Vegetable Biryani

Rice? Yes rice (Baked Rice Pudding). What's with rice (Anchovies Long Beans Fried Rice) Remember, I have already told you (Turmeric Rice)? This Vegetable Biryani, I won't say will be a struggle, but as you would have noted and you will later, you need quite a list of ingredients. Nothing not within your reach or you will have a hard time buying, except maybe for the saffron strands. Otherwise, I think it will be sweep through for you. Getting the ingredients and the cooking aspect of it (Jeera/Cumin Rice, Coriander Rice, Lemon Cashew Rice & Nasi Lemak Sambal Udang). The vegetarian version. Why vegetarian or only vegetables? Personally, we don't fancy those meaty biryani. Unless maybe when we dine out. Nothing really personal as well if you are asking me. Just that, our preference. By itself a wholesome and filling meal (Tomato Rice & Dhal Rice), of course the pairing for Vegetable Biryani, can I say is endless or alongside certain types of sides? Its really up to you (Spicy Fried Wings, Lamb Rogan Josh, Vegetarian Mutton Stir Fry & Vegetable Raita). But you must believe me when I say that my style to cooking this Vegetable Biryani can be regardless as simplicity or even effortless. Rice cooker simplifying it and the aroma of Vegetable Biryani waffling in the air (Ghee Rice) when rice cooker is dong the cooking. My-my! May be a vegetarian version, but I can assure you that its rice exciting and trilling to our palates. Dang!

Devil's Curry

Another devil listing? Another devil dish? Obviously. Can you still recall my previous two devils (Chicken Devil Curry & Devilled Prawns)? I hope you can still remember. Otherwise, flip over to the recipes. I think you should before you jump the gun, thinking that this Devil's Curry is gonna be the same. No. It is not I must assure you. But still, from the same Eurasian and Portuguese family. Sort of similar (Mee Siam, Egg Vindaloo, Nasi Lemak Sambal Udang & Asam Pedas Ikan Bawal). For this round of Devil's Curry, I opted for mutton (Easy Mutton Curry). Of course, the choice is yours. Between lamb (Lamb Kofta Curry), between pork, chicken, beef and prawns. Not sure if we can use fish unless you have tried or you are willing to try (Belacan Fish Sambal)? What else should I say? Pretty much chilli based (Chilli Lime Fish, Sambal Sotong, Spicy Noodles & Grilled Spicy Prawns) and a combination of spices and herbs and vinegar, as well as dark soy sauce and black pepper (Black Pepper Crab) for the lovable and finger licking goodness of this Devil's Curry (Curry Chicken Noodle). 

Simmered Daikon

Salmon, tofu, mushrooms, eggs and daikon, or radish (Malaysian Indian Fish Curry). Don't you think these are some of the favorite ingredients for Japanese cooking (Egg Fish Roll, Grilled Salmon, Mushroom Veggie Burger & Chinese Tofu Soup). If you are asking me, its a big yes from me to you. These ingredients are generally showcased in various ways in Japanese cuisine. Either by themselves or a combo alongside other ingredients (Yong Tau Foo, Spinach Tofu Stir Fry & Winter Melon Soup) and of course, when Japanese food is a concern, we need those Japanese ingredients like dashi stock, Japanese soy sauce, mirin and sake, well, not a must if you don't fancy, but for the rest of of us who enjoy alcohol, I don't think we will have any qualms? Not me though. I love alcohol, though I find that sake is somewhat quite strong for me. Yet, I wouldn't mind a few sips and of course, why should I not add sake when its a Japanese dish in my house? For this Simmered Daikon? Oh yes. Quite a thing actually getting the Japanese ingredients which are rather pricey, but I guess if its once a while, we won't mind spending. Especially for a hardcore Malaysian who only believe in our local ingredients? Having said that, for the sake of Simmered Daikon? Soft, tender daikon in  tadbit of sauce made from the customary Japanese ingredients (Teppanyaki Salmon).

Vegetarian Fried Bee Hoon

Ingredients

150g (2 slabs) mee hoon - soak in water to soften.
4 shiitake (Chinese black) mushroom - soak in hot water to soften and slice into long pieces.
1/2 (about 250g) cabbage - shred/slice
7 garlic - chopped
2 tbsp fermented black bean paste (tauchu)
1 tbsp blended/grounded dried red chilies
2 stalks spring onion - cut into 1 inch length
4-5 tbsp oil
Salt for taste

Method
Heat oil in a large wok and when heated, add garlic and blended/grounded chilies.
Fry until oil splits.
Add fermented bean paste/taucu and mushroom.
Stir, add mee hoon and season with salt (use sparingly as bean paste is already salty)
Fry and stir to combine all ingredients together.
(Note - sprinkle some water if needed to soften mee hoon)
Off the heat and stir in cabbage and spring onion.

Mee Rebus (Vegetarian)

Ingredients

For curry gravy
To be blended/grounded

10-15 dried red chillies (soaked in water to soften), 

1 inch galangal/lengkuas

1/2 fresh turmeric/kunyit

5 shallots

5 garlic

Others
Yellow noodles - as needed
400g yellow sweet potatoes ( boiled till tender, remove skin and mashed)
4 tbsp oil
Lime juice  - as needed

For garnishing (as needed)
Boiled eggs (cut into 2 pieces) - optional
Spring onions - sliced thinly
Green chillies - sliced thinly
Fried shallots
Bean sprouts - blanched in hot water;  a couple of minutes

For fried crispy fritters
1/2 cup plain flour
1/4 cup rice flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
Water, salt and pepper   as needed
Oil for frying

Method:
For curry gravy
In heated oil, fry blended/grounded ingredients until aromatic and oil splits.
Pour 1/2 liter of water and simmer
When heated through, add mashed sweet potatoes.
Stir to combine in.
(Note: Add more water if gravy is too thick or if your prefer to dilute it)
Off heat and warm up before drenching over assembled ingredients.

For fried crispy fritters
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Add enough water and mix for a thick runny batter.
When oil is heated, spoon batter and fry by gently spreading in oil.
Remove and keep aside.
Cool down; slice into pieces or gently crushed.

To serve
Add noodles into a serving bowl and pour the gravy on top.
Drizzle lime juice over or serve the lime with the mee rebus.
Top up with fried fritters and garnishing ingredients.