Dinner at Amanda’s is about more than what’s on the table. It’s a moment to pause, reconnect, and bring a sense of ease into the rhythm of everyday life. In this episode, Amanda shares her take on a yellow curry chicken broth bowl, layered with fresh herbs, slow-made broth and perfectly cooked chicken.

It’s the kind of meal that adapts to family life: comforting, flexible and easy to make your own.

What are you cooking today, and why does it fit into your everyday routine?

I’m making a yellow curry chicken broth bowl for dinner — chicken, fragrant broth and caramelised rice. As a mum of two tweens, I love meals that feel nourishing and full of flavour, but still work with real family life. To me, that’s the art of living — finding beauty and ease in the everyday.

What’s one small prep habit that makes cooking easier for you?

I prepare the little things first, herbs washed when I get back from the shops, aromatics chopped, sauces ready. It makes cooking feel calmer, especially when the afternoon becomes a juggle of school, sport, work and hungry children.

Is there a tool you always reach for first — and why?

I always reach for good cookware. The right tools make everything feel more effortless. It supports the way I actually cook at home.

What’s a simple tip or trick that improves this dish?

Homemade broth that I will make on a sunday and freeze in containers ready to tip block into a pot. You know your nourishing your family with good ingredients/produce.

How do the tools you’re using make the process smoother?

The frypan gives me golden, tender chicken with very little fuss, while the saucepan helps the broth come together quickly and evenly. It makes dinner feel considered, not complicated.

What makes cooking feel intuitive rather than complicated?

For me, it’s trusting the process and tasting as I go. Cooking for kids also means being flexible. Herbs on the side, less chilli, extra rice for lunch the next day. It’s about making the meal work for everyone.

Who are you cooking for today?

My family. This is the kind of bowl my children can build their own way, which always makes dinner feel more relaxed.

How does cooking at home create connections for you?

It’s my non-negotiable time with the kids and as a family. We listen, we pause, we share the days' ups and downs. It’s the time we reconnect together as a family.

What turns an ordinary meal into a good one?

Fresh herbs, lime, a drizzle of chilli oil for the adults, beautiful bowls on the table. Those small touches make everyday cooking feel special.

What do you appreciate most about this cookware or appliance?

I love that Tefal makes cooking feel easier without taking away the joy of the process. It’s practical, reliable and designed for real homes — which, to me, is very much part of the art of living well.

How does it support the way you cook in real life?

My life is a mix of family, work, recipe testing and hosting, so I need pieces that work hard. Tefal helps me move through dinner with ease, while still creating something generous and delicious.

What would you recommend to someone making this at home?

Don’t overthink it. Let the tools do some of the work, keep the flavours fresh, and let everyone build their own bowl at the table.

What’s one piece of advice to make everyday cooking feel simpler?

Choose recipes and tools that make life easier. A good dinner doesn’t need to be perfect — it just needs to bring comfort, flavour and connection.

What is cooking to you?

Cooking is love. It’s how I nurture my family, create warmth in our home and find beauty in the everyday. That’s the art of living for me — simple moments, made meaningful.