Ca Hap Gung Hanh

Ca Hap Gung Hanh! What is Ca Hap Gung Hanh? Ca Hap Gung Hanh is, do I have to say anything more? I am sure you already know it after taking a look at this fish dish? Yep, Ca Hap Gung Hanh is a Vietnamese fish dish (Vietnamese Fish Soup & Lamb Pho). The steamed version. What's with me and trending another Vietnamese dish? Honestly guys, I am running out of ideas on what to do with fish (Unagi Kabayaki, Thai Crispy Fish & Crispy Chilli Fish) and so, I, what else should I say? I made this Ca Hap Gung Hanh and as I have already told you before, steaming actually is the easiest technic to cooking (Teochew Steamed Fish, Hong Kong Style Steamed Fish & Nyonya Steamed Fish), compared to the rest. Steaming means you add all the ingredients and basically, just steam. Precisely what I did for this dish. Of course, showcasing the essential Vietnamese ingredients (Chilli Lime Fish & Chilli Soy Fish) which by far are not very much different in tandem to Thai cuisine or even some of our Malaysian dishes (Bengali Yogurt Fish Curry & Indian Fish Curry).Ca Hap Gung Hanh? Gosh, I think you are salivating now?

Unagi Kabayaki

You know what foodies? If the front door is not the exit out of our house, there is always the back door in case. Similarly, when cooking is a concern, tell me, do we have to get it perfectly right and be as perfect as others or must our dish be alike, like theirs (Tofu Katsu, Kenchin Jiru  &  Simmered Daikon)? Not necessarily if you are asking me. Look, I wanted to make Unagi Kabayaki, but I don't think I will ever be able to hold the slippery eel, neither, can I bring myself to cleaning it. Thus, I took the other entrance. Call it the back door to (Japanese Eggplant Saute, Teppanyaki Salmon & Egg Fish Roll) Unagi Kabayaki. I actually bought frozen grilled unagi and basically, I gave it my twist for elevating it as my style to Unagi Kabayaki and instead of the sticky sauce atop, I paired it alongside my style Japanese style spicy, tangy and sweet sauce, also some thin strips of cucumber and spring onion. Invention? Wouldn't you agree and food proud moment according to how we prefer? Unless, you feel you should outrightly discount my, my style Unagi Kabayaki? Oh, of course, before I forget, we need a plate or bowl of rice for Unagi Kabayaki.

Flamingo Hotel - 2 bedroom suite (Jalan Tanjung Bungah) Penang

Bye bye  Ixora Hotel, hello Flamingo Hotel. What a disastrous mistake albeit everything on the surface was truly impressive. Large lobby area and people streaming in non-stop. Initially, I was, mind you, looking forward to an amazing experience in Flamingo Hotel until we walked into our two bedroom suite. Dusk all over the living room, worst was the bedroom. Stained pillow covers, crumbled bed-sheet, hair all over the place, including in the bathroom. Hell! I tried to sound to my other half-half, he on the other hand, thought I was behaving like a diva. Not that he didn't understand what I was saying, he just wouldn't stand up among his family to voice out his opinion. Strange too, I didn't hear a word from the rest of the family members. So, I kept shut. 

Salted Fish Bone Soup

Guys, I must tell you that this recipe blogging of mine actually is a learning curve for me. Trust me, never would I have thought that I will invent recipes until I started blogging. Of course, cooking by itself has been an-going thing for years, but due to blogging, I actually put effort in creating and coming up with new recipes (Salted Fish Bone Curry), which by far must be hailed. Instead of forcing myself to cook just for the sake of it, blogging has triggered a pendant for keeping my cooking interesting. (Mutton Bone Curry) I think, I decide and I find that its actually brain refreshing, and out of this thinking on this day, I made this Salted Fish Bone Soup (Spicy Sour Fish Soup). Just like that mind you. Idea popping up on my mind and with ingredients already in my fridge and pantry, I got down to making Salted Fish Bone/Ikan Masin/Ikan Asin Soup (Masak Lemak Ikan Masin, Potato Salted Fish & Bean Sprouts Salted Fish). Oh-so-yum! For foodies like me who simply love salted fish (Dried Shrimp Sambal & Salted Egg Chicken), I bet you will fall in love with this soup the moment you slurp in and which in fact is a complete, wholesome, one pot dish. To be eaten alongside rice. Chinese cabbage, potatoes and tofu as well in cooked with salted fish bone (Pada Salt Fish Pickle) and garnished with spring onion, Salted Fish Bone soup. Walla!

