The Humble Yum Yum

Over the recent lockdown period, I knew that people were struggling to not only come up with home-cooked meals every day, but that these dishes had to satisfy the wallet. Right now we all need to shop within our means and serve what keeps the family happy. Comfort food is key during these stressful times, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a few tweaks to have some variety.

Having lived and travelled all over the world, and especially in Asia, I knew that people from the most humble parts of the world can put together incredibly delicious and flavoursome food for very little cost. I approached the recipes for The Humble Yum Yum in much the same way, by using cheaper ingredients that packed a flavour punch, and being conscious of not hurting the family budget.

Connecting with food lovers and cuisines from all over the world means that The Humble Yum Yum can combine flavours, styles and one other key factor.

It’s about breaking the rules that can happen around food. I want people to cook food that tastes good without worrying about what they ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’ do. I use breakfast cereals for crumbing chicken, and encourage using frozen vegies, canned food, and cheaper cuts of meat to keep your budget intact. Plus, everything I create can be made with one pot or pan, using basic pantry staples.

Food Education on The Humble Yum Yum series will is hosted here, on YouTube and on TVNZ OnDemand, with the official social media hashtag #TheHumbleYumYum. Two new videos will be released each week. With a focus on curiosity and fun around ingredients and recipes that can feed four people for up to $20, The Humble Yum Yumis all about global food that doesn’t cost the world.