Ugly but delicious: here are some easy recipes from chef Lennard Yeong to try at home
BY DBS, 4 AUG 2020
Social enterprise TreeDots also shares how we can reduce food waste by changing our perceptions on what good produce is
Singapore is a nation of foodies, and very few things unite us more than our love for the many unique dishes that form a huge part of our culinary culture. To ensure that the best ingredients go into our dishes, many times we set out to pick what we deem as the freshest or “best-looking” produce from supermarkets when we grocery shop.
This unfortunately leads to food wastage as food that is perceived as uglier but still perfectly edible will go to waste.
We speak to Pamela Low, a Business Development representative from TreeDots, to find out more.
How does TreeDots reduce food waste?
TreeDots aggregates food producers, importers and distributors to facilitate the selling of unsold food items such as seafood and poultry to other F&B businesses such as hotels, cafes and cafeterias.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit earlier this year, TreeDots started redistributing to households as well. This allowed consumers to enjoy quality poultry and seafood at affordable prices, while reducing food loss in the supply chain.
Why are there unsold food items?
Food is usually unsold due to these reasons: overstocking by retailers to ensure items are always in stock at stores, cosmetic filtering of items that are of the wrong size, unpopular parts of poultry or seafood such as chicken breasts, or those are close to expiry.
What kind of food items are typically thrown away?
Food items that are more susceptible to be lost are fresh items such as fresh chickens, which need to be sold within the day. Items such as frozen seafood give suppliers a longer lead time to sell the products before they reach expiry, and hence less likely to be discarded.
Why would there be unsold chickens?
Chickens that we typically see in the supermarkets are usually heavier at 1kg. However, just like all living things, not all chickens grow to that “perfect” size. Chickens that are too small or too big for the standard packaging in supermarkets are usually thrown away. The kampong chickens we sell are smaller around 600g to 700g, and perfectly good for consumption. These chickens are well-loved by households.
Should consumers decide what to cook before grocery shopping or cook based on what is available?
I recommend buying seasonal items or what’s available that day. Be flexible with your grocery list! Buying seasonal reduces food loss, while you get to try new recipes and appreciate different foods at different times of the year!
How does one determine what produce is “ugly” but still edible?
Use your five senses to judge. The first step is to check if it looks okay visually, then smell it. If it smells bad, then it’s a sign not to eat it! If it looks and smell okay, try it.
How can consumers help reduce food loss and food waste?
We have been conditioned to judge food based on their aesthetics such as their shape or size. But you can barely tell the food’s original size or shape once it has been prepared and cooked. We need to change perceptions, and expand our capacity for accepting food. Food need not always be perfectly shaped or packed in a plastic bag for it to be deemed good or edible. Give all food a chance to reduce potential food waste!
Do you have any tips to reduce food wastage?
Always made a grocery list! It is important to know what you need so you buy only what you need and finish them. You can also buy your produce from TreeDots as every item you purchase directly helps reduce food loss.
Let’s get cooking!
A couple of weeks ago, we sent ex-Masterchef Asia contestant and newest member of the Sparks cast - Lennard Yeong, some kampong chickens and a bag of odd-shaped and bruised produce from TreeDots. We challenged him to develop recipes from this “ugly” produce, and he blew us away with what he created!
Here are some “ugly but delicious” recipes you can try, crafted by chef Lennard Yeong.
A. Seared chicken with mushroom sauce
Image credit: Lennard Yeong
Ingredients
2 small kampong chickens (about 600-700g each)
Oil, to cover surface of skillet for searing chicken
Salt and pepper
For mushroom sauce:
200g portobello mushrooms, diced
3 cloves of garlic, finely minced
30g butter
25g oil
70g of heavy cream
Parsley, as needed
Method
1. Preheat an oven at 160C.
2. Cut into thigh and breast portions and pat dry the skin side of the chicken meat with a paper towel.
3. In a large non-stick skillet, add oil to cover the surface of the pan, place chicken pieces skin side down. Sear the skin till it turns golden brown, which takes about 3 minutes. Season the other side of the chicken meat with salt and pepper.
4. Once the skin has browned and crisped, turn the chicken around and place the pan into the oven for about 6 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. (Note: The time may vary based on the thickness of the chicken you are using.)
5. Season the top side with salt and pepper once it comes out of the oven.
6. For the mushroom sauce, heat the oil up in a sauté pan on high heat, then add the diced portobello mushrooms, cook and stir constantly until the mushrooms have softened and their size has reduced by about half.
7. Lower the heat to medium and add butter and minced garlic. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes to remove the raw flavour from the garlic. Add cream and allow the sauce to simmer for about 5 to 6 minutes, to allow the flavour of the mushrooms to infuse the cream forming the mushroom cream sauce. Turn off the heat and mix in chopped parsley.
8. To serve, place seared chicken on top of mushroom sauce and serve it with the salad below.
B. Carrot salad
Image credit: Lennard Yeong
Ingredients
4-5 whole carrots, grated
60-70g lentils, cooked in boiling water
1 clove raw garlic, grated
1 red onion, finely diced
1 lemon, juiced
3-4 sprigs of parsley, chopped
Flaked sea salt, as needed
20-30g of good olive oil
Parmesan, grated
Method
Combine all the ingredients and finish with some grated parmesan over the top.
Both recipes serve four.
Get the kampong chicken and produce that Lennard cooked with! You can enjoy such produce from TreeDots by participating in their weekly group buy initiative #TreeDotsEats. Details can be found on their Facebook page – The TreeDots. You can join one of their collection points islandwide or email them!
How good are you at reducing food waste at home? Take this quiz and find out!
Question 1 of 5
How many of these actions do you take at home?