Chilli Clams

Chilli Clams. Chilli Lala. Chinese style chilli clams. Chillies and us? Don't you dare separate chillies from us. Chillies are our best of all friends and we need our daily doze of chillies no matter what. Chillies of course for heat and spiciness, and clams, remember my previous clam dish (Chilli Honey Clams). Spiciness and sweetness and tadbit of saltiness? By far, as far as I now, the burst of tastes for Chinese dishes (Sesame Chicken, Sweet Chilli Chicken, Sichuan Chilli Prawns & Chilli Lime Fish) or overall, on the whole for Malaysian dishes, spiciness is a must, wouldn't you agree (Sweet Potato Leaf Sambal Belacan, Spicy Grilled Fish, Chilli Crab, Dried Shrimp Sambal, Sambal Udang & Crispy Chilli Fish)? This Chilli Clams? Don't they speak for themselves? Chinese ingredients and curry leaves for the sincerely loved big burst of tastes.

Creamy Avocado Yogurt Dip

Me and avocado, me and dip? Like a strange thing right? Me, the typical Malaysian who is mostly showcasing our local sambal dip (Sambal Belacan) or Indian style chutney (Indian Mango Chutney), and all of a sudden, you actually see a dip made from Avocado in this precious space of mine? Honestly, to tell you the truth, maybe you already know it as well, me settling for our local produce and for a change, I decided I will pay for Avocado. To say Avocado is pricey, I am not really sure. RM5.00 for a single avocado? What do you think? I suppose once a while paying a bit more for ingredients, especially for an imported ingredient should be a fair deal right? Right. Back home with the single avocado, and already by then I had visualized a dip, this Creamy Avocado Yogurt Dip (Creamy Mushroom Soup & Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry) came into our food picture. Yogurt of course as you know is one of my favourite ingredients (Cucumber Yogurt Salad) and yogurt pulsed alongside avocado, mint leaves, olive oil, salt and pepper for this Creamy Avocado Yogurt Dip, served with fresh salad (Asian Watermelon Salad) and crackers. Platter food (Gado Gado).

Eggless Orange Cheesecake

Seems like I have not pulled the brakes to cheesecakes. I have not obviously, but I think I will finally. Enough of me (Chocolate Cheesecake & No Bake Cheesecake), and me practicing on cheesecakes and for me personally, since I stick to the easy way out cheesecakes (Mango Cheesecake & Pandan Cheesecake), neither do I have the intention of spiraling my cheesecake making further, I see the end. This eggless, yes guys, eggless, who said you can't make eggless cheesecake, not me though, another fruitiness version (Honeydew Sago, Mango Cocktail, Lemon Cream Pie, Poached Pear & Grapefruit Jelly), definitely is the last draw. Sort of similarities, what can be different anyway for the bottom layer except a biscuit layer, but like I have already told, fruity cheese topping made from fresh orange juice (Orange Sangria), cream cheese, condensed milk only instead of adding sugar and orange zest. My-my! Don't you think Eggless Orange Cheesecake is truly luring your dessert attention? Your crazing really popping up? Of course? So, get going foodies. Make this my version of Eggless Orange Cheesecake and of course, I will be glad to hear from you how it turned out. Bye. Take care guys.

