Thursday, August 29, 2024

Asam Laksa Recipe: Nyonya Style

Spicy sour noodle soup, made with herbs fish soup, rice noodles, and garnished with pineapple, salad leaves, onion, red chilies, and fermented shrimp paste.
What makes this Asam Laksa unique and outstanding? It’s a bowl of colorful fish broth, noodles, and fresh toppings. This is the Nyonya Style Asam Laksa, known for its aromatic fresh herbs, which form the base of the fish soup (TOM YUM FISH).

Unlike the typical reddish or dark brown fish soups, this recipe features a yellow hue from fresh turmeric.

 

The rest is mostly about making the fish soup and choosing toppings. Common choices include pineapple for natural sweet and sour notes. There’s no compromising on spiciness, add red chillies or even bird’s eye chillies to taste (HONGKONG WONTON NOODLE SOUP). Garnish with fresh mint leaves for an extra aromatic touch.

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Chilli Prawns Recipe: Chinese Style

Tiger prawns, stir fried with garlic, ginger, red chilies, soy sauce and kaffir lime leaves.
Succulent, juicy prawns stir-fried in soy sauce, spiced with red chilies, and lifted by the aroma of kaffir lime leaves. This is not your usual chili prawns, and not even the typical Chinese-style chilli prawns. It’s a tweaked version.

Made with common Chinese ingredients but infused with kaffir lime leaves instead of spring onions or coriander (PORK CHOPS RECIPE). 

 

Think of it as a touch of fusion Chinese cooking. Tiger prawns as the star, cooked skin-on for maximum tastiness.

Red Rubies with Coconut Milk

red rubies, coconut milk and sugar syrup in separate containers, and all three in a serving bowl, Thai Red Rubies with Coconut Milk Dessert.
Looking for the best Thai dessert to make at home? It has to be Thai Red Rubies with Coconut Milk, also known as Tub Tim Grob in Thai. This popular dessert is refreshing, chewy, and coconut-creamy, perfect for hot days.

Red Rubies are water chestnuts (or turnips as a substitute) coated in tapioca flour, boiled until translucent, and served in sweetened coconut milk, often with a touch of pandan (screwpine) leaves for fragrance, just like in many Malaysian desserts.

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Obesity in Indian Women in Malaysia: Yoga as Holistic Wellness

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 explores the complex relationship between social media, weight perception, and weight management among Indian women. It examines how social media celebrates body diversity and sometimes downplays the health risks of obesity. The article focuses on the significant role of yoga in promoting mindful weight management and addressing challenges such as self-esteem issues, eating habits, and societal pressures faced by overweight women.

The article underscores yoga’s holistic benefits for weight loss, mental clarity, and overall well-being, advocating for a balanced approach to health that integrates physical exercise with mindful eating practices. The findings suggest that while social media plays a significant role in shaping body image and weight management behaviors, a nuanced understanding of its impact and a comprehensive approach to wellness are crucial for achieving sustainable health outcomes.

Sunday, August 25, 2024

Hong Kong-Style Wonton Noodle Soup

A bowl of wonton noodles in prawn-based soup - bouncy prawn wontons, leafy Chinese kale, and a sprinkle of spring onion. Hong Kong–Style Wonton Noodle Soup recipe: sumptuous and satisfying (CANTONESE YEE MEE). 

 

The prawn broth is effortless to make. The wontons, however, take some work. It’s less about how pretty they look. It’s more about preparing the prawn filling and wrapping them in store-bought skins. This can take some time.

 

Once that’s done, and the prawn broth is seasoned, its about assembling a hearty bowl of homemade wonton noodle goodness.

Saturday, August 24, 2024

No-Cook Carrot Coconut Salad: Sri Lankan Style

No-cook salad, made with carrot, cucumber, grated coconut, chilies, coriander leaves and lime juice.
Fresh, crunchy, with a hint of mild spice and tang, and fragrant with coriander leaves. This no-cook carrot coconut salad is sheer pleasure. Its vibrant color immediately catches the eye.

While not exactly a classic Carrot Mallum (since cucumber isn’t included) and comparable to Carrot Kosambari without the split yellow moong dal and curry leaves, it remains a beloved raw salad featuring fresh coconut (SRI LANKAN COCONUT MILK FISH).

Wajik Pulut: Glutinous Rice Cake Recipe

Sticky rice cakes, made with steamed white glutinous rice, palm sugar, coconut milk and pandan leaves.
Wajik Pulut is a traditional Malay dessert made with glutinous rice, coconut milk, palm sugar, and pandan leaves. This sticky rice cake is part of Malay kuih-muih, or sweet treats (PULUT INTI/GLUTINOUS SWEET COCONUT), often served during celebrations. Traditionally, making Wajik Pulut takes hours, as the rice needs constant stirring.

This easy homemade Wajik Pulut recipe is lighter and faster. You can reduce sugar and coconut milk for a healthier version. The rice is steamed until soft, then stirred into a thick coconut palm sugar mixture, cutting down on cooking time. 


Basically, stirring a couple of times until it becomes a sticky rice dough. 

Friday, August 23, 2024

What to Eat in Penang, Malaysia: Chinese Food

Bowl of shaved ice, with corn, green jelly, red sugar syrup, coconut milk and red beans.
One of the best things to do in Penang? Eat. Food is a major draw for tourists, locals, and visitors alike. In fact, foodies even travel to Penang (BEST THINGS TO DO IN PENANG) just for the food. Among the many food options, Chinese food is one of the top picks. From high-end restaurants and family-run eateries to food courts and hawker stalls, Chinese food pulls in the crowds.

