Mango Cucumber Salad

 

The simplicity to food and the simplicity to cooking. What else is there for me to say? Home food of course without a doubt is the best and as far as I know, home food does not have to drain our energy. Pretty much anything goes right (Malaysian Fried Rice)? Literally anything, from soups and easy preasy one pot dish (Mixed Vegetable Soup & Corn Soup). Nevertheless, when time is on our side, maybe during weekends, we won't mind sweating a little longer for stir frying a side dish (Aloo Gobi, Brinjal Stir Fry, Beans Thoran, Carrot Poriyal & Bean Sprouts Omelette), known as oil splattering, followed by thorough cleaning of our kitchen and kitchen top. Last week, in between one the days when time became, really, the crisis call for me, I decided. I decided in keeping it clean in my kitchen. Clean and mean. How about a raw salad, I ask myself since it will also be a meal on my own (Apple Cucumber Salad). So, the first mission accomplished. What should I put up for my dinner. Next mission of course, so easy, for this notably Indian style fruity (Fried Apple Fritters) veggie salad. The fact as well all ingredients, as usual, awaiting me in my fridge and as you know or don't, generally, our Indian salads are yogurt inspired (Moor Kulumbu/Yoghurt Curry). Vibrant, attractive, tangy and sweet, above all, there's no hidden magic formula to making this Mango Cucumber  Salad. Dice, cut and toss all the ingredients together. Done!

Seafood Tom Yum Soup

Gosh! Mouth watering, saliva dripping Seafood Tom Yum Soup. I bet you are agreeing? I bet many of you love this Thai is the way, a combination of seafood and authentic Thai calling soup? Am I wrong? I reckon I am not and do I have to possibly say anything more when its Thai cuisine featuring (Tom Yam Prawn Fried Rice, Tom Yam Chicken & Tom Yam Fried Mee Hoon)? Of course not right? So, how about we get down to our cooking business right now (Thai Green Fish Curry)? We should. Extremely bolstered by Thai quintessential ingredients, Seafood Tom Yum Soup packing big punches on your tastebuds  and for slurping deliciousness.

Venice - A Day In Venice (Italy)

To Venice on this particular Sunday (Florence & Rome). And Venice conclusively must be included if you are in Italy. Furthermore, if you doing the same route like the millions of tourists. The route covering Rome, Florence, followed by Venice, Verona and Milan. Either way, any which way, you must or most probably Venice will be included in your tour. Our tour? Of course. How did it all start for us? Hopping into the boat for inwards towards and getting down in Venice. Havoc. Thousands and thousands of people. Goodness me! Until we had to wait for our turn for stepping out of the boat and even walking? Akin blindly walking without having a clue where we are heading, except making sure we are tailing our tour guide and thereafter, our "A Day In Venice" starting off in Piazza San Marco or San Marco Square.   

Piazza San Marco. St Mark's Church, Campanile Bell Tower, Doge Palace, shops, stalls and cafes. Basically standing around and admiring the prominent structures. Only from the outside and not inclusive of walking in for viewing their interiors. The flocks and flocks pigeons aimlessly flying around? Another supposedly attraction in Piazza San Marco, and over the years, strict guideline has been put in place for tourist on feeding the pigeons. No, you can't. Otherwise? Like our tour buddy who didn't know and being shouted loudly by the enforcement officer. 

An hour in Piazza San Marco and then to Murano Glass Center. We sitting through a mini demonstration on how glass is blown, melted and shaped into various types of ornaments. A 10 minutes demonstration and prior to us being their showroom. All sorts of things you can buy. Not cheap mind you. I know because I bought two glass pendants. Up next, lunch and the next few hours, shopping. Shop till you drop. Did I? Sort of. The most popular brand for the Chinese had to be? Luis Vuitton. Of course, there are choices to Gucci and Prada as well. Popularity too. And maybe the rest of the brands which seemingly, except for a few customers, not really packed to their rims.  

Comma to shopping, by late evening, we embarking on “Venice Gondola Ride”. Into the gondola for a ride around Venice waters. Half an hour of this famed ride. How? Must experience. The main highlight in Venice and on the whole, you feeling proud you have achieved gondola ride in Venice. 

Thereafter, another hour thrown in for shopping and prior to us departing from Venice by 5.00pm, Venice! Hopefully. I won't mind returning again for spending more time.  

