My new helper says she cannot cook. Is this plan still realistic?

Yes — this plan was designed for exactly that situation. Every recipe is at the level of "boil water, add pasta" or "crack eggs into a pan". The first week may be slow; by week three most helpers are following these recipes confidently.

How long should I expect prep and cooking to take?

Lunches in this plan take 15–25 minutes including prep. Dinners take 25–40 minutes. A helper who is new to a recipe will take roughly 1.5x longer the first time; by the third repetition she will hit normal times.

Should I cook alongside her for the first week?

For the first two or three dinners, yes — not to take over, but to demonstrate techniques and answer questions. After that, step back and let her own the kitchen. Hovering past week one undermines confidence.

What kitchen equipment does this plan assume?

A wok or large frying pan, one medium saucepan, an oven tray, a kettle, a chef's knife and a chopping board. A rice cooker is helpful but not essential. No blenders, food processors or specialist gadgets needed.

My helper speaks limited English. How do we communicate the recipes?

Translate the plan into her first language using Mealside or print the recipes with simple pictures next to each step. Avoid idioms ("a pinch of salt"); use exact measurements ("half a teaspoon") instead. Voice notes in her language work even better than written instructions.

Easy Meal Plan for Domestic Helpers

This meal plan is designed specifically for helpers who are just starting to cook for a family. All recipes use basic techniques and common ingredients.

Why this plan works

This is the plan we recommend for the first four weeks with a new domestic helper. Every recipe uses one of three techniques — stir-frying, boiling pasta, or pan-frying eggs — and every ingredient is available at any neighbourhood supermarket from Manila to Hong Kong to Dubai. Nothing in the week requires marinating, brining or specialist equipment. The week is sequenced so that the easiest dishes (egg fried rice, omelette) come first while your helper is still finding her feet, with slightly more involved dishes (carbonara, curry) appearing only after she has had three or four cooking days to settle. Use this plan to build trust and a basic shared vocabulary, then graduate to "Simple Weekly Family Meal Plan" once you both feel ready.

Weekly Meal Plan

Day	Lunch	Dinner	Notes
Monday	Egg Fried Rice	Pasta with Tomato Sauce	Day one should feel like a win. Egg fried rice with leftover takeaway rice is almost impossible to get wrong — let your helper own this meal.
Tuesday	Simple Omelette with Toast	Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Wednesday	Vegetable Soup with Bread	Chicken Fried Rice	Vegetable soup is forgiving — any vegetables in the fridge work. This is a good day to teach the difference between sweating onions and browning them.
Thursday	Fried Noodles	Spaghetti Bolognese	Spaghetti bolognese makes enough sauce for two meals. Freeze half in a clearly labelled container for week two.
Friday	Chicken Salad	Garlic Butter Shrimp with Rice
Saturday	Vegetable Fried Rice	Baked Potatoes with Toppings	Baked potatoes need an hour in the oven but only 5 minutes of prep. Show your helper how to set a timer and walk away — it builds confidence.
Sunday	Pancakes	Simple Chicken Curry

Grocery List

Meat & Fish

Chicken breasts (4)
Minced beef (500g)
Shrimp (500g)

Vegetables

Onions (4)
Carrots (4)
Broccoli (2)
Baking potatoes (4)
Mixed salad
Mixed frozen vegetables (500g)

Pantry

Rice (2kg)
Spaghetti (500g)
Pasta (500g)
Egg noodles (400g)
Canned tomatoes (2)
Soy sauce
Coconut milk (1 can)

Dairy & Eggs

Eggs (18)
Butter
Cheese
Milk
Sour cream

Cooking Tips for Helpers

All recipes in this plan use basic techniques: stir-frying, boiling, and baking.
Have your helper read each recipe the night before.
Start with the easiest dishes (fried rice, omelette) early in the week.
Save more complex dishes (curry, carbonara) for days when there is more time.

This plan gradually introduces different cooking techniques throughout the week. By Friday, your helper will have practised stir-frying, boiling, baking, and grilling.

Frequently Asked Questions

My new helper says she cannot cook. Is this plan still realistic?: Yes — this plan was designed for exactly that situation. Every recipe is at the level of "boil water, add pasta" or "crack eggs into a pan". The first week may be slow; by week three most helpers are following these recipes confidently.
How long should I expect prep and cooking to take?: Lunches in this plan take 15–25 minutes including prep. Dinners take 25–40 minutes. A helper who is new to a recipe will take roughly 1.5x longer the first time; by the third repetition she will hit normal times.
Should I cook alongside her for the first week?: For the first two or three dinners, yes — not to take over, but to demonstrate techniques and answer questions. After that, step back and let her own the kitchen. Hovering past week one undermines confidence.
What kitchen equipment does this plan assume?: A wok or large frying pan, one medium saucepan, an oven tray, a kettle, a chef's knife and a chopping board. A rice cooker is helpful but not essential. No blenders, food processors or specialist gadgets needed.
My helper speaks limited English. How do we communicate the recipes?: Translate the plan into her first language using Mealside or print the recipes with simple pictures next to each step. Avoid idioms ("a pinch of salt"); use exact measurements ("half a teaspoon") instead. Voice notes in her language work even better than written instructions.