Sambal Belacan

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.

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.

Easy Mango Sticky Rice Recipe - Thai Style

Khao Niew Mamuang, or Thai mango sticky rice, is a dessert loved across the globe, and for good reason. This Thai classic brings together fragrant glutinous rice (KUIH BUAH MELAKA/ONDEH ONDEH RECIPE), rich coconut milk, and sweet, juicy mango for a refreshing tropical treat.

In Thai, “Khao Niew” means sticky or glutinous rice, and “Mamuang” means mango. You’ll often find this dessert sold at street stalls in Thailand, but trust me, not every version is worth raving about. I’ve tasted many, even right in Thailand (RED RUBIES IN COCONUT MILK), and some were just average. But when it’s good, it’s really good, sticky rice that’s soft but not mushy, coconut milk that’s sweet and salty, and mango that melts in your mouth (THINGS TO DO IN THAILAND).

PIneapple Tarts Recipe

Golden and mildly crispy pastry filled with spiced pineapple jam,   that’s the  captivating  pineapple tarts. This recipe features the open-face version, also known as Nyonya pineapple tarts, a favorite during festive seasons and special occasions. Making pineapple tarts may be a tedious job, but homemade tarts are always worth the effort (TEA GOJI BERRY JELLY). 

What makes these homemade pineapple tarts unique compared to other fruity tarts?

 

Butter

Creates an extra crumbly, melt-in-the-mouth texture (BUTTER CAKE RECIPE). 

 

Corn flour

Binds the dough, making it tender and crisp, while enhancing the filling and extending shelf life.

Things to Do in Istanbul, Turkey

Turkey is one of the world’s top travel destinations, attracting visitors year-round. The country experiences all four seasons, with spring and autumn often recommended as the best times to visit because of the pleasant weather (WHAT TO DO IN VERONA, ITALY). Even winter in Turkey can be regarded as the best, depending on which part of Turkey you are in.

Covering the entire country is nearly impossible unless you have plenty of time and resources. For most travelers, it’s about selecting the best cities to visit and zeroing in on the top sights. Istanbul is undoubtedly at the top of that list.

Easy Pork Belly with Salted Fish

Pork belly and salted fish. Imagine these two ingredients coming together in one Chinese dish. That’s Pork Belly (PORK CHOPS CHINESE STYLE) with Salted Fish, a popular and much-loved recipe. You’ll often find it at Chinese mix rice stalls, and in restaurants, it’s served bubbling hot in a claypot as Claypot Pork Belly with Salted Fish.

At home, though, it’s all about easy cooking. This steamed version is simple and even considered the healthier choice. Just prep the ingredients, place them on a steaming tray, and steam away.

Thai Red Prawn Curry

Bright red, rich, and filled with the aroma of Thai herbs. Exactly how a Thai Red Prawn Curry should be. Thai curries are usually made with one of the three main pastes: red, yellow, or green curry paste (THAI GREEN EGG CURRY). This recipe uses the Thai red curry paste, the key to bold and fragrant flavor.

There are different ways to prepare red curry paste, from simple homemade versions to more complex blends. A vegetarian red curry paste works as a good base and can be easily adapted into a non-vegetarian curry. Choice of Thai herbs and ingredients can also be adjusted to taste.

Chinese Rice Congee

Rice congee is the watery, lighter version of rice. It’s comfort food at its best. Ideal for rainy or chilly days when you need warmth. Or for those times you’re under the weather yet still crave rice, just in a soft, soupy form. And of course, for true congee lovers, anytime is a good time for a bowl of rice congee.

While congee recipes may seem similar across cultures, Chinese rice congee stands out because it’s not cooked into a mushy, sticky lump. 

Instead, the rice grains remain soft, grainy, and cooked to just the right texture, with enough water to create a light, soothing broth.

Jelly Recipe: Chrysanthemum Goji Berry Jelly

Herbal jelly with loads of health benefits. It’s indeed a Chinese jelly recipe, as chrysanthemum tea and dried goji berries are part of their cooking. Imagine the refreshing and cooling chrysanthemum tea and also the natural sweetness of goji berries (THAI RED RUBIES). 