Why Chinese Food is a Must in Penang

Chinese food is rooted in Penang due to early Chinese settlers, mainly Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, and Hainanese. They brought their food traditions and modified them using local ingredients and methods. Over time, their dishes became distinct to Penang while still preserving the original cooking heritage. Passed down through generations, these foods continue to attract food lovers from around the world.

 

It’s literally impossible to list every single dish, as each stands out in its own right. Still, there are those regarded as top picks, though, as always, taste is subjective (SEBERANG PERAI FOOD GUIDE).

Asam Pedas Ikan Bawal

Fish gravy, made with blended red chilies and Malay herbs, cherry tomatoes, tamarind, and ginger torch flower.
Asam Pedas, absolutely fragrant and reddish in hue, oozes with popular Malaysian Malay herbs. This is the Malay-style spicy gravy, cooked with a variety of local herbs and the tang of tamarind pieces.

 

The herbs blended as a rempah (spice paste) are packed with numerous health benefits, adding nutrients to the dish. Fish, such as black pomfret (ikan bawal hitam), provides protein, making Asam Pedas one of the healthiest Malay foods (EGG SAMBAL/SAMBAL TELUR). 

 

You can also choose not to fry the spice paste, which is then called Asam Pedas Rebus, but frying enhances the fragrance and flavour profile of the herbs.

Thursday, August 22, 2024

Mango Pickle Recipe

Skin on mango cubes, in a chili powder, Indian dry spices and curry leaves.
One of those dishes you can make ahead, bottle, and store in the fridge. Mango pickle(Aam ka Achar) is tangy, spicy, and aromatic, filled with the fragrance of curry leaves and spices (TOMATO CHUTNEY). 

Making it is simple, with a straightforward recipe and easy cooking style. It doesn’t need to be loud or overpowering. Everyday Indian spices, along with the beloved curry leaves, come together.

 

Once cooked, the mango cubes coated in chili powder and spices make the chutney irresistible, almost impossible to wait to pair with a meal (POTATO SAMBAL VEGETARIAN). 

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Tanni Saar (Sweet Leaf In Dhal Gravy)

Sweet leaves cooked with dhal, coconut milk, garlic, chilies, cumin seeds and curry leaves.
Sweet leaves, known as Tauchimurangai in Tamil and Cekur Manis in Malay, are cooked with dhal and light coconut milk. When scented with spices and curry leaves, they make Tanni Saar (Sweet Leaf In Dhal Gravy). A traditional, authentic Indian dish. It’s a dish you will yearn for at least once a month.

 

For those intending to grow Tauchimurangai keerai, there is little to do. Simply poke the stems into the soil after plucking the leaves. Buying a bunch of sweet leaves is also inexpensive, which you can use for stir-fried sweet leaves.

Prawn Mee Recipe

A bowl of rice noodles, with prawn soup, chili dip, boiled egg, water spinach, spring onion and fried shallots.
Prawn mee is a mouthwatering Chinese noodle dish made with prawn stock, noodles, and  toppings, served with a spicy dip. There are a few varieties, including the Penang version, Hae Mee, and another called Mee Yoke. Whatever the style, the heart of prawn mee is the prawn stock (PRAWN FRIED MEE).

How to make prawn stock
Simmer prawn heads and shells in water to extract flavor.
You can also lightly fry the heads and shells in oil first.
Pour water, add salt, and simmer to extract the prawny stock.
Strain to discard the heads and shells.

Sunday, August 18, 2024

Aging Faster Today: Yoga as a Natural Anti-Aging Therapy

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 paper explores the profound benefits of yoga as a natural remedy for anti-aging, contrasting it with contemporary quick-fix solutions and aesthetic treatments. Yoga is presented not merely as a physical exercise but as a holistic approach that nurtures the breath, body, mind, and soul, offering significant advantages for maintaining a youthful appearance and overall vitality. The paper highlights how yoga fosters genuine skin nourishment and rejuvenation, reducing the reliance on heavy makeup and superficial enhancements. However, it also cautions against overdoing yoga, as excessive practice can lead to fatigue, injury, and may paradoxically accelerate the aging process.

Saturday, August 17, 2024

Tomato Chutney Recipe: Indian Style

spicy chutney made with tomatoes, dried chilies, spices, curry leaves, and tamarind juice.
An accompaniment, a side dish, or even a spread for sandwiches and burgers. Indian-style tomato chutney is like a thick tomato sauce that is spicy, sweet, tangy, and aromatic.

There are two common cooking styles. One is chopping the tomatoes and cooking them with the rest of the ingredients after sautéing until the tomatoes turn soft and mushy. The other is blanching the tomatoes, mashing them, and then adding them to the sautéed ingredients along with curry leaves (SPINACH DAL RECIPE). 

Sponge Cake Recipe: Classic Genoise

Loaf baked cake, made with eggs, corn flour, cake flour, eggs, butter and sugar.
Spongy, crumbly, light and airy buttery cake. The classic genoise sponge cake, a traditional European-style sponge cake, is loved for its delicate texture. There are only five ingredients for this sponge cake recipe, and the measurement given is for a small loaf cake pan (BUTTER CAKE RECIPE). 

It’s a pretty straightforward recipe, but there are stages in making and it requires plenty of patience without rushing, as each step is essential for the outcome of the sponginess.

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