Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Tips to Boost Your Mental Health: Nature Therapy

Mini urban garden with tall bamboos in large pots, surrounded by herbs growing on the ground.
Mental health has been a topic of growing awareness, with countless methods explored for improving well-being. From mindfulness techniques to creative practices like mandalas (MENTAL HEALTH & MANDALA BENEFITS), the list is ever-expanding. But have you noticed the rising trend of nature as a powerful mental health booster? It’s more than just a passing fad - nature has become a retreat for urban dwellers seeking solace from the relentless pace of city life.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Chicken Soup Recipe

Indian chicken soup, made with spices, turmeric powder, pepper, tomato, ginger garlic paste and coriander leaves.
The ultimate comfort food, chicken soup has been cherished for centuries. From Western-style versions to spiced Indian varieties (INDIAN LAMB SOUP), Indian chicken soup combines spices and herbs, making it both nourishing and flavorful. This recipe is inspired by that tradition and can even be considered a type of Chicken Rasam.

With spices and the fragrance of coriander leaves, it is apt for keeping the body warm during rainy days and comforting when feeling unwell. Generally, soups are made by simmering ingredients over low heat. This recipe takes it a step further by sautéing the spices and aromatics first, releasing extra depth of tastes.

Sunday, January 12, 2025

Vegetarian Fried Rice

A serving of fried rice, made with fried potatoes, green peas, shallots, dried chilli paste, and spring onion.
Spicy, fried with potatoes, green peas, and the fragrance of spring onions, this vegetarian fried rice is made with just 8 ingredients (excluding oil and salt). You can call it Easy Vegetarian Fried Rice, or even Vegetable Fried Rice (RICE-COOKER GINGER RICE). 

Potatoes may be unusual in fried rice, but this recipe is all about them, maybe it could even be known as Potato Fried Rice.

Saturday, January 11, 2025

Easy Gardening: Seed Sowing for Beginners

Small curry leaf plant beside a trailing Tonkin plant, surrounded by other small plants, growing together on the ground.
(Updated Version)

Now that we’ve covered the basics of gardening - understanding climate, choosing the right equipment, and identifying soil types - it’s time to dive into seed sowing. But where do we begin? Where do we get the seeds? Good questions (THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO GROWING HERBS). 

 

Getting the Seeds

Start with affordable store-bought seeds, or better yet, save seeds from your favorite vegetables while cooking. For instance, seeds from chilies, gourds and cucumbers, can be easily collected. Some leafy vegetable roots can also be replanted, though results may vary - I haven’t had success with this method, but it might work for you (EASY TIPS FOR GROWING SPRING ONIONS). 

Friday, January 10, 2025

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes, made with milk, butter, salt and pepper.
What is not to love about mashed potatoes? These melting-in-your-mouth, luscious, super smooth, milky, and buttery mashed potatoes are most probably one of the top favourite foods throughout the globe (CRISPY POTATO CUTLETS). 

Mashed potatoes can be made in various styles, though the core ingredient is always potato. They range from the simplest mashed potatoes to French mashed potatoes (pommes purée) and Italian mashed potatoes (purè di patate). Apart from these, the traditional Irish or British mashed potatoes, each showcases unique regional tastes and techniques.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Ginger Rice Recipe: Rice Cooker Style

A scoop of ginger rice topped with ginger strips, served on a banana leaf, accompanied by a stem of a ginger plant.

Fresh, zesty ginger fills fluffy, tender rice with its bright aroma. Lifting your food senses easy rice-cooker ginger rice recipe. The scent of ginger while slicing and cooking is like natural aromatherapy wafting through the kitchen. Effortless wellness food: simple, homemade ginger rice (EGG FRIED RICE). 

 

This is a two-ingredient recipe (excluding water and salt). Whether you use young ginger or old ginger, it’s a matter of preference. But what is the difference between the two?

Sunday, January 5, 2025

Stir-Fried Luncheon Meat Recipe: Korean Style

Luncheon meat cubes stir-fried with zucchini, soy sauce, honey, chili flakes, ginger, garlic, black sesame seeds, and spring onions.

Luncheon meat stir-fry, also known as Spam stir-fry, is a mouthwatering Korean-inspired dish. Crispy outside, tender inside, coated in a thick sticky, sweet, spicy and mildly salty sauce, with a sprinkling of black sesame seeds and the aroma of spring onions.

 

Truly irresistible Stir-fried luncheon meat. A pantry staple, luncheon meat (or Spam) is the go-to in-case ingredient always worth stocking up. Both are somewhat similar, but what still, what are the differences between luncheon meat and spam?

Saturday, January 4, 2025

Chicken Noodle Soup: Malaysian Style Soto Ayam

Blanched thin rice noodles, with spices and herbs made chicken soup, garnished with soup leaves, coriander leaves, crispy shallots and red chillies.
Aromatic spices and tender chicken come together in this homemade chicken noodle soup, garnished with daun sop (Chinese celery/soup leaves), spring onions, and crispy fried shallots. Wholesome, satisfying, and comforting, this is not your usual chicken noodle soup. Instead, it’s a Malay chicken soup made with aromatic spices and chicken bones to extract maximum taste.

Known as Soto Ayam, it’s a beloved Malaysian noodle soup (SAYUR LODEH/COCONUT MILK STEW), though there is also an Indonesian Soto Ayam version.

Friday, January 3, 2025

A Day Trip To Sekinchan, Selangor

A distant view of an Indian lady in a hat, knee-length jeans, and a dark blue T-shirt, posing on the sandy beach.
Similar to Pulau Ketam (WHAT TO DO IN PULAU KETAM), Sekinchan is another gem that leaves those who visit it singing its praises. Sekinchan is often touted as a must-visit destination, and if you haven't experienced it, it's like missing out on a significant chapter of life. This, ladies and gentlemen, sparked my curiosity to uncover the allure of Sekinchan.

Crispy Potato Cutlet Recipe: Aloo Tikki

Round crispy fried Indian potato cutlets.
Mention potato cutlet, and what comes to mind is piping hot, straight from the wok, crispy on the outside and soft, melting-in-the-mouth potatoes. Alongside potato cutlets, Aloo Tikki also often pops up. Indian-style potato cutlets stand out from other types of cutlets.

 

Whether as vegetarian cutlets or adapted versions, the same mashed potato mixture can be transformed into fish cutlet, lamb cutlet, or beef cutlet by adding minced fish, lamb, or beef.

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...