Kerabu Mangga (Mango Salad)

Growing up in Malaysia, one dish that always brought a burst of freshness to our dining table was Kerabu Mangga, or Mango Salad in English. It's a quintessential Malaysian, Malay-style raw salad that requires minimal cooking but delivers maximum flavor. The beauty of Kerabu Mangga lies in its simplicity - just toss and mix the ingredients together, and you're ready to indulge in a symphony of flavors and textures.

 

To me, Kerabu Mangga is more than just a salad - it's a nostalgic Malay dish. The combination of sweet and sour mango, the kick of spiciness from the chilies, the tanginess of shallots, the refreshing burst of mint leaves, and the satisfying crunch of roasted cashew nuts - it's a culinary experience that never fails to transport me back to my Malaysian roots.

 

What's even better is that Kerabu Mangga pairs perfectly with rice and other side dishes, making it an ideal appetizer or accompaniment to any meal. Why spend hours slaving away in the kitchen when you can whip up this wonderously easy mango salad in no time? And the best part? It's a vegetarian delight, so you can enjoy all the deliciousness without any compromise.

 

Ingredients:

1 large unripe mango, peeled and thinly sliced

1 red chili, thinly sliced

2 birds eye chilies, thinly sliced (optional)

4 shallots, thinly sliced

4-5 sprigs of mint leaves, shredded (or coriander leaves)

1/2 tbsp lime juice (adjust according to mango sourness)

1/2 tbsp powdered palm sugar

1/2 cup roasted cashew nuts or peanuts, coarsely pounded

Salt, to taste

 

Method:

In a large bowl, toss together the sliced mango, red chili, birds eye chilies (if using), shallots, and shredded mint leaves.

Add lime juice, powdered palm sugar, and roasted cashew nuts to the bowl. Season with salt to taste.

Toss all the ingredients together until well combined.

Serve the Kerabu Mangga immediately as a refreshing and flavorful salad, or as a delightful accompaniment to your favorite Malaysian dishes. Enjoy the burst of flavors and the memories it brings!

Sayur Lodeh

Sayur Lodeh. Another Malaysian food pride (Ayam Masak Merah, Sambal Udang, Ayam Pedas Ikan, Belacan Fish Sambal & Sambal Udang Petai). Sayur Lodeh basically is our Malay coconut milk stew. Coconut milk? Of course, we can't really dispute we quite fancy coconut milk for our cooking. But this matter to coconut milk has been twisted so badly by some so called highly intellectual people who swear coconut milk is bad for health (Laksam Kelantan, Nasi Lemak & Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry). Oh really? You know what I think? I think these people just don't have nothing much to do or they have some sort of agenda up their sleeves due to their supposedly smartness in research. Beats me. Look, I have been using coconut milk for as long as I can remember for my cooking and I am still staying alive. Maybe, unless and until you go overboard. Trust me, everything in moderation does not hurt. Unless you beg to differ? Anyway, I am not in the mood to advise anyone which ingredient they should use or not, for me personally or maybe I should say that for our Malaysian cooking, coconut milk (Shrimp Coconut) does a whole lot of interesting creamy and tadbit of sweetness deliciousness (Masak Lemak Ikan Masin Nenas). Henceforth, lemme move on now to Sayur Lodeh. As usual, I must say there's various types of recipes, mine on the other hand is a vegetarian version. Yes. Only vegetables. Wouldn't you agree its still mouthwatering and indisputable? Sure. Ingredients listed below and what else should I say? Sayur Lodeh is definitely our Malaysian food pride. Coconut milk, sweet potatoes, long beans and chillies in lemongrass scented coconut milk gravy or stew.

Rava Kesari

Rava Kesari, or Semolina Kesari, aka, Indian Semolina dessert. But if you are expecting a typical, authentic and traditional Rava Kesari, I think you will be not pleased. Why, are you asking me? Well, if you can remember me telling you that I like to play around with recipes? I like to tweet recipes and I like to break free from recipes which may have existed down the generation. Please don't get me wrong (Watermelon Sorbet, Creme Caramel, Cream Puff & Fried Apple Fritters). Of course, we must hail and respect handed down from generation to generation original recipes, but is there anything wrong if we want to coin another version? For me personally, as I have already told you, I prefer some thinking of mine included for traditional recipes(Sago Gula Melaka, Chocolate Rum Tart, Mango Cheesecake & Honeydew Sago). For this my version of rava kesari, I am sure you must be wondering why you are not seeing those yellowish kinda and alike generally kesari? Basically, I am not fond of coloring unless it can be affirmed that coloring is of quality. Otherwise, I rather do away with coloring and for this my version Rava Kesari, I added saffron strands (Saffron Poached Pears) which by far as you know or don't, you got to pay more compared to the bottle of yellow color. Of course, the choice is yours and instead of cardamom, I decided to go along nutmeg powder for scent. Nevertheless, nothing should stop you from using this idea of mine and then coming up or using other ingredients for your own version (Pandan Cheesecake) of Rava Kesari. Having said that, wouldn't you agree this Rava Kesari is a dessert show stealer?

