Five Easy Family Dinner Ideas for Dining Out or Eating at Home

Family dinners can be quite the stressful occasion. Catering to multiple preferences and dietary requirements is no easy feat. However, it helps to have a list of restaurants you regularly visit or easy go-to menu items that you can choose from when you’re fresh out of ideas.

Indonesian cuisine offers a wide variety of dishes to have for dinner, whether you’re making it at home or dining out at a restaurant. Here are just five easy family dinner ideas for the next time you’re stuck figuring out what to eat.

Nasi goreng

You can find this dish at almost any Indonesian restaurant, but it’s also very simple to make at home by throwing in any ingredients you may have lying around in the kitchen. All you need is rice, a protein, and some vegetables if available. Don’t worry about not having enough spices, as including ingredients as simple as garlic and onions will already give your dish dimension and aroma. Nasi goreng is a great family dinner idea because it can be as simple or complex as you want it to be, and you can make a large batch for everyone. If there are leftovers, it’s also great to have for breakfast the next day.

Bakso

Bakso, or Indonesian meatball soup, is a hearty and hassle-free dinner dish perfect for the family. If you’re pressed for time, you can find bakso at street food vendors around the city. A portion of this soup will set you back between Rp.10,000 to Rp.20,000, making this an affordable family dinner idea. You can also make your own bakso at home. Make a simple bone broth with either chicken or beef, then add in some garlic, spring onions, and salt and pepper to taste. While waiting for the broth to accumulate flavour, boil your meatballs. Once ready, put everything together in one pot. Serve with egg noodles, fried shallots, blanched greens, and sambal.

Sop buntut

Another great soup for family dinner is sop buntut or oxtail soup. This comforting dish contains carbs, proteins, and vegetables in one bowl, making it a healthy dinner option. Oxtail is slow-braised in a clear broth infused with garlic, shallots, nutmeg, cloves, and white pepper, making it slightly spicy. The soup also includes boiled potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes. Serve with steamed rice and a squeeze of lime. While many Indonesian restaurants offer sop buntut, it’s also easy enough to make at home, making this another possible family dinner idea.

Cah kangkung

If you’re dining family style, it’s imperative to have a good amount of side dishes. One of the easiest vegetable dishes to find at restaurants and even make at home is cah kangkung, or stir-fried water spinach. It’s made by briefly sautéing water spinach with garlic, shallots, shrimp paste, and some chili. The short cooking time means the vegetable retains its crunch, while the hot oil ensures that all the flavours stick to every leaf and stalk. Some cah kangkung may also contain proteins like minced meat, shrimp, or squid. Normally served with steamed rice, you can also enjoy cah kangkung with some Indonesian fried chicken, fried tempe, or tofu. Don’t forget the sambal for that extra kick.

Ayam betutu

This Balinese chicken dish can easily feed four people, making it the perfect family dinner idea. Aromatic and flavourful, ayam betutu is made by marinating a whole chicken in base genep, a blend of Balinese spices that includes shallots, turmeric, garlic, galangal, ginger, shrimp paste, chili, and lemongrass. The chicken is then wrapped in banana leaves and then steamed, roasted, or smoked. This meticulous cooking process may not be possible to carry out at home, but you can find ayam betutu in Indonesian or specifically Balinese restaurants.

If you find yourself in Bali and are looking for a restaurant for family dinner, try Merah Putih Bali, serving you elevated Indonesian cuisine from the Petitenget area. Book a table today with these exclusive gift vouchers to enjoy exquisite versions of the above dishes.

FAQ

1. What is a good lazy dinner idea?

You can find nasi goreng at almost any Indonesian restaurant, but it’s also very simple to make at home by throwing in any ingredients you may have lying around in the kitchen. All you need is rice, a protein, and some vegetables if available. Don’t worry about not having enough spices, as including ingredients as simple as garlic and onions will already give your dish dimension and aroma.

2. What meals can I make for my family?

3. What is a good side dish for family dinner?

One of the easiest vegetable dishes to find at restaurants and even make at home is cah kangkung, or stir-fried water spinach. It’s made by briefly sautéing water spinach with garlic, shallots, shrimp paste, and some chili. The short cooking time means the vegetable retains its crunch, while the hot oil ensures that all the flavours stick to every leaf and stalk.