Thursday, February 1, 2024

Moringa/Drumstick Leaves Stir-Fry Recipe

Moringa leaves stir fried with grated coconut, black mustard seeds, dried red chilies, dried shrimps, oil and salt.
Moringa Leaves Stir-Fry with dried shrimps is a simple, flavorful dish packed with nutrients and health benefits. Often called a superfood, every part of the moringa tree (POTATO MORINGA CURRY) is valuable, from the leaves and flowers to the fruits. (Branches are generally used for planting.)

This easy stir-fry keeps the leafy greens fresh while adding taste and texture. Dried shrimps, fresh grated coconut, black mustard seeds, and dried red chilies give the moringa leaves a mild spiciness and a lasting punch of flavor.

 

For a vegetarian version, simply omit the dried shrimps, and the dish remains delicious and wholesome (VEGETABLE KURMA CURRY). 

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

The Beginner's Ultimate Guide to Growing Herbs

Urban gardener standing on a ladder, carefully pruning plants in a modern city garden
(Updated Version)

Gardening is a fulfilling practice that contributes to your overall sustainable zen. It’s also about preserving our eco-world, not just for today but for future generations. Having equipped ourselves with the basic and essential tips on gardening, let’s now move on to the art of growing herbs (ESSENTIAL GARDENING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS).

Take it from Ms. Nava, who has been gardening for over 20 years - a journey filled with its share of mishaps. While some gardening challenges are inevitable, let me share with you my guide to growing herbs.

Monday, January 29, 2024

Manjoe Taiwanese Dumplings (Kota Kemuning): A Rainbow of Colors

A few days ago, while in the midst of grocery shopping for our home, I stumbled upon Manjoe Taiwanese Dumplings in Kota Kemuning. The Rainbow Dumpling immediately caught my attention with its vibrant colors:

Earthy Green Spinach/Chives 

Bright Yellow Pumpkin/Signature 
Soft Red Beetroot/Spicy Kimchi 
Vibrant Blue Butterfly Peas Flowers/Fresh Prawns 
Original/Fresh Fish 
Mellow Black Charcoal/Cabbage  ...........all crafting a holistic wellness color allure on my palate.

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Turmeric Fish Recipe

6 pieces of pan-grilled turmeric wrapped fish on a white plate.

The vibrant golden hue of fresh turmeric, wrapped in aromatic turmeric leaves and pan-grilled, makes this Turmeric Fish Recipe a healthy and delicious dish. Cooked in traditional Malay style, the aroma of turmeric blends perfectly with fresh herbs, adding both fragrance and flavor (MALAY STYLE HERBED RICE).

 

For those who grow turmeric plants, fresh turmeric and turmeric leaves are readily available. For others, these ingredients can be purchased at local markets. While you can substitute turmeric powder and skip the leaf wrap, nothing quite matches the freshness and aroma of the real leaves.

Monday, January 22, 2024

Vegetable Kurma Recipe: Malaysian Style Curry

Indian curry, made with spice mix, spices, red chilies, pandan leaves, lemongrass, yogurt, and vegetables.
Kurma curry, whichever the style, whether made purely with vegetables or with meat, always comes down to one choice. A homemade kurma paste or a store-bought kurma powder.

For those who love home-cooked meals but need to save time, ready-made kurma powder is not a let-down. The foundation of the curry is there. As for the vegetables, the assortment is entirely up to you (POTATO CURRY VEGETARIAN). 

 

But what makes a Malaysian Style Kurma special? It’s the addition of Southeast Asian herbs. One version that closely resembles it is the Sri Lankan kurma. Also features pandan (screwpine) leaves and lemongrass, fragrant elements that give the curry its tropical lift.

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Essential Gardening Tips for Beginners

Ms. Nava showcasing her gardening passion
(Updated Version)

Congrats on taking the first step toward gardening (GARDENING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS). Whether you're working with a small patch or a larger plot, it’s always exciting to start your own garden. After cleaning up your plot, it’s time to dive into some essential gardening tips for beginners. Let’s get started.

