Fish Curry with Coconut Milk - Sri Lankan Style

Nothing comes close to the flavor of fresh coconut milk. Creamy, mildly sweet, and nutty, it adds a natural creaminess that elevates any fish curry with coconut milk. When fresh coconut milk isn’t available, canned or packaged coconut milk can be used, and some even use cream for curries.

However, in classic Kerala Fish Curry (KERALA TOURIST SPOTS) or Sri Lankan-style fish curry, fresh coconut milk truly shines, melding beautifully with the spices to release its aroma. Smooth, velvety, and subtly earthy, it gives the curry a pure, fresh taste rather than a heavy feel. 

Even when prepared in a Malaysian kitchen (SALTED FISH CURRY WITH PINEAPPLE), fresh coconut milk ensures the dish remains authentically flavorful.

No-Cook Cucumber Pineapple Salad

Some recipes shine not because of fire or fancy cooking, but because of their raw freshness. This no-cook cucumber pineapple salad is one of those gems - crisp cucumbers meet juicy pineapple in a medley that is refreshing, tangy, and lightly spiced. 

It’s the kind of easy tropical salad recipe that works for hot days, quick meals, or as a cucumber pineapple side dish to balance heavier curries.

In North India, a similar version is known as Kachumber, usually made with cucumber, onion, and tomato. Move further south, and you’ll find variations served alongside rice (VEGETABLE BIRYANI) and curries, often simply called cucumber salad.

Marriage and Culinary Exploration: Vietnamese Delights (Ding Xiang Bak Kut Teh Restaurant)

In the journey of marriage, we learn valuable lessons, and one of them is that you don't always have to compromise on your food preferences. Last Sunday, this lesson took me on a delightful food venture in Bandar Rimbayu. As my husband headed to a kopitiam for Indian cuisine (K2 Kopitiam), I found myself at Ding Xiang Bak Kut Teh Restaurant, craving Vietnamese flavors. This unassuming eatery, also serving Bak Kut Teh and Chinese dishes, offered a menu right on the table - a thoughtful touch.

How to Grow Roses: The Ultimate Guide

(Updated Version)

Roses are among the most beloved flowers worldwide, cherished for their exquisite beauty and enchanting fragrance. I particularly adore red roses for their vibrant hue and natural elegance, though I also grow roses in other colors. While they brighten any garden, growing roses isn't as simple as it may seem. After years of trial and error, I've adapted to cultivating these stunning blooms. Here's how you can grow your own roses, even in challenging climates like Malaysia's (GARDENING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS).

(These are the rose plants growing in Nava's Zen. You'll see how pruning allows new stems and leaves to grow. However, one of the challenges is the weather. Both too hot and constant heavy rainy seasons can cause the leaves to dry and wither).

Soil Type

In Malaysia, clay soil dominates, which isn’t ideal for roses. Clay hardens quickly, especially in hot weather, resembling rocks that can dry out roots. To counter this, I dig up the clay, mix in black compost soil, and plant the roses in this enriched blend. This keeps moisture levels balanced and promotes healthy growth.

 

Growing in Pots

Since my garden is reserved for herbs and veggies, I grow roses in pots. For potting, I use black soil mixed with coco peat. Over time, the soil can dry out, so I periodically aerate it using a gardening fork, trim excess roots, and replenish the soil. Proper maintenance ensures water penetrates the soil, nourishing the roots (HOW TO GROW CHILLIES).

Watering
Rainwater works wonders for roses. I position my potted plants where rain can reach them, skipping additional watering during downpours. During dry spells, I water them daily, ensuring they get enough hydration to thrive.

 

Fertilizing

Roses need regular feeding to bloom. I use organic fertilizers every fortnight, adhering to the recommended quantities. Over-fertilizing can harm the plants, so moderation is key.

Pruning
Pruning is essential after blooms have withered. Removing old branches encourages new growth and keeps the plants thriving. Rooting cuttings in water can also yield new plants, which, once rooted, flourish with proper care.

Handling Thorns
Thorns are an inevitable part of growing roses. Wear gloves to avoid scratches and be cautious as thorns can snag on clothes or pierce deeply. Treat any wounds promptly with antiseptic cream to prevent infection.

Pest Control
Bugs and insects can damage rose leaves and flowers. Organic sprays effectively deter pests without harming the environment. Regular checks keep the plants healthy and beautiful.

 

Patience and Care

Roses demand time, effort, and a nurturing touch. I dedicate time every fortnight to care for all my plants, including roses, herbs, and veggies. The reward of seeing fresh blooms is incomparable. Indoors, roses add elegance to vases or, in my case, serve as natural hair accessories with their delightful fragrance.

Growing roses is a fulfilling journey that requires dedication and love. With these steps, you can create your own flourishing rose garden and enjoy the beauty they bring to your life.

 

(Ms. Nava is a dynamic individual in her 60s, leading yoga sessions at Nava's Zen while also embracing her passion for gardening through Zen Blooming. With credentials in gardening and extensive experience, she cultivates a serene environment that reflects her commitment to Zen, inspiring others to find balance and tranquility in their lives).

The Delights of K2 Kopitiam: A Foodie's Paradise

To be known as a foodie is to embrace culinary adventures, exploring flavors from all corners, be it the streets or coffee shops. While high-end restaurants often steal the limelight, it's essential to remember that delicious food can be found in unexpected places, such as Chinese coffee shops that have reinvented themselves as Kopitiams (Malaysia's Vibrant Street Food). In this blog post, we revisit K2 Kopitiam, located in Bandar Rimbayu, a bustling end-lot coffee shop, where we sampled an array of tantalizing dishes from its diverse stalls.

How To Grow and Care for Torch Ginger (Bunga Kantan)

Scientifically known as Etlingera elatior, this striking tropical plant is more commonly called torch ginger in Malaysia. In fact, regardless of race, Malaysians fondly call it bunga kantan, and it is rarely referred to as pokok kantan. This is the same flower used in cooking, especially when harvested as the unopened edible bud, often called the torch ginger bud.

Across the region, it goes by other names too. In Indonesia, it’s called kecombrang; in Sundanese (West Java, Indonesia), honje; and in Sabah, a state in Malaysia, the Kadazan-Dusun community calls it bokna.

Vegetable Biryani Recipe

Biryani as home-cooking is mainly for special occasions and festive seasons. It’s a rice dish enhanced with various ingredients. The list of biryani recipes is endless. They span continents, cooking styles, layering techniques, and include versions with meat or as a meatless biryani.

Vegetable biryani is particularly apt when hosting both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, as it suits everyone. It’s practical because biryani can be paired with other vegetable dishes as a vegetarian meal. It can also be non-vegetarian when served alongside seafood, chicken (CHICKEN RENDANG RECIPE) mutton, or beef. This easy vegetable biryani recipe is ideal for home cooking and for anyone seeking a tasty meatless option.