Pumpkin Soup

Undeniably irresistible, homemade pumpkin soup is simple yet satisfying. Authentic, buttery, creamy, thick, and indulgent. The classic pumpkin soup, kept simple (CHICKEN SOUP INDIAN STYLE). 

Call it a wellness food, great when you’re under the weather, or as a light yet fulfilling home meal. Using home-grown pumpkins from non-commercial gardeners makes this homemade pumpkin soup affordable and generally free from chemicals and pesticides.

Tips to Boost Your Mental Health: Nature Therapy

Mental health has been a topic of growing awareness, with countless methods explored for improving well-being. From mindfulness techniques to creative practices like mandalas (MENTAL HEALTH & MANDALA BENEFITS), the list is ever-expanding. But have you noticed the rising trend of nature as a powerful mental health booster? It’s more than just a passing fad - nature has become a retreat for urban dwellers seeking solace from the relentless pace of city life.

Chicken Soup Recipe

The ultimate comfort food, chicken soup has been cherished for centuries. From Western-style versions to spiced Indian varieties (INDIAN LAMB SOUP), Indian chicken soup combines spices and herbs, making it both nourishing and flavorful. This recipe is inspired by that tradition and can even be considered a type of Chicken Rasam.

With spices and the fragrance of coriander leaves, it is apt for keeping the body warm during rainy days and comforting when feeling unwell. Generally, soups are made by simmering ingredients over low heat. This recipe takes it a step further by sautéing the spices and aromatics first, releasing extra depth of tastes.

Vegetarian Fried Rice

Spicy, fried with potatoes, green peas, and the fragrance of spring onions, this vegetarian fried rice is made with just 8 ingredients (excluding oil and salt). You can call it Easy Vegetarian Fried Rice, or even Vegetable Fried Rice (RICE-COOKER GINGER RICE). 

Potatoes may be unusual in fried rice, but this recipe is all about them, maybe it could even be known as Potato Fried Rice.

Easy Gardening: Seed Sowing for Beginners

(Updated Version)

Now that we’ve covered the basics of gardening - understanding climate, choosing the right equipment, and identifying soil types - it’s time to dive into seed sowing. But where do we begin? Where do we get the seeds? Good questions (THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO GROWING HERBS). 

 

Getting the Seeds

Start with affordable store-bought seeds, or better yet, save seeds from your favorite vegetables while cooking. For instance, seeds from chilies, gourds and cucumbers, can be easily collected. Some leafy vegetable roots can also be replanted, though results may vary - I haven’t had success with this method, but it might work for you (EASY TIPS FOR GROWING SPRING ONIONS). 

Mashed Potatoes

What is not to love about mashed potatoes? These melting-in-your-mouth, luscious, super smooth, milky, and buttery mashed potatoes are most probably one of the top favourite foods throughout the globe (CRISPY POTATO CUTLETS). 

Mashed potatoes can be made in various styles, though the core ingredient is always potato. They range from the simplest mashed potatoes to French mashed potatoes (pommes purée) and Italian mashed potatoes (purè di patate). Apart from these, the traditional Irish or British mashed potatoes, each showcases unique regional tastes and techniques.

Ginger Rice Recipe: Rice Cooker Style

Fresh, zesty ginger fills fluffy, tender rice with its bright aroma. Lifting your food senses easy rice-cooker ginger rice recipe. The scent of ginger while slicing and cooking is like natural aromatherapy wafting through the kitchen. Effortless wellness food: simple, homemade ginger rice (EGG FRIED RICE). 

 

This is a two-ingredient recipe (excluding water and salt). Whether you use young ginger or old ginger, it’s a matter of preference. But what is the difference between the two?

Stir-Fried Luncheon Meat Recipe: Korean Style

Luncheon meat stir-fry, also known as Spam stir-fry, is a mouthwatering Korean-inspired dish. Crispy outside, tender inside, coated in a thick sticky, sweet, spicy and mildly salty sauce, with a sprinkling of black sesame seeds and the aroma of spring onions.

 

Truly irresistible Stir-fried luncheon meat. A pantry staple, luncheon meat (or Spam) is the go-to in-case ingredient always worth stocking up. Both are somewhat similar, but what still, what are the differences between luncheon meat and spam?

Chicken Noodle Soup: Malaysian Style Soto Ayam

Aromatic spices and tender chicken come together in this homemade chicken noodle soup, garnished with daun sop (Chinese celery/soup leaves), spring onions, and crispy fried shallots. Wholesome, satisfying, and comforting, this is not your usual chicken noodle soup. Instead, it’s a Malay chicken soup made with aromatic spices and chicken bones to extract maximum taste.

