Sambal Belacan

Let's for a start talk about belacan before anything else. Even before I tell you about Sambal Belacan and how we can make Sambal Belacan. What is belacan? Wish I had a picture to attach, but nevermind. Words sometimes are more profound like belacan instead of picture speaking for itself. Belacan is shrimp fermented in salt over a period of time and prior to being dried in sun. The types of belacan we have in Malaysia. The dark brown in color pieces of belacan or these days, you can easily buy already roasted and powdered belacan, and the best belacan as far as I have tested tasted, is Malacca Belacan. Wonder what is the magic for Malacca Belacan, but it sure taste different and outstanding. The how to belacan? Unless we are referring to belacan powder, the start to belacan before you cook, obviously is roasting and a tiny bit goes a long way mind you. Remember, belacan is salty, so. Thereafter, belacan can be an ingredient for our Malaysian sambal dishes (Grilled Fish Stuffed With Sambal, Sambal Udang & Ikan Kembung Cabai Hijau) and mostly for seafood dishes as far as I know. Of course, we shouldn't discount belacan for vegetable stir fries (Kangkung Belacan) and by the way, have you tried Belacan Fried Rice?

Dum Aloo

If there is Chilli Aloo or even Mysore Bonda, there must be Dum Aloo right? Or maybe I must also include our Malaysian Spicy Potato Ikan Bilis? Most probably. But this Dum Aloo. No. no. Not the standardized kinda. Its actually the Malaysian version to a Dum Aloo. Why? Potatoes (Aloo Gobi) stir fried alongside lemongrass and chilli paste, dried shrimps, tomato and of course, we need shallots and curry leaves. A winning Malaysian cooking formula right? For a vegetarian version, do the right thing. Omit dried shrimps.        

Chinese Fried Rice

When you don't know what to cook, yet, you feel its better to cook instead of dwelling on the battle where we should have our meal with the family? For a fact, fried rice most probably can show you the way to what you should cook? For me personally, yes. (Kampung Fried Rice & Belacan Fried Rice). Fried rice and this Chinese Fried Rice? Leftover cooked white rice, garlic, prawns, dark soy sauce and spring onion garnished? Your meal. For breakfast and right up to supper. 

Beans Thoran

Beans Thoran. The Kerala dish made in Malaysia. Of course, obviously, made in my kitchen right? Sure (Four Angled Beans Tempe, (Kacang Buncis Tempe Goreng & Tofu & Green Bean Stir Fry). Obviously too, Kerala is in India? Well, if you don't know. Thereafore, Beans Thoran is also an  Indian and specifically Malayalee style stir fry (Brinjal Anchovies Stir Fried & Curried Tamarind Ladies Fingers). No, no. Don't press your cooking panic button just because I said Malayalee. Not a complicated matter I will vouch to making Beans Thoran. Long beans, onion, coconut milk, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, curry leaves, oil and salt. That's it?  I said it right. 

Pandan Jelly With Coconut Milk

Nothing like a jelly made from our Malaysian ingredients. And our Malaysian ingredients (White Fungus Ginkgo Nuts Chinese Dessert) for this jelly making? Coconut mIlk, palm sugar, pandan leaves and of course, our jelly to a certain extent is made from agar-agar. Of course, you can use jelly powder, but I decided it will be agar-agar. Pandan Jelly With Coconut Milk. Make and you will find out for yourself what a sweet Malaysian delight it will be.    

Salted Egg Chicken

No, no. Not an Indian dish. Salted egg and Indians? I really don't know how many Indians and how many salted eggs for them, but this Indian lady? She and salted eggs? They go back many years down the memory lane. In fact, even my dad? Both of us just so love salted eggs. Pretty much says it all. Why I made Salted Egg Chicken. Ask the Chinese and they will reveal all of it about not only salted egg, but salted egg chicken (Kam Heong Prawns, Chicken Wanton Soup & Chicken Black Vinegar Ginger). Even I can tell you right now. Crispy fried chicken cooked alongside salted egg yolk, chillies, shallots and scented by coriander leaves.  

Four Angled Beans & Tempe Stir Fry

Stir fry again. I told you (Tofu & Green Bean Stir Fry)? We need our fiber daily. What's in store today as our stir fry? Four Angle Beans & Tempe Stir Fry (Kacang Buncis Tempe). Tempe, like tofu is an affordable source of protein and of course four angled beans, aka winged beans, is another favourite from our Malaysian soil. Really affordable. A bunch will cost you only maybe like a dollar and fifty. In fact, you can grow four angled beans rather easily if you want to (Kangkung Belacan). Four Angled Beans & Tempe Stir Fry is the router for a vegetarian stir fry side dish. Of course, also simplicity. 

