Work top to bottom — prep ahead while timers run
Gather everything first, then follow the steps
Protein· 3
- 1 egg (hard-boiled)55g
- 50 g firm tofu (cubed)50g
- 8 g peanuts (toasted, crushed)8g
Carbs· 2
- 120 g yellow noodles120g
- 80 g sweet potato (cubed, steamed soft)80g
Vegetables· 5
- 40 g bean sprouts40g
- 20 g shallots (chopped)20g
- 6 g garlic (minced)6g
- 6 g red chili (sliced)(optional)6g
- 10 g spring onion (chopped)(optional)10g
Sauces· 1
- 8 g chili paste (cili boh)8g
Spices· 2
- 4 g curry powder (1 tsp)(staple)4g
- pinch of salt(staple)2g
Fruit· 1
- ½ lime8g
- 8 min · hands-free
Hard-boil the egg for 8 min, then peel and halve; steam the sweet potato until soft and mash it smooth with a fork.
Why? Sweet potato mash is the gravy's secret thickener — its natural starch and sweetness body the sauce so you don't need the traditional sugar and flour.Tip: Steam the sweet potato thoroughly — it mashes easier and gives a smoother, lump-free gravy.
08:00Next up:In a non-stick pan with a splash of water or a light spray of oil, sauté the shallots, garlic, curry powder and chili paste over medium heat for about 2 min.
In a non-stick pan with a splash of water or a light spray of oil, sauté the shallots, garlic, curry powder and chili paste over medium heat for about 2 min.
Why? Blooming the spices before adding liquid releases the fat-soluble aromas of the curry and chili — sautéing with water instead of a pool of oil is where the calories are saved.Watch out: Don't flood it with water at once — let the spices dry-fry to fragrance first, then add water gradually.Next up:Stir in the sweet potato mash and about 250 ml water, add the tofu cubes and a pinch of salt, and simmer 5 min into a thick curry gravy.
- 5 min · hands-free
Stir in the sweet potato mash and about 250 ml water, add the tofu cubes and a pinch of salt, and simmer 5 min into a thick curry gravy.
Why? The tofu soaks up curry flavour here and, together with the egg, lifts the bowl's protein so it goes from a plate of carbs to a genuinely filling meal.Tip: Too thick? Add water. Too thin? Mash in a little more sweet potato.
05:00Next up:Blanch the yellow noodles and bean sprouts in boiling water for 30 sec, drain into a bowl, ladle over the curry gravy, top with the egg halves, and scatter crushed peanuts, spring onion and red chili; finish with a squeeze of lime.
- 1 min · hands-free
Blanch the yellow noodles and bean sprouts in boiling water for 30 sec, drain into a bowl, ladle over the curry gravy, top with the egg halves, and scatter crushed peanuts, spring onion and red chili; finish with a squeeze of lime.
Why? A 30-sec blanch keeps the noodles and sprouts springy; the final squeeze of lime cuts through the rich gravy and brightens every bite — no extra sugar needed.Tip: Squeeze the lime only just before serving for the brightest aroma, and keep the sprouts crunchy for that Johor character.
00:30