Sunday, September 22, 2024

Banana Pancake Recipe

Close view of banana pancakes, atop with sliced bananas, palm sugar syrup and grated coconut.
The irresistible banana pancake is loved worldwide. Whether for breakfast, as an after-meal dessert, or as part of a high-tea treat. Making banana pancakes is simple. You can make them vegetarian or vegan, use baking powder or self-raising flour for convenience, or even go 100% with just ripe bananas (BANANA CHOCOLATE CAKE). 

It’s also a great way to use bananas that are near expiry and already soft and mushy, waste not, want not. First, make the pancakes, and then comes the fun part, toppings. From maple syrup to ice cream, salted caramel, cream, or fresh fruits. The options are endless.

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Bitter Gourd with Eggs Recipe: Chinese Style

Sliced Chinese bitter gourd cooked with eggs, red chili, garlic and spring onion.
The slight bitterness from bitter gourd in Bitter Gourd with Eggs is what makes it delicious, plus it’s packed with nutrients. Bitter gourd and eggs, the two main ingredients, create a healthy recipe.

For a Chinese-style bitter gourd, it’s the light green bitter gourd. Not the darker, usually smaller variety, which is slightly milder in bitterness (CRISPY FRIED BITTER GOURD CHIPS). 

 

With a couple of common Chinese ingredients, you can whip up this bitter gourd stir-fry easily. Whether you prefer the eggs as one Bitter Gourd Omelette or in smaller pieces is a matter of preference.

Friday, September 20, 2024

Tasty Thai, Bukit Rimau: A Food Critic's Thai Bite

A traditional Thai restaurant featuring wall deco and chair and tables ambiance

Arriving at Tasty Thai in Bukit Rimau around 11:50 AM with two lunch companions, we found ourselves among just three or four other early diners. Despite the quiet start, the staff were fully prepared to serve us. The moment I stepped inside, it felt like walking into a space that blended the warmth of a traditional Thai family home with the refined atmosphere of a high-end Thai food stall. The ambiance was serene and calming, instantly putting me at ease.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Kerabu Taugeh: Bean Sprout Salad

No Cook Salad, made with blanched bean sprouts, shallots, red chilies, pan roasted pounded grated coconut, spring onions and coriander leaves.
No-cook salads on the whole are about crispness, freshness, and the ease of a simple recipe. Between the various types of salads, there is the kerabu.  The Malaysian salad, specifically a Malay raw salad that is about preparing and tossing the ingredients together (URAP KANGKUNG/WATER SPINACH SALAD). 

Most of the time, apart from the star ingredient, the rest are everyday Malaysian staples that are easily available.

 

Take this Kerabu Taugeh (Bean Sprout Salad) as the example. This Kerabu Taugeh recipe calls for crunchy bean sprouts, chilies, shallots, lime juice, and kerisik (pan-roasted and pounded grated coconut), along with the fresh fragrance of spring onions and coriander leaves (KERABU BENDI/OKRA SALAD).

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Peanut Cookies Recipe

A bowl of peanut cookies, made with ground peanuts, sugar, butter, flour and oil,  egg yolk wash atop.
No matter the festival, peanut cookies are a beloved treat that everyone looks forward to (SUJI COOKIES). The two star ingredients for these crumbly, buttery, and nutty cookies are nothing more than peanuts and butter.

These are Chinese-style cookies, shaped into small mounds, topped with peanuts, and brushed with egg yolk for a golden finish. For a vegetarian or egg-free version, use milk or cream instead of egg yolk.

 

For the peanuts, you can choose fried or roasted peanuts, then grind them in a food processor or mortar to make a coarse or fine powder. There’s also a version using store-bought peanut butter, which already includes butter and sometimes sugar.

