Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Cari Poisson

Cari Poisson! Are you going like, where is this fish curry from? Well, from the shores of Mauritius. Cari Poisson/Mauritian Fish Curry, as I have already told you, is the fish curry made in Mauritius. Of course when we speak about fish curry of Indian descent, obviously spices will lead the way, wouldn't you agree (Bengali Fish Curry, Malaysian Indian Fish Curry & Malabar Fish Curry). In fact, spices are generally the needed ingredients for most Indian curry dishes throughout the world (Goan Prawn Curry, Devil's Curry, Sura Meem Kulambu & Indian Okra Curry) and shouldn't we include chillies as well? Chillies alongside spices in the curry paste or mixture, or chillies as in other Asian dishes (Ikan Balado, Thai Green Fish Curry, Fish Sambar & Kerala Fish Fry). We in Malaysian are also not short of spices and our spice roots originating from Straits of Malacca? My this version of Cari Poisson? I opted for ikan kembung, our affordable local catch and instead of aubergine, brinjals are also spectacular for the outcome of this thick,scrumptious and waking up your palates immediately Mauritian Fish Curry (Indian Spiced Salmon, Unagi Kabayaki & Vietnamese Fish).

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Sambal Terasi

Is it possible, can we possibly or should we put our Malaysian Sambal Belacan side by side to Sambal Terasi (Sambal Belacan), aka Indonesian Belacan Sambal? If you are asking me, I won't deny. Why shouldn't we by the way (Kangkung Belacan & Ikan Belacan)? After all, belacan is terasi and terasi is a popularity for our Malaysian local dishes (Stingray Sambal, Nyonya Fish Sambal, Sambal Sotong & Sambal Kentang Ikan Asin)? Moreover, you are now speaking to a belacan queen. Yes me alright. I so love  belacan into savory dishes and sambal belacan by itself, trust me, I can have sambal belacan every day for my rice meals (Nyonya Steamed Fish, Sardine Masak Cili Padi, Asam Pedas & Sambal Udang Petai). Alright guys, enough said I suppose on belacan and lets now move on to Sambal Terasi recipe. Pretty much the same ingredients as our sambal belacan and its not like a magical or out of this world recipe. Those ingredients listed below, mainly birds eye chillies and terasi being the central ingredients and then, we need the seasoning from palm sugar, lime juice and salt (Ikan Balado, Dried Shrimp Sambal & Gado Gado). 

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Vegan Pumpkin Soup

Month of August and sure, rain is falling from sky. So far, nothing worrying nor rain has flooded our area, but when it rains almost daily, our life is woman interrupted right? Potentially. Clothes taking longer to dry up and we must be careful on the roads due to puddles of water sometimes we can't see from the distance. Having said that, food must go on because we either live to eat or eat to live. If you are asking me, basically, food must enter our tummy. Whatever kinda food, but wouldn't you agree that soups (Mixed Vegetable Soup, Corn Soup & Turmeric Tomato Soup) will complete us for rainy weather? Especially for a night meal and when you don't want to pack yourself with heavy meal, yet a meal for keeping us warm and cuddly? Maybe not as in the light, runny and watery mild soups I have already mentioned (Chinese Tofu Soup & Lentil Vegetable Soup), but this thick and creamy (Creamy Avocado Dip) and a totality to veganism (Vegan Potato Curry) absolutely wonderful Vegan Pumpkin Soup, paired alongside toast (Caldo Verde, Thai Tomato Soup & Creamy Mushroom Soup). Sort of also can be considered as a cousin to my previous (Pumpkin Soup) and definitely for celebration pumpkin (Pumpkin Salted Fish Curry).

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Lemon Butter Salmon

So, a different kinda fish recipe today though fish is still the central ingredient. Yes foodies. Looks like there will be no end to my fish story and fish supposedly will forever be trended in my house (Nyonya Steamed Fish, Malabar Fish Curry & Thai Crispy Fish). Regardless, I broke free from those traditional and typical Asian style fish recipes. Yes I did. We need the change right? Of course. And the change in this form of a Western style dish (Tuna Burgers, Batter Fried Fish, Fish Sandwich & Baked Cornflakes Chicken), I decided to do Lemon Butter Salmon. Lemon Butter Salmon (Butter Prawns) baking basically (Baked Lemon Chicken). Of course when we put together salmon especially (Indian-Spiced Salmon & Grilled Salmon) alongside lemon (Thai Lemonade & Lemon Cashew Rice) and butter, we must include rosemary for the beautiful smell as well right? I know. As if these four ingredients must be in tandem? You bet. What else did I do? Pairing gorgeous and mouthwatering baked lemon butter salmon alongside baked potatoes and coleslaw. What a perfect, complete and simply inviting salmon platter food right? 

