Gather Gather Kitchen - Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam

A true and true food connoisseur won’t mind travelling the distance for good food. Distance again of course is debatable. A few miles, a thousand miles or millions of miles, in all fairness, really, it depends on you. Basically, you call the shots. While you are still at figuring out the number of miles for your next meal, how about a trip to the heart of Kota Kemuning, specifically to Gather Gather Kitchen? Hi there, hello everyone. Welcome to my territory. The once boring, sleepy and lifeless township I regretted moving in 13 years ago and where I almost went mad as well. Well, except for coffee shops, McDonalds and a few cafes, nothing much to speak about Kota Kemuning. Oh, maybe, perhaps, I must also mention that Kota Kemuning was or is still perceived as the ground for the rich and famous. Actually, I don't think so. Its perception. I don't live in a bungalow, not even a semi-d, neither do I crazily speed around in a posh car. 

Jeera Aloo

Jeera Aloo, or Aloo Jeera Nava-K's style. Yes. Of course. I have my style to my cooking. Proud Nava K. Why not? After all, cooking is also about your own style right? Tell me about it. That's why, most probably you would noticed that my Jeera Aloo is different and a stand out amongst the rest. What is Jeera Aloo by the way if you still can't comprehend? Basically, potatoes stir fried alongside cumin (Jeera Rice) and of course, we need the spicy beat from chillies as well. Potatoes on the whole by the way, as I have repeated myself donkey times (Sukhi Aloo Sabzi, Tari Wale Aloo, Chilli Aloo, Dum Aloo & Aloo Gobi). Just mention potatoes and you yourself will know what I mean. So many dishes out of potatoes (Aloo Gosht, Navaratan Korma, Egg Potato Curry, Indian Potato Balls, Baked Cheesy Potatoes & Bonda).  What about Jeera Aloo? Simplicity and simplest. Loud aroma of cumin seeds, garam masala, coriander leaves and a dry style Jeera Aloo.

Mochakottai Karuvadu Kulumbu (Field Beans Salted Fish Curry)

Look at this earthen pot and in it thick, salty, spicy and vibrantly exciting to our palates and eyes  Mochakottai Karuvadu Kulumbu (Field Beans Salted Fish Curry). Like immediately can trigger our hunger throne right? I know. I am definitely a big fan of this Indian style salted fish curry and salted fish on the whole by itself (Spicy Ikan Bilis Potato, Sambal Tumis Ikan Bilis & Sambal Kentang Ikan Asin), can drive me crazy because I so love saltiness. In fact, every day can be a salted fish meal day for me (Salted Fish Pickle, Bean Sprouts Salted Fish & Steamed Pork Salted Fish). But, I think we all know it? Too much of saltiness and salt can ruin our health? Of course. Then again, there is such a thing as every now and then saltiness as our best friend? How do make this salted fish curry? Nothing much, no major confusing cooking matter (Salted Fish Bone Curry). My recipes as always will never cause you to struggle in the kitchen. Ingredients listed below and of course coming with it cooking technic for the outcome of this mouth punching and jubilant (Salted Fish Bone Soup & Pineapple Salted Fish Curry) Mochakottai Karuvadu Kulumbu (Field Beans Salted Fish Curry).

Ingredients

For the beans

1 cup mochakottai/field beans

1 tsp turmeric powder

A pinch of salt

Water - as needed

Other ingredients

400g threadfin/kurau salted fish with bones - soaked for 10 mins and rinsed. 

2 potatoes - cut into medium size pieces (yes please with the skin on)

1/2 tbsp chilli powder

1 tbsp fish curry powder

** mix both with water for a thick curry paste

1 tsp fenugreek/halba seeds

1/2 tsp ginger paste

1 tsp garlic paste

1 tbsp red onion paste

2 tbsp thick tamarind juice

Sprigs of curry leaves

5 tbsp oil

Salt for taste

Method

For the beans

Simmer beans with turmeric and water till soft.

Drain off water and keep aside.

For the curry

Heat oil and fry ginger, garlic and onion paste for 1-2 mins.

Add curry paste.

Stir and cook till aromatic and oil splits.

Add potatoes, pour about 1 liter of water and simmer till potatoes are 3/4 tender. 

Put in salted fish, pour tamarind juice and season with salt (if needed).

Simmer to cook salted fish (about 3-4 mins)

Add boiled beans and curry leaves.

Stir, simmer for another 2-3 mins and remove from heat. 

