Singapore Laksa

 

Before you say anything and before you compared my this Singapore Laksa to the rest, let me have my say please. I as usual, you know the usual me who love to tweet and modify recipes for heightening it to another, my own higher level? I think I told you before? Can't remember precisely in which recipe or recipes (Nyonya Lam Mee, Prawn Curry Laksa, Hakka Noodles & Nyonya Curry Laksa), but I am crystal clear that I have conveyed my message loud and clear. There's no best formula for cooking, in fact, our own formula I must say is the best? However, whichever or whatever, as long as you have picked up the basic cooking skills and also you know it on which ingredients can be amalgamated with another, you are on the right track (Prawn Noodle Soup, Sour Spicy Fish Noodle Soup, Spicy Thai Noodles, Vegetarian Noodle Soup & Mee Rojak). Hence, pretty much I think I have directly or indirectly told you why my Singapore Laksa is unique and utterly different? Of course. Regardless, nothing has been compromised in terms of tastes (Laksam Kelantan & Mee Rebus). I can definitely assure you that this my version of Singapore Laksa will put a broad food smile on your face (Mee Siam, Fried Mee, Hokkien Mee & Char Kway Teow). What did I do anyway? Well, I took my own ideas from my own recipes (Penang Curry Mee, Penang Mee Yoke & Penang Assam Laksa) and? The birth of this thick, creamy, aromatic, coconut milk and fish Singapore Laksa. Dang!

Sujee Cake

Can you believe it? I actually baked. Baking and yours truly? I think you know it. Not my forte. Neither do I have a burning desire, nor, like I have told you before, there are no takers for cakes or even desserts (Saffron Poached Pears, Honeydew Sago, Rava Kesari & Bubur Cha Cha) in my home. Not even me. Maybe every now and then, I craze, but that too is countable. Of course, the mood for baking (Marble Cake & Lemon Buttermilk Cake) does linger on my mind whenever I feel I want to break free from cooking the usual daily meals. On this day, I was so into baking (Baked Rice Pudding & Chocolate Tart) and specifically a Sujee Cake. Where did the recipe come from? Actually, to tell you the truth, I did refer to some recipes from my old recipe books (Cream Puffs) and of course, what is the virtual world for? Millions of recipes popping up the moment you search and seek online (Eggless Orange Cheesecake)? Still, somehow I am quite apprehensive when it comes to especially cake recipes from books and tell me about what can go wrong for online recipes. Thus, I actually was more convinced by this recipe handed over by my friend who does baking as her part time income. What I learned from her is that you need to soak sujee in milk for softening. Otherwise, sujee will remain grainy once cake is already baked. Made sense and I must admit its a crucial technic because, wouldn't you agree this Sujee Cake is really-really a baking show stealer? Cake sampled by colleagues and they couldn't agree more. So, guys, I will strongly suggest you grab this recipe of mine and I am really certain you will love this soft and melting in the mouth sweet non-sinful pleasure.

Cantonese Yee Mee

Cantonese Yee Mee. Chinese style noodle dish. Another variety to Chinese style cooking (Teochew Steamed Fish, Sichuan Chilli Prawns & Cantonese Fried Rice) noodles. Trust me, Chinese and their noodle dishes. Oh-my! They sure have it and know it and there's abundance of varieties and also each to its own meaning. I certainly can't nail why and what are the significance of the noodles dishes, but I sure am aware that Chinese and they eat for prosperity, longevity, happiness and what not (Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup, Lam Mee & Chinese Vegetarian Noodle Soup). What about Cantonese Yee Mee, are you asking me? Well, I cant say much. Must be some sort of significance as well or its just the Chinese noodle dish pleasure (Penang Curry Mee, Penang Assam Laksa & Penang Mee Yoke).

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.

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).

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).

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!