Packed full of fun: Norshikin (right) with her daughter (second right) and her friends, together with their families, enjoying a potluck buka puasa picnic at a public park in Johor Baru.
JOHOR BARU: Norshikin Mohd Salleh finds it cheaper and time saving to make home cooked meals compared to going to the bazaar where it is crowded and difficult to find a parking spot.
“Although I am a full-time working mum, I find the time to prepare buka puasa meals because that way, I can also ensure the food is clean and delicious.
“My husband and children also prefer having home cooked buka puasa meals,” Norshikin, 41, said.
She added that she had planned the buka puasa “menu” and grocery list in advance.
Norshikin says she makes squid curry, sambal goreng, nasi lemak and asam pedas, and sometimes takes inspiration from social media or family requests.
“My friends and I also keep each other motivated despite our busy schedules.
“To make things interesting, we organised a small potluck buka puasa at a public park on Sunday (March 17), with our home cooked meals packed in reusable containers for an evening picnic,” said Norshikin who works in the private sector.
Another housewife, Nurhuda Bakar, also insists on home cooked buka puasa meals because the food and drinks sold at Ramadan bazaars were getting more expensive each year.
“A packet of simple chicken rice costs RM10 at the Ramadan bazaar near my house and the price of drinks have also gone up. The taste is usually a hit-and-miss.
“There are also a lot of ‘viral’ dishes out there but we prefer traditional dishes.
“We intend to breaking fast at home for the rest of the fasting month this year,” she said, adding that she starts preparing the dishes at around 5pm each day.
The 29-year-old added that having home cooked meals helps them to avoid wastage.