Coffee Lane Cafe - Georgetown (Penang)

An impromptu visit to Penang, don't ask me why, what and how. Please don't. Its a long story I don't want to dwell upon. Gonna be rather complicated, I am sure won't make sense to you as well. So, skip, lets skip the reason to Penang, let me speak on this dining experience in Coffee Lane Cafe. Accompanied by my cousin, he, in fact is the one who suggested Coffee Lane Cafe he has visited, maybe, lets say two or three times. I of course was extremely keen, why not? Sounded like my kind of food love, we parked, oh god, parking is quite a thing in Georgetown. Blame it on the usual hustle and bustle, rapid development and Georgetown by itself is a major tourism parade and paradise. We managed, we parked, not really close, within a 5 minutes walking distance, prior to crossing the junction for the entry to Coffee Lane Cafe.

Sukhi Aloo Sabzi

Potatoes! Tell me please? The kilos and kilos we buy most probably every week and any dish for the matter made from potatoes I think will be a total sell-out the moment it hits our dining table? If you are asking me, oh-yes. We just so love potatoes any which way they are cooked (Tari Wale Aloo/Vegan Potato Curry), plus I can go on and on and quote a whole string and list of potato dishes I have already shared with all of you, but off hand, these are the few I thought I will link (Fried Potato Balls, Dum Aloo, Chilli Aloo & Aloo Gobi) for the benefit of staying within the context of vegetarian dishes. What is Sukhi Aloo Sabzi by the way (Kashmiri Vegetable Soup, Tamatar ki Chutney, Aam ka Achaar, Shahi Gobi & Baingan Bharta)? Obviously, a North Indian dry style potato dish which requires boiled potatoes stir fried alongside the ingredients listed below and my style is perhaps different. Usually I think green peas are not one of the ingredients? I on the other hand decided I will because, to each our own preferable ingredients instead of like blind leading the blind? Of course. Sukhi Aloo Sabzi? Your vegetarian and vegan side dish for a rice meal (Tomato Rice Pilaf & Hyderabadi Briyani) or how about tucking in alongside bread, chapati or tosa (Punjabi Sabut Moong Dal & Navratan Korma)?  

Richfield Corner Restaurant & Bar

Richfield Corner is not the most happening place for hanging out, if you hoping for being among the hip-hop uptrend night birds, you might as well forget it. But for a decent quiet night out, thrown in with some fun, among your friends, you should possibly consider Richfield Corner. Been around, I think, for as long as I can remember, from my mayhem younger years, Richfield Corner is a conducive corner lot eatery-cum-bar. Inside is where the bar is, obviously, where the band comes alive after 9pm, though I can't tell you if its an every day affair, I actually prefer to sit at the spacious garden area outside. Cosy! But in a plant surrounded setting, I guess we all have to be prepared for blood suckers. Then again, so strange that mosquitoes too pick and choose their victims. They prefer, I think juicy blood, mine usually is spared, wonder why?

Tuna Thoran

Tuna and Thoran? Synonymous in Kerala (Parippu Pradhaman, Malabar Fish Curry & Kerala Fish Fry), whether you use fresh catch tuna or canned tuna. For me personally, Tuna Thoran (Cabbage Thoran & Beans Thoran) basically is a stir fry (Chicken Varuval) and can be stir fried with or without grated coconut (Kiri Hodi) or we might as well take the convenience of coconut oil in case we can't run or rush to buy coconut for thoran. My style to Tuna Thoran (Tuna Burgers & Tuna Cutlets)? Aha! I think I told you before, this habit of adding potatoes and looked like I automatically added without even thinking twice its a Kerala Thoran. Then again, there is no right and wrong to ingredients we prefer, especially when you are rushing for time in making Tuna Thoran? Of course. Tuna Thoran is actually a simplified dish though some people love to blow it up as though its a mind blogging dish to make. Basically, all you got to do is get the ingredients listed below ready, mostly our pantry user friendly ingredients right and stir fry to a dry style, worthy tastiness.

