Friday, May 26, 2023

Salted Fish Curry with Pineapple Recipe

Salted Fish Curry, made with salted fish, pineapple, curry powder, spices, tomatoes, green chilies, shallots, ginger, garlic, oil and salt.
Salted Fish Curry comes in different styles. It is one of the most popular curries in Malaysia, among all communities. Salted fish itself is a beloved Malaysian ingredient, like ikan bilis (dried anchovies). It is one of the things Malaysia is famous for.

The basic salted fish curry (INDIAN FISH CURRY) becomes even more delicious when pineapple is added. Pineapple Salted Fish Curry, or Salted Fish Curry with Pineapple, stands out from the usual versions. Adding pineapple into curries is part of Malay food. Salted Fish Curry with Pineapple is also a known Nyonya (Peranakan) dish, called Kiam Hu Kut Gulai or Nyonya Salted Fish Bones Gulai, which can include pineapple as well.

Saturday, May 20, 2023

Beans Stir-Fry: Chinese Style

Beans stir-fry Chinese style, made with long beans, dried red chilies, black pepper, garlic, sesame oil, peanut oil and salt.
All things delicious in food are stir-fries. Quick stir-fries are easy and simple recipes, and just a few common kitchen staples make cooking convenient.

Beans come in various types - French beans, long beans, snow beans, and frozen green peas,  all affordable and ideal for home-style cooking. For this recipe, it’s long beans, but other types work just as well. Greens make for a healthy dish, even if achieving authentic wok hei at home is difficult (QUICK CHINESE VEGETABLE STIR-FRY).

Saturday, May 13, 2023

Malaysian Wildboar Curry/Kattu Pandi Kulambu

An Indian thick, aromatic, and spicy wild boar curry made with a mix of spices and scented with curry leaves.
Wild boar, or Kattu Pandi in Tamil, may not be everyone’s choice of meat, but it certainly has a global fan base. Across cultures, wild boar is prepared in distinct, flavour-packed ways. In Italy, it’s slow-braised in red wine and tomatoes into a rich wild boar ragu, usually served with pasta. In Thailand, wild boar is stir-fried jungle-style with herbs, chillies, and green peppercorns. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, it’s grilled or stewed adobo-style with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and bay leaves.

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Tom Yum Fish Recipe

Tom Yum Fish - fried fish in a thick paste made with Thai herbs,  and dried red chilies, lime juice and kaffir lime leaves.
Tom Yum is a world-renowned Thai dish, whether spelled tom yum or tom yam, it’s a classic Thai soup that delights with its spicy, tangy, and aromatic flavors. Traditionally, it can be made by simmering fresh Thai ingredients in a broth or by using a prepared Tom Yum paste. This versatile paste is also used for other Thai dishes, such as Tom Yum Fried Rice or Tom Yum Fried Noodles.

Another essential ingredient in Thai cooking is Mae Pranom Thai Chili Paste, widely available in stores and online, in small or large bottles. It is made from dried chili, dried shrimp, garlic, onion, tamarind, sugar, salt, soybean oil, and shrimp paste, adding depth, heat, and authentic Thai flavor (TAMARIND FRIED FISH). If you don’t have it, you can still recreate the taste by using these ingredients in your spice mix.

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Chandigarh, India - Things to Do

Lady posing in a dancing pose beside a stone sculpture depicting a young Indian lady, Rock Garden, Chandigarh.
The City Beautiful reflects the top sites in Chandigarh. Gardens, parks, trees, and flowers bring the colors of nature in India to life. Beyond being a modern and model city, Chandigarh is clean and well-maintained, welcoming everyone with fresh air and sunshine (KERALA INDIA WHAT TO DO). 

Located in northern India at the foothills of the Shivalik Hills, Chandigarh holds the unique distinction of being the capital of two states, Punjab and Haryana. Designed by the world-renowned architect Le Corbusier, the city was envisioned as a symbol of a modern, progressive India. One of the first planned cities in post-independence India, Chandigarh balances functionality, aesthetics, and green spaces.

