Saturday, October 12, 2024

Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe: Italian Genoise

chocolate cake, made with cocoa powder, sugar, eggs, butter and flour.
This Easy Chocolate Cake: Italian Genoise is light, tender, slightly dense, and soft yet crumbly, all the way through a chocolaty delight. With just six simple ingredients, it’s amazing how such a minimalist recipe can create a cake that melts in your mouth (BUTTER CAKE). 

Baking this cake requires the boiler method, where eggs and sugar are whisked over simmering water until foamy, then whisked off the heat to reach the ribbon stage. Folding in the flour carefully is equally important.

 

Fold in one direction and avoid lumps to keep the cake airy and light (CHOCOLATE COFFEE CAKE). 

Warung Mak Dara Corner (Jalan Kebun): Taste of Malay Heritage

Warung Mak Dara corner main entrance with its signboard prominently displayed
Living just 10 minutes from Jalan Kebun via Kemuning Greenville, I’ve yet to explore the eateries in Jalan Kebun. However, being a true lover of Malay cuisine, I’ve already indulged in every Malay eatery within Kemuning Greenville, where Nava's Zen is located as well. This time, for a casual lunch with my dining companion, we decided to venture into Jalan Kebun. Though I initially had another spot in mind, my lunch partner suggested Warung Mak Dara Corner (Kampung Jln Kebun), and we arrived around 11:30 am on a Sunday.

Parking was a breeze - being both Sunday and an early lunch hour. By the time we arrived, a few patrons were already enjoying their meals. While they offer breakfast and noodle dishes (likely served later in the day), the main attraction for lunch is Nasi Campur.

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Ghee Mutton Roast Recipe

Cooked with spices, ghee, curry leaves, and mixes spices curry paste, Ghee Mutton Roast.
A really thick-gravy South Indian mutton curry with a tadbit of masala around tender mutton. This popular Ghee Mutton Roast is cooked in ghee with aromatic spices for spiced-up flavour profile and aroma (MUTTON RENDANG). 

Though the name may sound exclusive, making this easy spicy mutton recipe is surprisingly simple. Using a pressure cooker helps tenderize the mutton quickly, and the rest follows easy, step-by-step cooking.

Sweet Lotus Seed Soup Recipe: Leng Chee Kang

A bowl of Chinese sweet dessert, made with lotus seeds, red dates, longan, bean curd sheet, rock sugar, pandan leaves and water.
A bowl of refreshing Chinese dessert, served hot, at room temperature, or chilled with ice. This healthy sweet lotus seed soup is nourishing and naturally sweet from dried Chinese ingredients, enhanced by fragrant Malaysian pandan leaves (TEA GOJI BERRY JELLY). 

Leng Chee Kang, also known as sweet lotus seed soup, can be found at Chinese dessert stalls in coffee shops or from roadside vendors. Each version may vary slightly, but the flavors are always comforting.

 

Making a homemade Leng Chee Kang recipe is simple and flexible, allowing you to adjust dried fruits and other ingredients to your taste. Instead of white sugar, this dessert typically uses rock sugar, cane sugar, or lump sugar (MOIST BANANA CHOCOLATE CAKE). 

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Religionism & Mental Health in Selangor Hindus: Yoga Healing

Author

Abstract
This article explores the intricate interplay between religion, mental health, and the practice of yoga among Hindus in Selangor, Malaysia. While yoga is deeply rooted in Hindu tradition, serving as a pathway to self-awareness and spiritual growth, modern interpretations often distort its essence. The article examines how contemporary societal pressures, social media, and the emergence of self-proclaimed "yoga masters" contribute to a disconnection from the authentic teachings of yoga. 

It highlights the importance of grounding practices in spirituality and the need for individuals to navigate their faith with humility and authenticity. By emphasizing yoga's role as a healing practice, the article advocates for a mindful approach to spirituality that fosters mental well-being and a deeper connection to one's cultural heritage.

Monday, October 7, 2024

Vegetable Pulao Recipe

A bowl of rice dish, made from spices, green chilies, saffron, nuts, dark raisins, green peas, coriander leaves and coconut milk.
Vegetable biryani and vegetable pulao are both flavorful rice dishes, yet they differ. Biryani is layered and cooked slowly for a bold, spicy taste, while pulao is cooked in one pot, giving it a milder, comforting flavor. Biryani is popular in India, Pakistan, and the Middle East, whereas pulao is across South Asia as a home-style dish (VEGETABLE BIRYANI). 