Peshawari Mutton Karahi

Peshawari Mutton Karahi!! From the land of Pakistan and specifically from the city of Peshawar. Already sounding mouth watering right and I bet the pictures are additionally making your tummy hunger topsy-turvy right? In fact, to tell you the truth, I myself can't contain my hunger and I think without me realizing, my saliva is gonna drip down soon. Regardless, any mutton dish for the matter most probably can trigger hunger for the both of us and I must go ahead by mentioning that I quite know it about the different kinds of mutton curries from this part and that part of the world. Furthermore, should I blow my own trumpet to how far I have come in making all sort of dishes from around the globe (Tandoori Chicken, Aam ka Achaar, Bengali Fish Croquettes, Chicken Vindaloo, Cari Poisson & Goan Prawn Curry)? Enough of me and marketing myself, let's not waste anymore time in getting down to making Peshawari Mutton Karahi. Thick, spices infused, yogurt creaminess, ghee and coriander leaves scented, plus honestly guys, blame it on my habit of adding potatoes for most of my mutton curries. Can you like possibly blame me for adding potatoes? We Malaysian Indians and we just must somehow find a reason for merging potatoes and mutton as one (Nepalese Mutton Curry, Aloo Gosht, Shahi Mutton Curry, Rogan Josh, Mutton Keema, Masala Mutton Curry & Mutton Parathal).   

Ayam Pongteh

Me and my Nyonya cooking. Guess there is no end and if you are asking me, I don't think I will put a bracket to Malacca or Penang calling and coming Nyonya dishes. We did speak about Nyonya cuisine in quite a length previously (Chicken Vindaloo, Kuih Buah Melaka & Penang Assam Laksa) and in other recipes as well? Henceforth, lets just put a stop to speaking further on the same thing over and over again (Devil's Curry, Dried Shrimp Sambal, Masak Lemak Ikan Asin Nenas & Nyonya Lam Mee) instead of getting to the gist of this Ayam Pongteh. What is Ayam Pongteh or Pongteh Chicken? Basically, chicken cooked alongside potatoes, taucheo/fermented soy paste, chilies, vinegar and other kitchen friendly user ingredients, and for the end result of broad and wide burst of spiciness, saltiness and and nuttiness (Ayam Masak Tiga Rasa, Chilli Chicken, Ayam Goreng Berempah, Ayam Masak Merah & Chicken Devil Curry).

Macher Chop (Bengali Style Fish Croquettes)

Just maybe three to four days of break from fish, and fish bounces back again in this space of mine. What? Are you going like what, fish again? Guys, hang in there before you jump the gun. It is not going to be a boring (Tofu Katsu, Cauliflower Pakora, Crispy Fried Okra & Mushroom Rolls) fish recipe (Malabar Fish Curry) I will assure you because we are heading towards this Macher Chop, aka Bengali Style Fish Croquettes (Bengali Fish Curry) and of course I must as usual, give you options to other fish recipes as well (Fish Soy Sauce & Lemon Butter Salmon). Macher Chop can also be known as fish cutlets (Tuna Cutlets) and most probably, if we are talking about the ingredients, basically, its ingredients from whichever part of India the recipe originated from? If you are asking me, yes and I went ahead with making a curd coriander chutney for dipping crispy on the outside and soft bite inside (Chinese Prawn Fritters, Lamb Patties, Lamb Kofta, Mushroom Veggie Patties & Tuna Patties) fish croquettes which I seriously believe you will love each and every bite, each and every pop, each and every crunch, and all of the deliciousness. Either as your snack, or appetizer, or starter, or paired alongside rice and other sides (Indian Potato Balls).  

Karaikudi Restaurant (Lebuh Pasar, Georgetown) Penang

The previous night, we dined at Golden Thai village and returned to Flamingo Hotel. Next morning, at about 11am, at uncle's suggestion, another round of harmony within the family by lunching in Karaikudi. So we drove to Georgetown, parked, walked in and were ushered to the simple and basic upstairs dining area.

Caldo Verde

Caldo Verde! What is Caldo Verde? Caldo Verde is a popular soup in Portuguese cuisine and if I am not mistaken, firstly making its presence known in Northern Portugal. How do I know about Portuguese dishes? Well, we in Malaysia have been exposed to the influence of Portuguese cooking and food from back then, back then ages ago. Says it all I suppose? Me and my Portuguese dishes  (Egg Vindaloo, Devilled Prawns, Pada Salt Fish Pickle & Chicken Devil Curry)?  Of course, I should also include the other types of soups I have invested my cooking time in? The various types, and my recipes, as usual, won't kill your money  and time (Thai Tomato Soup, Burdock Root Soup, Tomato Spinach Soup, Onion Soup, Tom Yum Goong & Salted Fish Bone Soup). This my version of Caldo Verde? A vegetarian version (Lentil Vegetable Soup). Thick, creamy and luscious (Creamy Mushroom Soup) as an utter satisfaction, and the key central ingredients are potatoes (Vegan Potato Curry & Potato Egg Curry) and kale. Slurrrppp!! 

