The Malay Meal Prep: Nasi Ayam Kangkong Belacan

I have a soft spot for kangkong belacan. It brings back nice memories from my childhood days, when Mum always makes this dish weekly for my siblings and I after school.

Now that I don’t live with her anymore, I tried to recreate her recipe, of course using predominantly whole food ingredients and eliminating unnecessary salt.

On the plus side, kangkong is a superfood, much like the English counterparts of kale and spinach. Win.

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Meal Prep: Nasi Ayam Kangkong Belacan

Serves – 4
Time needed – 20 mins
Cost – Approximately $2.60 per serve

Here’s what you need:

• 600g chicken breast, skinned and fat removed, sliced
• 2 bunches of kangkong, leaves chopped and stalk separated
• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 10 cili padi, sliced thinly
• 1 tbsp turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp shrimp paste
• 2 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp anchovies
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp liquid aminos

Here’s how you do it:

1. Begin by preparing chicken and rubbing it with turmeric powder. Set aside.
2. Heat a non-stick skillet on medium high with olive oil.
3. Add in onions, cili padi, shrimp paste and anchovies and cook for about two minutes.
4. Add in chicken and let it cook for 6-8 minutes.
5. Add in water, and then the kangkung.
6. Finally, add in honey and liquid aminos. Let it cook until the kangkung is wilted, for about 2-3 minutes.
7. Enjoy with a side of basmati rice.

How much this costs:

*Keep in mind that this numbers are a rough guide. It depends on where you buy it and when. At the end of the day it’s possible to eat healthy without breaking the bank. Also, ~ denotes the items that should already be in your pantry for a long time or it’s a very small amount. I’ve also added about $0.50 to the final number to account for those ~ items.

• 600g chicken breasts – $6.48
• 2 bunches kangkung – $1.40
• 1 medium red onion – $0.20
• 1 medium yellow onion – $0.20
• 10 cili padi – $0.20
• 1 tbsp turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp shrimp paste $0.50
• 2 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp anchovies ~
• 1 tbsp olive oil $0.30
• 1 tbsp honey $0.30
• 2 tbsp liquid aminos $0.40

Total price = ~ $10.50
Price per serve (without rice) = ~ $2.60

How much calories and macros:

Calories: 341, Protein: 34g, Carbohydrates: 13g, Fats: 8g