Black bean and garlic mushrooms and spinach

Here's my little secret: sometimes I cheat. I buy ready-made pastry, because my own pastry is mediocre at best. I buy jars of minced garlic and ginger, as it saves me time, and means I always have a supply on hand. And I make black bean sauce using a jar of black bean sauce paste. Simple! This sauce can be quite salty, so I only eat this as a side dish, rather than a veggie main.

Acar

Acar is a simple pickle; there are probably as many different versions of it as there are different grandmas. Use whichever vegetables you like or happen to have lying about the house, and serve alongside fried chicken (ayam goreng) or rice dishes.

Nasi kuning (yellow rice)

This rice is typically served on special occasions, normally shaped into a cone and served alongside various meat and vegetable dishes. The flavour is very light and delicate, so be sure you don't swamp the rice with sauces.