Chilli Chicken

This Chilli Chicken is joining the rest. The rest of the Chinese or Indo-Chinese style chicken recipes I have already shared (Chinese Black Vinegar Chicken). More or less right? Chinese or Indo-Chinese style cooking? How different or what can be different for the ingredients, maybe some changes here and there, otherwise, its soy sauce, garlic, ginger, dried chillies (Honey Chilli Chicken, Sesame Chicken, Sweet Chilli Chicken & Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup) or those other required or sort of we tend to reach out to ingredients. Other than that? You tell me. Now, lets get going to making this Chilli Chicken. Chicken (Salted Egg Chicken, Chicken Kebab, Chicken Chop, Baked Cornflakes Chicken) and chillies (Chilli Lime Fish, Sichuan Chilli Prawns, Crispy Chilli Fish & Chilli Clams) obviously are the main highlight and we are going to use chicken fillet or only the meat or flesh. Plus cashew nuts for crunch and bite, oh, I also decided to add potatoes and like I have already told you earlier, the rest of the Chinese ingredients like ginger, garlic, shallots and soy sauce (Cashew Masala Chicken, Curried Roast Chicken, Chicken Varuval & Baked Lemon Chicken).

Peppercorn Cafe - SS15 (Subang Jaya)

Surprisingly, for the years I have been working in Subang Jaya, I am surprise as well how did I miss out on Peppercorn?? Really, I can't say though I do hear colleagues speaking highly about their affordable set lunch. Okay, so came my chance at the end of the semester whereby we meal together as one big happy family. Peppercorn indeed and indeed, we walked and arrived for an early lunch. Peppercorn seemed a favourite because by 12.15pm, almost full house with college students and office staff.   

Aloo Gosht

When you cook mutton with potatoes, you basically get this mutton dish known as Aloo Gosht. That's it guys and potatoes by far, can we say no to? You tell me. We definitely won't reject potatoes (Aloo Gobi, Dum Aloo & Chilli Aloo). God! A favourite of ours and its somehow like a habit potatoes must go into curries, wouldn't you agree? Mutton curry and potatoes? What say you? Nothing to say right? I know (Mutton Parathal, Masala Mutton Curry, Mutton Dalca, Mutton Kurma, Pepper Mutton Curry, Easy Mutton Curry, Mutton Keema & Rogan Josh). Moreover, mutton by itself? What should I say? We Indians and our love for mutton goes back to millions of years ago and till this day, no festival is complete without a mutton dish or a special occasion can take place without mutton or at least once a month, mutton dish must be our food delight? Of course. For us personally (Shahi Mutton Curry, Mutton Varuval, Indian Mutton Meatball Soup & Mutton Soup). Right. Today ladies and gentlemen, I am featuring another, obviously a mutton dish? Aloo Gosht. Like I have already told you, mutton and potatoes and for a dry style, cooked with dried chillies and spices.

Salted Fish Bone Soup

Guys, I must tell you that this recipe blogging of mine actually is a learning curve for me. Trust me, never would I have thought that I will invent recipes until I started blogging. Of course, cooking by itself has been an-going thing for years, but due to blogging, I actually put effort in creating and coming up with new recipes (Salted Fish Bone Curry), which by far must be hailed. Instead of forcing myself to cook just for the sake of it, blogging has triggered a pendant for keeping my cooking interesting. (Mutton Bone Curry) I think, I decide and I find that its actually brain refreshing, and out of this thinking on this day, I made this Salted Fish Bone Soup (Spicy Sour Fish Soup). Just like that mind you. Idea popping up on my mind and with ingredients already in my fridge and pantry, I got down to making Salted Fish Bone/Ikan Masin/Ikan Asin Soup (Masak Lemak Ikan Masin, Potato Salted Fish & Bean Sprouts Salted Fish). Oh-so-yum! For foodies like me who simply love salted fish (Dried Shrimp Sambal & Salted Egg Chicken), I bet you will fall in love with this soup the moment you slurp in and which in fact is a complete, wholesome, one pot dish. To be eaten alongside rice. Chinese cabbage, potatoes and tofu as well in cooked with salted fish bone (Pada Salt Fish Pickle) and garnished with spring onion, Salted Fish Bone soup. Walla!

