Prawn Cocktail

Prawn Cocktail or Prawn Salad. Whichever and however you like to address this prawn dish (Tamarind Prawn Curry, Sambal Udang Petai, Prawn Noodle Soup & Devilled Prawns). Of course, Prawn Cocktail sounds high tech and tempting, but I think prawn salad is equally splendor acceptable as well. What's with Prawn Cocktail for a change? Just like that. No particular valid reason. Some fresh prawns still seated in my fridge and I thought I might as well get them working. What's with working or waking those prawns up? Pretty much nothing over the top. Instead of a heavy night meal, I decided I like something light for nibbling. Of course, Prawn Cocktail unquestionably is one of it you can or must consider when you are entertaining. When friends walk in and before whatever else you will be serving or maybe simultaneously alongside the rest of the dishes. To make? Blanch the prawns (Chinese Prawn Fritters, Prawn Mango Curry & Nasi Lemak Sambal Udang). Prawns by the way can be cooked within a jiffy and blanching them alongside ginger paste is for freshness. Thereafter, prawns tossed and mixed with those ingredients listed below, and yogurt (Cucumber Yogurt Salad)? Well, always available at home and instead of sour cream which by far I will consider as a rather above my budget ingredient. Prawn Cocktail (Sichuan Chilli Prawns) atop some salad leaves. Tadaa! 

Perth, Australia - My Knowledge Travel Venture (Part 1)

An unexpected bonus. In fact, not in my slightest moment would I have thought I will flying to Perth. Just within a month after returning from my tour to Vietnam & Cambodia (Ho Chi Minh City & Hanoi). And remember, before that, my first ever solo me alone (Chonburi & Bangkok Part 2). ravel ( (Bangkok Thailand Through My Lens). Me flying to Perth thereafter? Gods must be loving me. They must be knowing this lady should continue travelling. Actually, me heading to Perth for one particular reason. Knowledge gaining for the program I have been teaching for the last 12 years or so. Curtin University Degree Twinning Program. 

Onion Soup

Guys, if you are expecting this Onion Soup as another version of French Soup, or other Western soups (Pumpkin Soup & Mixed Vegetable Soup) or even Chinese kinda soups (Vegetarian Chinese Winter Melon Soup), I think you will be disappointed. But trust me, you must actually, this my style, me coining the recipe, Indian style Onion Soup I bet will not let you down (Tomato Spinach Soup, Corn Soup & Mor Rasam). Basically, lemme repeat myself again. Me the Indian (Indian Crab Soup & Indian Mutton Meatball Soup) who didn't know what to cook for our dinner and then, out of somewhere or out of the blues, came flying this idea. How about spices, butter, vegetable stock, turmeric powder (Turmeric Tomato Soup) and onion? All of these ingredients for this Onion Soup. A pat on my shoulders. I must. Onion Soup turned out as expected. In fact, better than I thought it will be. Scented by coriander leaves and teamed alongside toast (Chicken Vegetable Soup). What say you? I bet it is tempting? Don't discount it. Make it and I bet you will love it. 

Malaysian Chicken Chop

My style to my chicken chop. Obviously. Being a typical Malaysian (Malaysian Lamb Curry Noodles) I named it as Malaysian Chicken Chop. Chicken Chop? Not always a fancy frilly food for us. In fact, we hardly. Maybe when we dine out? Otherwise, its the standard kind of chicken dishes. Of course, every now and then, every once in a blue moon or white moon, I won't mind exploring something new and something different and coming into my today's food picture is this Malaysian Chicken Chop. Just a meal for me, myself and I because, I think I have told you before? I am certain I did? My other half--half and chicken can't see eye to eye (Easy Chicken Kebab, Chinese Black Vinegar Chicken & Chicken Curry Noodles). He is anti-chicken? Yep. How did I go about making my Malaysian Chicken Chop? Honestly, no recipe guide whatsoever and (Salted Egg Chicken, Baked Cornflakes Chicken & Braised Chicken Feet) and I, as you know, always begin with what's already stocked up at home. Those sauces (Sweet Chilli Chicken) especially and maybe even fresh ingredients as well. Flour and egg mixture crispy fried chicken (Ayam Goreng Berempah), spicy sauce atop, and paired alongside my style mashed potato. 

