What To Do in Florence, Italy

Florence, the city of art and design, is located in central Italy in the Tuscany region. It lies along the Arno River, surrounded by hills and vineyards, and is known for its romantic dining, complete with Italian cuisine and local wine. From Rome, it takes about 4 to 4½ hours by car or bus (TOP THINGS TO DO IN ROME).

One of the best things about Florence is that vehicle traffic is limited in the city center. Thanks to traffic control zones, it’s convenient for tourists to walk from one attraction to another. Be prepared to walk a lot, and if you visit during autumn, expect chilly mornings and cold evenings. A day is usually enough to cover the main attractions in Florence, unless you plan to explore more tourist spots or discover hidden gems.

Top Things to Do in Rome, Italy

Italy is a land of love, where ancient history lives on and food lovers can enjoy real Italian cuisine. Despite modernization, many of Italy’s historical sites remain untouched. It’s a country that attracts thousands of tourists year-round (HOKKAIDO JAPAN BEST THINGS TO DO).

While Italy can be an expensive destination, especially for Asian travellers, that hasn’t stopped them from visiting. There are many cities in Italy, but Rome is a must. You can easily spend days in Rome going from one sightseeing spot to another, but if you're touring other parts of Italy, two or three packed days in Rome are enough to cover the top sights (CHANDIGARH INDIA TOP PLACES TO VISIT).

KKSV Restaurant: Malaysian Coffeeshop Eating Culture

Formerly recognized as Restoran Poh Yap, this establishment underwent refurbishment a few months ago and now goes by the name KKSV Restaurant. The makeover includes an expanded, air-conditioned dining area. While some familiar stalls, like the Pork Noodles, remain, new additions have also been introduced, creating an exciting blend of the traditional and the novel (Exploring A Kopitiam).

Bay Leaves: Health Benefits and Cooking Uses

(Updated Version)

In Malaysia, bay leaves are somewhat unfamiliar, with many people unsure of their appearance or uses. Some wonder if these are the same leaves used in biryani rice - referring to the dried ones commonly found in stores. It might seem surprising, but bay leaves offer a wealth of health benefits, making them a valuable addition to any pantry (GROWING SPRING ONIONS IN URBAN GARDENS).

Health Benefits of Bay Leaves

Here are some key health benefits of bay leaves: 

Heart Health

Bay leaves help lower bad cholesterol levels and strengthen blood vessels, reducing heart disease risk.

Turmeric Eggs Recipe

Whether you call them Turmeric Eggs or Golden Eggs, these vibrant eggs are striking with natural turmeric patterns. Using fresh turmeric gives the best aroma and flavor, though turmeric powder works too. 

Packed with health benefits (TURMERIC FRIED FISH), these healthy turmeric eggs are simple to make and perfect as a snack, breakfast, or a colorful addition to any meal.

Sometimes, the best recipes are the easiest. This guide shows you how to make turmeric eggs with minimal effort, producing eggs with attractive, golden hue, natural patterns (MORINGA LEAVES STIR-FRIED).

Moringa Leaves Stir-Fried Recipe

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). 

The Beginner's Ultimate Guide to Growing Herbs

(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.

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.

Turmeric Fish Recipe

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.

Vegetable Kurma Recipe: Malaysian Style Curry

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.

Essential Gardening Tips for Beginners

(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.

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.

How to Make Herbed Rice (Vegetarian Nasi Ulam)

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.

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.

Potato Sambal Recipe: Vegetarian

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).

Pork Chops Recipe - Chinese Style

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.