Recipes for big groups

This festive season, homecooks all over Singapore have the difficult task of churning out industrial-sized portions of good food in a small kitchen. Between parties, potlucks and large gatherings, we’ve got 10 scrumptious recipes that are easy to make and taste great en masse: 

1. Prawn Tacos & Cabbage Slaw

At the top of our list, we have a popular Prawn Taco and Cabbage Slaw recipe. These prawn tacos are quick and simple to prepare, and will likely be gobbled up fast at the dinner table. This dish will require fresh ingredients such as prawns, garlic, paprika, and lemon. 

Simply prepare the cabbage slaw according to the step-by-step instructions and grill the shrimp until each side is charred and cooked well. Finish off by assembling the cabbage slaw, some yoghurt sauce, and grilled prawns on a toasted tortilla, and it is now ready to be served. 

Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/prawn-taco-cabbage-slaw/ 

Preparation Time: 15 minutes. Serves 4-6. 

2. Air Fryer Ngoh Hiang

Ngoh Hiang is a popular dish that is often seen on the dinner table during occasions such as Chinese New Year. To make the cooking process easier for you, we’ve come up with a rendition that will only require the help of a trusty air fryer. No more having to deal with hot oil splattering everywhere — how convenient!

This recipe is as simple as it looks. All you need for the filing are some minced pork, water chestnuts, shallots, dried mushrooms, spring onions, eggs, and some seasoning. After layering your beancurd skin with a thick amount of filing, roll it up and pop it into the air fryer. Before you know it, you’ll have yourself a piping hot plate of golden brown crispy goodness.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes. Serves 3-4.

3. Nasi Lemak with Blue Butterfly Pea Flower

This Nasi Lemak with Blue Butterfly Pea Flower is not only beautiful on the outside, but tasty on the inside as well. As a definite crowd pleaser, this attractive dish will undoubtedly leave an impression and have your guests wanting more. This dish may be slightly time-consuming to prepare, but we promise that the end result will definitely be worth your effort! 

Our recipe uses basmati rice infused with fragrant pandan and coconut. Each plate is topped with some crispy chicken wing, lady’s finger, and a glorious sunny side up. Lastly, add some peanuts and ikan bilis at the side, and your dish is ready to drop some jaws at the table.

Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/blue-pea-nasi-lemak/ 

Preparation Time: 1-2 hours. Serves 3-4. 

4. Air Fryer Yakitori

If you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine, this recipe is a must-try for you. Easily made in an air fryer, our marinated Yakitori (skewered chicken) will definitely be the star at the dinner table. Just imagine taking an irresistible bite out of that tender, juicy, and charred meat! ! 

The ingredients required for this dish include boneless chicken thighs, and seasonings such as sake, garlic, and black pepper. Boil the sauce in a pot until you get a thick consistency. After your skewered chicken has been cooked in the air fryer, glaze it with a generous layer of sauce and it is now ready to be savoured. 

Preparation Time: 30 minutes. Serves 3-4.

5. Prawn and Avocado Tostadas

https://youtu.be/xl9TXKijwWc

Making Prawn and Avocado Tostadas may seem complicated at first glance, but we promise it is a lot simpler than you think! Not to mention, it looks amazing on dinner tables for that wow factor. 

For the guacamole, simply mash some avocados together with cilantro, lime juice, onion, olive oil, salt, and pepper. This process is really up to your own creativity, so feel free to experiment however you like! Within just 15 minutes, you’ll have a delectable plate of crispy wonton skins layered with guacamole and prawns. Top this off with some pickled tomato mixture and your dish is ready to be served.

Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/prawn-and-avocado-tostada/ 

Preparation Time: 15 minutes. Serves 3-4. 

6. Wok-Braised Char Siew

https://youtu.be/lme4oMEjFPs

Known for its versatility, Char Siew can be served in many ways, be it with rice, noodles, or even on its own. If you’ve never tried cooking this dish at home, here’s your chance to do so! 

For this recipe, you’ll need to marinate the pork collar with a mixture of ingredients such as hoisin sauce, honey, light and dark soya sauce, and shaoxing wine. You can choose to marinate it for 6 hours or overnight in the fridge. 

