Spices are the backbone of Indian cooking, and in this curry, they bring depth, aroma, and authentic flavor. The recipe starts with making the masala paste. For natural thickness and creaminess, cashew nuts are added. The rest uses common kitchen staples and a straightforward cooking method (CHICKEN RENDANG).
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Indian Masala Chicken Curry
Friday, September 27, 2024
Vegetarian Curry Mee Recipe
Whether it’s called curry mee or curry laksa, this Malaysian favourite is a comforting bowl of noodles drenched in thick, coconut milk–based curry. The name depends on where you are, in Penang and northern Malaysia, it’s curry mee, while in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and the south, it’s known as curry laksa. Either way, both names refer to the same delicious dish (SIAMESE LAKSA LEMAK).
Curry mee ranges from pork broth to seafood or chicken-based versions, each with its own choice of toppings. For a vegetarian version (VEGETARIAN NASI LEMAK), the broth or stock is key. It lifts the flavours and prevents the curry from tasting flat. You can keep it simple with common kitchen staples and store-bought ingredients, or make your own curry paste by blending fresh ingredients.
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Butter Cookies Recipe: Eggless
Crumbly, buttery, and with a gentle milky flavor, these cookies carry the irresistible aroma of vanilla. An eggless version, and vegetarian cookies too. Unlike other types of butter cookies, these vanilla butter cookies stand out for their pale milky hue and incredibly soft texture (CHOCOLATE COOKIES EGGLESS).
One bite, and they melt effortlessly in the mouth.
This is also an easy butter cookies recipe. What’s the secret to their crumbly, crunchy yet soft bite? Corn flour. The dough will be sticky, which is why it needs to be set in the fridge. The result? Absolutely one of the best homemade cookies (PEANUT COOKIES).
Turkey Travel
In Turkey, the roads seem to stretch endlessly from one end of the country to the other. The days can fly by, especially with sightseeing. The list of places to visit in Turkey can easily spill over. In fact, 10 days and 8 nights can pass in what feels like just a few hours (TURKEY ATTRACTIONS).
From historical sites and temples to nature, hills, and mountains, even simple pleasures like seeing rows of orange and olive trees along the roads are fulfilling. The long rides between cities may not always showcase Turkey’s top attractions, but there is always something to catch the eye out of the window. Comfort breaks in quiet rural areas for sitting back and having a drink, as the silence away from the bustling top attractions.
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Chocolate Cookies Recipe: Eggless
Eggless chocolate cookies - the mild bitterness of cocoa powder, when paired with sugar and butter, creates a crumbly delight that melts on the tastebuds. But wait, add a touch of spiciness from cayenne pepper, and the flavor takes on another dimension (CHOCOLATE COFFEE CAKE EGGLESS).
Cayenne pepper is the classic choice, but you can also use chili flakes or any other type of chili powder. Once all the ingredients are combined, the dough will be sticky. That’s why it needs to rest in the fridge first. After chilling, pinch the dough into small balls and flatten with a fork.
Monday, September 23, 2024
Vegetarian Nasi Lemak
What is Nasi Lemak?
Nasi lemak means coconut milk rice. Whether it’s the traditional non-vegetarian version, vegan, or plant-based nasi lemak, the main recipe for the coconut milk rice stays the same.
Kuih Kaswi Recipe
The Gula Melaka version, sometimes called Gula Merah, is essentially a palm sugar–flavored steamed dessert. It is infused with the fragrance of pandan leaves, which is what sets Malay kuih-muih apart from those made with vanilla essence (MALAYSIAN BANANA PANCAKE).
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Banana Pancake Recipe
The irresistible banana pancake is loved worldwide. Whether for breakfast, as an after-meal dessert, or as part of a high-tea treat. Making banana pancakes is simple. You can make them vegetarian or vegan, use baking powder or self-raising flour for convenience, or even go 100% with just ripe bananas (BANANA CHOCOLATE CAKE).
It’s also a great way to use bananas that are near expiry and already soft and mushy, waste not, want not. First, make the pancakes, and then comes the fun part, toppings. From maple syrup to ice cream, salted caramel, cream, or fresh fruits. The options are endless.
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Bitter Gourd with Eggs Recipe: Chinese Style
The slight bitterness from bitter gourd in Bitter Gourd with Eggs is what makes it delicious, plus it’s packed with nutrients. Bitter gourd and eggs, the two main ingredients, create a healthy recipe.
For a Chinese-style bitter gourd, it’s the light green bitter gourd. Not the darker, usually smaller variety, which is slightly milder in bitterness (CRISPY FRIED BITTER GOURD CHIPS).
With a couple of common Chinese ingredients, you can whip up this bitter gourd stir-fry easily. Whether you prefer the eggs as one Bitter Gourd Omelette or in smaller pieces is a matter of preference.
