Saturday, June 22, 2024

Chickpea Curry Recipe

Indian curry made with chickpeas and spinach, spices, tomato,  and coconut milk.

Not just chickpeas, this spiced Indian curry with spinach, is simply delicious. Indeed, a healthy recipe with no magic. Just simple ingredients and aromatic spices. Instead of using ready-made fish or meat curry powders, this curry is made with a combination of spice powders, creating a full, well-rounded taste beyond a plain curry (VEGETARIAN POTATO CURRY).

 

Chickpeas for this curry are the canned version. Whether you prefer to boil your own or use canned, chickpeas are packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are a great source for supporting heart health and sustained energy, for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.


Even nibbling on a few chickpeas gives health benefits.

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Indian Fish Curry with Coconut Milk

Atop banana leaf, some steamed edamame beans, half boiled salted egg, a scoop of rice and a small silver bowl with spicy Indian fish curry.
An Indian Fish Curry, South Indian style, striking in spices with a reddish dark brown hue. A dish that instantly captures your food love - simple, nothing complicated, yet so satisfying. Coconut milk adds a creamy, mildly sweet flavor that softens the spiciness, while a touch of sourness rounds everything off for a perfectly balanced profile (SRI LANKAN FISH CURRY). 

In a Malaysian kitchen, though, a South Indian Fish Curry often takes on a local twist (SOUTH AFRICAN FISH CURRY). Vegetables are added, something not typically done in South India. For this version, eggplant joins the curry. The rest of the ingredients are a mix of common kitchen staples and fresh finds.

Monday, June 10, 2024

Keema Recipe

Grounded lamb cooked with spices, curry powder, potato, tomato, coriander leaves and dried fenugreek leaves, dry style.
Mince meat cooked in a spicy, dry-style curry, that’s keema. This popular South Asian dish is loved in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and even Malaysia. You can make keema with lamb, mutton (MUTTON RENDANG), beef, or chicken. Use home-ground meat or store-bought minced meat for convenience.

Keema is versatile. Add green peas, potatoes, or sliced button mushrooms, or keep it simple with just meat. Pantry-friendly ingredients are enough. No need for fancy extras. This recipe uses lamb, but you can easily swap in other meats or even make a vegetarian version called Vegetable Keema (VEGETABLE KURMA).

Copenhagen, Denmark: Top Attractions

View from a hilltop, overlooking a lake and buildings in Copenhagen, Denmark.
There are countless things to do in Copenhagen, from historical landmarks to top sites and major attractions. Yet, it is really impossible to cover every place unless it’s a free-and-easy sightseeing trip in Copenhagen, stretching maybe to a week or so. Logically, though, touring Copenhagen means sticking to the top sites. It may also involve heading to Norway from Denmark, which means that within two days, all the main Copenhagen attractions can be covered (COPENHAGEN DENMARK WHAT TO DO). 

These top attractions are not a waste of time; they bring a full experience and highlight the most meaningful sites in Denmark (CHANDIGARH INDIA TOP SITES). 

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Tom Yum Soup: Coconut Milk Thai Style

Close view of Thai soup, made with Thai herbs, coconut milk, fish, mushrooms and kaffir lime leaves.
Whether it a plain simple Thai soup, or Tom Yum style, it all comes back to the Southeast Asian Herbs. Galangal and lemongrass the common cooking with herbs, and for aroma the famed kaffir lime leaves, or even coriander leaves (STEAMED FISH THAI STYLE). 

Whether it’s a homemade paste, or store bought Tom Yum Paste, or without a paste, yet with the beloved Thai deliciousness.

 

Apart from the common fiery red tom yum, there is also there white tom yum (Tom Yum Nam Sai) and this tom yum soup with coconut milk (Tom Yum Nam Khon).

Thursday, June 6, 2024

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen Harbor, with boats docked at the pier, Denmark.
Nature, unrushed life, fresh air and sunshine, and fresh seafood - welcome to Denmark in summer. For some, the weather may feel tropical, while others might need a thick jacket or even gloves while sightseeing in Denmark.

