Sunday, November 25, 2012

Turmeric Rice

So, what else is new in my kitchen? Nothing much actually. In fact, the same kitchen, the same pots and pans, the same daily rice meals and the same nava-k sweating profusely in our Malaysian hot weather while cooking. Tell me about it please? Rice (Baked Rice Pudding) undoubtedly is still leading (Nasi Lemak Sambal Udang). Always and forever and today, let me introduce to you this Turmeric Rice. Why not? Instead of plain rice daily? A touch of turmeric for its vibrant bright yellow hue and healthiness (Turmeric Tomato Soup & Onion Soup)? Turmeric being one of my favourites. Like I have told you before, akin the customary and must have ingredients for most of Malaysian cooking. Atop of turmeric, I decided to elevate this wholesome rice dish (Coriander Rice & Dhal Rice) with lemongrass/serai and coconut milk. Interesting invention and rice food trail right (Rice Congee With Condiments)? I bet (Nasi Dagang & Lemon Cashew Rice). What else should I say (Tomato Rice).? A pleasure and inviting rice food meal right? What say you?

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Indian Okra (Lady's Finger) Curry

One of those days I suppose when you crack your head and literally nothing comes out. I suppose sometimes there's no point we push our brains so hard? Especially when brain is so tired of us pushing it to its edge until it will automatically stop functioning. Brain is too tired? Right. Precisely what my brain is going through right now. I am literally forcing it to think, but it just wouldn't. So, I have decided not to push it further. Who knows it may stop functioning permanently which by far is scary right? I know. So, I guess its best I just stick to the recipe of the day. This Indian Okra Curry. A vegetarian version (Indian Vegetable Curry, Cauliflower Curry, Carrot Poriyal & Mor Kuzhambu) and one which I think you in return don't have to crack your head. Basically, made with store bought curry powder instead of pounding or grinding or pulsing your own curry paste. Of course, if you insist on making the curry paste, you should? I basically wanted to keep it simple (Vegetarian Mutton Stir Fry & Coriander Rice) and also, once you have cooked this Indian Okra, Curry, don't be surprise that store bought curry powder actually did a good job. In fact, I couldn't be more pleased with the taste of this spicy, tangy (Turmeric Tomato Soup) and okra (Curried Okra & Kurkuri Bhindi), I am not sure how many of you are fond of it, but trust me, its like the perfect fit in this vegetarian curry (Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry, Mor Rasam & Drumstick Sambar).

Perth, Australia (My Knowledge Travel Venture) Part 2

Three full days of training? Ohhhhh! Brains fried up. By the time we returned to the hotel (Perth Part 1), nothing much expected. Except picking up dinner and back to the room. Of course, in between the training, a trip by ourselves to Fremantle was thrown in (Fremantle Perth). Not a bonus, remember I have already told you? We paying for ourselves? However, the least I expected was sightseeing on this Saturday at the courtesy of our Perth University counter parts. Wow! Would you say no? I of course was trilled and excited. All arrangements like on a silver platter, plus all paid for. We being fetched from the hotel and to Mandurah for Dolphin Lunch Cruise. Cruising (Venice, MalaccaAyutthaya Halong Bay Vietnam). Not new for me. Of course, each cruise to its own? A different package supposedly? Meanwhile, whist awaiting for the rest to arrive and to kill time, we checked out the surrounding area within where cruise will be taking off. Eateries and some retails and some arts designs. 

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Teppanyaki Salmon

Back to sea catch. Back again to fish is the food in my house (Batter Fried Fish, Chilli Soy Fish, Assam Fish Curry & Malaysian Indian Fish Curry). But no. Not another repeating the same kinda dish again. I thought. After giving a good thought, I decided I should venture to another new horizon, another country food horizon (Fish Sambar, Thai Green Fish Curry, Shark Curry & Vietnamese Fish Soup & Thai Fish Noodle Soup). Where to? Where else can  it be when Teppanyaki is a concern? Let's go Japan. Teppanyaki Salmon? My version of course, not sure if this is how exactly Teppanyaki Salmon (Indian-Spiced Salmon & Grilled Salmon) is made in Japan. Then again? Like it matters? Our way and our style to cooking right? Definitely. Of course we need the customary Japanese ingredients, the rest, feel free. Go with the flow as you wish like I did. The end result? Tender and cooked to the right texture salmon in tadbit of spicy soy sauce gravy, paired alongside rice and fresh raw salad. Yum!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Thai Carrot Soup