Thai Crispy Fish

Thai Crispy Fish. Thai again and fish again? Well, what can I say? Thai food forever a tremendous food killer in my house and fish of course, oh-god, do I have to repeat myself again? I think you know it (Thai Steamed Fish, Teochew Steamed Fish, Hong Kong Style Steamed Cod Fish, Steamed White Pompret & Chilli Lime Fish). Obviously too, Thai cuisine is not something new for me. I sort of have not only belted the essential Thai cooking technics, but also the required Thai ingredients for the splattering and profound tastes (Tom Yam Goong, Tom Kha Ghai, Spicy Thai Noodles, Thai Fish Noodle Soup, Thai Vegetable Curry & Shrimp Pad Thai Salad). This Thai Crispy Fish? Another, the other style to how a Thai fish dish should be? Sauce made from the quintessential Thai ingredients like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, lime juice, fish sauce and soy sauce, tipped over crispy fried threadfin/ikan kurau fish (Crispy Chilli Fish).

Rasam - Tangy Peppery Indian Soup (home made rasam podi/powder)

Rasam. Indian Pepper Soup. Our, if you are asking me, our Indian healthy and akin magical soup. Rasam is definitely a popularity in our Indian household (Drumstick Sambar, Indian Mango Chutney & Vegan Potato Curry) and of course, in any Indian restaurant (Navratan Korma) for the matter. I have already spoken about rasam before right? In fact, not once? And I have also shared a couple of rasam recipes before (Mor Rasam, Egg Rasam, Indian Crab Rasam, Indian Crab Soup & Instant Rasam)? Usually, me settling for ready made, store bought rasam powder, sometimes I won't mind pounding the spices and for this rasam, I actually made a different standard of rasm powder, aka, rasam podi. Recipe pinched from my mum and rasam powder can be prior made and store, and used as and when we need for a home style cooking rasam. The spicy, tangy (Pavakkai Puli Kulambu) and tadbit of heat from pepper Indian soup (Indian Spiced Salmon, Rice Pilaf & Cucumber Yogurt Salad).

Ixora Hotel - Perai, Penang

First thing first once we stepped foot in Penang airport. Food (Kayu Nasi Kandar), next was to Ixora Hotel. The latest addition to the existing list of hotels in Prai, Ixora indeed was super clean and akin super polished. What do you expect? A new hotel. Everything must be impressive, otherwise, something is wrong somewhere. Nice. I won't dispute, prompt service too though smile was tight, after collecting our smart cards (2x),  off we left for our room. 

Tofu Katsu

Tofu Katsu Nava-K's style. As usual right? We must have our style to cooking right? Of course. I mean, its nice to trend behind other people's recipes, but potentially, we should set the parameter by trending in front of those recipes too? If you are asking me, its a big yes. Our recipes bench-marked against the rest and for setting our dishes apart from the rest (Kenchin Jiru). So, what the cooking food story for this Tofu Katsu (Japanese Eggplant Saute & Simmered Daikon)? Pretty much straightforwardness. Sliced Japanese tofu rolled over bread crumbs (Baked Bread Rolls & Sardine Bread Rolls) mixed with spring onion, salt and pepper, thereafter crispy fried and paired alongside roasted white sesame seeds and sugar in Japanese soy sauce (Teppanyaki Salmon). How interesting right? An invention in our kitchen and for a Japanese style appetizer or snack or even side dish? Gosh! I bet you are loving this my style of Tofu Katsu? Oh, by the way, before I leave you alone, I must say that you shouldn't discount tofu as a source of affordable and healthy protein. Much can be food accomplished with tofu, believe me you (Tofu Green Beans, Tofu Soup, Spinach Tofu Stir Fry & Tofu Curry).

