Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Thai Steamed Fish Recipe

Close view of Thai Steamed Fish, made with Barramundi, and red chillies and Thai herbs sauce.

A classic Thai steamed fish, one of the most authentic ways fish is steamed in Thai style. Also one of the unique traditional ways Thai steamed fish are made. This homemade recipe features ingredients common in Thai cooking and Southeast Asian cooking. These ingredients are easy to find, and simple substitutes can be used if you are elsewhere in the world (STEAMED FISH THAI STYLE). 

 

The recipe is straightforward. The fish is cleaned, degutted, and scored, with fresh ginger stuffed inside to remove any gamey smell. The Thai sauce is made and fried in oil to release its aroma before pouring it over the steamed barramundi.

Fraser's Hill, Pahang: Things to Do

British colonial style houses in nature setting across the road, Fraser's Hill, Pahang, Malaysia.
Fraser’s Hill in Pahang is a quiet hill station known for its cool climate, green surroundings, and colonial-style buildings. It was named after Louis James Fraser, a Scottish trader who ran a tin ore business here in the late 1800s. In the early 1900s, Fraser disappeared without a trace, and the hill was abandoned for several years.

That changed in 1917 when British official J. Ferguson-Davie rediscovered the area. Soon after, Fraser’s Hill was developed into a highland retreat for British officers who wanted to get away from the heat in the lowlands. This history explains the presence of colonial bungalows and stone houses that still stand today.

Friday, November 22, 2024

Bread Pizza Recipe

Three slices of baked bread pizza, with tuna, Thai betel leaves, onion, chilli and grated cheese atop.
Crusty on the outside with a tuna, herb, and cheese spicy topping. A homemade easy bread pizza - quick, versatile, and ideal for using leftover ingredients. Literally open to other toppings, from leftover steamed or roasted chicken to shredded curry chicken.

It’s not just about saving near-expiry bread slices; it’s about waste-not cooking. While this recipe features daun kaduk (Thai betel leaves), you can use other affordable local herbs.

Thursday, November 21, 2024

What to Do in Raub, Pahang (Malaysia)

Indian lady standing at a road side durian stalls, with durians in  big plastic baskets, and eating a piece of durian, Raub, Pahang.
Raub is a small town located in western Pahang, Malaysia. Situated about 110 kilometers northeast of Kuala Lumpur, Raub can be regarded as a sleepy town. Established in the late 19th century, and during the British colonial era, Raub became a significant gold mining town. Today, Raub is known for its agricultural activities, particularly in the cultivation of palm oil and other crops.

Travelling from KKB, Fraser’s Hill, Bentong to Raub
There are visitors who may make an overnight stay or a day trip to Raub. But generally, since the number of things to do in Raub is limited, even spending three-quarters of a day there is ample. For those on a road trip in Malaysia, coming from or going to Kuala Kubu Bharu, Fraser’s Hill, or Bentong, Raub can be a stopover (WHAT TO DO IN BENTONG, PAHANG).

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Durian Dessert Recipe: Pengat Durian & Serawa Durian

Atop of a banana leaf, steamed sticky rice with, made with durian, palm sugar, coconut milk and screwpine leaves sweet porride.
Gooey, thick, and creamy - durian with coconut milk, sweetened by palm sugar and scented with pandan leaves. This beloved Malay dessert, called Durian Coconut Milk Sweet Porridge or Pengat Durian, is basically a durian porridge.

A guilty pleasure or sinful pleasure not only for durian lovers, but for everyone who loves a traditional Malaysian dessert. Pour this durian porridge over steamed sticky rice (pulut putih) and it becomes Serawa Durian. The ultimate sweet durian porridge with glutinous rice (SAGO PUDDING WITH COCONUT MILK). 


It’s a matter of preference: either the sweet porridge by itself or with sticky rice. Either way, it speaks to the love of durian, the world-known exotic Malaysian fruit.

Monday, November 18, 2024

Shan Pakistan Restaurant - Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam


As always, when a new restaurant opens in Kota Kemuning, there’s bound to be a buzz in the local Facebook groups, with everyone sharing their dining experiences. Naturally, I was curious and excited to check it out. I visited Shan Pakistan Restaurant on a weekday, somewhat sceptical after reading mixed reviews on Facebook and Google Maps. However, the moment I stepped inside, it felt surreal in the best way possible - a welcoming ambiance that immediately made me feel at ease.

Saturday, November 16, 2024

Thai Crab Curry Recipe

Crispy fried crab pieces, in a homemade Thai green curry paste, atop with Thai basil leaves and sliced birds eye chillies.
Thai Crab Curry. Also known as green crab curry, using homemade green curry paste, with fresh green chilies as the main ingredient for spiciness, complemented with lemongrass for fragrance.

Thai green curry is one of the famous Thai curry pastes. Though store-bought or ready-made green curry paste is common these days, nothing beats homemade paste. It allows you to tweak and adapt Thai recipes to your taste. A simple-style curry paste is part of this Thai recipe (THAI RED PRAWN CURRY). 

What to do in Bentong, Pahang (Malaysia)

Mountains, jungle and nature view in Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia.
Located in the western part of Pahang, Bentong is a small and compact semi-urban town. It’s generally calm and quiet on weekdays but gets quite busy on weekends and public holidays. Over the years, towns like Bentong have gained popularity as short getaways among locals, and it has also become one of the more well-known tourist spots for foreign visitors. 

Due to its location near the Titiwangsa mountain range, the town is surrounded by lush greenery and small hills, making it a popular nature-based destination in Malaysia (PULAU KETAM SELANGOR TRAVEL GUIDE).

