Bingka Pisang

Bingka Pisang, our Malaysian banana cake. Different, not the same as those banana cakes or even other cakes baked in the Western countries (Milo Cake, Traditional Butter Cake & Sujee Cake). In other words, our Malaysian banana cake is utterly a stand up by itself unique cake. Where did I pick up the recipe for Bingka Pisang? From my nutshell by reflecting back to back to my years when I was younger and when I used to make for my family. Baked in the round, just one switch and portable conventional oven. The oven by the way was like expensive purchase for a poor family like us. So, I really need to ensure I use it carefully because if it does not function anymore, there's no assurance we can afford to buy another. Of course now, it is a different story all together due to the quite a latest oven  (Eggless Orange Cheesecake) in my kitchen. Which by the way didn't fall from the sky, but saving and buying, and oven must be put to good use. Into the oven went the mixture for Bingka Pisang. A mix of mashed bananas, flour, butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla essence. By right I should have added some coconut milk, but because I completely forgot to buy coconut, I made Bingka Pisang without coconut milk. Chewy, soft and somewhat dense, Bingka Pisang I must say is part and parcel of our kuih-muih/local delicacies (Malaysian Sago Pudding, Kuih Buah Melaka, Bubur Cha Cha, Bubur Kacang Hijau & Sago Gula Melaka) and a wondrous sugar delight and treat. Absolutely mouth lovable, wouldn't you agree? 

Hu Tieu Nam Vang

Hu Tieu Nam Vang, aka Phnom Penh Noodle Soup. How do I know about this Cambodian Noodle Soup? Remember, I did my tour to Vietnam and Cambodia (Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap & Hanoi)? Though I didn't explore till Phnom Penh, but pretty much those Vietnamese and Cambodian food I tucked into did justice to my palates (Vietnamese Steamed Fish, Shrimp Pho, Vietnamese Fish Soup & Vietnamese Noodle Soup) and the noodles dishes in these two countries? Of course their origin must be highly regarded, yet, don't you think we do have the liberty to modifying and tweeting recipes without compromising on the much needed quintessential tastes (Ikan Balado, Singapore Laksa & Nyonya Lam Mee) no matter where they originate from? We can right? Depending on country specific ingredients and also, considering the type of meat we eat? Sure, why not? That's why I had to align and adjust Hu Tieu Nam Vang to our preference and like I have already told you before, pork and chicken are a taboo for my other half-half (Prawn Noodle Soup, Penang Assam Laksa & Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup)? So, between between seafood and lamb, I thought lamb should be a good run for Hu Tieu Nam Vang. My version of Hu Tieu Nam Vang? Lamb broth generously ladled over rice noodles assembled alongside crispy fried lamb, fresh herbs and beansprouts, paired with a dipping sauce made from chillies, garlic, soy sauce, sugar and lime.

Nasi Goreng Belacan Ikan Bilis (Shrimp Paste Anchovies Fried Rice)

Who can be a better expert when we speak about fried rice? Anybody you know or will you point to Nava K because her fried rice recipes are heavily trended in the visual world or in this precious space of her's? Fried rice and yours truly? Dang a millions times. Various types and various styles, mostly, in fact all of it her own style (Kampung Fried Rice, Chinese Fried Rice, Lamb Fried Rice & Malaysian Fried Rice) and the list goes on and on, on and on. Can you blame me? No, you shouldn't because even a simple home made fried rice won't you agree is far out hundred times better than eating out and when you can't figure out what to cook for the day? Of course and like I have already repeated myself before, anything goes for fried rice (Cantonese Fried Rice, Belacan Fried Rice, Anchovies Long Beans Fried Rice & Tom Yum Fried Rice). In fact even the basic staples will do a delightful food job for fried rice (Nasi Goreng Ikan Bilis). Today, its another style or maybe a composite of those common ingredients as per other fried rice recipes, I shall now go ahead and share this Nasi Goreng Belacan Ikan Bilis recipe with all of you. As the name of the recipe has already suggested, the ingredients are anchovies and sambal made from chilies and belacan, of course we need garlic and shallots, and for the veg, its long beans.

Palakura Pappu

Palakura Pappu, aka Spinach Dal (Spinach Dal Curry), wouldn't you agree is forever the comfort dish? Especially for us Indians? Though, I must mention that sometimes I am so tired of palakura pappu because whenever you visit your relatives or Indian friends, you can pretty much expect this spinach dal dish as one of the dishes you will be tucking into whenever its a full course vegetarian meal (Vegetable Kadhi, Navratan Korma, Bitter Gourd Chips, Cauliflower Pakora, Indian Style Mustard Greens, Tari Wale Aloo & Mor Rasam) during religious occasions? I know. Moreover, legumes are overall a favourite ingredient for Indian dishes (Chickpea Masala, Bitter Gourd Sambar, Dal Rice, Mulligatawny Soup & Mysore Sambar)? That's why, I don't cook palakura pappu as often as expected. In fact, I can off hand count the number of times I have made this dish and of course, each time I make, I try to vary the ingredients for another style instead of the same type over and over again. Thus, if you are expecting the mushy and mashed up kinda palakura pappu, I bet you will be disappointed. Instead, my version is, wouldn't you agree is rather stylish? Beautiful contrast between spinach (Spinach Tofu Stir Fry & Tomato Spinach Soup) and slightly still grainy dal in coconut milk and spices enhanced gravy and, the rest of the ingredients tempered in ghee.