Coriander Rice

Nope. Not the blended and looking really green Coriander Rice. Somehow, I don't know why, I don't or shall I say we in our house don't fancy that particular traditional Indian style coriander rice dish. No offence to anyone, just that we don't like it. We have tried, but its still a no. I actually prefer something more of a relaxed and easy, going with the flow coriander rice (Dhal Rice). A simplified manner of course (Jeera/Cumin Rice), and as always, yes, rice cooker is my saviour for a rice dish (Nasi Lemak Sambal Udang & Lemon Cashew Rice). For plain rice and even for this my version of Coriander Rice (Ghee Rice & Nasi Dagang). Of course, let me repeat myself again. Rice is always an all time favorite. Any which way (Malaysian Fried Rice) and for my Coriander Rice, as you may have already noted, its Basmati rice, coriander leaves, garlic, oil and salt. That's it. Cooked in a jiffy and for the lovely fresh scent of coriander leaves. 

Egg Foo Young

Scrambled eggs Chinese style (Fried Eggs With Oyster Sauce). Pretty much that is my understanding what Egg Foo Young should be or is. Correct me if I am wrong, but as far as I know, I think it is acceptable when we regard Egg Foo Young as scrambled eggs? I believe so. Of course, scrambled eggs elevated in a different cooking techinque or for a different kind egg dish. In Chinese restaurants (Chinese Prawn Fritters, Egg Fish Roll & Tea Eggs), this kinda dish is usually cooked very quickly over high heat and in black cast iron wok. Which maybe is impossible for us in our kitchen. Regardless, we can still make egg foo young. What goes into egg foo young? If you are asking me, I think you can consider ingredients you are comfortable with and ingredients you think will work together. Eggs obviously do I have say? The central ingredient (Egg Benedict, Egg Rasam, Egg Curry Masala & Egg Potato Curry). For this my version, its cabbage, garlic and spring onion, of course we need oil, pepper and salt.

Nasi Lemak Sambal Udang

Nasi Lemak! We did speak about nasi lemak previously (Nasi Lemak)? Yes we did. In case you can't recall? Our all time, anytime we can tuck into nasi lemak? Of course. Today, I am going to share another style to our Malaysian Nasi Lemak or our famed coconut milk rice (Ikan Bilis Long Beans Fried Rice, Nasi Dagang & Dhal Lentil Rice). Nasi Lemak and pairing alongside many other dishes generally and mostly (Kangkung Belacan, Ayam Masak Merah & Ayam Goreng Berempah). In fact, the must have is a spicy dish. How can we Malaysians enjoy nasi lemak without sambal (Sambal Udang Petai & Sambal Sotong). For the coconut rice by itself, its pretty much straightforward and my rice dishes are the rice cooker, cooked in the rice cooker style. For this nasi lemak, what you have to do is almost the same. Wash rice and tip into rice cooker. Pour coconut milk as well. Either thick or thin coconut milk, up to you actually and then throw in a couple of pandan leaves, ginger slices and season with salt. Give a light stir and let the rice cooker do its job. Thereafter, use a fork or chopstick for fluffing up the rice. Now comes the part of us cooking the Sambal Udang. Prawn Sambal (Sambal Udang). Like I have already told you before, not any prawn, but fresh prawns (Prawn Noodle Soup, Grilled Spicy Prawns & Prawn Mango Curry) for this different style of course. Not the same style as those I have already shared. Nasi Lemak Sambal Udang? Oh-my! Ohlalala! What more, further more can I say except akin loved made and dropped down from heaven Nasi Lemak Prawn Sambal. 