For Asian travelers, particularly those from Southeast Asia, heading to Denmark can take around 15-18 hours. The journey may include transiting from other airports before arriving at Copenhagen Airport (CPH), also known as Kastrup Airport, the largest airport in Copenhagen, catering to international and domestic flights (ROME ITALY TOP SITES). 

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Mee Goreng (Fried Mee)

Close view of plated fried mee, cooked with big prawns, yellow noodles, cabbage, soy sauce, eggs, spring onions, pepper, salt and oil.
Apart from rice meals, (NASI KERABU/HERBS RICE) noodle dishes are highly anticipated in Malaysia, and one of the favorites is Mee Goreng (fried mee). Though it comes in different styles, it’s still Mee Goreng at heart. The variations mostly depend on the meat, seafood, or poultry used.

The Malay-style Mee Goreng is one example, and when cooked with fresh prawns, it’s called Mee Goreng Udang (MALAY STYLE PRAWN NOODLES). Eggs can be added on top, served as a runny fried egg (Mata Kerbau), or mixed into the yellow noodles while frying.

What To Do In Pulau Ketam (Selangor, Malaysia)

Pulau Ketam/Crab Island water way with a boat docked at the pier and another in the water, Selangor, Malaysia.
Pulau Ketam, also known as Crab Island, is a small Chinese fishing village with amenities that mirror those in the cities. There’s a police station, a school, community spaces, and provision shops that double up as souvenir stores selling Pulau Ketam-made trinkets, proof that life here is simple yet complete (PULAU KETAM TRAVEL GUIDE).

Generally calm and quiet, the village comes alive during peak seasons, with tourism being the main source of income for locals. Taking the ferry (MANDURAH PERTH CRUISE) into Pulau Ketam gives your first clue, no cars are allowed. The only modes of transport are bicycles and electric motorbikes that whiz along the narrow cement lanes. So, keep an eye out, don’t get in their way, and hopefully, they won’t get in yours.

Saturday, June 1, 2024

Pada Salted Fish Pickle

A glass bottle with salted fish pickle, made with spice mix, ginger, garlic and green chilies.
Pada Salted Fish Pickle is a famous Eurasian dish unique to the Malaysian and Singaporean Eurasian community. While other fish pickles or meen achar exist worldwide, none match the aroma, tang, and sweetness of this salted fish pickle (PORTUGUESE VEGETABLE PICKLE).

Crispy fried salted fish and green chilies in a delicious spice paste make it irresistible.

 

For taste, adjust the amount of salted fish, green chilies, and spice paste to balance spiciness, tanginess, and saltiness. These are the essential cooking tips for Pada salted fish pickle.

Friday, May 31, 2024

Pulau Ketam (Crab Island) Malaysia Travel Guide

Crab Island, Selangor, Malaysia - traditional wooden fishing boats docked amongst the houses on stilts.
Over the years, Pulau Ketam, or Crab Island, has gained attention. Pulau Ketam, a small island near Port Klang in Selangor, Malaysia, is surrounded by muddy shores and nearby islets where the river meets the sea. Entirely built on wooden stilts above mangrove swamps, it has gradually become a popular tourist destination in Malaysia.

Weekends, public holidays, school holidays, and the year-end break draw countless locals and foreign tourists to Pulau Ketam (FREMANTLE AUSTRALIA THINGS TO DO). For those with flexibility, the island is best visited during off-peak seasons and weekdays. It also serves as a getaway for urbanites, offering an escape from the daily rush and stress, an island to relax and walk around before returning to the usual routine of life.

Bread Flower/Kesidang Plant: An Enchanting Beauty for the Senses


Nature is truly captivating. It fills our lives with joy and peace. But nature also needs our help. As climate change makes the weather hotter and more unpredictable, we depend more on air conditioners, even for our babies. Yet, people miss the benefits of urban gardening. It can cool our homes and naturally relieve stress (Bay Leaves Healing Therapy). Urban gardening helps the environment and fills the air with the soothing scent of flowers, offering a peaceful escape from the stress that harms us.

