Friday, January 24, 2025

Restoran Kopitiam Number One (Taman Sri Muda) Shah Alam

Big red signboard with yellow lettering for a Chinese coffeeshop, mounted above the front entrance.
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.

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Japanese Grilled Teriyaki Salmon Recipe

Pan grilled spicy salmon, with soy sauce tangy sweet sauce, atop with white sesame seeds and spring onions.
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). 

Friday, January 17, 2025

Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin soup made with shallots, garlic, butter, carton milk, salt and pepper.
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.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Tips to Boost Your Mental Health: Nature Therapy

Mini urban garden with tall bamboos in large pots, surrounded by herbs growing on the ground.
Mental health has been a topic of growing awareness, with countless methods explored for improving well-being. From mindfulness techniques to creative practices like mandalas (MENTAL HEALTH & MANDALA BENEFITS), the list is ever-expanding. But have you noticed the rising trend of nature as a powerful mental health booster? It’s more than just a passing fad - nature has become a retreat for urban dwellers seeking solace from the relentless pace of city life.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Chicken Soup Recipe

Indian chicken soup, made with spices, turmeric powder, pepper, tomato, ginger garlic paste and coriander leaves.
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.

Sunday, January 12, 2025

Vegetarian Fried Rice

A serving of fried rice, made with fried potatoes, green peas, shallots, dried chilli paste, and spring onion.
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.

Saturday, January 11, 2025

Easy Gardening: Seed Sowing for Beginners

Small curry leaf plant beside a trailing Tonkin plant, surrounded by other small plants, growing together on the ground.
(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). 

Friday, January 10, 2025

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes, made with milk, butter, salt and pepper.
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.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Ginger Rice Recipe: Rice Cooker Style

A scoop of ginger rice topped with ginger strips, served on a banana leaf, accompanied by a stem of a ginger plant.

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?

Vegetarian Tom Yum Soup Recipe

A delicious vegetarian Tom Yum soup is easy to make and brings the classic Thai taste to the tastebuds. The core is a fragrant Thai stock, m...