Watermelon Sorbet

Let me see? Any cooling, chilled desserts I have shared before? Nope. Not as far as I know and not as far as I have checked through all the recipes I have already rolled out. What's with watermelon and this Watermelon Sorbet, or you can also call it Watermelon Granita? Whichever. As you wish to call it. I actually bought a big watermelon and after the usual, eating it as fresh, just like that after slicing, some slices were still available. So, the idea of making watermelon sorbet popped up. But how and which recipe? I admit I did refer to a couple of recipes and then, instead of replicating them as their originality, I added milk. Milk and watermelon? Yes. Got you worrying or you are not sure if you will make this watermelon and milk in one sorbet? You shouldn't. Nothing should hold you back. I made and those who tasted credited its taste. The fresh burst of watermelon and the creaminess of milk working and jiving in tandem. Super smooth, super luscious and one of the best sweet treat delight for a hot weather Watermelon Sorbet.

Vegetable Raita

The cooked or uncooked as a must have vegetable side dish? Both also can. Its really up to you. In my house, usually, I tend to do the cooked version (Plantain Crumble, Aloo Gobi & Indian-Style Mustard Greens). Of course, every now and then, making an entry on our dining table is a raw salad (Mango Cucumber Salad) or a tiny bit of cooking involved, the tempering part vegetable dish. Specifically this Vegetable Raita. A close cousin or related to the previous Cucumber Yogurt Salad.The tempering, as I have already mentioned and what sets this Indian yogurt vegetarian salad apart (Vegetarian Mutton Stir Fry, Tomato Spinach Soup, Dhal Rice & Drumstick Sambar). Still, nothing complicated. Never mostly for my recipes. Those ingredients listed in A, already diced (Carrot Poriyal) and sliced, thereafter tossed and mixed with the tempered in oil curry leaves and mustard seeds. Tadaa! Our Vegetable Raita is ready. 

Nyonya Curry Laksa

Nyonya cuisine. One of those, one of it amongst the rest of the Malaysian cuisines. Remember? If you can still recall? I have already Nyonya dishes before (Assam Fish Curry, Nyonya Fish Sambal, Nyonya Steam Fish & Nyonya Assam Fish Curry)?  Of course I did. Today, lets get to know this Nyonya Curry Laksa. Bowl food. Bowl food meaning noodles (Chow Mein & Mee Siam). generously soaking in a thick curry (Lamb Curry Noodles, Laksam Kelantan & Curry Mee). Basically the broth or soupy (Bee Hoon Soup, Lamb Pho & Prawn Noodle Soup) version compared to noodles stir fried. Curry obviously is the crucial fact. Making the flavorful, thick, creamy broth. All about with our Malaysian ingredients (Malaysian Sour Spicy Fish Soup Noodles, Mee Rebus & Penang Mee Yoke). Curry broth and swimming long beans, and taufu, ladled generously over noodles and soft boiled egg.  

Dhal Rice

It must rice for us daily. A must a fact, but we don't really have to stick to plain rice daily (Nasi Lemak). We can pretty much heighten or elevate rice to a different level or let's say rice in a different food style (Rice Vadai). Yes, of course (Rice Congee With Condiments) and of course to fried rice as well (Tom Yam Prawn Fried Rice & Malaysian Fried Rice). What's with rice and dhal today? Nope. Not those mushy-mushy kinda (Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry & Bitter Gourd Sambar). This Dhal Rice is a class of its own. Grainy and still intact rice and dhal in one, and scented by coriander leaves and garnished with fried shallots. Moreover, cooked in the rice cooker. Wholesome and I reckon triggering your hunger Dhal Rice which can be paired alongside Egg Vindaloo, Eggplant Tikka Masala, Tapioca Stir Fry, Spinach Tofu Stir Fry & Cucumber Yogurt Salad).