Vegetarian Sandwich

Anything is possible. In fact, even for our food lingo. All you gotto do is think. Think of the possibilities of  a different kinda food item. In my house, I can't say anything goes. Nope, anything does not go because there are limitations for my other half-half, whereas I am basically any type of food survivor. I am fine as long as food goes down my tummy for hunger throne. But like I have already said, my man? I need to pay attention and concern definitely. Thank god, thanks to his palates which by far does not have an issue to bread (Grilled Fish Sandwich, Lamb Burgers). Blessings, maybe? I believe so (Bread Sardine Roll). So, when on this day, I was literally blanked out in my mind what should be the vegetarian food for his once a vegetarian day, I comfortably put up this Vegetarian Sandwich (Aloo Gobi, Cumin Rice, Mee Rebus Vegetarian, Cauliflower Curry, Chinese Vegetarian Noodle Soup, Mor Kuzhambu & Kurkuri Bhindi). Nothing mind boggling, its basically cheese, veggies and onion, topped with chilli sauce and tomato sauce and slow grilled in a portable grill. Try baking if you are fancy frilly for stove-top grilling. 

Sago Gula Melaka (Pudding)

Nothing like our Malaysian desserts, wouldn't you agree? I don't know about you, neither I want to assume, I definitely am all for our Malaysian desserts. My Malaysia sweet pleasures. Of course, every now and then there is the call for Western pride sweetness (Lemon Buttermilk Cake), undeniably, but I will still stand strong, by our Malaysian desserts (Coconut Panna Cotta, Grapefruit Coconut Jelly, Dragon Fruit Coconut Jelly, Pandan Milk Jelly). Here's to the other. The other our Malaysian sweet melting moment. Easy-preasy simplicity, a couple of our affordable of course our local ingredients and anyone for the matter I believe won't struggle in putting together this Sago Gula Melaka. My version indeed, as usual, you can go ahead and replace lychee for another fresh fruit or a combination of fruits as per your liking and all the needed ingredients for Sago Gula Melaka are sago, coconut milk, palm sugar and pandan leaves. Pow!!

Florence - A Day In Florence (Italy)

Time flew. Just like that. It just flew. Within like split hours and at the glimpse of the moment. Our two days in Rome! Oh no! Wish, I sincerely wished we could have stayed back, at least another day for exploring other known or unknown sightseeing spots. Then again? When you are doing Rome route in a tour, I guess only so much once you have covered the essential main sightseeing highlights. Unless of course if you are touring Rome on your own? We definitely had to move on. Whether we liked it or not. But, come to think of it, with another new destination awaiting us? Wah! Let's get moving. Where to? Florence. The start in Florence? Piazzale Michelangelo. A square dedicated to Michelangelo, and designed in 1869 by Florentine architect Giuseppe Poggi. Genuinely appreciated. 

Tofu Scrambled Eggs

Eggs. The egg story in my house is a never ending story (Egg Rasam, Egg Vindaloo & Egg Curry Masala)?  For a matter of fact, say what you want, we are egg dependant. Maybe I won't say daily, but when the need warrants for. Especially for a side dish for our rice meals. Tofu Scrambled Eggs? Tofu scrambled alongside red capsicum, onion and spring onion. Easy-preasy yet satisfying. 

Sambal Kentang Ikan Asin

Sambal. Must I repeat myself again. No need right?  I think the rest of the sambal dishes can speak for themselves and for you as well (Sweet Potato Leaves Sambal Belacan, Sambal Sotong, Sambal, Sambal Udang & Nyonya Fish Sambal)? What's the cooking story for this Sambal Kentang Ikan Asin? Kentang is potato and ikan asin is salted fish (Pumpkin Salted Fish Curry, Bean Sprouts Salted Fish, Pineapple Salted Fish Curry, Salted Fish Pickle & Salted Fish Mango Sambal). What else should I say? Pretty much nothing much except getting your closer to the recipe. (Spicy Potato Ikan Bilis)? The splendid chillies and kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass scented, spicy our Malaysian Sambal Kentang Ikan Asin. 

Kurkuri Bhindi (Crispy Fried Okra)

Kurkuri Bhindi? Crispy fried sliced bendi/okra after dunking into a batter made from coconut milk, flour and turmeric powder. And fried goodies on the whole (Fried Potato Rolls) is? Tell me about frying and crunching in almost immediately (Prawn Fritters)? Sounds really mouth watering right? I know. Kurkuri Bhindi. Your snack (Fried Lotus Roots), or an accompanied for your rice meal (Chilli Aloo & Tapioca Stir Fry). 

