Easy Mango Chutney

Spicy, sweet, with a vibrant golden turmeric hue and soft mango. The famed and popular Mango Chutney. This Indian-style chutney isn’t just a side dish for an Asian rice meal. It can be a mango jam as well. Whether cooked with or without chillies, mango chutney is a versatile Indian-style condiment that adds a sweet and tangy kick to dishes (VEGETABLE BIRYANI). 

 

Uses of Mango Chutney

On Toast and Sandwiches

Spread it on plain toast, sourdough, or sandwiches. It pairs well with butter or cream cheese.

Food Review: CUK Bakery & Cafe (Bandar Rimbayu)

CUK Bakery & Café, with CUF short for Cikgu Una, is located in Bandar Rimbayu, Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor. The moment I stepped in, I was drawn to the ambiance. Though the space is limited - it’s a single lot, rather compact, with minimal space between tables - the rustic décor, cleanliness, and cozy setting make it warm and inviting. What made it even more endearing was the staff’s friendly nature. Their genuine smiles and welcoming attitude added to the comfort as I waited for my lunch companion.

Easy Lamb in Soy Sauce Recipe

Fragrant lemongrass and turmeric leaf in a thick, spicy and tangy sauce blend with soy sauce, giving salty, sweet, and caramelized notes to tender lamb. The highlight is the use of Southeast Asian herbs -  Lemongrass and turmeric leaf, together with tomato for a fresh burst of tanginess, enhancing the taste of this dish, also known as soy sauce lamb recipe (LAMB SOUP RECIPE). 

 

Mutton can be used as well, but whether lamb or mutton, pressure cooking makes the meat soft and tender. Aromatics like ginger paste, garlic paste, and turmeric give the lamb a fragrant, slightly spicy profile while enhancing its natural taste.

10 Things to Know Before Starting a Business

Starting a business sounds exciting. Many in their early twenties now choose entrepreneurship over traditional jobs. But if you've tried and failed or are just getting started, this guide will help you think before taking the plunge (RESILIENCE OF AN OLDER INDIAN WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR).

Before you dive in, watch this video.

Kopitiam Number One Rimbayu: Hawker Food Worth Trying?

It was yet another recommendation for us to try a different Kopitiam - Kopitiam Number One Rimbayu (Teluk Panglima Garang, Selangor), a branch of Kopitiam Number One Seri Muda. Like most kopitiams in Malaysia, this one was located on a corner lot. Parking was a breeze, especially since we arrived early, just before 11:30 AM, to secure a table. As soon as we walked in, my handphone camera was already in action, capturing the scene (PENANG MAINLAND FOOD ADVENTURES).

Watch the YouTube Shorts Video to see our food adventure at Kopitiam Number One Rimbayu before I share more.

Easy Pumpkin Barley Dessert Recipe

Easy but super delicious dessert. Tender, naturally sweet pumpkin with barley cooked to the right texture. Sweetened with rock sugar and scented with pandan leaves (screwpine leaves).

 

This Malaysian dessert is a popular Chinese dessert, often found at dessert stalls in coffee shops or sold by van vendors alongside other desserts. You can also use Gula Melaka (palm sugar) or go sugarless for a healthier option.

Cameron Highlands, Pahang

There is no other mode of transport to Cameron Highlands except by driving, regardless of the departure point in Malaysia. The drive is worthwhile for those heading to one of Malaysia’s most popular hill stations, located in the central part of Peninsular Malaysia, within the state of Pahang (FRASER'S HILL THINGS TO DO), bordering Perak.

Over the years, the list of things to do in Cameron Highlands has expanded so widely that even the main tourist attractions can take at least two days to cover. They are spread beyond the main town of Tanah Rata, extending further into Brinchang and Ringlet.

Easy Chicken Salad Recipe

Repurposing leftover steamed chicken creates a fresh, sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy No-Cook Chicken Salad with the fragrance of spring onions. Call this recipe (NO-COOK BOILED PEANUT SALAD) No-Cook Chicken Salad, or even Chicken Salsa, thanks to the burst of sweet tangy notes from pineapple.

What type of cooked chicken can be repurposed for this salad? Literally anything, from fried chicken, curried chicken, roast chicken, or steamed chicken as in this recipe. No leftovers? No problem. The easiest method is steaming a piece of chicken with some salt or pan-grilling chicken, which also works for making a healthy chicken salad.

Spicy Eggs Recipe: Resepi Telur Balado Indonesia

Boiled eggs (TURMERIC EGG/TELUR KUNYIT) coated in a spicy Indonesian chili paste are Telur Balado, or simply “spicy eggs.” The Balado Sauce is the heart of Indonesian food, packed with fiery flavors and the fragrance of bay leaves, known as daun salam in both Indonesian and Bahasa Malaysia.

 

For extra aroma, ingredients like daun limau purut (kaffir lime leaves) can also be added.

