Chinese Tofu Soup

One of those days, in fact the day I dined on my own. I think I have told you before on this me and cooking a meal for myself only when my other half-half is away (Baked Lemon Chicken)? Of course, I do have a choice of eating out, but, the thought of it? Finding parking and then deciding what to eat or what to pack back seemingly sometimes is more confusing and stress leading compared to returning home and grabbing whatever ingredients I have for cooking a simple meal. Of course, a meal in a jiffy or I don't have to really slog in my kitchen (Onion Soup, Thai Carrot Soup, Tomato Spinach Soup & Chinese Vegetarian Noodle Soup). I think I have also told you that I make sure my pantry and fridge are usually stocked up? So, back home, whatever ingredients that will jive and balance together for my meal. Soups of course are the easiest (Vegetarian Chinese Winter Melon Soup)?

Black Pepper Crab

Herbs and spices? Don't you think they just complete our dishes? They just bring with them the appreciated scent, aroma and tastes? I reckon. In fact, I must say yes (Baked Lemon Chicken, Coriander Rice, Easy Chicken Kebab & Hong Kong Style Steamed Fish). Whether these are the local herbs and spices, or imported or growing in your garden. If you are asking me, I generally stick to local herbs and some of it like lemongrass, curry leaves and basil leaves are plucked from my garden. Of course, if I need to buy, I still do, but my style to my cooking is our local herbs. Seldom, maybe once a while, I won't mind paying, other than that, its a no (Chilli Lime Fish & Curried Roast Chicken). Therefore, the basil leaves for this Black Pepper Crab? Yep. From my garden and trust me, this type of basil will grow like nobody's business in our Malaysian weather. And crabs? Not always because (Crab Curry & Indian Crab Soup)?  You must make sure the crabs you buy are really fresh and what else should I say? Maybe we are concern about seafood and cholesterol, but when we eat, we don't stinge. We make sure we satisfy our crab craving to the maximum. How to cook Black Pepper Crab? Follow this recipe of mine and I am certain you won't be lost (Nandu Rasam & Malaysian Chilli Crab). Fresh grounded/blended paste made from ginger, turmeric, shallots and black pepper, and the rest of the ingredients listed below in which crabs are cooked. Can you imagine how it will be like tucking into this Black Pepper Crab (Chilli Honey Clams)? 

Baked Lemon Chicken

When its a meal on my own, I can't think of none. It has to be chicken. The chicken my other half-half is anti about, or better to be said as he does not eat chicken (Butter Chicken, Sweet Chilli Chicken, Braised Chicken Feet & Chicken Varuval). So? Chicken does not come into my hunger and food picture unless and until he is away. Or when we are entertaining or when I want to try new chicken dishes which will be packed and handed over to our friends (Spicy Chicken Wings, Easy Chicken Kebab, Thai Yellow Chicken Curry & Malaysian Chicken Chop). Otherwise, there can't be chicken in my house. Actually, my other half-half does not mind if I cook chicken. Then again? I cooked chicken for myself and then cook another dish for him? God! Extra kitchen work. No way. On this day, obviously, my meal on my own and I decided to go for a Western style baked style. Baked (Baked Rice Pudding & Baked Bread Rolls) Lemon Chicken (Baked Cornflakes Chicken). Lemon, rosemary, chicken and baking? Pow! You tell me. Like a rocker the best combination right? Scent and fresh citrusy burst of lemon (Lemon Buttermilk Cake, Lemon Cashew Rice & Lemon Cream Pie), absolutely pleasing to our senses rosemary scent and tender succulent chicken, all in one as a wholesome meal. My-my! Paired alongside rice, fresh salad and yogurt. What do you think (Curried Roast Chicken)? 

Mango Mocktail

Cocktail (Prawn Cocktail) and now Mocktail. One of those days when you feel you want to try something new or let's say when mangoes are already there in your house and also when hot weather is really killing you? I bet you won't mind spending some time in your kitchen for coming up with a Mango Mocktail? Mango of course the star ingredient. Always a favorite for most of us (Mango Coconut Jelly, Prawn Mango Curry, Mango Coconut Cake & Mango Cucumber Salad)? Or am I assuming without gathering my facts? Most probably (Mango Cheesecake), I can conclude if not all, some of us I bet will appreciate a Mango Mocktail. A fruity Mocktail (Fried Apple Fritters, Poached Pears In Citrus Syrup & Watermelon Sorbet). What and how to Mango Mocktail? Mangoes, sparkling water, yogurt, honey and thyme or mint leaves. Pulse the first four ingredients, pour into glass, add thyme and ice cubes. Wow! Fresh burst and wouldn't you agree this Mango Mocktail will like instantly light up a broad smile on your face?

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?

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, Malacca, Ayutthaya & 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.