Monday, February 13, 2023

Kullu Manali India: Best Things to Do

Sunrise against the mountain range in Shimla, India.
It takes approximately 7 hours from Shimla to Kullu Manali by road. Though 7 hours may sound long to stay on the coach, the journey offers beautiful and stunning views, especially when going downhill, with Shimla slowly disappearing behind (SHIMLA INDIA WHAT TO DO).

The narrow road downhill is picturesque for admiring Shimla’s nature. In the morning, the sunrise looks like a big twinkle over Shimla’s mountains and valleys. As the drive continues, Shimla’s landscapes appear from one spot, disappear, and then appear again from the next.

Friday, January 27, 2023

Shimla, India - Things to Do

Hilltop resort in Shimla, India.
At an altitude of about 2,200 metres above sea level, Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh in northern India, is fondly known as The Queen of Hills. Also referred to as The Summer Capital of British India, it lies along the southwestern ranges of the Himalayas. This hill town in India is surrounded by valleys, mountains, greenery, and colourful flowers that brighten the hills through the seasons (HARYANA INDIA SACRED SITES). 

Still preserved from earlier times, the colonial-style buildings, narrow lanes, fresh air, and sunshine say it all about Shimla as one of the top hill stations in India. It remains a peaceful place, away from the rush of city life, where calmness and simplicity fill the days.

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Haryana, India Sacred Sites

A part of the walking corridor in Delhi airport, India.
Incredible India often begins upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi, the primary gateway to other states and regions of India. Alternatively, travelers can arrive through other airports in the country to reach attractions in Kerala in the south, Rajasthan in the west, or the Himalayan regions in the north. Delhi is generally considered the main entry point and a gateway to North India (TAJ MAHAL, AGRA, INDIA). 

Haryana, India

Haryana is one of the top sites in North India, with its capital in Chandigarh. Haryana by itself has several cities and towns, such as Gurgaon (Gurugram), Faridabad, Panipat, and Kurukshetra. In this state of India, sightseeing spots range from Pinjore Gardens, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Morni Hills, Pehowa, and Panipat.

Monday, September 26, 2022

Egg Curry with Moringa

An Indian silver bowl with Indian Egg Moringa Sticks Curry - made with spices, curry powder, curry leaves, tomatoes, yogurt, oil and salt.
Eggs are a staple in many kitchens. Versatile, affordable, and packed with nutrients. They provide high-quality protein with all essential amino acids, vitamins (B12, B2, A, D, and choline), and antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health. While moderation is recommended, eggs remain a go-to ingredient for quick and nutritious meals (CUMIN RICE: RICE-COOKER STYLE).

Moringa sticks, also known as drumsticks, were once considered humble “poor man’s food” but are now recognized as a superfood, rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Only the inner seeds and flesh are edible, while the tough outer skin is discarded.

Saturday, March 19, 2022

Shivan Panching & Sri Marathandavar Temples

While exploring sightseeing spots in Kuantan (KUANTAN COASTAL WONDERS) I discovered the Shivan Temple in Gua Charas Panching, which led to an unexpectedly profound journey. We parked at the base of the hill, where the ascent up a steep, uneven stairway tested our resolve. My friends, initially skeptical and grumbling about the difficulty, were reluctantly drawn onward by our determination to reach the temple. The drive to the foothill was equally challenging, with its bumpy, rocky terrain (VARANASI SACRED GANGES, MADURAI SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS, KERALA TEMPLE & KATAGARAMA TEMPLE). 

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque: An Unexpected Divine Encounter

I ended up in Kuantan. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, just a drive with no plans whatsoever, going with the flow. Actually, it was to break free from the mundane life and welcome something new. Landing in Kuantan, I checked into Vistana Kuantan (now known as AC Hotel Kuantan). The room was lovely, with nothing to fault. Next, I made a call to meet up with two friends who fetched me from the hotel, and we took a drive around Kuantan town before I chanced upon the Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque (Masjid Negeri, Masjid Sultan Ahmad 1). 