Friday, September 20, 2024
Tasty Thai, Bukit Rimau: A Food Critic's Thai Bite
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Kerabu Taugeh: Bean Sprout Salad
No-cook salads on the whole are about crispness, freshness, and the ease of a simple recipe. Between the various types of salads, there is the kerabu. The Malaysian salad, specifically a Malay raw salad that is about preparing and tossing the ingredients together (URAP KANGKUNG/WATER SPINACH SALAD).
Most of the time, apart from the star ingredient, the rest are everyday Malaysian staples that are easily available.
Take this Kerabu Taugeh (Bean Sprout Salad) as the example. This Kerabu Taugeh recipe calls for crunchy bean sprouts, chilies, shallots, lime juice, and kerisik (pan-roasted and pounded grated coconut), along with the fresh fragrance of spring onions and coriander leaves (KERABU BENDI/OKRA SALAD).
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Peanut Cookies Recipe
No matter the festival, peanut cookies are a beloved treat that everyone looks forward to (SUJI COOKIES). The two star ingredients for these crumbly, buttery, and nutty cookies are nothing more than peanuts and butter.
These are Chinese-style cookies, shaped into small mounds, topped with peanuts, and brushed with egg yolk for a golden finish. For a vegetarian or egg-free version, use milk or cream instead of egg yolk.
For the peanuts, you can choose fried or roasted peanuts, then grind them in a food processor or mortar to make a coarse or fine powder. There’s also a version using store-bought peanut butter, which already includes butter and sometimes sugar.
Turkey Attractions
The journey starts in Istanbul and loops through some of Turkey’s top cities. In each city, it’s best to focus on the main attractions, as time is limited and budgets need to be considered. Traveling between cities is mostly by road and can take significant time (ISTANBUL TURKEY).
One of the easiest ways to see Turkey is by joining a tour. Most tours include arrangements for accommodation, meals, and transportation. A local guide adds value by explaining the history and highlights of each city and attraction, making the experience smoother and more informative.
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Crispy Fried Bitter Gourd Chips Recipe
Found in Indian eateries, this dish is always popular. Some versions are fried with flour, but this recipe does not need it (MORINGA LEAVES STIR-FRIED).
Monday, September 16, 2024
Suji Cookies Recipe
This is a simple 4-ingredient recipe (excluding cherries), but the ingredients are flexible. For less sweet cookies, use less sugar. For richer, more indulgent cookies, add extra ghee.
Sambal Belacan
Fiery, salty, tangy, and packed with umami, this is the classic Malaysian spicy dip. Sambal belacan, also known as Chili Shrimp Paste Sauce, is a no-cook or raw dip made traditionally with a mortar and pestle, or more quickly with a food processor or blender (NASI KERABU/HERBS RICE).
This world-famous condiment comes in various versions. Apart from the popular Malaysian sambal belacan, there is the Thai-style sambal belacan and the Indonesian sambal belacan, also called Sambal Terasi. Each has its own preferred ingredients and flavors.
Sunday, September 15, 2024
Misdiagnosis of Depression in Menopause: Yoga for Relief
Author
Abstract
This
article examines the misdiagnosis of depression during menopause and the
potential benefits of yoga as a complementary treatment. It highlights the
limitations of conventional approaches that often oversimplify menopausal
symptoms by labeling them as depression. Through the author's personal
experiences, it is demonstrated how yoga can offer significant relief and
mental clarity beyond what is typically achieved with standard medical
treatments.
The discussion emphasizes the importance of integrating yoga into mental health care, not only as a supplementary remedy but as a vital tool for enhancing overall well-being. The findings suggest that a more nuanced understanding of menopause-related mental health issues and the inclusion of yoga in treatment plans can lead to improved outcomes and greater self-reliance.
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Easy Mango Sticky Rice Recipe - Thai Style
Khao Niew Mamuang, or Thai mango sticky rice, is a dessert loved across the globe, and for good reason. This Thai classic brings together fragrant glutinous rice (KUIH BUAH MELAKA/ONDEH ONDEH RECIPE), rich coconut milk, and sweet, juicy mango for a refreshing tropical treat.
In Thai, “Khao Niew” means sticky or glutinous rice, and “Mamuang” means mango. You’ll often find this dessert sold at street stalls in Thailand, but trust me, not every version is worth raving about. I’ve tasted many, even right in Thailand (RED RUBIES IN COCONUT MILK), and some were just average. But when it’s good, it’s really good, sticky rice that’s soft but not mushy, coconut milk that’s sweet and salty, and mango that melts in your mouth (THINGS TO DO IN THAILAND).
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
PIneapple Tarts Recipe

What makes these homemade pineapple tarts unique compared to other fruity tarts?
Butter
Creates an extra crumbly,
melt-in-the-mouth texture (BUTTER CAKE RECIPE).
Corn flour
Binds the dough, making it tender and crisp, while enhancing the filling and extending shelf life.
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