30 Minute Recipes

Time really flies! Christmas feels like yesterday, and Chinese New Year is already round the corner. That leaves some of us scrambling to put celebrations in order, not to mention having to block out hours and hours in the kitchen. 

Well, whether you’re hurrying to put a dinner menu together or just want to save precious time in the kitchen, here are 8 last-minute recipes that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. Not only are these dishes easy to prepare, but they also hit the spot with their rich flavours. You’ll be surprised at how much you can whip up in no time at all:

1. Chye Poh Tofu

To kickstart this list, we have a delicious pairing of tofu and chye poh, otherwise known as preserved radish bits. In just 15 minutes, you’ll get yourself an elegant plate of golden-crisp tofu, topped with an aromatic layer of fried radish. Drizzle a generous amount of abalone sauce and it’s ready to be served.

Recipe: http://themeatmen.org/chye-poh-tofu/ 

Preparation Time: 15 minutes. Serves 4. 

2. Ee Fu Noodles

What’s a reunion dinner without some piping hot noodles? Ee Fu noodles are often served in many Chinese restaurants, and the good news is that we’ve prepared a hassle-free, one-pot recipe for you. 

Stir-fry the marinated chicken and noodles with some seasoning, and toss some deep-fried chicken skin at the top. This delectable yet simple dish will leave your guests requesting for more!

Recipe: https://themeatmen.org/ee-fu-noodles/ 

Preparation Time: 30 minutes. Serves 4. 

3. Crab & Dried Scallop Soup

Rather than having your usual shark’s fin soup this festive season, why not opt for a thick and fragrant bowl of crab and dried scallop soup instead? Every mouthful will be a combination of the sweetness from the crab meat, accompanied by rich flavours of the dried scallops and mushrooms. With the help of this recipe, you’ll be able to serve your loved ones a warm and soothing bowl of happiness in no time at all — 30 minutes, to be exact. 

Recipe: https://themeatmen.org/crab-and-dried-scallop-soup/   

Preparation Time: 30 minutes. Serves 2.

4. Scallop & Broccoli

With its elegant appearance, this scallop and broccoli dish will undoubtedly be the star of the night. It may look difficult to prepare, but you’d be surprised how easy it actually is. All you need to do is blanch the broccoli and scallops, and add the fragrant sauce mixture. 

Before you know it, you’ll have yourself a mouth-watering plate of bouncy-sweet scallops and crunchy broccoli. Remember to keep an eye on the scallops to ensure they are not overcooked. 

Recipe: https://themeatmen.org/scallop-and-broccoli-with-abalone-sauce/ 

Preparation Time: 10 minutes. Serves 4. 

5. Drunken Herbal Prawns

Requiring minimal ingredients and just a few simple steps, this aromatic dish is definitely worth a try! For this classy dish, you’ll need some fresh large tiger prawns, shaoxing wine, and Chinese herbs. To get the best outcome, we’d recommend keeping it 90% cooked as the claypot will retain heat even after the cooking is done. 

Recipe: https://themeatmen.org/drunken-herbal-prawns/ 

Preparation Time: 30 minutes. Serves 2.

7. Braised Abalone with Mushroom

What’s Chinese New Year without some juicy abalone for fortune and abundance? Our rendition of this classic dish will likely make you think twice about visiting a restaurant during this celebratory period. 

For this dish, we used baby abalones from South Korea, infused with some jin hua ham and chicken stock in our trusty pressure cooker. Not to forget, you’ll also need some oyster sauce and soy sauce, which are crucial in bringing out the abundant flavours of the dish.

Recipe: https://themeatmen.org/braised-abalones-with-mushrooms/ 

Preparation Time: 30 minutes. Serves 6. 

8. Cuttlefish Kangkong

Our final item tastes so delicious, yet requires only 5 minutes of cooking — yes, you heard us right. You’d be surprised with what can be whipped up within such a short amount of time!

If you’re a fan of rojak, this dish will definitely suit your palate. Simply blanch some kangkong and cuttlefish separately, and drizzle some sauce mixture over the pair. All that’s left to do is to top the dish off with some sesame seeds and ground peanuts, and your task is finished!

Recipe: https://themeatmen.org/cuttlefish-kangkong/ 

Preparation Time: 5 minutes. Serves 1. 

BONUS: Turnip Cake

This popular dim sum is crispy on the outside, yet so soft and chewy on the inside. While more time is needed for steaming (40 minutes), the prep work can be done in 30 minutes or less! 

The exterior of the turnip cake will be slightly charred and crisp, while the filling will be full of shallots, dried shrimps, and chinese sausages. Lastly, elevate the dish with some XO sauce and you’ll have yourself a warm and savoury block of turnip cake!

Recipe: https://themeatmen.org/turnip-cake-with-xo-sauce-xo/ 

Preparation Time: 1 hour 30 minutes. Serves 6. 

Easy Chinese New Year Recipes

If you’re looking to whip up an extravagant meal that will leave your guests amazed, these straightforward recipes are just what you need. With some practice, you’ll be whipping up an impressive feast in no time at all. Share your cooking creations on our Meatmen FB Cooking Community, or leave a comment to share what your favourite dishes are!

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Some other recipes you might like: 

• Spring Rolls  
• Longevity Noodles   
• Cereal Prawns 

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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