Known as Soto Ayam, it’s a beloved Malaysian noodle soup (SAYUR LODEH/COCONUT MILK STEW), though there is also an Indonesian Soto Ayam version.

A Day Trip To Sekinchan, Selangor

Similar to Pulau Ketam (WHAT TO DO IN PULAU KETAM), Sekinchan is another gem that leaves those who visit it singing its praises. Sekinchan is often touted as a must-visit destination, and if you haven't experienced it, it's like missing out on a significant chapter of life. This, ladies and gentlemen, sparked my curiosity to uncover the allure of Sekinchan.

Crispy Potato Cutlet Recipe: Aloo Tikki

Mention potato cutlet, and what comes to mind is piping hot, straight from the wok, crispy on the outside and soft, melting-in-the-mouth potatoes. Alongside potato cutlets, Aloo Tikki also often pops up. Indian-style potato cutlets stand out from other types of cutlets.

 

Whether as vegetarian cutlets or adapted versions, the same mashed potato mixture can be transformed into fish cutlet, lamb cutlet, or beef cutlet by adding minced fish, lamb, or beef.

Eye Care Product: Simple Water Boost Hydrating Eye Gel

Taking care of your eyes isn’t just important; it’s essential. Eye care has no age limit - it’s never too early or too late to start (SIMPLE ANTI-AGING TIPS). Whether you’re a teenager or an adult, paying attention to the delicate skin around your eyes can make a difference. When it comes to eye care products, you’ll typically choose between an eye cream or an eye gel. Personally, I’ve grown to favor eye gels over the years.

Easy Instant Bak Kut Teh Recipe

Pork Ribs Soup, Pork Bone Tea, or Chinese Herbal Pork Soup are the different recipe names for Bak Kut Teh. A nourishing Chinese herbs soup, often cooked at home as a comforting meal (EGG FRIED RICE). Prepared with pork, chicken (known as Chic Kut Teh), or even as a Vegetarian Bak Kut Teh, the foundation always comes from the herbs.

At Chinese medical halls, you can buy pre-packed Chinese herbs or ask for a customised mix, recommended by the shopkeeper or TCM doctor (sinseh).

Butterfly Pea Flower - Blue Pea (Bunga Telang)

Also known as Asian Pigeonwings, Blue Vine, and Blue Butterfly Pea, and scientifically called Clitoria ternatea, the butterfly pea flower is a beautiful and versatile plant. While white varieties exist, the most common butterfly pea flowers have blue and purple hues. The blue variety is probably the most popular, but regardless of color, these flowers are easy to grow. In fact, they can be considered hardy herbs (HOW TO MAKE HERBED RICE) and, botanically, flowering vines.

They are also a pretty sight, providing natural mental health and mind therapy. After all, nature (THINGS TO DO IN KUALA KUBU BHARU) has long been said to be the best for mental health. Beyond their striking color therapy, butterfly pea flowers offer numerous health benefits and versatile uses.

Vegetable Stew in Coconut Milk (Sayur Lodeh)

Creamy, naturally sweet from coconut milk, and filled with tender vegetables, Vegetable Stew with Coconut Milk is a popular dish across Kerala, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Malaysia. There are two versions. The yellow stew made with turmeric powder (TURMERIC EGGS) and the plain white stew without turmeric.

In Indonesia and Malaysia, it is called Masak Lodeh or Sayur Lodeh, while in Malaysia it is also known as Masak Lemak. The white version, cooked without turmeric fresh turmeric, is called Sayur Lodeh Putih or Masak Lodeh Putih - white coconut milk stew.

Spicy Pumpkin Recipe

Spiciness, sweetness, sourness, and aroma all come together with tender pumpkin in this Spicy Pumpkin Recipe, cooked Indian-style. A blend of spices and chilli powder creates a thick masala base, also known in parts of India as Kaddu ki Sabzi or Pumpkin Sabji.

In Malaysia, a similar dish is simply called Spicy Pumpkin. 100% plant-based, vegetarian, and vegan, it uses familiar Indian ingredients like garlic paste, ginger paste, and shallots. For fragrance, dried fenugreek leaves can be used as a handy substitute for curry leaves, giving this pumpkin masala a delicious aroma (VEGETARIAN NASI LEMAK).