Monday, April 25, 2011

Tanni Saar (Sweet Leaf In Dhal Gravy)

Tanni Saar. A runny watery Indian dal curry/gravy (Sambar/Indian Dhal Curry) and the two prominent ingredients are? Obviously, we need dal/lentil and the other is tausi murunga keerai/sayur manis/sweet leaf. We are doing fine up to now right? Of course. Making of Tanni Saar? The know how? Get going to the recipe (Dalca/Dhal Mutton Curry) please. 

Thursday, April 14, 2011

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?

Friday, April 8, 2011

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.        

Sunday, April 3, 2011

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. 

Friday, April 1, 2011

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. 

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

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.    

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

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 PrawnsChicken 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.  

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