The last and most crucial step for that charred look would be grilling the meat in a grill oven, and your wok braised char siew is done!

If you’re looking for an even  more convenient recipe, our Air Fryer Pork Char Siew recipe is perfect for you. With its succulent meat and charred skin, you’d never be able to guess that this char siew was made in an air fryer!

Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/wok-braised-char-siew/ 

Preparation Time: 1 hour 15 minutes. Serves 4. 

7. BBQ Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer

If you’re still unsure of what to make for your 10 pax gathering, fret not as we’ve got you covered! Our BBQ Chicken Wings are delicious, and an easy favourite for both adults and children. Furthemore, it is also extremely convenient to make using an air fryer. If you do not have an air fryer, a good alternative would be an oven. 

For the marinade, you’ll need some shallots, garlic, ginger, and seasoning sauces. Marinate the chicken and grill it in the air fryer to get that golden charred exterior. Finally, serve it with some calamansi and homemade chilli dip and you’re all set to awe your guests!

Recipe: http://themeatmen.sg/air-fryer-series-bbq-chicken-wings/  

Preparation Time: 30 minutes. Serves 4. 

8. Easy One Pot Tau Yu Bak

Tau Yu Bak, also known as Braised Pork in Soy Sauce, is a popular home cooked dish that many are familiar with. Infused with aromatic herbs and spices, the sauce complements the tender meat perfectly. This dish tastes as good as it sounds, and is sure to satisfy your braised meat cravings. Not to mention, this familiar fish will fill your guests’ stomachs with a sense of warmth and nostalgia. 

The steps for this recipe are quite straightforward. You’ll need to simmer the pork belly in your soy sauce mixture, and repeat after adding in some eggs and tau pok. Once it’s done, place a generous scoop of that braised goodness onto some rice and you can now dig in!

Preparation Time: 45 minutes. Serves 4-6.

9. ZiChar-Style Marmite Chicken

Next up is Marmite Chicken, a go-to zi char dish for many. Regardless of whether you love marmite or not, our recipe will likely suit your palate with its rich and sweet flavours. You’d be happy to know that we’ve also included some tips on how to keep your sauces thick and sticky, and your chicken fried and crispy.

For this dish, all you need are easily obtainable ingredients including boneless chicken thighs, cooking cream, cornstarch, baking soda, and seasonings such as salt and garlic powder. After marinating the chicken, coat the pieces with flour mixture and fry until golden brown. Lastly, toss the chicken into your sauce mixture, sprinkle with sesame seeds and there you have it — a sizzling hot plate of sweet and savoury goodness!

If you’d like to experiment with other ways of marinating your chicken, here are 3 different marinades that we think you’ll enjoy as well. 

Recipe: http://themeatmen.sg/marmite-chicken/  

Preparation Time: 1 hour. Serves 4. 

10. Crackling Sio Bak in an Air Fryer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u4zOvBUjI8

Rounding up our list is Sio Bak, with crispy skin and juicy meat being undeniably hard to resist! If you’re looking for a recipe to impress your friends and family with, this will definitely do the trick. Making sio bak may seem daunting to some, but rest assured you’ll be fine as long as you follow the steps carefully.

Just think of that tender, juicy meat, under that crispy and golden skin — what’s not to love? All you need are ingredients such as salt, fermented beancurd, and five spice powder to create the marinade, and an air fryer to fry the pork belly in. Let the flavours work their magic and you’ll soon have a mouth-watering plate of pork belly fried to perfection. 

If you have more time or would like to hone your cooking skills further, we also have another version of this classic dish here. 

Preparation Time: 50 minutes + Overnight dry out in the fridge. Serves 4-6.

Recipes for Gatherings

If you’d like to try recipes that will leave your guests impressed, these simple recipes are perfect for you. With some practice, you’ll be whipping up a scrumptious feast in no time at all for your festive party.

Last updated 20 December 2022.

Some other recipes you might like: 

• Air Fryer Churros    
• Grilled Prawn Tacos 
• Korean Fried Chicken 

P.S. We’ve got recipes for all your Singaporean and Asian favourites on our Youtube channel. Subscribe and share with your friends!

P.P.S. Can’t find a recipe you like? Drop us a comment or ping us on our socials. 

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