(You can select more than 1 response)
Question 1 of 5
Well done
3 simple steps to reduce food waste at home: 1. Check the fridge and use what's already there before buying more. 2. Eat your leftovers! 3. Plan & make a shopping list to avoid buying food you won't have time to eat.
Question 1 of 5
You're nearly there!
3 simple steps to reduce food waste at home: 1.Check the fridge and use what's already there before buying more. 2. Eat your leftovers! 3. Plan & make a shopping list to avoid buying food you won't have time to eat.
Question 1 of 5
Good try!
3 simple steps to reduce food waste at home: 1.Check the fridge and use what's already there before buying more. 2. Eat your leftovers! 3. Plan & make a shopping list to avoid buying food you won't have time to eat.
Question 2 of 5
You are packing your grocery cabinet. The best way to organise your groceries is to move older products to the front of the fridge/freezer/pantry and put new products in the back. What is this practice called?
Question 2 of 5
Well done
FIFO! It stands for First In, First Out. This way, you’re more likely to use up older food items before they expire! On a similar note, keep a list of what's in the freezer and when each item was frozen. Place this on the freezer door for easy reference and use items before they pass their prime. Note the upcoming expiration dates on food you already have at home, and plan meals around the products that are closest to expiration.
Question 2 of 5
You're nearly there!
FIFO! It stands for First In, First Out. This way, you’re more likely to use up older food items before they expire! On a similar note, keep a list of what's in the freezer and when each item was frozen. Place this on the freezer door for easy reference and use items before they pass their prime. Note the upcoming expiration dates on food you already have at home, and plan meals around the products that are closest to expiration.
Question 2 of 5
Good try!
FIFO! It stands for First In, First Out. This way, you’re more likely to use up older food items before they expire! On a similar note, keep a list of what's in the freezer and when each item was frozen. Place this on the freezer door for easy reference and use items before they pass their prime. Note the upcoming expiration dates on food you already have at home, and plan meals around the products that are closest to expiration.
Oops! Your box of cereal has just passed its "best before" date. What do you do?
Question 3 of 5
Well done
You don't necessarily need to bin it! The "best before" date of a food item should not be mistaken for its "expiry date". The "best before" date indicates how long the item will be at its best quality, and is usually used for food with a longer shelf life such as cereals. However, the safety of a food product does not depend on its expiry date alone. Products not stored or handled properly can be unsafe to eat too. So remember to check for signs of spoilage!
Question 3 of 5
You're nearly there!
You don't necessarily need to bin it! The "best before" date of a food item should not be mistaken for its "expiry date". The "best before" date indicates how long the item will be at its best quality, and is usually used for food with a longer shelf life such as cereals. However, the safety of a food product does not depend on its expiry date alone. Products not stored or handled properly can be unsafe to eat too. So remember to check for signs of spoilage!
Question 3 of 5
Good try!
You don't necessarily need to bin it! The "best before" date of a food item should not be mistaken for its "expiry date". The "best before" date indicates how long the item will be at its best quality, and is usually used for food with a longer shelf life such as cereals. However, the safety of a food product does not depend on its expiry date alone. Products not stored or handled properly can be unsafe to eat too. So remember to check for signs of spoilage!
Question 4 of 5
You just stocked up on onions. How do you keep them fresh, for as long as possible?
(You can select more than 1 response)
Question 4 of 5
Well done
Onions should be kept in mesh bags! Onions are best stored in a cool, dry, dark and well-ventilated area to prevent sprouting and rotting. An open basket, bamboo steamer, mesh bag or netted bag will do. Avoid leaving whole onions in the fridge or plastic bags as they will rot faster. Whole onions should also not be frozen as they become mushy when defrosted.
Question 4 of 5
You're nearly there!
Onions should be kept in mesh bags! Onions are best stored in a cool, dry, dark and well-ventilated area to prevent sprouting and rotting. An open basket, bamboo steamer, mesh bag or netted bag will do. Avoid leaving whole onions in the fridge or plastic bags as they will rot faster. Whole onions should also not be frozen as they become mushy when defrosted.
Question 4 of 5
Good try!
Onions should be kept in mesh bags! Onions are best stored in a cool, dry, dark and well-ventilated area to prevent sprouting and rotting. An open basket, bamboo steamer, mesh bag or netted bag will do. Avoid leaving whole onions in the fridge or plastic bags as they will rot faster. Whole onions should also not be frozen as they become mushy when defrosted.
Question 5 of 5
You're about to go grocery shopping, what do you do?
(You can select more than 1 response)
Question 5 of 5
Well done
Every time we throw food away, part of our hard-earned money is wasted! Let’s order, buy and cook just enough – or keep leftovers for the next day’s meal. It’s more friendly for our wallets!
Question 5 of 5
You're nearly there!
Every time we throw food away, part of our hard-earned money is wasted! Let’s order, buy and cook just enough – or keep leftovers for the next day’s meal. It’s more friendly for our wallets!
Question 5 of 5
Good try!
Every time we throw food away, part of our hard-earned money is wasted! Let’s order, buy and cook just enough – or keep leftovers for the next day’s meal. It’s more friendly for our wallets!
Thank You
Wow! You're a food rescue champion! By meal planning and making the most of your leftovers, you're certainly making an impact to reduce food waste!
What next? Why not be an advocate and share your great habits with family and friends? Here are some articles and videos you can share with them too!
Thank You
Amazing job! You're mindful not to waste food! It's great you're trying your best not to waste food. Keep it up! Here are some tips and reads to keep you motivated.
While you're at it, why not share this quiz with someone else? Let's all work together to reduce wastage and help our environment!
Thank You
0
Good effort! Keep going! Some of your habits may be leading you to waste more food than you need to. Take some easy steps today to lessen your food waste - it's easier on your wallet too! Here are some tips and reads to get you started!
