Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Tofu Stir Fry: Indian Style

Cubed fried tofu, stir fried with spices, chili powder, coriander leaves and ginger.
Tofu, the protein-packed ingredient made from soybeans, is suited for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. These days, it comes in different tyoes. from traditional blocks to sofu and even organic varieties (VEGETARIAN NASI LEMAK). 

For this Indian-style stir fry, firm tofu works best. Otherwise, tofu will crumble apart, unless you’re after a softer, scrambled texture.

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).

Papaya Salad Recipe

Crunchy, fresh, crisp, spicy, and tangy papaya salad. Truly an appetizing dish that wakes up your taste buds instantly. Whether as a healthy...