Friday, February 11, 2022

Cucumber Yogurt Salad Recipe

No-cook salad, made with grated cucumber and garlic, yogurt, olive oil and salt.
Time is the number one thing in current living. It’s time that decides if it’s cooking at home and the types of dishes cooked. Quick meals are generally the go-to, something related to easy recipes and simple cooking. Depending on what the meal is, a vegetable dish (QUICK CHINESE VEGETABLE STIR-FRY) is a must for the fiber, wellness, and healthy living. Furthermore, apart from the quick stir-fry vegetables, there are also salads. What can be a better salad recipe than the raw and no-cook salad?

Enter cucumber yogurt salad. Refreshing, healthy, minimalist, and made with common ingredients. Grated, sliced, or chopped cucumber with garlic, then tossed with yogurt, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Saturday, January 22, 2022

How to Make Saffron Rice

A serving of saffron rice, made with cooked rice, saffron strands, garlic, shallots, salt and olive oil.
Homemade saffron rice isn’t something cooked regularly. It’s usually reserved for special occasions and celebrations. However, easy saffron rice can also be a treat for home dining (VEGETABLE KURMA CURRY).  The central ingredient is, of course, saffron strands. For Malaysians, saffron is imported and can be rather pricey, with flavor and price varying depending on the country of origin.

Over time, more choices have become available from Bangladesh, Iran, and Spain, with Iranian saffron being the most popular in Malaysia due to its affordability without compromising quality.

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Things To Do in Sabah, Malaysia

Close view of black cluster of fish, in a river in  clear water, Sabah, Malaysia.
A comprehensive trip in Sabah can easily take around two weeks. Starting from Kota Kinabalu and moving further inland, the route passes through highlands and valleys, going from one top spot to another (KOTA BELUD SABAH WHAT TO DO). 

At the very northern tip lies Tanjung Simpang Mengayau in Kudat, famously known as the Tip of Borneo. It is literally the northernmost point of Sabah and all of Borneo. Here, the South China Sea meets the Sulu Sea, marking the end of the land and the beginning of the endless sea.

Monday, January 17, 2022

Things to Do in Kota Belud, Sabah, Malaysia

Mount Kinabalu view, during the drive in Kota Belud, Sabah.
The second-largest state in Malaysia, Sabah, lies along both the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea, making it one of Malaysia’s top nature destinations. Its coastal districts stretch from Kuala Penyu on the west coast to Kinabatangan and Pitas on the east coast. Along the west coast, the shoreline extends northward from Kuala Penyu to Kota Belud, a district on Sabah’s northwest coast.

Kota Belud is home to the Kadazan-Dusun and Bajau communities and is known for its peaceful rural charm and traditional villages. A day is usually sufficient to explore the district, but an overnight stay in Kota Belud allows for a more relaxed pace.

Saturday, January 15, 2022

Sabah, Malaysia - Things to Do in Kuala Penyu

Sunset at a beach in Kuala Penyu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Sabah, a state in East Malaysia on the northern part of Borneo Island, is also known as the “Land Below the Wind.” This nickname comes from Sabah’s location south of the typhoon belt in the Pacific, which means it generally avoids the storms that affect the Philippines and northern Pacific islands. It highlights Sabah’s calmer climate and safer location (YOGYAKARTA INDONESIA THINGS TO DO). 

Sabah is bordered by Sarawak to the southwest and Indonesian Kalimantan to the south, and lies across the sea from the Philippines to the northeast. Sabah is surrounded by the South China Sea to the west, the Sulu Sea to the north and northeast, and the Celebes Sea to the east.

Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia -Things to Do

Langkawi is home to a wide variety of sightseeing spots, from natural wonders and beaches to popular attractions. How much you can explore d...