Enter Ms. Nava, the founder of Nava's Zen, a true enthusiast of urban gardening. Today, she introduces us to the enchanting bread flower, also known as Kesidang, Kerak Nasi, Tikar Seladang, or Vallaris Glabra (Ylang Ylang). These white, star-shaped blossoms have a scent that evokes pandan leaves or the aroma of cooked fragrant jasmine rice. Whenever they bloom, Ms. Nava takes a moment to stand in Nava's Zen and inhale their delightful fragrance. It's her natural way to calm her senses and enjoy a bit of tranquility (Rangoon Creeper).

Thursday, May 30, 2024

Buns & Noodles (Bukit Rimau): Niche Excellence


Saying goodbye to loyal clients who have been strong supporters of our brand, especially when they're leaving due to moving away, brings mixed feelings. It's important to show gratitude for their support, even though it's tough to see them go. In business, clients come and go, so it's crucial to stay focused on our passion rather than getting too emotional. As a gesture of appreciation, I recently organized a heartfelt farewell for departing clients, recognizing their contributions to our business. And what better way for us Malaysians to bond than over a meal together?

As a culinary enthusiast, I'm always on the lookout for new dining experiences. This time, I decided to try out Buns & Noodles in Bukit Rimau. Beforehand, I made sure to inform them of my visit, which is important in case they have any limitations or special arrangements, as I mentioned earlier (SAFAA)

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Fremantle, Australia

View of Fremantle coastline from train, Perth, Australia.
There is something quietly magical about the train ride from Perth to Fremantle. Perhaps it is the anticipation, or for travelers experiencing it for the first time, it becomes a meaningful part of heading to Fremantle itself. As the train passes through different suburbs, it is not merely a direction to Fremantle but also a meaningful journey for viewing Perth in a broad spectrum. From Perth city to the outer suburbs, each unveils different types of views, a candid shot of this part of Australia (AUSTRALIA CRUISE - MANDURAH).

Things to See in Perth
Perth Station
Modern skyline with skyscrapers, office buildings, and busy streets.
Glimpses of Elizabeth Quay and the Swan River.

Steamed Fish: Thai Style

Close-up steamed seabass, made with red chilies, coriander leaves, fish sauce, soy sauce, and ginger.

Bold, vibrant Thai flavors. Spicy, sour, and salty, all come together in tender steamed fish. This is the ultimate Thai dish. Steaming is one of the healthiest cooking methods, requiring little more than preparing fresh ingredients, including cleaning and gutting the fish.

 

Freshness is key. Choose a fish that has a subtle scent of the ocean or sea water. The eyes should be clear, and the gills bright red, indicating fresh blood and quality. Otherwise, making steamed fish is a waste of time and money (FISH CURRY WITH COCONUT MILK). 

Sunday, May 26, 2024

Tempe Orek (Indonesian Spicy Fermented Soy Beans)

Stir fried tempeh, made with crispy fried tempeh pieces, stir fried with red and green chilies, shallots, garlic, bay leaf, galangal, sweet soy sauce, oil and salt.
Tempeh, also spelled tempe, a traditional fermented soybean product from Java, Indonesia, is a nutrient superfood. Protein-rich, full of probiotics, and packed with nutrients, it is one of the healthiest plant-based foods. In Malaysia, it is mainly used for Malay food (RENDANG KAMBING/MUTTON RENDANG). Tempeh has also gained recognition worldwide, including in Western meals.

The plain, humble taste of tempeh is delicious on its own. A sprinkle of salt and a quick fry makes it crispy and appetizing, a healthy snack by itself. It can also be added to masak lemak (turmeric coconut milk stew), made as sambal tempeh, or included in other dishes.

Chair Yoga

Chair Yoga is not a modern trend or a practice adopted simply because others are doing it. It was created to address the practical realities...