Thai Cuisine? You wanna tell me or should I just tell you? Evidently (Thai Chicken Green Curry, Spicy Thai Noodles & Tom Yam Chicken)? Evidently again (Tom Yum Prawn Fried Rice, Thai Green Fish Curry, Thai Fish Noodle Soup & Thai Yellow Chicken Curry)? I can go on and on, but what's the point? Don't get me wrong please. I am in no way trying to brag, but I am trying to put my thoughts across that I am quite well versed with Thai dishes. What's the Thai dish for this day? Obviously? Thai Carrot Soup. Recipe pinched from an old magazine, but I, as usual, I tweeted the recipe. Mainly because, like I always tell you, let cooking begin with the ingredients we already have at home instead of? My point is why waste money when we can make do with ingredients already stored at home? Of course. How do we go about making this Thai Carrot Soup? Pretty much like most other soups (Onion Soup), though you need to make the soup paste. The dried prawns paste alongside shallots, lemongrass and of course, we need chillies for Thai dishes no matter even if its soup? By far. Or if you want to make a kid friendly version, then, forget about chillies. All in all, Thai Carrot Soup (Carrot Poriyal) is a thick, creamy and full of the quintessential Thai tastes.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Fremantle - Perth (Australia)

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Not a bonus. No. Of course not. Not like the unexpected bonus for me being in Perth for training (Perth My Knowledge Travel Venture Part 1). This my one day trip to Fremantle alongside the rest of the counterparts from other parts of the world? We paying. Each paying for themselves. Basically going Dutch. How, where and what to the start to Fremantle? We walking from Miss Maud Hotel to Perth station, followed by machine supported buying our tickets and prior to getting into the train. Nice view from atop. Especially when train started getting closer and closer into Fremantle and we later stepping foot out of Fremantle station. Fremantle! The port city in Western Australia. Also, part of Perth's metropolitan area. Known for its maritime history, Victorian architecture and remnants from Australia's days as a British penal colony. Furthermore, history has it. Fremantle and its prison for convicts from 1850s to 1991. What can you expect in Fremantle? Quite a good bit actually. In fact, you can spent a whole day eating, sightseeing and idling your time away at the sea and wherever conducive for you.   

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Batter Fried Fish

Fish again? Yes foodies. Fish again (Kerala Fish FryThai Fish Noodle Soup, Indian-Spiced Salmon & Chilli Lime Fish). The question that popped into my mind next after I bought the packet of dory fish had to be none other except, oh, what am going to do with it? As usual, especially when you cook fish (Spicy Grilled Fish) regularly? I know (Vietnamese Fish Soup & Grilled Fish Sandwich). Toying with a couple of ideas and also considering fish and chips which I seldom cook, I decided. Maybe sort of a similar dish, but since we are not big fans of chips, I thought some salad leaves (Prawn Cocktail) will be a better option and for pairing this style, my style by the way, Batter Fried Fish, I made a lemongrass ginger sauce/dip. Batter Fried Fish of course is, I think the Western style of cooking, but the sauce is so Malaysian. Wouldn't you agree? Our Malaysian ingredients for the sauce/dip? Our, we are fond of our Malaysian spicy, tangy and lemongrass scented (Easy Chicken Kebab) sauce? Of course. If you are asking me (Malaysian Chicken Chop). Obviously, Batter Fried Fish is the fried version (Fried Shrimp Wantons)? Generally, batter coated fish is fried (Chinese Prawn Fritters)? Unless, you have made the baked or grilled version? Having said that, Batter Fried Fish, a close cousin of fish and chip is a complete wholesome meal.

Embracing the Fiery Passion: The Indispensable Chillies in Malaysian Cuisine and Gardening

In Malaysia, the love for spiciness runs deep in our culinary culture. Chillies, with their fiery punch, are an essential ingredient that ad...