Navratan Korma

Navratan Korma or shall we also call it Nava Korma? Just kidding. Jokes aside, Navratan Korma made by Nava K is a truly inspiring thick, rich and fantastically flavorful Muglai and North Indian (Rice Pilaf) influenced curry basically (Cauliflower Curry, Drumstick Sambar & Vegan Potato Curry). Unlike the simplicity of Mutton Kurma and Vegetable Kurma I have shared before, Navratan Korma is an outcome of a home made paste, a combo of veggies and of course, ghee and curry leaves for the sensational aroma. What else should I say or must I include? Trust me and believe me, Navratan Korma is all about really pleasurable deliciousness. Whether you are a vegetarian (Vegetarian Sandwich, Mulligatawny Soup & Vegetable Biryani) or not, Navratan Korma I reckon will put a big broad smile on your face and pairing it is endless. Either for a full course vegetarian meal or what should stop you from pairing alongside whichever other dishes (Cashew Masala Chicken, Lamb Rogan Josh, Chloe Masala & Eggplant Tikka). 

Shrimp Coconut Milk

Alright guys. What's the menu for the day? I think you already know it? Recipe has already spoken for itself? You are right. Shrimp Coconut Milk (Dried Shrimp Sambal, Shrimp Pho & Shrimp Pad Thai). Basically some of those shrimps still in my fridge cooked in coconut milk. Just a handful, about 10 shrimps and to volume up this dish further for a substantial portion for the two of us, I thought I might as well use up the long beans as well. Basically also because, my question is how many shrimps or prawns (Devilled Prawns, Bitter Gourd Prawn Curry, Grilled Spicy Prawns & Chinese Prawn Fritters) can we eat at one go? Moreover, we are not big shrimp eaters. Maybe two or three for each of us and instead of all about shrimp/prawns (Prawn Mango Curry, Sichuan Chilli Prawns, Prawn Noodle Soup, Sambal Udang Petai & Prawn Cocktail), beans mind you did jive in tandem as a wholesome, one dish meal for pairing alongside rice (Nasi Lemak Sambal Udang). Great right? Why on earth do we need to cook another veg side dish then? Shrimp Coconut Milk? Obviously, shrimps, long beans, coconut milk (Masak Lemak Nenas), saffron strands or turmeric powder and the usual kitchen staples. Yum right? Mouthwatering right? 

Mutton Bone Marrow Curry

This thing about cooking mutton during weekends? I really can't compute why only during weekends. Maybe from back then? During my growing up years and mutton can only come into our food picture during weekends? I think so. Back then, for a poor family like mine, in fact, mutton dish is only once a month. Basically because mum had to stretch her dollars and cents. Mutton not affordable for us. Maybe that's why its like an automatic tuning till this day that I too decide on mutton dish for weekends. Potentially and possibly. On this particular weekend, I couldn't think of none except a thick, spicy and really bang-on Mutton Bone Marrow Curry (Mutton Parathal, Indian Mutton Meatball Curry, Mutton Soup & Mutton Kurma). Not really very much different within the context of ingredients as in for the rest of the mutton dishes I have cooked before (Dalcha, Mutton Keema, Pepper Mutton Curry & Mutton Varuval). Then again, what can be potentially different for an Indian mutton curry or even lamb curry (Lamb Rogan Josh & Lamb Kofta Curry) regardless where it originates from. Am I wrong? I don't think so. We just vary the spices and ingredients to our taste or for fitting mutton as another Indian dish style (Mutton Pepper Masala & Easy Mutton Curry)? Mutton Bone Marrow Curry? Wouldn't you agree is an absolute winning temptation? Just so inviting and packing major punches of Indian quintessential bold tastes? 

Honeydew Sago

Its me and my easiness. Always and forever mostly. Honestly people, the big way to desserts is seldom in my house. Unless maybe, every once a while (Chocolate Cheesecake & Chocolate Rum Tart)?  Otherwise, as it is, we are not into desserts, but when family comes calling, its still in a jiffy dessert. You know family? They somehow will expect, maybe not directly, they still will look forward to a complete meal which by far must include a dessert. Alright. Honeydew melon and the rest of the ingredients listed below already bought and even before they came over, I made this Honeydew Sago (Watermelon Sorbet, Saffron Poached Pears & Baked Rice Pudding). So easy and quick. The simplicity to a Chinese dessert (Tea Eggs & Fungus Ginkgo Nuts). Sliced or scoop melon out of its skin (Chinese Winter Melon Soup) and remove the seeds, thereafter simmer sago (Sago Gula Melaka), make your sugar syrup and these ingredients assembled with coconut milk (Grapefruit Coconut Jelly) and of course, some ice cubes will be fab, or you can also serve at room temperature. 

