe staples. They’re lightweight, breathable, and last forever—even with frequent washes. I used to think jerseys were just for sports, but they’ve become my go-to for everyday wear because they: Keep me ...