Rome - 2 Days Of Rome, Italy

My travelling story. Honestly, never had one. For a matter of fact, sincerely, lemme repeat myself again. Never. Why? My life. God! Been really a roller coaster. Mostly downers and hardly anything great I should speak about. Furthermore, money by itself? I hardly could safe. Whatever I earned, all of it gone for my daily and monthly commitments. Even love? Such a mess for years and years until my first marriage crumbled. However, for the last 10 years or so, things have been working out. I met my second love before settling down and once we worked our butts out to put money and whatever needed into perceptive, I actually saw the travelling light shining at the end of the tunnel. The first shining light? Wow! Took both of us to Italy in a tour. Oh-my-god! I couldn't believe it. Me in Italy? Yep. A long haul flight from Malaysia before arriving and clearing out of “Leonardo da Vinci – Fiumicino Airport by 10.00am and prior to starting our sightseeing immediately. Where to? Of course, Rome was the start. Two days in Rome.  

Indian-Style Mustard Greens

Indian-Style Mustard Greens. Vegetables and us are best friends for our daily rice meals (Four Angled Beans Tempeh) and mustard greens on the whole are really affordable (Tapioca Stir Fry,  Eggplant Tikka Masala & Chloe Masala). A bunch will cost like, what, a dollar plus and alongside the ingredients you have already stocked up at home, you can pretty much put together this Indian-Style Mustard Greens. In a simple masala mix, soft and tender mustard greens. 

Grilled Fish Sandwich

Fish and us? God (Vietnamese Fish Soup, Shark Curry, Thai Green Fish Curry, Kerala Fish Fry, Hong Kong Style Steamed Fish & Tuna Cutlets). I say nothing further. Fish and fish and fish. Today however, its a different fish story. Grilled tucked into bread slices (Lamb Burger). Grilled Fish Sandwich basically.  So how? Grilled dory, vegetables and sauces and all of these packed in bread.  

Malaysian Fried Rice

Fried Rice. Yes everyone. Fried rice in need when the mind can't compute what should be the dish for the day. Fried Rice. I think I have already repeated myself, the anything goes dish? Anything literally (Kampung Fried Rice, Chinese Fried Rice & Lamb Fried Rice). Unless you have up your sleeve a specific need for a specific fried rice like Tom Yum Prawn Fried Rice? Other than that, what is there for me to say? We have already spoken in great length before right? Of course. I know I have fumbled with picturing, maybe not really obviously, then again why bother when taste is our concern right? Malaysian Fried Rice. The Malaysian heavenly promising tastes (Malaysian Lamb Stew, Malaysian Char Kway Teow, Malaysian Gado Gado, Nasi Dagang & Malaysian Fried Mee) and belacan, of course, of course. Me and my love for belacan (Belacan Fried Rice) and the rest of the ingredients listed below. 

Mor Kuzhambu

Aha! What's on our cooking page today foodies? I decided, yes I, decided it should be a vegetarian curry. Not those fiery red curries though (Indian Vegetable Curry, Indian Tofu Curry & Cauliflower Curry), but a yellow hue eye popping curry (Sodhi/Coconut Milk Stew, Bitter Gourd Sambar & Sambar/Dhal Curry). Mor Kuzhambu, aka yogurt curry, aka buttermilk curry. Interesting right? I know. Mor Kuzhambu.  A tiny boost of spiciness, coconut and cumin paste enhanced and walla, speak about the scent of curry leaves.   

Mutton Pepper Masala

Mutton Keema, Masala Mutton Curry, Mutton Kurma, Mutton Dalca, Pepper Mutton Curry, Mutton Parathal & Mutton Varuval. Says its all, isn't it? Our love, our Indian love for mutton? Of course. Obviously. Mutton loved to its core and I, mind you have already exhausted my avenue for the standard mutton dishes. All of it already repeated I don't know how many times before I decided I should invent a new dish. Pepper being the main highlight for this Mutton Pepper Masala, a dry style, mint for aroma and minty zesty, and like I have already said before, potatoes by far will swim into a mutton or even a lamb dish (Lamb Pho). Oh yes, yogurt tipped in as well for the natural burst of creaminess and tanginess.