Monday, August 26, 2013

Kiri Hodi

We spoke about coconut milk, didn't we. Of course we did, if you can recall (Masak Lemak Cili Padi) and I also mention that coconut milk is one of the favourites for Asian cooking? Me too. I can be said as a fan of cooking milk, though I don't go overboard mind you.(Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani, Goan Prawn Curry & Palakura Pappu) and do I have to actually mention the popularity of cooking milk for Sri Lankan dishes? Especially for this Kiri Hodi, aka Sri Lankan Coconut Milk Gravy/Stew which can be eaten alongside string hoppers and even rice. For us rice is the best food deal and when we drench Kiri Hodi on our rice, oh-so-food-diviners while also adding a scoop of Tomato Chutney (Tamatar ki Chutney) prior to tucking in. As usual, I must say that there's various types of Kiri Hodi? Then again, how different can each be? Either a, actually mostly vegetarian version, but some do add some dried fish. Not for this my version though. Instead I added boiled egg. Acceptable right? Sure, stop disputing. Why should we not by the way into this creamy, tangy, attractive and mouth watering Kiri Hodi/ Sri Lankan Coconut Milk Stew? Coconut milk, like I have already told you is the central ingredients and the rest are pretty much I can say as our pantry friendly ingredients (Sodhi, Prawn Spinach Sodhi & Tanni Saar).

Friday, August 23, 2013

Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani

Oh-my-my! Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani! Those simple, easy going and effortlessly put together rice dishes I have already shared, put together for the outcome as a top-notch Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani (Vegetable Biryani, Rice Pilaf & Ghee Rice). Tell me about it. Tell me about when you are in full force and energetically driven in your kitchen? Of course prior to that, we need to buy or get and organize the ingredients. A whole lot of them compared to for the rest of the rice dishes of mine (Dhal Rice, & Lemon Cashew Rice) or for those we can make do with our common staples we usually stock up at home (Coriander Rice, Turmeric Rice & Curry Leaves Rice). Then again, if you look through the ingredients listed below, I am certain you will notice the pantry friendly ingredients as well? Moreover, I am going show you how to can make Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani in rice cooker. As usual. And since I had no vegetables in my fridge except frozen peas (Vegetable Raita), I will still go ahead and convince you that my Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani shouldn't be disputed as a pride and delightful joy to our taste-buds (Tamatar ki Chutney, Tofu Manchurian, Vegetable Kadhi, Navratan Korma & Vegetable Acar).

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Sardin Masak Lemak Cili Padi

Guys, I need to tell you something prior with regards to this Sardin Masak Lemak Cili Padi, our Malaysian Malay famed dish (Gado Gado, Asam Pedas Ikan & Sambal Petai Bilis). Perhaps you already know it, or best for me to let you know. Masak Lemak is basically comparable to our Indian coconut stew (Sodhi) because the core ingredient is coconut milk, which is also a favourite ingredient for Asian savory and sweet dishes. However, generally, sodhi is a vegetarian stew, whereas masak lemak is an amalgamation of meat or fish. Remember, I have already shared a similar recipe before (Masak Lemak Ikan Masin Nenas) in which I added salted fish and pineapple for the bold profound Malaysian tastes (Salted Fish Pickle, Pumpkin Salted Fish Curry, Pineapple Salted Fish Curry & Sambal Kentang Ikan Asin)? Sardin Masak Lemak Cili Padi (Sardine Coconut Birds Eye Chilli) is also not short of an explosion of, most or less, similar explosion of spicy, creamy and tangy tastes. But its a different style to cooking, in the sense we will make the spice paste first, made from our forever favorite local herbs and ingredients, followed by the actual simmering of coconut milk and sardine alongside. Alright. What's your say on Sardin Masak Lemak Cili Padi and will it make an appearance on your dining table? If you are asking, Sardin Masak Lemak Cili Padi is unforgettable (Nasi Dagang, Laksam Kelantan, Sayur Lodeh & Nasi Lemak Sambal Udang). 

Embracing the Fiery Passion: The Indispensable Chillies in Malaysian Cuisine and Gardening

In Malaysia, the love for spiciness runs deep in our culinary culture. Chillies, with their fiery punch, are an essential ingredient that ad...