Tuesday, August 4, 2020

How to Make Fried Fish Tamarind (Asam) Style

Marinated in tamarind juice and fried, one fish cut into two, paired with soy sauce, kaffir lime leaves, red chillies and lime juice dipping sauce.

Tamarind or asam as known amongst Malaysia is one of the ingredients used for Malaysian savoury dishes, particularly for curries, and gravy dishes. But for Malay cooking, as well as Nyonya food, one of the dishes which incorporates tamarind juice in a different style of cooking is Tamarind Fried Fish, or known as Ikan Goreng Asam. This fish recipe may not be a familiar one for some, including Malaysians, yet, it’s a food love for those who love sourness into fish fry (MALAYSIAN MUTTON CURRY).

 

An easy recipe as there is not much to do, except marinated fish into the tamarind juice, later frying. Paired with a no-cook dip or sauce. Generally, for a such a style fish recipe, the choice is cencaru or torpedo scud, but feel free to use other suited fish, like mackerel/ikan kembung as in the second choice of recipe attached. Also, the raw dipping sauce uses the common kitchen staples. Tamarind fish or asam fish or ikan goreng asam is about tanginess, spiciness tastes. 

Sunday, April 5, 2020

Indonesia Travel Guide: Surakarta

Indian lady seated on a stall, in antique market, Surakarta, Indonesia.
Surakarta, or Solo, is a city in Central Java, Indonesia. Founded in 1745 by Pakubuwono II, it was once the capital of the Mataram Sultanate before it split into two royal courts, the Surakarta Sunanate and the Yogyakarta Sultanate. Located along the Bengawan Solo River, the city is well known for its strong Javanese roots, especially in batik, wayang (shadow puppetry), traditional music, and dance. Surakarta also played a role in Indonesia’s journey to independence, once becoming a base for early nationalist activities.

Monday, March 30, 2020

Indonesia Travel Guide: Mount Merapi Tours in Jogjakarta

Indian lady standing on a red jeep at Mount Merapi open area, Jogjakarta, Indonesia.
Mount Merapi is not an unknown mountain. Whether you’ve heard of it or not, it’s one of the most active and powerful volcanoes in Jogjakarta, Indonesia. It has erupted many times, and each eruption has left a deep mark on the people living nearby.

But thanks to the hard work of those in the tourism industry, Mount Merapi is now one of the must-visit places in Jogjakarta (JOGJAKARTA THINGS TO DO). Tourists can explore this strong and scary mountain in a safe way. A Mount Merapi tour is an adventure from start to finish. You will ride in a jeep and stop at three places before going back to where you started.

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Jogjakarta, Indonesia: Top Things to Do

Indian lady standing in front of the half statue of Sultan atop a stone platform, Keraton Palace, Yogjakarta.
Jogjakarta (also spelled Yogyakarta) has a lot to offer. If you have about a week, that’s a good amount of time to explore without rushing. The people in Jogjakarta are generally humble, friendly, and simple. But when it comes to driving, it can be a different story - traffic can be heavy, and drivers may seem impatient. Still, they’ll get you safely to all the main tourist spots, even with the jams.

Museum Ullen Sentalu

Located in the highlands of Kaliurang near Yogyakarta, Museum Ullen Sentalu is where you can learn about Javanese history and culture. It was opened in 1994 and is privately owned. Inside, you’ll find royal family heirlooms, traditional batik, and artworks that tell the story of the Mataram kingdom and how Javanese culture has changed over time.

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Borobudur Temple, Central Java, Indonesia Travel Guide

Indian lady standing in front of stone stupa, Borobudur Temple, Indonesia.
Borobudur Temple: A Must-See in Central Java

When in Indonesia, specifically in Central Java, one of the top sights you shouldn’t miss is Borobudur Temple. Recognised globally, this monumental Mahayana Buddhist structure is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Built in the 9th century during the Sailendra Dynasty, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its intricate stone carvings, striking architecture, and symbolic design (JOGJAKARTA INDONESIA THINGS TO DO).

 

The temple represents Buddhist cosmology through its three levels: the world of desire, the world of forms, and the formless world. These levels reflect Buddhist beliefs, representing human desire, spiritual growth, and enlightenment.

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Jogjakarta, Indonesia: What to Do

Indian lady at Malioboro Street junction holding the traffic light, one hand and leg raised.
Jogjakarta, also spelled Yogyakarta and often called Jogja, is located in the southern part of the island of Java, Indonesia. While it’s geographically surrounded by Central Java, Jogja is a special region with its own Sultan, the only province in Indonesia still ruled this way. The city sits inland from the Indian Ocean, near Mount Merapi, and lies south of Semarang and east of Jakarta (PRETORIA SOUTH AFRICA TOURIST SPOTS).

Known as the heart of Java, Jogja is rich in culture and heritage. But at the same time, urban development continues to shape its landscape. From well-known attractions to lesser-visited corners, there are plenty of things to do - whether you're following the tourist trail or discovering hidden gems (THINGS TO DO IN JAIPUR, INDIA).

Saturday, March 21, 2020

Kari Kambing Malaysia (Malaysian Mutton Curry)

A silver round pot with Indian mutton curry, made with spices, curry powder, yogurt and fenugreek leaves.
Mutton curry is considered one of the top dishes worldwide. This versatile mutton dish can be prepared in different styles, depending on where it’s made, meaning which country. In Malaysia, for example, you’ll find Malay Style Mutton Curry, Chinese Style Mutton Curry, and Indian Style Mutton Curry. Indian curries are especially known for their spices and aromatic herbs like curry leaves and coriander leaves.

A standout version is Kari Kambing Malaysia, or Malaysian Mutton Curry. What makes the dish stand out is the addition of potatoes, something rarely seen in India or even other parts of the world. While the core ingredients are similar, this Malaysian-style curry also includes yogurt and dried fenugreek leaves for extra deliciousness and fragrance.

Burgers Near Me: Burger Stalls and Street Eats

A burger, meat patty in a bun, has roots in Western culture. While minced meat patties trace back to Hamburg, Germany, it was the United Sta...