Spicy Potato Ikan Bilis/Anchovies

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Ikan Bilis, aka anchovies. A tiny bit or a handful goes a long way for stir fries (Brinjal Stir Fry) or for a flavourful Malaysian style broth (Bee Hoon Soup). The other option will be quite a handful of bilis for a dry style dish. Like this Spicy Potato Ikan Bilis/Anchovies. Quite a favourite actually, for us Malaysians? For me personally, yes. Furthermore, like I like to say. The marrying of potato (Chilli Potato) and ikan bilis, plus spiciness and aroma of curry leaves? 

Tofu & Green Bean Stir Fry

The fiber content in vegetables. Don't you think it should be part and parcel of our daily meals? If you are asking me, its an outright truth. In my house, I make a point in making at least one vegetable dish. Anything for the matter. Though usually, stir fries are keep as a minimialist or to the basic. Of course, every now and then, when the situation warrants for, especially when you don't want to let the veggies and other ingredients you have in the fridge to go to waste (Kacang Buncis Tempe Goreng/Beans Tempe Stir Fried, Brinjal Stir Fry & Curried Tamarind Ladies Fingers). This Tofu & Green Beans Stir Fry? As a matter of fact, for using up the ingredients I already had and an interesting combo from my kitchen. Stir fried. Tofu, beans, squid/sotong, tofu (Indian Tofu Curry) and spring onion. 

Grilled Fish Stuffed With Sambal

To and fro, back and forth, and back to fish taking the food center stage today (Sambal Tumis Ikan Pari & Nyonya Fish Sambal). What is sambal? I told you before? Our Malaysian chilli based gravy or paste? Obviously, we need the sambal for this Grilled Fish Stuffed With Sambal. In other words, sambal is stuffed into fish and instead of frying, I baked. You can of course fry, but do not over stuff sambal in case it oozes out from fish while frying. Grilled Fish Stuffed With Sambal. Our Malaysian spicy proud house fish dish, paired alongside lime or lemon wedges (Fried Kembung Assam Sauce, Otak--Otak, Grilled Fish In Banana Leaf & Spicy Grilled Black Pompret/Bawal Hitam). 

Kam Heong Prawns

Kam Heong Prawns. That's right. You read me loud and clear. The Chinese prawn dish (Fried Shrimp Wantons). But somehow, curry leaves have made their into Kam Heong Prawns? How come? Must be because of the wondrous scent. In fact, curry leaves are quite a favorite for Chinese dishes? I know so. Kam Heong Prawns. The popularity. Like a must when we dine in Chinese restaurants? The know how you must know for making Kam Heong Prawns. Put your trust in me. This recipe of mine will not be a failure (Tamarind Prawn Curry & Devilled Prawns). 

Vegetarian Mutton Rendang

I think I am the first and I will most probably remain in the number one league until this recipe of mine is copied. Hopefully, those who copy have mastered the art of bluffology because rendang definitely is not from India. Of course, Malaysian Indians? Credit my recipe if you are badly want to copy. Actually, come to think of it, nothing much I can do. After all, in the virtual world, there are many loopholes for copying. Boo-hoo-hoo! Alright, let's get down to the business of making Vegetarian Mutton Rendang (Vegetarian Mutton Curry). Remember, we spoke about the vegetarianism theory to vegetarian mutton before (Vegetarian Mutton Varuval & Vegetarian Mutton Peratal)? We sure did. Vegetarian Mutton Rendang? Vegetarian mutton, Malaysian herbs, chillies, coconut milk and turmeric leaf scented. Tadaa!

Indian Tofu Curry

A pot of spicy, aromatic and delicious vegetarian Indian Tofu Curry. Tofu. Of course, protein packed and curries by far too (Sambar), spices are hailed for health benefits as well. Henceforth, this curry must be concluded as one of the Indian wonder world curries (Sodhi & Indian Vegetable Curry).  Of course. Get cooking people and then, praise my recipe okay? 

Chilli Aloo/Chilli Potato

Chilli is chilli, and aloo is potato. Chilli can be categorized into different types and potato, there's various types as well. What about chilli and potato for this Chilli Aloo/Chilli Potato, aka, spicy fried potato? Dried chillies and use the normal potatoes you normally do (Chicken Curry Potato & Aloo Gobi). The cooking technic to Chilli Aloo. Like what? Like the usual stir frying (Brinjal Stir Fry & Curried Tamarind Ladies Fingers/Bendi). Chilli Aloo. The potato love for every other potato lover. 

Brinjal Stir-Fry

Brinjal? Gotto be a favourite in most households. For a matter of fact, for us Indians? I don't know about you, brinjal is quite favouble in my house. Any which way (Curried Ladies Fingers) and this Brinjal Stir-Fry? A Malaysian Indian style and pretty much an uncomplicated cooking matter. Sliced brinjals stir fried alongside ikan bilis/ anchovies, curry leaves, dried chilli paste, turmeric powder, ginger and garlic. Seriously like? Appetizing right (Kacang Buncis Tempe & Kangkung Belacan)? Oh, for a vegetarian version, do I have to say? Just say no to anchovies.