Yong Tau Foo

Yong Tau Foo! Minced fish stuffed items. Yep. Fish alright. Fish minced or fish paste filled in various vegetables. Thereafter, frying of the stuffed veggies ((Fried Shrimp Wantons), followed by drenching in a broth or soup (Chick Kut Teh, Chicken Wanton Soup & Chinese Vegetarian Noodle Soup) made from fish bones and skin, and accompanied by chilli dip. Or instead of fish broth, you can also consider curry (Curry Mee). Choice is yours. This my version of Yong Tau Foo? Please. Do not compare with those from hawker stalls (Malaysian Fried Mee, Chap Chai, Penang Mee Yoke, Hokkien Mee & Chinese Fried Rice). You shouldn't in fact because I worked within my limitation of ingredients I had in hand, neither did I want buy any other. I basically didn't see a reason for spending for other ingredients. Why? What for? The smartness of cooking at home I believe should be keeping cost low. Wouldn't you agree? Spending is easy, saving is darn tough the call? So, do the little saving by always beginning with limiting the number of ingredients (Ikan Bilis Fried Rice, Char Kway Teow & Malaysian Sour Spicy Fish Soup Noodles) and as I have already said, start with what's already available at home. I'm done. Recipes is all yours now. 

Gurney Drive - Penang (Malaysia)

To be in Penang means you must also give a go to hawker food in Gurney Drive (Kandar Line Clear). At least once in your life time and trust me, choices are really aplenty. Rows and rows of stalls offering our local delights (Spice Market Cafe Rasa Sayang), but the one thing which may not be favourable if you are driving is traffic jam and parking. Quite a madness actually. We somehow thank god. We did it at this hour (7.30pm) and then of course, walking through the long stretch of lane and looking at the what's been offered, prior to calling for the food we wanted and like immediately quickly grabbing the empty table. What is new in Gurney Drive compared to the last time, a few years ago I popped by? Self-service in not only to ordering, but you gotto to pay and bring back the food you have ordered to your table. 

What did we order and tuck into? For the four of us, we decided to order a variety of dishes and then, we can pinch in a bit of those. 

Asam Laksa. I particularly loved the broth. The thick spicy tangy and made with fish broth in the bowl of rice noodles, and onion, mint leave and chilies garnished. Broth being the power house for asam laksa.

Prawn Mee. Not my favourite but I still tucked in. Basically, prawn broth in yellow noodles and some prawns, and half a boiled egg, plus fried onion and spring onion atop. Honestly, I was not really impressed. Perhaps a pass should be awarded.

Fried Kuey Teow. My other half-half's favourite. Did this flat rice noodles fried alongside beansprouts, prawns, egg, chillli paste and soy sauce put a smile on his face? Close to 6.5/10.

Chee Cheong Fun. Steamed flat rice sheets totally soaking in chilli sauce and brown sweet sauce, and some sprinkling of roasted sesame seeds atop. Not really a winner. Just so-so.

These dishes, washed down by soy bean and plum juice.

Overall? Gurney Drive and the choices to hawker fare? Affordable, but portions are rather small. 

Vegetable Kurma

Remember, can you recall my Mutton Kurma? I hope you can. Otherwise, just flip flop over to the recipe. Otherwise, give me a break please. I don't want to get down to the nooks and cronies on explaining what is kurma, aka, Indian vegetable curry (Indian Vegetable Curry, Cauliflower Curry & Indian Tofu Curry). So, no need for me to explain what is kurma right? This kurma curry, an absolute fab, don't you think so, yes, you have to make the kurma from a stretch. Kurma paste by far, unless you prefer store bought kurma powder? Up to you actually. But we shouldn't discount home made kurma paste right? Nothing like making right? Of course for this Vegetable Kurma. Kurma paste, potatoes, long beans, brinjal, spices and aroma of coriander leaves (Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry, Bitter Gourd Sambar, Mor Kuzhambu, Tanni Saar, Sambar, Sodhi & Spinach Dhal Curry). Sounds fab? I reckon.  

Spice Market Cafe - Shangri La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa (Penang - Malaysia)

Spice Market Cafe? The dining cafe in Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa where you will be having your breakfast. I think you can opt out as well, but please don't. Even I who is not a breakfast person, I must award high praises for breakfast in Spice Market Cafe. My-My. One of the best breakfast buffets in a hotel. Splendidness spoiled for choice. Until you won't know where to start. This or that, or that or this, or all of it if you are a piggy-pig. Plus, food aside, the customer service. All the plusses. All. All of it. Imagine! Morning positive energy showering greetings as you walk in and all throughout the time you are in Spice Market Cafe. In fact, from the time we stepped foot in Rasa Sayang, every staff we bump into, even the cleaners, they happily and smilingly greeting us.  

Cauliflower Fritters

Honestly, I don't have anything new to say. Nothing pretty much. No news from my side to yours. In fact, nothing much have been shining or shimmering except going through the daily motion of the daily grind. The grind of back and forth from work, and when our home affairs are a concern, we must slot in cooking right (Carrot Poriyal, Bean Sprouts Omelette & Tapioca Stir Fry)? I don't know about you, for me a home meal is essential. Home meal for which many of us career women struggle in finding the time. Many of us showcase a state of art kitchen, whether we cook or not, a question mark right? My kitchen anyway is just so ordinary. But in my sweating me crazily kitchen cooking is a forefront. Daily. I basically fight for time, but I ensure my family is not deprived of a home meal. Home meal a couple of days ago was this Cauliflower Fritters (Aloo Gobi & Cauliflower Curry). Of course as a side for our rice meal, regardless these can be for your tea time if you like. How to make these crispy on the outside and soft bite highlighting cauliflower inside? Chick pea batter in which cauli florets are dipped and fried (Kurkuri Bhindi, Valakkai Chips & Mushroom Rolls). Bye!

Nasi Kandar Line Clear - Penang (Malaysia)

A trip to Penang is not complete (Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang). No, not complete without a nasi kandar meal. You must whatever happens, you must try nasi kandar in Penang. At least for me personally and I have already had my share of nasi kandar in Penang. The latest? Nasi Kandar Line Clear. Like, maybe if not have been spoken about million times, maybe said as a must try. What is it like in Nasi Kandar Line Clear? Except no much in terms of ambiance and be prepared for sweat dripping massively on a hot day. Then again, tell me. When its not a hot day in Malaysia? Even when it is raining or after rain? I don't know about you, I can sweat worst than the dogs, cats and pigs. Alright, so much for sweating even when we stood in the queue and before pointing to the dishes we wanted. Not bad. Not bad already? These guys who serve you. They sure can speak good English while I was actually speaking in Bahasa Malaysia for opting between the choices of meat, poultry, seafood, all mostly in curry style and of course, some stir fried veggies as well.

Lemon Cream Pie

Lemons! I just so love, in fact millions of love for lemons. That tang, zang and citrusy lemony taste and scent? Oh-my! Just so refreshing. Lemons are great in anything for the matter. For savory dishes (Lemon Cashew Rice) or should I say anything when baking and lemons are married together (Lemon Buttermilk Cake)? What's the dessert today? Dessert for celebrating lemon? Obviously, we are are getting closer and closer to this Lemon Cream Pie (No Bake Cheesecake). Flour-butter crumbled sugarless bottom layer and sweet-tangy lemony atop. That's about it foodies. I'll see you again the next time (Poached Pears In Citrus Syrup & Chocolate Rum Tart).