Tuna Burgers

Ladies and gentlemen, today its gonna be a burger story (Mushroom Veggie Burger & Lamb Burgers). Burger made from canned tuna, mint leaves, egg, cornflour, of course we need the seasoning of salt and pepper, and instead of tucking these grilled tuna patties (Tuna Cutlets) into burger buns, I made do with bread slices (Fish Sandwich & Vegetarian Sandwich), neither am I someone who will go the extent of making burgers buns or even baking my own bread. Hence, pretty much store bought bread slices which were seating in my fridge (Baked Bread Rolls). A simplified recipe I must say and also grilled tuna patties, atop with salad leaves and cucumber slices, plus mayonnaise and yellow mustard sauce. Quite an invention, wouldn't you agree? My cooking and my style to making tuna burgers with ingredients I already had at home? Of course.

Ikan Balado

Guys, where is our recipe heading to today? Brace yourself because on our menu today is this Indonesian style spicy fish. Indonesian style fish? Oh-my-goodness. When we speak about Indonesian savory dishes on the whole, what comes to our mind? Of course chillies and sambal, wouldn't you agree? And I, as you know, have already been crowned as the sambal queen (Sambal Udang Petai) Whether its our Malaysian sambal or sambal from elsewhere, basically, its about spiciness of chillies and pretty much, how different can an Indonesian style sambal be? Don't you think it must trend really close or can be said as a close cousin of our Malaysian sambal or (Assam Curry Fish & Ikan Assam Pedas)? Almost the same ingredients, maybe a tiny bit of changes here and there, but overall, if you are asking me, major similarities are there.

Vegetable Kadhi

Vegetable Kadhi. What is vegetable kadhi? Vegetable Kadhi is basically a yogurt vegetable curry or stew. Of course, we need the rest of the must use spices (Drumstick Sambar & Pavakkai Puli Kulambu) for an Indian stew, wouldn't you agree? Right. After all, without spices, how can our Indian stews or curries be taste perfected? Vegetable Kadhi (Navaratan Korma) for your information can also be regarded as Mor Kuzhambu/Curry (Mor Kuzhambu) or even buttermilk curry. Yogurt (Creamy Avocado Yogurt Dip, Mor Rasam, Bengali Yogurt Fish Curry & Cucumber Yogurt Salad) definitely is the central ingredient. Other than that, you can go ahead and use other suitable vegetables (Vegetable Biryani, Mulligatawny Soup, Tari Wale Aloo & Mushroom Soup) or maybe you like to opt for a plain kadhi and if you are asking me, you can adjust the amount of yogurt as per your wish or taste for the burst of natural sourness. Some people may even prefer to add some coconut milk, but that is something subjective to where Vegetable Kadhi originated from (Sodhi). Vegetable Kadhi? Thick, creamy, fab and simply splattering on your tastebuds yogurt vegetable stew.

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.

Malabar Fish Curry

Recipes can be tweeted, remember I have already told you? I told you that we can tweet the originality to recipes according to how we prefer them to be and of course, making do with ingredients from own country ground (Moroccan Chicken Stew, Thai Tomato Soup, Aloo Gosht, Tofu Katsu & Vietnamese Fish Soup)? Instead of buying or buying for the sake of buying or just because we badly want to trend in front or at the back of other people's recipes? Guys, stop doubting yourself and you must believe me(Chilli Soy Fish, Fish Sandwich, Fish Noodle Soup, Teppanyaki Salmon & Salted Fish Bone Curry). That's how it has been for me and my cooking, and I have not regretted, neither will I regret if I continue to do so. Thus, for this Malabar Fish Curry, of course, the must use ingredients are part of it and let's not forget about coconut milk (Thai Green Fish Curry).