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Mee Siam Singapore Recipe

Rice vermicelli with spicy coconut milk gravy, boiled eggs, kaffir lime leaves, chives, tofu pok and lime wedge.
Spicy prawn-based gravy with rice vermicelli (bee hoon), prawns, tofu pok, boiled egg, chives (kucai), and the citrusy aroma of kaffir lime leaves. This is the twisted Singapore version of Mee Siam (MEE SIAM GRAVY VEGETARIAN). 

How different is it from the Malaysian version of Mee Siam Soup or Mee Siam with Gravy? Not much. These two neighbouring countries have similar flavours, but you can customize ingredients to create your own Singapore-style Mee Siam. After all, that’s what creative cooking is all about.

Monday, November 11, 2024

Soy Sauce Tofu Recipe

Microwaved sliced Japanese tofu, with soy sauce, crispy shallots in oil, sliced spring onions and chilli flakes.
An easy-to-cook, simple homemade Chinese dish. There’s nothing much to do, yet soy sauce tofu is appetising for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. A no-fuss easy tofu recipe that can be made within minutes (QUICK CHINESE VEGETABLE STIR-FRY). 

The tofu can range from hard white tofu, Japanese soft tofu, to brown soft tofu. For this Chinese recipe, Japanese egg tofu is used, though white Japanese tofu, works as well.

Nasi Ulam Ikan Bakar - Jalan Kebun, Shah Alam

Nasi Ulam Ikan Bakar - Jalan Kebun, Shah Alam signboard
At nearly 12:15 pm on a Sunday, Nasi Ulam Ikan Bakar was already bustling with customers. The first task was securing a table, followed by a walk to the food display. It’s a self-service setup, and with many choices, we had trouble deciding what to try, especially with others packing up their orders too. 

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Top Things to Do in Betong, Thailand

Indian lady holding on to hanging down tree roots in nature setting, Piyamit Tunnel,  Betong, Thailand.
Betong, in Yala Province, southern Thailand, is surrounded by hills and forest-covered mountains. That’s why certain places in town are at higher levels. As you travel further to visit temples and other attractions, many are located on hilltops. If you’ve hired a tuk-tuk, a common mode of transport in Thailand, the ride takes you up and down winding hill slopes. It’s a great way to enjoy the jungle scenery, and the ride itself can feel like a small adventure (WHAT TO SEE & DO IN BETONG THAILAND).

Durian Plantations

Betong is known for its durians, and during the fruit season, many visitors come to taste and buy them from roadside stalls or small farms. It’s one of the experiences to try while sightseeing in the area. There may not be official plantation tours, but riding a tuk-tuk through the winding hill roads gives you a view of durian trees along the way. It adds a nice local touch to your trip.

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Lemon Bars Recipe

Lemon Bars, butter crumbly crust and lemony custard atop.
The sensational lemony fragrance of lemon bars is irresistible. A citrusy, soft custard-like top filling rests on a buttery crumble crust. Among the most popular lemon desserts, they’re a big hit with dessert lovers (EASY CHOCOLATE CAKE). One bar is rarely enough.

Not your ordinary lemon bars, yet an easy and effortless recipe. Handmade lemon dessert begins with a buttery crumble pressed into a pan and baked. While the bottom crust is baking, the top lemon filling is quickly mixed.

Privileged Young Urban Malaysians: Yoga for Mental Health

Yoga wheel pose for mental health benefits in teenagers
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 challenges faced by privileged young urban Malaysians, focusing on their mental health struggles amidst societal expectations and parental pressures. Despite their access to resources, these individuals often grapple with emotional neglect, overprotective parenting, and an overwhelming need for validation. The pervasive influence of social media exacerbates feelings of isolation and inadequacy, leading to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. In this context, yoga emerges as a powerful, yet underappreciated, tool for fostering mental well-being. By integrating yoga into their lives, young urban Malaysians can cultivate mindfulness, emotional resilience, and coping mechanisms for stress, ultimately addressing their mental health challenges in a holistic manner. This article advocates for a shift in parental perspectives, emphasizing the importance of nurturing emotional needs alongside academic and extracurricular achievements.

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Fried Prawn Wontons

eight pieces of wonton skins, with seasoned prawn filling, crispy fried.
Just out of the hot oil and wok, these fried prawn wontons have a sensational crispy skin with a seasoned prawn filling inside. They crunch and crumble delightfully in your mouth, leaving every bite utterly satisfying.

Though maybe not exactly the same as traditional dim sum, this crispy snack can easily be part of a dim sum meal. There are also steamed wontons, filled with pork or chicken (HONG KONG WONTON NOODLE SOUP). 

Monday, November 4, 2024

Spicy Thai-Style Eggplant Recipe

Sliced and fried eggplant, in a spicy, tangy and aromatic kaffir leaves Thai style.
Thai food is a balance of spiciness, tanginess, and the aroma of kaffir lime leaves. The signature tastes of a homemade Thai sauce. Fried eggplant soaks in the sauce, absorbing all those flavors.

Thai flavors are bold and well-known, but they are not limited to non-vegetarian dishes. Many Thai vegetable dishes use the same fragrant sauces, including Spicy Thai-Style Eggplant. Non-vegetarian recipes often include roasted shrimp paste, dried shrimps, minced pork, or minced chicken (COCONUT MILK FISH TOM YUM).

Indonesian Street Food

When in Indonesia, it’s impossible to ignore the street stalls. From lone roadside carts to clusters of vendors, they appear everywhere as y...