Thai Vegetable Curry

Shall we return back to Thailand? Not as in taking the flight to Thailand, but pretty much, or should I say we bringing Thailand closer for a Thai dish (Tom Yum Prawn Fried Rice & Seafood Tom Yum Soup)? Why not? I have no qualms, I hope you are agreeing as well? Thailand, Thai cuisine and Thai quintessential ingredients (Spicy Thai Noodles & Thai Carrot Soup) for the rupturing and explosion of big, bold, punchy and kicky tastes (Thai Fish Noodle Soup & Thai Mee Hoon Salad). Right. Shall we now move on to making another Thai curry (Thai Green Fish Curry, Thai Yellow Chicken Curry & Thai Chicken Green Curry).  Sure. Home made Thai curry paste, made from those aromatic herbs and we also need coconut milk for creaminess and a couple of vegetables. Packing a major punch as the mover and shaker on our palates? Thai Vegetable Curry! 

Lamb Spaghetti

Oh my lamb. Mary had a little lamb! Lamb. We don't mind. We sometimes take a break from mutton which of course is forever our favorite (Devil's Curry & Easy Mutton Curry). Then again, lamb sort can be the substitute as well. Actually, come to think of it, we are not really particular. Lamb usually the call for curries (Lamb Rogan Josh & Lamb Kofta Curry), of course every now and then, me and my thinking cap for a different kinda lamb dish (Malaysian Lamb Stew & Lamb Fried Rice). In fact, I can proudly say that lamb has been the star ingredients for other dishes as well (Lamb Pho & Lamb Burgers). And right now, lemme introduce to you Lamb Spaghetti. Not to say there are not other lamb spaghetti recipes, but this one, is my Malaysian Asian version (Shrimp Pho). My style, my way, my food story and my dish for my convenience. Spaghetti and spinach in a scented by bay leaves and fresh rosemary sauce, a tiny bit of spiciness from paprika and cheese atop. A winner? Would you agree or you don't? Yeh or neh?

Super Star Libra Cruise - My Solo Cruising

Remember, I told you (Perth Australia Part 1)? The unexpected, least I expected trip to Perth (Perth Australia Part 2)? Actually, the main reason being knowledge thirsting. Of course, why shouldn't I miss out on sightseeing if I can? Sure. And after returning from Perth within a month, I took off again. Again? Yep. Me embarking on a cruise trip and one which in fact I had already booked and paired for even before heading to Perth. Guess then? Another travelling story of mine and another solo mine. Solo Nava on her own again (Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City) and my first ever full blown cruise. Three nights of sleeping on board and sightseeing during the day. Cruise by itself? Done it before, but this will be, lemme repeat myself again. A complete package instead of like those cruises included as a small fraction of the itinerary (Bangkok Thailand).   

Shrimp Pho

Alright guys, what's with me and cooking lately? Honestly, been quite a thing. Mostly, quick and easy fix meals and like I have told you before, generally, our Malaysian and Indian dishes. For a change, I decided. I decided I should do a bowl food or noodle dish, but the question was which one. Of course, if not millions, there are literally hundreds and hundreds of recipes for a noodle dish. Still, back to the same question. Which noodle dish (Bee Hoon Soup). After like, maybe within the next 20 minutes, as usual, me taking a hard peep into my fridge, I sort of was confident I can put up a Vietnamese noodle dish (Lamb Pho). Obviously, not something new to me. Thus, I knew. I can come up with another version and how far further can we run when a Vietnamese noodle dish is a concern (Vietnamese Fish Soup)? If not all, some of the ingredients can be Malaysian found and grown (Penang Hokkien Mee), especially herbs and fish sauce is a regularity for us as well. Henceforth, coming into our food picture on this particular day was Shrimp Pho (Prawn Noodle Soup). Shrimps obviously are the central ingredient (Prawn Cocktail, Chinese Prawn Fritters, Grilled Spicy Prawns & Bitter Gourd Prawn Curry), in fact more important for the broth and then we need the rest of the ingredients as listed below. But if you are expecting a traditional Shrimp Pho, I think you will be disappointed. Mine is a modernised tweeted version and instead of incorporating chillies inside, I made a chilli dip. Of course, for diving into Shrimp Pho (Fried Shrimp Wanton, Sambal Udang & Devilled Prawns) alongside?

Vegetarian Mulligatawny Soup

Lentils and us Indians? What should I possibly say? Lentils or dal, one of those ingredients we can't forget about or shall I say we must stock up? But no, it can't be the same lentil/dal showcasing always right (Mysore Sambar)? In the same type of gravy, though relatively sometimes it does trend ugh sometimes that's the case (Dhal Rice)? Of course, sambar is one of it for showcasing lentils (Drumstick Sambar, Fish Sambar & Plain Sambar), and I think we must include dalca as well (Mutton Dalca). Then again, I think sometimes we must allow our food invention to wonder for popping up (Bitter Gourd Sambar) a different kinda lentil dish? Usually, somehow lentils for me must be associated with a vegetarian dish. Don't know why, seemingly that's how my thinking has been programmed (Indian Vegetable Curry, Vegetable Kurma, Vegetable Raita  & Vegetable Biryani). Obviously then, I couldn't think of none next except Mulligatawny Soup. Akin a royal soup treat by far and, an East Indian soup and due to its popularity in England during British India. If I am not mistaken, there is also the meat added variant, but like I have also told you, this is the absolute Vegetarian Mulligatawny Soup. A combo of veggies and as usual, whatever I had at home, plus spices, yogurt and scented by coriander leaves. Indeed, really a pleasing and pleasant Vegetarian Mulligatawny Soup (Turmeric Tomato Soup & Tomato Spinach Soup). 

Japanese Eggplant Saute

Like this for me. When I have particularly invested in certain ingredients for a particular dish, I must make sure the balance of the ingredients must be used up. Otherwise, such a waste to our money right? Moreover, Japanese dishes are not a regular call in my house, but since those ingredients are already there, I should right? Remember I told you before (Simmered Daikon)? Logically, another dish popping up on our dining table (Teppanyaki Salmon). Cooked by yours truly Nava K. Can't be by my other half-half, though I am still trying to get him. So far, its the same story, regardless, let's see what the future holds. Now, coming back to the recipe of the day, Japanese Eggplant Saute, a vegetarian or meatless version, what should I say. Eggplant (Eggplant Tikka Masala & Brinjal Stir Fry) and capsicum cooked and coated in tadbit of spicy and salty sauce, atop sprinkled roasted white sesame seeds and spring onion garnished. Not bad right? Nava K and her Japanese Eggplant Saute?

Sambal Ayam Serai (Chicken In Lemongrass Sauce)

I love my serai, aka, lemongrass. In fact, I must proudly profess that serai one of my favourite local herbs. I think I told you before? Unless and until, I want to spend on imported ingredients which by far is only seldom or every now and then (Baked Lemon Chicken). Otherwise, its all about our easily grown, even in our small plot of land or in pots local herbs. The easiest, shall I say is lemongrass?  Most probably. So, for this sambal dish, yep, me and my sambal, do I have to say, its serai again (Sambal Udang Petai, Curry Chicken Noodles, Laksam Kelantan & Easy Chicken Kebab). Crushed or smashed serai cooked alongside a chilli based gravy and in which you will find juicy and succulent chicken pieces (Ayam Goreng Berempah, Rendang Ayam & Asam Pedas Ikan). Mouthwatering and such a pride to our eyes right? You tell me.