Rice Pilaf

Rice Pilaf. What is rice pilaf? If you are asking me, its basically a rice dish which originated from India and of course, a staple in other parts of the world as well. There are various types from various contingents and each cooked according to area specific. My this Rice Pilaf is just the basic (Ghee Rice, Coriander Rice & Turmeric Rice). The usual staples we usually stock up at home and my style to cooking rice dish as you know is rice cooker supported. Been like that for donkey years and I don't think I will want to try the over the stove cooking. Honestly, I really don't want to keep an eye cooking rice over the stove and rice cooker (Kampung Fried Rice, Malaysian Fried Rice, Baked Rice Pudding & Nasi Lemak Sambal Udang) by far for me, is the easiest. Put all the ingredients and? Yes. Let rice cooker do its job (Nasi Dagang, Dhal Rice & Vegetarian Nasi Lemak). After all, that's why rice cooker was invented? So, why should we not be rice cooker friendly? Unless you have a particular reason why you should not or you still prefer the conventional style to cooking rice (Vegetarian Biryani)?  So, what's with my Rice Pilaf? Rice cooked alongside ghee, almond, shallots, vegetable broth and of course, must be scented by spices. 

Asian Watermelon Salad

Watermelon for a savory salad (Watermelon Sorbet)? Why not? Why shouldn't we give a go (Prawn Cocktail & Shrimp Pad Thai Salad)? In fact, already proven. I made and I can't be food happier. The Asian style to a watermelon salad and when we speak about Asian savouries, what else you think they can be? Obviously, we Asians, don't you think we love loudness and boldness in dishes? Of course, if you are asking me. Unlike Western salads, as far as I know, Asian salads are a different matter food lingo all together? Take this Asian Watermelon Salad as an example and even our veggies stir fried. Whether the simplicity or profoundness with more than enough ingredients veggie dishes (Tofu Green Beans Stir Fry, Red Cabbage Thoran, Bean Sprouts Salted Fish, Kailan Oyster Sauce & Chloe Masala) and when refer to Asian tastes, what can possibly be? Vegetables by far and by themselves (Vegetarian Sandwich) are the fiber and nutrients for our overall well being? And Asian Watermelon Salad is also no short of the appreciated sweetness, tanginess, tadbit of spiciness and aroma of mint leaves. Wouldn't you as well agree that Asian Watermelon Salad is an ultimate stand up and pop up in terms of color vibrancy and excitement? Pleasing to our eyes and to all our food senses? Of course without a doubt (Apple Cucumber Salad, Mango Cucumber Salad, Cucumber Yogurt Salad & Vegetable Raita). 

Thai Steamed Fish

Honestly, I actually am appreciating the steaming style to cooking (Hong Kong Style Steamed Fish, Teowchew Steamed Fish & Nyonya Steam Fish). I won't say quick and easy, but potentially, don't you think the healthiness and can be quite a basic cooking technic? I reckon. And when Thai dishes are a concern, us being the Malaysians who love Thai food (Tom Yum Fried Rice, Thai Green Fish Curry, Seafood Tom Yum Soup & Thai Fish Noodle Soup)? Pretty much nothing much should I say? Moreover, most of the staples already at home when you cook Thai food every now and then? I believe so (Thai Chicken Green Curry, Thai Carrot Soup, Thai Vegetable Curry & Shrimp Pad Thai). So, how do we go about making this Thai Steamed Fish? Not as straightforward as those simplified versions because there's two levels. Firstly steaming the fish alongside eggplant and then making the sauce before tipping onto fish. Still, I believe Thai Steamed Fish is rather achievable. I mean not a brain cracker if you follow this nava-k's recipe. Thai Steamed Fish. Steamed to a perfect texture seabass and seated in a spicy, tangy and aromatic sauce/gravy, garnished with coriander leaves and chilli curls.