Ayam Goreng Berempah ( Spicy Fried Chicken)

Ayam Goreng Berempah. Wow! Walla! Bang! My all time favorite. I just so love ayam goreng berempah. One of those I can't resist at Malay Nasi Campur/Mix Rice Stalls or Nasi Kukus stalls (Ayam Masak Merah). Ayam goreng berempah lemme tell you is one of the best food regards of us. Our Malaysian Malay style spicy fried chicken (Spicy Fried Wings, Baked Cornflakes Chicken & Grilled Chicken Wing) and trust me, for years I have been debating within myself on how can I make ayam goreng berempah. A couple of attempts which definitely didn't get me for getting it right until I was so glad when my Malay colleague spilled it out. She spilling the secret to ayam goreng berempah.  The recipe she in fact picked up from her neighbor. Oh boy! So glad I was until I wouldn't stop thanking her over and over again. So, how can we make this ayam goreng berempah? Of course for celebration chicken (Curry Chicken Noodles, Chicken Vegetable Soup, Sweet Chilli Chicken & Thai Green Chicken Curry).  How? Chicken simmered and half cooked in our Malaysian herbs and later, crispy crunchy fried. Crispiness on the outside and soft meat inside (Chicken Varuval, Easy Chicken Kebab & Thai Yellow Chicken Curry). 

Thai Chicken Green Curry

Green again? Indeed. Thai green again (Thai Green Fish Curry). What else is with Thai and us? Nope. We are not cousins. We can't be? We are Indians and we the Indians who are fond of Thai dishes (Spicy Thai Noodles, Tom Yum Prawn Fried Rice, Thai Fish Noodle Soup & Thai Yellow Chicken Curry). Thai cuisine and their akin magical mystical bold tastes (Seafood Tom Yam Soup, Tomyam Chicken)? Yum, wouldn't you agree? Of course. A big yes from me. The Thai recipe awaiting you today? As you have already noted Thai Chicken Green Curry (Easy Chicken Kebab). Aw-awesomeness. Tender succulent chicken and long beans in a curry made from coconut milk, fish sauce and home style green curry paste, of course, how can Thai Chicken Green Curry not be perfected by the scent of kaffir lime leaves. 

Vegetarian Mutton Stir Fry

The same vegetarian mutton. The same as the previous (Vegetarian Mutton Rendang, Vegetarian Mutton Curry, Vegetarian Mutton Peratal & Vegetarian Mutton Varuval). Yep. The mushroom stalks (Mushroom Veggie Burger) made mutton pieces. The pretty much safest compared to mock chicken, mock mutton and those all about coloring and taste enhanced artificial vegetarian mocks. Actually, to tell you the truth, my husband is still not in flavour of even these vegetarian mutton, but I am okay. He actually prefers the real vegetarian food deal (Bitter Gourd Sambar, Eggplant Tikka Masala, Vegetarian Sandwich & Cucumber Yogurt Salad). What should I say? I guess to each its own. But potentially, there's no point I cook vegetarian mutton if he is not keen? Unless, every now and then I cook for myself. Right. Lets get to the recipe now (Baked Bread Rolls & Vegetarian Winter Melon Soup). Spices and all things nice, vegetarian mutton mixed with turmeric powder (Turmeric Tomato Soup) and corn flour and fried, followed by quickly stir frying (Spinach Tofu Stir Fry) together.

Lamb Rogan Josh

I guess when you don't know what else to do with lamb or mutton, you start searching (Lamb Kofta Curry & Mutton Varuval). Search for what? Search for recipes. Where do we start searching? Go ahead. Aplenty recipes will pop up when you Google and these days, trust me, there's so many people who share recipes online. Did I copy the recipes? Nope. I read through and I coined this recipe of mine. Yes. Otherwise, why is my recipe different and for Lamb Rogan Josh which is actually lamb curry, what can really be different? We definitely need the usual ingredients? Oh, before I brush it aside, Rogan Gosh by the way is a Persian or Kashmiri style of curry. Persians and people from Kashmir origin I bet love their yogurt? So do I (Cucumber Yogurt Salad & Mor Rasam). In fact I love this yogurt ingredient concept. Always, most of the time, a tub of yogurt sitting in my fridge. What else should I say? Temptation to the highest degree. Lamb Rogan Josh is like a massive salivating temptation.