 

Balado sauce is sold ready-made in stores, but nothing beats homemade Balado sauce. Even as a no-cook sauce, it pairs well as a dipping sauce. Just squeeze some lime juice atop before serving with dishes like ikan bakar (grilled fish), mee goreng (fried noodles), or other classic Indonesian dishes (SALTED FISH SAMBAL). 

Xiang Bak Kut Teh – Kota Kemuning (Shah Alam)

On this particular Saturday afternoon, I walked into Xiang Kota Kemuning, a branch of the  Klang Original Xiang Bak Kut Teh, right as they opened at 11:15 AM. As the first customer, I had the freedom to choose my seat. The ambiance, with its classic Chinese design,  made me feel at home - it was exactly the kind of setting you'd expect for an a Bak Kut Teh meal (EASY INSTANT BAK KUT TEH RECIPE).

For those who prefer a visual representation, I’ve captured my experience at Xiang in a video (see below). Don’t forget to subscribe to our Nava’s Zen Channel for more updates. Subscribe Now. But for those who prefer reading, let me share my experience.

No-Cook Boiled Peanut Salad Recipe

Refreshing, tangy, and with just the right touch of sweetness and spiciness - this No-Cook Asian Style Peanut Salad is pure deliciousness (NO-COOK CUCUMBER PINEAPPLE SALAD). In Malaysia, peanuts are a staple. Whether fried, boiled (kacang rebus), or even from a canned, braised or boiled peanuts, used in Malaysian Chinese cooking.

 

That canned variety is especially convenient for salads. Just drain and toss it with chilies, tomatoes, zucchini (or cucumber), and fresh coriander leaves.

Salted Fish Sambal Recipe: Sambal Ikan Asin

The traditional classic, a much-loved Malaysian food. Spicy, savory, tangy, and bursting with umami, this Salted Fish Sambal (Sambal Ikan Asin) with crispy fried salted fish is a dish that never goes out of style.

Between the Indonesian sambal ikan asin and the Malaysian version, the ingredients are almost the same. But it is the sambal that sets apart Indonesian food and Malaysian food (CHICKEN RENDANG/RENDANG AYAM) from the rest of Southeast Asian cuisine. 

While spicy gravies and sauces are common across Southeast Asia, where vegetables, meat, and seafood are cooked, the sambal remains the heart and soul of both Malaysian and Indonesian kitchens.

Restoran Kopitiam Number One (Taman Sri Muda) Shah Alam

Recommended by a friend, we decided to visit Restoran Kopitiam Number One, a corner-lot Chinese coffee shop, on a Saturday. Parking was a bit of a challenge; it took a few rounds before we finally found a spot. Arriving around 11:30 a.m., we were greeted by an array of hawker stalls offering a modest yet varied selection of food. As expected of a traditional coffee shop, staples like bread toast with eggs and hot beverages shared the spotlight with other local favorites.

Japanese Grilled Teriyaki Salmon Recipe

Mention salmon, and what pops to mind is a Japanese recipe. Between teppanyaki salmon and teriyaki salmon, this recipe focuses on teriyaki salmon. Either a dry style or coated in a thick sauce using soy sauce as the base. It’s garnished with crispy sesame seeds and spring onions (also known as scallions or green onions) for a fresh, crisp, slightly sweet, and aromatic flavor.

This recipe is a fusion between Indian-style salmon and Japanese-style salmon. Without the soy sauce base, it becomes grilled salmon, masala salmon or even Japanese grilled salmon. Japanese teriyaki salmon is an easy cooking technique relying on pantry staples (PUMPKIN SOUP). 

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.

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

Paddy fields obviously dominate Sekinchan, a town in the Sabak Bernam District of Selangor, Malaysia. The town is known for rice cultivation. Its Sekinchan rice fields stretch across the land, shifting from vibrant green in early growth to golden at harvest. Sekinchan began as a small fishing village in the 1920s around the Bagan area (WHAT TO DO IN BENTONG, PAHANG).

 

Its flat coastal land and abundant water made it ideal for rice farming. The name ‘Sekinchan’ even means “village suitable for plantation.”

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.

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).

Fish Head Curry

Fish Head Curry. One of the most popular Malaysian foods. Whether made as Indian fish head curry, Malay style (NASI KERABU/HERBS RICE) kari kepala ikan, Nyonya fish curry, or even the version served in Chinese restaurants, it remains a beloved dish.

Malaysian fish head curry generally features spices, sometimes ground into a rempah or spice paste, but store-bought curry powder works just as well. Other ready-made spice powders can also be added.

Egg Fried Rice

The ever classic egg fried rice. The always humble and simple fried rice. Called as the poor peoples food back then, but still remaining atop the list of fried rice. It’s a Chinese style fried rice, made with leftover cooked rice. 

There is nothing to say in terms of the ingredients, except rice, eggs (BITTER GOURD WITH EGGS), chopped garlic and some spring onions definitely will elevate the deliciousness further.