Both use fresh vegetables and aromatic spices like cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and bay leaf, often with onion, tomato, ginger, and garlic.

Sunday, October 6, 2024

Prawn Curry Laksa

Thin rice noodles with thick spicy coconut milk prawn curry gravy, prawns, green chilies, red chilies and lime wedge.

One of the most enticing Prawn Curry Laksa, sure to trigger your appetite. Also known as curry mee, it’s purely prawn-based with room for your own twist (VEGETARIAN CURRY MEE). 

 

The flavor comes from a simple prawn stock: lightly fry prawn heads, add water, simmer, and strain. The rempah paste or homemade laksa paste combines dried red chillies, fish powder, and belacan (shrimp paste) to lift the taste.

Saturday, October 5, 2024

Things to Do in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Indian lady lifting a red scarf behind her neck at the brown sand, sand dunes, during sunset in Dubai Safari.

Dubai, a world-famous cosmopolitan city in the United Arab Emirates, amazes visitors with its wide six-lane roads, modern highways, and towering skyscrapers. This busy city is home to people from many ethnic backgrounds, including locals, foreign workers from various industries, and numerous tourists. 


Dubai offers a mix of modern and traditional attractions, making it a top destination for things to do in Dubai. While it is not a cheap city for travelers, Dubai International Airport (DXB) serves as a major transit hub, connecting flights to cities across the globe (WHAT TO DO IN FLORENCE ITALY).

Friday, October 4, 2024

Vegetarian Noodle Soup

Wheat rolled noodles, with vegetarian soup, straw mushrooms, salad leaves and dried wolfberries.
A complete, wholesome meal. Chinese-style vegetarian noodle soup that’s easy and delicious. What makes a vegetarian noodle (VEGETARIAN CURRY MEE) soup, or any vegetarian soup, stand out? The stock.

Use a homemade vegetable stock made from onions, carrots, celery, and herbs, or store-bought stock - granules, cubes, or ready-made. For how to make vegetable broth or stock, click these links: Vegetable Stock and Vegetable Broth, from our YouTube channel.

 

Some dried wolfberries added to the stock bring natural sweetness and health benefits. The vegetables are simple. Straw mushrooms and salad leaves, but you can add more of your choice.

Foot Creams Review: Dry Skin & Cracked Heels

Lady showing her foot, highlighting areas needing care
How are your feet doing? Mine have already become rough, tough, and full of character, with lines and wrinkles forming a natural pattern. Honestly, I don't mind the wrinkling - people rarely notice my feet. Well, maybe they do when I’m conducting yoga sessions, but even then, I embrace the lines and wrinkles. What I do struggle with, though, is the rough, dry skin. At times, I can feel the skin flaking under my fingers. Being an urban gardener and taking care of household chores that involve frequent contact with water makes this almost inevitable.

The real concern for me is if the dry, flaky skin will start peeling and expose raw skin underneath  -  thankfully, that hasn’t happened yet. For some, dry feet can lead to cracked heels, which can be quite painful. Once the cracks deepen, they can bleed, making every step excruciating. Luckily, this hasn’t been my issue, but I’m always mindful of it.

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Semperit Cookies Recipe: Biskut Dahlia

Long square cookies, made with custard flour, corn flour, butter, egg yolk and sugar, colorful sugar sprinkles atop.
Whether baked as long stripes or shaped like Dahlia flowers, these are yellow golden custard cookies that melt in the mouth. Some call them Kuih Semperit or Kuih Dahlia. They are Malay heritage traditional cookies (PINEAPPLE TARTS). 

The crumbly texture comes from corn flour and custard flour. Visually appealing and a delight to eat. Still popular for Hari Raya festive seasons, along with other Malay cookies.

 

The difference in making these custard cookies lies in the mould. Use either the stringent like metal long mould or a flower-shaped cookie cutter. Otherwise, the ingredients are the same (BUTTER COOKIES).

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Singapore Laksa

A bowl of rice noodles, with coconut milk spiced thick fish gravy, pineapple, cucumber, red chilies and red onion.
Coconut milk, homemade spice paste, fish stock, and fish pieces, all lifted by the aroma of Vietnamese coriander (daun kesum). This is the vibrant, absolutely delicious laksa.