Best Places to Visit in Turkey

Indian lady posing against the backdrop of a wall and column, in Acropolis of Pergamum, Turkey.
It’s very likely that most travelers begin their journey in Istanbul. Typically, they arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST), the largest and busiest airport in Turkey, with the most direct international connections. Istanbul is also the main transport hub for buses, domestic flights, and tours heading to other regions such as Cappadocia, the Aegean coast, and Pamukkale (WHAT TO DO IN ISTANBUL).

Even those aiming to visit top sights in western Turkey, like Çanakkale, Izmir, Selçuk/Ephesus, and Pamukkale, often start their journey here. This route is a classic western Turkey itinerary, usually covered by road travel, offering mesmerizing scenery along the way. While some drives can be long, overnight stops in between allow for a more flexible and enjoyable trip.

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Crispy Fried Bitter Gourd Chips Recipe

Crispy fried bitter gourd, made with chilli powder, turmeric powder, sliced bitter gourd and salt.
As bitter as they are, bitter gourd is packed with healthy nutrients. Its natural bitterness acts as a remedy for managing blood sugar levels and supporting digestive health. When sliced thinly and fried, the bitterness mellows, turning into crispy fried bitter gourd chips, a favorite snack or accompaniment for an Indian rice meals (CRISPY FRIED CAULIFLOWER). 

Found in Indian eateries, this dish is always popular. Some versions are fried with flour, but this recipe does not need it (MORINGA LEAVES STIR-FRIED). 

Monday, September 16, 2024

Suji Cookies Recipe

Cookies in a bowl, made from ghee, semolina flour, self raising flour, sugar and decorated with red and green cherries atop.
Crumbly, crunchy, and scented with ghee, these golden yellow Suji Cookies are a festive favorite. Also known as Sujee Cookies, semolina cookies, or spelled as Sugee Cookies, they are usually made for celebrations like Hari Raya, Deepavali, or Chinese New Year (SEMOLINA/SUGEE CAKE). 

This is a simple 4-ingredient recipe (excluding cherries), but the ingredients are flexible. For less sweet cookies, use less sugar. For richer, more indulgent cookies, add extra ghee.

Sambal Belacan

In mortar and pestle,  pounded fresh red chilies, roasted shrimp paste and calamansi lime juice.
Fiery, salty, tangy, and packed with umami, this is the classic Malaysian spicy dip. Sambal belacan, also known as Chili Shrimp Paste Sauce, is a no-cook or raw dip made traditionally with a mortar and pestle, or more quickly with a food processor or blender (NASI KERABU/HERBS RICE). 

This world-famous condiment comes in various versions. Apart from the popular Malaysian sambal belacan, there is the Thai-style sambal belacan and the Indonesian sambal belacan, also called Sambal Terasi. Each has its own preferred ingredients and flavors.

Sunday, September 15, 2024

Misdiagnosis of Depression in Menopause: Yoga for Relief

Author
Ms. Krishnan N, a Zen entrepreneur in her 60s, founded Nava's Zen at 58. With 22 years as a lecturer, including 13 years in the Curtin University of Technology Perth, Australia Degree Twinning Program, she is now a certified yoga instructor, coach, and counselor. Her expertise enriches her current work.

Abstract
This article examines the misdiagnosis of depression during menopause and the potential benefits of yoga as a complementary treatment. It highlights the limitations of conventional approaches that often oversimplify menopausal symptoms by labeling them as depression. Through the author's personal experiences, it is demonstrated how yoga can offer significant relief and mental clarity beyond what is typically achieved with standard medical treatments. 

The discussion emphasizes the importance of integrating yoga into mental health care, not only as a supplementary remedy but as a vital tool for enhancing overall well-being. The findings suggest that a more nuanced understanding of menopause-related mental health issues and the inclusion of yoga in treatment plans can lead to improved outcomes and greater self-reliance.

Papaya Salad Recipe

Crunchy, fresh, crisp, spicy, and tangy papaya salad. Truly an appetizing dish that wakes up your taste buds instantly. Whether as a healthy...