 

Define Your Garden's Concept

It’s helpful to have a rough idea of the concept or theme for your garden. If you’re still deciding, don’t worry. A clear concept will give you direction as you begin. For instance, my garden’s theme is Zen, which led me to incorporate bamboo plants, stones, and pebbles. You could also choose a modern, traditional, or minimalistic theme. Without a clear concept, you may be planting without direction, so it’s worth spending some time thinking about what resonates with you.

Saturday, January 6, 2024

The Charcoal Grill: An Entrepreneurial Triumph

Embarking on a remarkable entrepreneurial journey that began as a humble stall in a Kota Kemuning coffee shop in 2017, The Charcoal Grill has undergone a remarkable transformation, now standing as a full-fledged restaurant located at 28-1, Jln Anggerik Vanilla BE 31/BE, Kota Kemuning, 40460 Shah Alam, Selangor. As one of their patrons from the early stall days, I have always appreciated their grilled platters, particularly the succulent lamb chops. Recently, together with my other half-half, we dined in to experience their expanded offerings and revamped ambiance.

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

How to Make Herbed Rice (Vegetarian Nasi Ulam)


Cooked basmati rice tossed with sliced lemongrass, shallots, chillies, torch ginger flower and raisins, atop banana leaf.
Cooking with herbs, growing your own herbs, and adding herbs into your dishes, it all comes together beautifully. For those growing your own herbs, making herbed rice will be simple. For the rest, it's about buying. But fret not, even if you're in another part of the world outside of Asian countries or Malaysia, herbed rice is still possible. Use herbs that are easily available - even rosemary, thyme, or whatever you can find locally.

For Asians, our local herbs generally include lemongrass (serai), kaffir lime leaves (daun limau purut), turmeric leaves (daun kunyit), torch ginger flower (bungka kantan) or even Thai betel leaves (daun kaduk), some of the common ones. There are also other herbs, some with names unfamiliar even to many Malaysians. Still, it’s all about what you can get, the types of herbs you have access to.

Thursday, December 21, 2023

The Grand Mapillai Restaurant Culinary Adventure

My other half-half has joined me in the exciting pursuit of discovering new eateries, a refreshing departure from his usual routine of sticking to familiar places and dishes. The news of his enthusiasm for suggesting novel dining spots was particularly thrilling, considering his previous tendency to opt for the same old eateries and stick to familiar dishes, playing it safe rather than venturing into culinary exploration. I've noticed that people's dining preferences are often influenced by those they choose to share meals with. Some tend to shy away from trying new eateries or exploring unfamiliar dishes unless compelled to by more adventurous companions (Ding Xiang Bak Kut Teh). I've made it a point to avoid dining with those who limit themselves to predictable and mundane food choices.

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Potato Sambal Recipe: Vegetarian

Spicy dry style potato, made with dried chili paste, shallots, lime juice, oil and salt.
No Malaysian meal is complete without sambal – the spicy chili gravy that flavors everything from rice to noodles and stir-fries. Made from dried chilies, fresh chilies, or a combination of both, sambal is a staple of Malaysian food culture (KERABU BENDI/OKRA SALAD VEGETARIAN).

Potatoes are another favourite ingredient in Malaysian cuisine, and when cooked with sambal, they create the delicious Potato Sambal. This vegetarian version is full of bold, spicy flavors, balanced by the natural sweetness of shallots and the tang of lime juice.

 

Ideal as a side for rice or as a main accompaniment, Potato Sambal is loved by vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike (ACAR TIMUN/CUCUMBER SALAD).

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Pork Chops Recipe - Chinese Style

Two medium size flattened pork chops, in a dark brown sauce, with green peas and sliced red chillies, in a white oblong serving plate

Chinese-style pork chops are a delicious twist on classic pork chops, easy to prepare and full of bold, Asian flavours. Unlike Western-style versions, this Chinese pork chops recipe uses a simple marinade made with common Chinese ingredients like soy sauce, oyster sauce, ginger, and garlic. The best part? You can marinate the chops ahead of time and keep them in the fridge,  or freeze them, for a quick and easy meal later (WILD BOAR CURRY RECIPE).

