chewearn's blog

This post is dedicated to former brothers and sisters in arms. We have fought side-by-side in many unforgettable battles. Unfortunately, a bunch of us were shown the doors a few months ago, and now most of the rest have also been axed. I feel your pain. Hang in there, don’t be discouraged.

And to those still hanging by a thread: keep a low profile, don’t be a hero. Take what you can get, stay to fight another day.

I decided to attempt home cooked meals this week. With high inflation this year, food prices have gone up significantly. Recently, these prices have lowered with the recession, but meals in hawker centres remained as expensive as before.

So, how much would it take to cook a simple meal at home? I’m a lousy chef, we have to discount the cost of tasteless meals. Here is an account of the carnage after the first day.

1kg bag of long grain rice is $2.80. There was additional 5% discount of $0.14 because it was the house brand. Unfortunately, 1kg was the smallest amount I could purchase. This should last at least 10 servings.

Price per meal:

($2.80 - $0.14) / 10
= $0.25 (approx.)

A small-sized old cucumber for two servings cost $1.45.

Price per meal:

$1.45 / 2
= $0.75 (approx.)

A pack of herbs at $5.07. Good for 4 servings.

Price per meal:

$5.07 / 4
= $1.25 (approx.)

Frozen chicken imported from Brazil in FairPrice cost about one half price of fresh local chicken. For 2kg of whole legs, I paid $7.55. This amount should last for 6 meals.

Price per meal:

$7.55 / 6
= $1.25 (approx.)

Compensating for my lack of culinary skill, throw everything (except rice) into a pot and boil for at least two hours. Add a pinch of salt.

Result: chicken and old cucumber herbal soup.

Chicken:		$1.25
Old cucumber:	$0.75
Herbs:		$1.25
Rice:		$0.25
			-----
Total:		$3.50