Cantonese Fried Rice

Cantonese Fried Rice. Basically, the Cantonese, one of the Chinese styles fried rice. The Cantonese, at Chinese stalls style basically. The one sometimes we long for and sometimes we pack back as well. Various varieties, various styles, each to its own ingredients, can be like the previous Chinese Fried Rice, but this one I reckon is the classic. Porky-pork being one of the ingredients, you can opt for chicken bacon if you prefer a halal Cantonese Fried Rice. The rest of the ingredients? Of course, cooked rice is the core and we need garlic (Nasi Goreng Tom Yam Ayam, Nasi Goreng Ikan Bilis, Malaysian Fried Rice & Belacan Fried Rice), chillies are needed as well for us Malaysians? I definitely need chilli-chilli spiciness. Either incorporated in fried rice or at the side in soy sauce and lime juice (Tom Yum Prawn Prawn Fried Rice, Lamb Fried Rice, Kampung Fried Rice & Anchovies Long Beans Fried Rice). What else should I say? Pretty much nothing much except go ahead, pleasure into this bacon, water chestnut, chillies and garlic Cantonese Fried Rice. 

Orange Fruity Sangria

Gone with the wind and gone out of the window the Friday or Saturday nights of clubbing and partying. Indeed, yes, sure, admittedly age has caught up, I have slowed down mentally, physically and I definitely can't take the loud clubbing-partying atmosphere. However, those 5 years behind me were a different story all together. Dolling up, rounding up the girlfriends, partying and boozing with unlimited glasses of brandy, whisky and what not I have never regretted. Still, looking back now, I realise that it was a waste of money, friendship if not all some are fake and I don't have the guts to drive after drinking. 

Tom Yum Goong

Tom Yum Goong! The other side of the coin to Tom Yum Soup (Seafood Tom Yum Soup). In fact, I found out that Tom Yum Goong is the most well known variety of tom yum (Tom Kha Gai & Tom Yum Chicken) and usually, make use of prawns or shrimps (Tom Yum Prawn Fried Rice), but I decided I will go for a combo of seafood and I also decided I will tweet the originality of the recipe. Regardless, we still need the customary Thai ingredients (Spicy Thai Noodles, Thai Fish Noodle Soup, Thai Vegetable Curry & Shrimp Pad Thai Salad) and instead of lime juice, it should be tamarind juice or you can use both as well, depending on hour sour you like tom yum goong to be and I also sauteed the herbs for aroma to rise up (Thai Steamed Fish, Thai Green Fish Curry & Thai Carrot Soup). Next was, of course, adding the rest of the ingredients, seasoning, tasting for perfecting the big, bold tastes and coriander leaves garnished before serving. Tom Yum Goong! Gosh! Simply fabulous. Spiciness, tanginess and double doze of aroma. Kaffir lime leaves and coriander leaves.

Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup

I think, if I am not mistaken, I have already told you that there's no right and wrong formula to cooking? For the food we cook at home? Basically, its pretty much up to us, though we like to gather some ideas on food cooking from tv programs and of course, these days, we shouldn't discount online search (Nyonya Lam Mee, Hakka Noodles, Chow Mein & Fried Mee Hoon). Let's forget about tv programs for the time being and speak about online recipe sharing. Oh my god. Millions of recipes will pop up, wouldn't you agree? Definitely (Chinese Vegetarian Noodle Soup, Char Kway Teow,  Curry Chicken Noodles & Penang Assam Laksa). These recipes of course without a doubt are a guide to our cooking or for some of you, you like to follow exactly. Then again, basically its up to you and your choice. However or whatever, for me personally, even when I share my own recipes, I like to make it a point in telling all of you that if you feel you can substitute the ingredients because you feel you already have other ingredients which are equally good, go ahead. Use them instead buying just to replicate recipes. For this Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup, I didn't have to refer to recipes because I quite know how to make Chinese noodle dishes (Bee Hoon Soup, Penang Mee Yoke & Sour Spicy Fish Broth Noodle Soup) and what can be different with the ingredients, you tell me (Chinese Chicken Meatball Soup, Chinese Chicken Herbal Soup & Burdock Root Soup)? This Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup I must say is mine. In other words, I did it my way considering ingredients availability. Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup I must stress is a delight. A true delight for tummy delightfulness and make sure you tuck in alongside some sliced chillies soaked in soy sauce and lime juice.