 

Want to take it further? Try Chinese fusion pork chops by adding butter while cooking for extra richness. You can also mix in green peas or sliced red chillies instead of the usual chilli sauce for that spicy kick loved in Asian pork dishes.

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk

Indian chicken curry, made with coconut milk, spices, curry leaves, turmeric powder, tomato, ginger and shallots.
Into a spice-based, turmeric powder chicken curry, a splash of coconut milk turns it creamy and mild yellow. The result is a flavorful chicken curry with coconut milk. Coconut milk adds iron, magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins. It is dairy-free and may support cholesterol balance. Still, it should be consumed in moderation due to saturated fat.

Cooked perhaps once a month with chicken, this dish is a true delight. Coconut milk is a staple in Kerala cuisine and Sri Lankan cooking (FISH CURRY SRI LANKAN STYLE). This recipe is a twist on Kerala-style chicken curry. Tender chicken simmers in an aromatic, spicy sauce. The coconut milk adds natural sweetness and creaminess.

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Potato Curry - Vegetarian

Indian potato curry, made with moringa sticks, potatoes, black cumin, onions, chili powder, dried fenugreek seeds, water, coconut oil and salt.
When one of the favorite ingredients goes into a curry, it’s a bomb of deliciousness. Potatoes, beloved worldwide, appear in countless dishes, each unique in its own way. From French fries and mashed potatoes to stir-fries and, of course, Indian potato curries, this versatile vegetable shines in every form.

You can also add moringa sticks or fruits from the Moringa tree, also known as Murunggakai or Murungai, though the curry is equally delicious without them (EGG CURRY WITH MORINGA).

Monday, October 2, 2023

Fish Curry with Coconut Milk - Sri Lankan Style

Fish curry made with coconut milk, coconut oil, green chilies, chili powder, spices, curry leaves, tomato, shallots, ginger garlic paste, salt and oil.
Nothing comes close to the flavor of fresh coconut milk. Creamy, mildly sweet, and nutty, it adds a natural creaminess that elevates any fish curry with coconut milk. When fresh coconut milk isn’t available, canned or packaged coconut milk can be used, and some even use cream for curries.

However, in classic Kerala Fish Curry (KERALA TOURIST SPOTS) or Sri Lankan-style fish curry, fresh coconut milk truly shines, melding beautifully with the spices to release its aroma. Smooth, velvety, and subtly earthy, it gives the curry a pure, fresh taste rather than a heavy feel. 


Even when prepared in a Malaysian kitchen (SALTED FISH CURRY WITH PINEAPPLE), fresh coconut milk ensures the dish remains authentically flavorful.

Sunday, September 10, 2023

No-Cook Cucumber Pineapple Salad

Some recipes shine not because of fire or fancy cooking, but because of their raw freshness. This no-cook cucumber pineapple salad is one of those gems - crisp cucumbers meet juicy pineapple in a medley that is refreshing, tangy, and lightly spiced. 

It’s the kind of easy tropical salad recipe that works for hot days, quick meals, or as a cucumber pineapple side dish to balance heavier curries.

In North India, a similar version is known as Kachumber, usually made with cucumber, onion, and tomato. Move further south, and you’ll find variations served alongside rice (VEGETABLE BIRYANI) and curries, often simply called cucumber salad.

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Marriage and Culinary Exploration: Vietnamese Delights (Ding Xiang Bak Kut Teh Restaurant)

In the journey of marriage, we learn valuable lessons, and one of them is that you don't always have to compromise on your food preferences. Last Sunday, this lesson took me on a delightful food venture in Bandar Rimbayu. As my husband headed to a kopitiam for Indian cuisine (K2 Kopitiam), I found myself at Ding Xiang Bak Kut Teh Restaurant, craving Vietnamese flavors. This unassuming eatery, also serving Bak Kut Teh and Chinese dishes, offered a menu right on the table - a thoughtful touch.

Simple Yoga Poses for Relaxation

Feeling overwhelmed by daily stress? Modern life moves so fast that finding calm can seem impossible. These simple yoga poses can help you s...