Brotzeit Bier Bar & Restaurant (Sunway Pyramid)

Enthusiasm ran high. My enthusiasm, forever will dash fast when I am gonna experience food. My colleague spoke about the German Pork Knuckles in Brotzeit Bier Bar & Restaurant, over and over again, for the last few days, and I, I finally agreed. An early lunch, we arrived by 12.10 and sat at one of the tables at the corner where you can see through the glass panelling on how hyped up is Sunway Pyramid. All sorts of people walking in and out, also, a popular tourist spot among the "Woman In Black" Middle Eastern ladies, but should you be among them in the toilet, in the mall, you will, definitely, I bet notice their glittering and sexy outfits.What lies beneath the black long loose gown. I had the honour a couple of times. So, when I saw these, not the same ladies though, walking in and coming out of the mall, I had grin to myself. 

La Bodega Spanish Restaurant- Empire Mall (Subang Jaya)

Least expected today was the phone call for a leisurely outing over a couple of drinks at La Bodega I have been to once before. Honestly, I was in two minds if I should join my two friends because for me, there is no such a thing as one drink for the road. Knowing well that one drink may lead to other twisted roads, I still arrived at La Bodega hoping my will power will not take over me. In the carnival like environment, wondering how on earth people actually start drinking at 4 pm and how can they also afford to topple themselves with expensive booze in La Bodega Spanish Restaurant, we also, okay-lah, started with booze.  But instead of the "rock me up" shoots of alcohol, each of us opted for Stella Beer, Hoegaarden Beer and Erdingeer Beer.

Shahi Mutton Curry

Shahi Mutton Curry, or Mughlai Mutton Curry. Rich, creamy, thick and call it a royal mutton curry (Navratan Korma & Lamb Rogan Josh), Shahi Mutton Curry simply packs bags and bags of  flavours (Mutton Devil's Curry, Masala Mutton Curry & Mutton Parathal) which will wake up your taste buds almost instantly until you most probably will long for more or you just can't stop eating. Believe me. And in my house, can you imagine how it would have been after I made this really attractive and eye popping Shahi Mutton Curry? Eaten alongside Cumin Coriander Rice and Stir Fried Turmeric Cabbage. Oh my goodness! Truly a royal meal and after eating by taking our own time, we could hardly move. Then again, each time I cook mutton (Mutton Soup, Mutton Dalca, Indian Mutton Meatball Soup & Mutton Kurma), mostly of course as a dry or thick masala based curry (Mutton Bone Marrow Curry, Easy Mutton Curry, Mutton Varuval & Mutton Keema) its the same story as well and we love it as well when we actually bite and ripe the meat out of mutton bones and then we will still continue with nibbling the bones and also helping ourselves to rice and stir fried veggie. Sounds familiar? The same thing in your house too?  Shahi Mutton Curry as I have already told you is full of spices and ghee richness, fabulous deliciousness.

Sayur Lodeh

Sayur Lodeh. Another Malaysian food pride (Ayam Masak Merah, Sambal Udang, Ayam Pedas Ikan, Belacan Fish Sambal & Sambal Udang Petai). Sayur Lodeh basically is our Malay coconut milk stew. Coconut milk? Of course, we can't really dispute we quite fancy coconut milk for our cooking. But this matter to coconut milk has been twisted so badly by some so called highly intellectual people who swear coconut milk is bad for health (Laksam Kelantan, Nasi Lemak & Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry). Oh really? You know what I think? I think these people just don't have nothing much to do or they have some sort of agenda up their sleeves due to their supposedly smartness in research. Beats me. Look, I have been using coconut milk for as long as I can remember for my cooking and I am still staying alive. Maybe, unless and until you go overboard. Trust me, everything in moderation does not hurt. Unless you beg to differ? Anyway, I am not in the mood to advise anyone which ingredient they should use or not, for me personally or maybe I should say that for our Malaysian cooking, coconut milk (Shrimp Coconut) does a whole lot of interesting creamy and tadbit of sweetness deliciousness (Masak Lemak Ikan Masin Nenas). Henceforth, lemme move on now to Sayur Lodeh. As usual, I must say there's various types of recipes, mine on the other hand is a vegetarian version. Yes. Only vegetables. Wouldn't you agree its still mouthwatering and indisputable? Sure. Ingredients listed below and what else should I say? Sayur Lodeh is definitely our Malaysian food pride. Coconut milk, sweet potatoes, long beans and chillies in lemongrass scented coconut milk gravy or stew.