In a mildly crunchy, yet wobbly jelly, made with lump sugar. Let alone only 4 ingredients (excluding water) for this not a common jelly. But it’s truly a sweet dessert pleasure, whether preferred at room temperature or after chilling in the fridge (ONDEH-ONDEH/KUIH BUAH MELAKA). 

Indian Crab Rasam (Crab Soup)

Among the versions of Indian Crab Rasam (Nandu Rasam), from rustic village-style to modern twists, this spiced South Indian Crab Soup stands out as both nourishing and tasty. Whether you cook with the meaty claws of mud crabs or the smaller legs of blue crabs, the choice is yours (EASY CRAB CURRY).

You can prepare the rasam paste from scratch with fresh spices or use a ready-made spice powder.

 

From a quick, simple crab rasam to a more elaborate version, the heart of the dish lies in a blend of Indian spices. Simmered with crab claws, tamarind juice, tomato, and curry leaves, it carries a bold, spiced taste.

Sri Lankan Mango Fish Curry: Miris Malu:

Village cooking, traditional cooking,  also Kerala style and Sri Lankan style heritage cooking (SRI LANKAN COCONUT MILK FISH). Cooking in clay pot is not only truly meaningful, but considered healthier because it preserves nutrients, requires less oil, and allows slow, even cooking.

This fish curry takes the Sri Lankan fish curry recipe, known as Miris Mallu, cooked in clay pot, but with its own tweet and twist. Still, featuring from a stratch, homemade curry paste. Pan roasted spices to release their aromas, and traditionally pounded, but for easy cooking, blended (KEEMA RECIPE). 

Chilli Chicken Recipe: Chinese Style

A popular order during Chinese meals, or as one of the dishes in a Chinese mix rice (chap fun) eatery, Chilli Chicken features dried red chilies, spring onions, and soy sauce with tender chicken pieces. Its simplicity makes it a sincerely appetizing dish (BEANS STIR-FRY CHINESE STYLE). 

This recipe follows the same high-fire stir-frying (woi hei) style found in eateries. It also includes crispy fried cashew nuts. This gives it the name Cashew Nut Chilli Chicken or Chilli Chicken Cashew Nut, depending on which you prefer to put first.

 

Get your plate of rice ready. The pairing does not have to be elaborate for this classic Chinese-style chilli chicken (CHILLI PRAWNS CHINESE STYLE). 

Kuih Buah Melaka/Ondeh-Ondeh

Whether known as Kuih Buah Melaka, or spelled as onde-onde or ondeh-ondeh, it’s one of Malaysia’s beloved traditional desserts, or kuih-muih (WAJIK PULUT/GLUTINOUS RICE CAKE). 

Taking a bite into the chewy, pandan-scented glutinous rice balls coated with palm sugar (Gula Melaka), bursting in your mouth, is a true Malaysian treat.

 

Back then, white glutinous rice (pulut putih) was soaked overnight, rinsed, and pounded into flour. These days, making ondeh-ondeh is easier with store-bought glutinous flour, making the process convenient and time-saving.

Crispy Fried Cauliflower Recipe: Gobi 65

Crispy fried cauliflower florets, also known as Gobi 65, are coated in a spiced batter and fried to a golden crisp. Each floret puffs up with a vibrant yellow hue from turmeric, with curry leaves in the batter adding fragrance and visual appeal (POTATO CURRY VEGETARIAN).

This batter-fried cauliflower is a vegetarian take on the famous Chicken 65, offering a crunchy, aromatic snack or appetizer.

 

To make this Gobi 65 recipe, start with the batter. The consistency is key. Too thick, and it overpowers the cauliflower; too thin, and the florets won’t hold together. The right balance seals in each floret for a crispy exterior and a tender bite inside.

Orange Cake Recipe: Eggless

The scent of orange cake, both while baking and after, is uplifting to the tastebuds. A fresh citrus burst in every bite makes this cake simply delicious. That’s exactly what this recipe is about, an eggless and vegetarian orange cake. It uses fresh orange juice and zest from Mandarin oranges.

If Mandarin is not available, any type of orange or even store-bought juice will do. Just ensure store-bought juice is sugar-free, as condensed milk already adds sweetness (NO-BAKE CHEESECAKE).