Is there much difference between Malaysian Laksa and Singapore Laksa? Not really. Some ingredients are the same, while others vary slightly. This laksa is also a blend of Asam Laksa and Curry Laksa.

 

The recipe is simple, with no lengthy ingredients list. It’s all about convenient home cooking. Unlike hawker stalls, food courts, or restaurants, it can be easily replicated at home -affordable, straightforward, and fuss-free (PRAWN MEE).

Cempedak Goreng Recipe

Crispy batter and black sesame seeds coated cempedak, with yellow orange fruit inside.
Crunchy outer batter coating, and soft, yellow-orange cempedak fruit inside. For Malaysians, or even those in Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore, cempedak needs no introduction. But for the rest of the world? Cempedak is a tropical fruit, similar to jackfruit, and can be eaten fresh. It’s especially delicious when fried as a snack or sweet dessert (KUIH KASWI RECIPE). 

Cleaning cempedak can be messy due to its sticky sap, like jackfruit. Sometimes it’s easiest to buy from fruit traders who have already prepared the fruit.

Wardah UV Shield Essential Gel Sunscreen

Front view of Wardah UV Shield Essential Gel Sunscreen tube showcasing its packaging
How many of you actively defend your skin against the sun? It's crucial to acknowledge that indoor lighting, as well as the light from laptops and smartphones, emits rays that can harm your skin. Today, I want to focus specifically on facial skin.

Neglecting to shield your skin from sun exposure and indoor light sources can lead to several adverse consequences:

Accelerated Skin Aging
Prolonged exposure to UV rays can result in fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.

Increased Risk of Skin Cancers
UV radiation can damage the DNA in skin cells, raising the risk of skin cancers, including melanoma.

Skin Inflammation
The blue light emitted from electronic devices is linked to various skin issues, potentially causing inflammation and contributing to conditions like acne and pigmentation disorders.

Monday, September 30, 2024

Nyonya Lam Mee

Close view of yellow noodles in thick eggy prawn gravy, with seafood and Chinese broccoli.
Thick, gooey gravy made from egg, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and prawn gravy clings to yellow noodles, seafood and Chinese broccoli (kailan), served with sambal belacan (spicy shrimp paste dip). This is what makes Nyonya Lam Mee a beloved Malaysian Nyonya-style noodle dish and a traditional homemade noodle recipe.

Bursting with flavor, this noodle dish instantly awakens your taste buds. While it may sound like a complicated recipe, it’s actually simple: the prawn stock (PRAWN FRIED MEE) and the rest are common Chinese ingredients.

Climate Change and Mental Health: A Call to Action

Author
Ms. Krishnan N, a Zen entrepreneur in her 60s, founded Nava's Zen at the age of 58. With 22 years of experience 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 vast expertise enriches her current work, where she blends wellness practices with personal development. She is also the urban gardener of Nava's Zen, passionately incorporating sustainable living principles into her holistic lifestyle and business approach.

Abstract
This article explores the multifaceted impacts of climate change, emphasizing the interconnectedness of individual actions, leadership accountability, and mental health repercussions. It highlights the significant role of food choices in exacerbating climate issues, particularly the wastefulness associated with leftover consumption and the environmental toll of processed foods and single-use plastics. Additionally, the article scrutinizes the effectiveness of leaders and politicians in promoting sustainable practices, questioning their commitment amidst lavish lifestyles that contradict their public advocacy.

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Indian Masala Chicken Curry

Top view of chicken curry, made with homemade curry spice paste, spices and curry leaves.
Not your usual Indian chicken curry, this is Masala Chicken Curry. It uses a homemade masala paste and a mix of spices for a thick, tasty curry with tender chicken. Potatoes are included in the curry for extra substance.

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).

Friday, September 27, 2024

Vegetarian Curry Mee Recipe

A bowl of blanched thin rice noodles, with coconut milk spicy curry, topped with fried brown tofu, soy sheets, oyster mushrooms and mint leaves.
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

Butter cookies on a glass cover and a few decked, made from vanilla, butter, flour and milk.
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).

Must-Visit Sights in Turkey

A white huge hot-air balloon on the ground, with faint view of the people in charge, getting ready for it to be drifted up on the sky, Turkey. it up to Cappadocia
For travelers, a well-rounded trip to experience the best things to do in Turkey typically lasts 8 nights and 10 days. This timeframe includes road travel, domestic flights, and airport transits, whether arriving in Turkey or connecting through hubs like Dubai. There’s also time set aside for shopping for local Turkish products and sampling authentic Turkish food.