Creamy Mushroom Soup

Cold weather calling dish. Of course, when weather is cold, don't you think we yearn for a bowl of hot piping soup? Of course. Any kinda of soup by far will be good for warmth and the list is endless. So many times of soups we can make and if we are speaking about simplicity, then we must refer to those light soups (Mixed Vegetable Soup, Corn Soup, Tomato Spinach Soup & Lentil Vegetable Soup) & or even Chinese soups (Chinese Chicken Herbal Soup & Burdock Root Soup) in which whatever ingredients you prefer can go in (Chicken Vegetable Soup & Vietnamese Fish Soup) and all you got to do is slow simmering. This Creamy Mushroom Soup on the other hand is not the same (Tom Kha Gai & Onion Soup). First we sweat/saute garlic, shallots and mushrooms in butter. Next is pouring water and then pulsing/blending these ingredients, before pouring back into the pot for simmering and adding milk, salt and pepper for this Western style creamy soup. Of course toast will be good for a complete, wholesome meal. Recipe for toast is attached as well. Butter, rosemary and garlic toast for dipping into this thick, creamy and absolutely favourable mushroom (Mushroom Veggie Burger & Mushroom Rolls) soup. Fab right?   

Nyonya Lam Mee

Indulge in the exquisite flavors of Nyonya Lam Mee, a tantalizing Malaysian delight that will transport your taste buds to culinary nirvana. You might wonder about this dish, but let me assure you - it's a noodle sensation that you won't soon forget.

 

Nyonya Lam Mee holds a special place in my heart; it's a favorite whenever I visit the hawker stalls. Visualise this: plump yellow egg noodles swimming in a velvety gravy, each bite bursting with savory goodness. While each stall may have its unique twist, the essence remains - a comforting bowl of noodles and gravy, paired with the fiery kick of sambal belacan.

Prawn Curry Laksa

Various ways, various styles and various types of Curry Laksa availability. Of course. In fact, I myself I think have already shared a fair bit (Home Made Curry Mee, Curry Chicken Noodles, Malaysian Lamb Curry Noodles & Nyonya Curry Laksa). Curries by far too, what should we say? There's a huge collection and I bet you will not be short of those different kindas between in-country and out of Malaysia countries. Wouldn't you agree? If you are asking me, in my Indian house, curries are a food stealer, maybe not so much for me, but for my other half-half especially (Assam Fish Curry, Indian Chicken Curry, Lamb Kofta Curry, Devil's Curry & Vegan Potato Curry). I can go on and on about curries, then again, my point is that curry is the main highlight for this Prawn Curry Laksa. Basically, curry broth made from prawn shells and heads, and we also need some fresh prawns for assembling alongside the rest of the ingredients. I think I have told you before? Why I save prawn heads and shells (Prawn Cocktail, Fried Prawn Wantons, Grilled Spicy Prawns, Chinese Prawn Fritters & Prawn Petai Sambal)? Obviously, each time I wanna make prawn curry broth (Tamarind Prawn Curry & Prawn Mango Curry), or even for other dishes, these will be handy (Prawn Noodle Soup) and Curry Laksa can't be perfected without coconut milk (Coconut Salted Fish & Shrimp Coconut). Prawn Curry Laksa? Amazingly vibrant and will be exciting to our palates right?

Butter Prawns

Herbs (Chicken Herbal Soup) and spices are like forever a must for practically most of the dishes I cook. They can either be from my garden (Curried Lemongrass Fish, Nasi Dagang, Rosemary Cheesy Potatoes) or the other choice is obviously buying (Assam Laksa. Assam Fish Curry, Watermelon Mint Salad & Cumin Rice), I am particularly fond of coriander leaves (Grilled Mackerel, Fish Chilli Lime, Ghee Almond Rice, curry leaves (Spicy Crab Parathal, Prawn Devil Curry, Cili Padi Fish) and spring onion (Bean Sprout Salted Fish & Mutton Ball Soup). Every now and then I also reach out to dried herbs (Lamb Burger), sometimes the powdered spices and sometimes I grind the spice mix (Prawn Mango).