Moroccan Chicken Stew

Guys, I think I am trying to achieve international status cooking style. I think so. God! I am actually going all over the world, but not as in being in different countries. What I am trying to say is that I am trying recipes of different kinds from, this and that part of the world. Of course, Malaysian dishes are part and parcel of my cooking style and when we speak about Malaysian food, its not just my own kind dishes (Indian Masala Chicken Curry, Chicken Curry Potatoes & Chicken Varuval), I must also include other races and religion food delight (Chicken Devil Curry, Ayam Masak Merah & Easy Chicken Kebab). Furthermore, didn't you notice my Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese and the rest of the dishes from other parts of the world too (Thai Tomato Soup, Vietnamese Fish, Unagi Kabayaki & Bengali Fish Curry)? Of course, the list goes on and I can go on and on, so on and so forth, and quote other recipes as well (Egg Vindaloo, Hong Kong Style Steamed Fish, Egg Benedict, Prawn Cocktail, Rice Pilaf & Aloo Gosht). Much has already been spoken about, wouldn't you agree? Much has been unveiled on how far I have come and gone, and today, let's do this Moroccan Chicken Stew. As usual, let's work with the ingredients we already have in hand, maybe you need to get if not all, some of the ingredients? That too depends on you or you can look for the substitute in your kitchen as well. Moroccan Chicken Stew? Waking up your palates thick stew and succulent chicken deliciousness!

Ayer Hitam Asam Laksa (Penang)

Instead of being miserable in the messy Flamingo hotel, I tacked along with my other half to Ayer Hitam. We departed at the junction across the rows and rows of stalls, he left to meet his clients, whereas, albeit I have been to Ayer Hitam a couple of times, this is my first time to trying this well known and highly praised Ayer Hitam Assam Laksa. Mind you, just another ordinary, road side stall with plastic tables and chairs, somewhat shielded away from the sun. Yet, be prepared to sweat in our hot and blistering weather honey-bunny. Regardless, I must tell you that the owner is such a darling. He is. Unlike the kuay teow stall owners who will lung at you, he is smiley, remember, the smiley you use on social media for no apparent reason? Can you also give him some please?

Thai Tomato Soup

Thai again (Thai Lemonade)? Yes, ladies and gentlemen Thai again. What's with Thai cuisine and us? I actually don't know what to say. I am lost for words actually. Not something I usually plan for or like I am a Thai myself, but it seems whenever I enter my kitchen, somehow after taking a look at the ingredients I have and also the herbs growing in my garden, primarily the basil leaves, I tend to wear the Thai home chef hat (Thai Fish Noodle Soup, Thai Steamed Fish, Thai Green Fish Curry, Seafood Tom Yum Soup &Tom Yum Mee Hoon). On this particular day, considering that it has rained really heavily, all I could think of was a bowl of piping hot soup. Of course, soups and cold weather shouldn't be disputed right (Creamy Mushroom Soup, Burdock Root Soup, Onion Soup, Chicken Vegetable Soup, Fish Soup & Black Vinegar Chinese Chicken Soup) and soups by themselves? Like I have told you before, the list is endless. From the watery and runny soup, to the Indian soups (Corn Soup) and non-vegetarian to this thick meatless (Lentil Vegetable Soup & Tofu Soup) thick Thai Tomato Soup (Pumpkin Soup).

Thai Lemonade

 

Can you believe it? I am actually featuring a drink recipe? The last two being Orange Sangria an Mango Mocktail and? What shall I say? My mint leaves were ready for plucking and I had the rest of the ingredients as well, including a packet of basil seeds. Basil seeds? I think they are a favourite for Thais ((Thai Crispy Fish, Tom Yum Goong, Tom Kha Gai & Thai Vegetable Curry) and their drinks? Are we right or we are doing the guessing game? I think we are right because my trip to Bangkok did expose me to basil seeds as well as basil leaves for Thai savory (Shrimp Pad Thai, Thai Carrot Soup & Spicy Thai Noodles) and sweet dishes. So, what else should I say? Thai Lemonade was the outcome and for keeping it sort of healthy, I decided that honey will be a better option compared to sugar and the rest of the ingredients, as you wish as per your taste measurement. Lemon (Baked Lemon Chicken), basil seeds, mint leaves, honey, mineral water and ice for Thai Lemonade. 

Aloo Gosht

When you cook mutton with potatoes, you basically get this mutton dish known as Aloo Gosht. That's it guys and potatoes by far, can we say no to? You tell me. We definitely won't reject potatoes (Aloo Gobi, Dum Aloo & Chilli Aloo). God! A favourite of ours and its somehow like a habit potatoes must go into curries, wouldn't you agree? Mutton curry and potatoes? What say you? Nothing to say right? I know (Mutton Parathal, Masala Mutton Curry, Mutton Dalca, Mutton Kurma, Pepper Mutton Curry, Easy Mutton Curry, Mutton Keema & Rogan Josh). Moreover, mutton by itself? What should I say? We Indians and our love for mutton goes back to millions of years ago and till this day, no festival is complete without a mutton dish or a special occasion can take place without mutton or at least once a month, mutton dish must be our food delight? Of course. For us personally (Shahi Mutton Curry, Mutton Varuval, Indian Mutton Meatball Soup & Mutton Soup). Right. Today ladies and gentlemen, I am featuring another, obviously a mutton dish? Aloo Gosht. Like I have already told you, mutton and potatoes and for a dry style, cooked with dried chillies and spices.