Turkey is (BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN TURKEY) undoubtedly world-renowned for its iconic sights that you won’t want to miss due to their popularity and cultural significance. While visiting these top attractions, you may also discover lesser-known, but equally significant spots, some of which might already be part of your tour.

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Chocolate Cookies Recipe: Eggless

Round bakes chocolate cookies, made from cocoa powder, butter, sugar, flour and cayenne pepper.
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

Close view of coconut milk and screwpine leaves scope of rice, some sliced cucumber, fried shallots, a lime wedge & spicy vegetarian vegetarian dish.
Nasi Lemak is a beloved Malaysian dish enjoyed any time of the day, from breakfast to late-night supper. It’s a favorite among rice lovers and food enthusiasts alike. While nasi lemak is also part of Singaporean cuisine, and can be found in Brunei, certain parts of Indonesia, and Southern Thailand, nothing quite compares to the original Malaysian version. Nasi lemak is one of Malaysia’s most iconic dishes and has put Malaysian food on the global map.

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

Steamed Malay cakes, made from flour, palm sugar, screwpine leaves, rolled over grated coconut.
Chewy and scented with palm sugar (Gula Melaka) and fragrant pandan (screwpine) leaves, this is Kuih Kaswi, also known as Kuih Kasui. Like other popular Malay kuih-muih, it’s a steamed Malaysian delicacy and a traditional dessert (WAJIK/GLUTINOUS RICE CAKES). 

 

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

Suicide in Young Indian Women in Selangor: Yoga Therapy

Author

Abstract
This article explores the intricate relationship between cultural expectations, mental health, and wellness practices among young Indian women in Selangor. It examines how societal pressures and a lack of mental health awareness contribute to emotional distress and coping strategies, particularly in the context of yoga therapy. Despite the growing prevalence of mental health issues and rising suicide rates, yoga remains undervalued within the community, often overshadowed by more competitive pursuits. 


This study highlights the potential of yoga therapy to foster resilience and emotional well-being, advocating for its integration into daily life as a preventive measure against mental health crises. By promoting open discussions around mental health and encouraging holistic practices, families can create supportive environments that nurture the mental wellness of young Indian women, ultimately leading to healthier, more balanced lives.

Banana Pancake Recipe

Close view of banana pancakes, atop with sliced bananas, palm sugar syrup and grated coconut.
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

Sliced Chinese bitter gourd cooked with eggs, red chili, garlic and spring onion.
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

A traditional Thai restaurant featuring wall deco and chair and tables ambiance

Arriving at Tasty Thai in Bukit Rimau around 11:50 AM with two lunch companions, we found ourselves among just three or four other early diners. Despite the quiet start, the staff were fully prepared to serve us. The moment I stepped inside, it felt like walking into a space that blended the warmth of a traditional Thai family home with the refined atmosphere of a high-end Thai food stall. The ambiance was serene and calming, instantly putting me at ease.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Kerabu Taugeh: Bean Sprout Salad

No Cook Salad, made with blanched bean sprouts, shallots, red chilies, pan roasted pounded grated coconut, spring onions and coriander leaves.
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

A bowl of peanut cookies, made with ground peanuts, sugar, butter, flour and oil,  egg yolk wash atop.
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.

Best Places to Visit in Turkey

Indian lady posing against the backdrop of a wall and column, in Acropolis of Pergamum, Turkey.
It’s very likely that most travelers begin their journey in Istanbul. Typically, they arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST), the largest and busiest airport in Turkey, with the most direct international connections. Istanbul is also the main transport hub for buses, domestic flights, and tours heading to other regions such as Cappadocia, the Aegean coast, and Pamukkale (WHAT TO DO IN ISTANBUL).

Even those aiming to visit top sights in western Turkey, like Çanakkale, Izmir, Selçuk/Ephesus, and Pamukkale, often start their journey here. This route is a classic western Turkey itinerary, usually covered by road travel, offering mesmerizing scenery along the way. While some drives can be long, overnight stops in between allow for a more flexible and enjoyable trip.

Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia -Things to Do

Langkawi is home to a wide variety of sightseeing spots, from natural wonders and beaches to popular attractions. How much you can explore d...