During last year's first Level 4 lockdown, baking sourdough and banana bread was all the rage.
Foodie and Instagrammer extraordinaire Sam Low tells First Up what's new and exciting in lockdown food 2021.
Sam Low Photo: Sam Low Food & Beverage / Instagram
Listen to all of Sam Low's tips here
This time around, lockdown cravings seem to be for super-comforting foods, Low notes.
“I feel like people are getting more creative this year.
“Comfort food is different for everyone … what’s on a plate that resembles a hug [for you]?
“For me, my mum would make me dumplings or wontons, and rice and eggs - it’s one of those things that makes you smile.
“People are getting more proud of the comfort food they cook because lockdown cooking is so normal now that you no longer have to impress people that follow your Instagram, that you can make a sourdough or basque cheesecake.”
Lockdown is a good opportunity to play with zhushing up your staple dishes, Low says.
One way to adjust spaghetti bolognese, for example, is to add an ingredient or herb you’ve never used before or fresh and seasonal produce instead of dried ones.
Photo: Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels
Even upgrading your cheese to one you don’t usually buy can keep things interesting, Low says.
If it’s harder to get your hands on fresh produce, there’s no shame in using tinned food, Low says, but buy the good-quality stuff.
“When you reduce [tinned tomatoes] and concentrate the flavours, they are incredible.
“Add canned tomatoes with onion and garlic in your pan, reduce that, season, then throw in your cooked rice and that becomes tomato rice. Then with that, you can serve an omelette on top.
“Your can of spam can be a little bit more delicious if you put more effort into it, as well. The options are limitless.”
Another easy and tasty dish Low recommends is Hong Kong-style French toast - a fusion of French toast with a PB&J sandwich.
“Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, cut off the crusts, dip it in egg wash, then shallow fry that and that becomes Hong Kong-style French toast. Then you add a bit of butter, condensed milk drizzled on top, and serve it with your favourite fruit.”