Ikan Masak Kicap

I guess then? When we have exhausted our avenues for inventing new dishes, yet we still have to cook, I think the best will be flipping or looking back at our previous recipes (Masak Lemak Ikan Masin Nenas, Teochew Steamed Fish, Spicy Grilled Fish & Fish Curry), and making some changes here and there for a different kinda? Wouldn't you agree (Steamed White Pompret, Fish Sambar & Belacan Fish), I hope you are agreeing with me that its not everyday we feel like being a mover and shaker in our kitchen? There will be days we just drag ourselves for entering our kitchen and sometimes that means we can ditch the pots and pans for eating out. Anywhere for the matter, of course affordable according to our budget can be hawker stalls (Grilled Fish In Banana Leaf, Grilled Fish Sambal Stuffed & Ikan Pari/Stingray Sambal) or we still put up a dish at home and a dish which does not rely on many ingredients. Ikan Masak Kicap. Soy Sauce Fish. Is always possible and when you grow your own lemongrass/serai, plus you already have the needed ingredients? Right. In my house, like I have repeated myself, I don't know how many times, fish is the brain food for my other half-half and I? Okay for me and usually, I settle for our local catch. So, ikan kembung lathered/gently lathered alongside turmeric powder and salt, and fried (Crispy Chilli Fish), thereafter, tip into soy sauce, fish sauce and lemongrass scented sauce and finally spring onion garnished (Chilli Soy Fish & Chilli Lime Fish), known as Ikan Masak Kicap was the outcome. Our satisfying Malaysian fish dish which will never let us down and trust me, adding fish sauce and lemongrass does add another food loving dimension to Ikan Masak Kicap. 

Andhra Sambar

Sambar. Indian dal curry. Do I have to like say anything? Indians and sambar, or dal curry and us Indians? I am actually lost for words. But one thing is certain. I have been making, and making and making, and I have not stopped because if sambar is not one of the dishes in my house at least once a week, my other half-half's food life is not complete. Says it all and pretty much the logic to my sambar story, and I don't think my sambar story will ever stop. Of course, me being like a small time home chef, I try to vary sambar each time I make (Palakura Pappu, Mulligatawny Soup, Bitter Gourd Sambar, Drumstick Sambar & Simple Sambar). More or less, or less or more, for celebrating lentils/dal (Dhal Rice & Mysore Sambar) and thank god for the various types. This Andhra Sambar is the outcome of moong dal/green gram and tempering cumin seeds, mustard seeds and curry leaves in ghee I must say infused an amazing and wonderful aroma (Fish Sambar, Palak Sambar & Tanni Saar).

Khasi Ko Masu ((Nepalese Mutton Curry)

I have been searching. Searching for new recipes and just then, I couldn't help but notice the varieties of Nepalese style mutton curries. Ohhhhh! What a food joy for testing my cooking skills to Nepalese cuisine. Recipes checked through and digested, in fact, most of them sounding like the mutton curries I have already made before. To tell you the truth, I didn't really notice much difference in the ingredients. Nevertheless, I felt good I actually found out that Nepalese Mutton Curry is known as Khasi Ko Masu. Did I plagiarise those recipes? I don't think I did and like I have already told previously (Moo Gook/Korean Radish Soup), remember, I have already showcased recipes from other parts of the world (Cari Poisson/Mauritian Fish Curry, Kiri Hodi/Sri Lankan Coconut Gravy, Moroccan Chicken Stew, Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani, Malabar Fish Curry, Tofu Manchurian & Goan Prawn Curry), and me having quite an experience in making mutton curries, what would have been the possibilities, you tell me? Honestly guys, I didn't feel any pressure in making Khasi Ko Masu. Yet, I decided I will stick to my style of cooking. Making the wholesome curry paste instead of adding spices individually and also for simplifying cooking by itself, and opting specifically mutton bone marrow (Mutton Bone Marrow Curry). The outcome and result? This delectable, zesty and appealing Khasi Ko Masu/Nepalese Mutton Curry (Aloo Gosht, Shahi Mutton Curry, Rogan Josh, Masala Mutton Curry, Mutton Keema & Mutton Varuval). 

Hyotan Japanese Restaurant - (SS15, Subang Jaya)

Patience supposedly is a virtue but sometimes my patience is tested beyond my will power, especially when I can't contain my hunger pangs. While waiting patiently for my friend from 1.00pm till almost 2.00pm, I was almost on the floor. I almost died of hunger. What else can be an excuse for Malaysians except traffic jam? I definitely didn't loose my temper when my friend fetched me, I just kept telling him that I need food. I kept reminding him to drive to the nearest food outlet. He did. Quickly we decided upon Hyotan. Literally empty (same row as Kin Ryu Tei & Tomoe), Hyotan's ambiance somewhat is so similar to other commercial Japanese restaurants, we quickly flipped the menu and almost instantly ordered.

Karaikudi Restaurant (Lebuh Pasar, Georgetown) Penang

The previous night, we dined at Golden Thai village and returned to Flamingo Hotel. Next morning, at about 11am, at uncle's suggestion, another round of harmony within the family by lunching in Karaikudi. So we drove to Georgetown, parked, walked in and were ushered to the simple and basic upstairs dining area.

Khao Niaow Ma Muang

I think I must start off by mentioning the Thai savoury dishes I have already shared with all of you. Quite a variety mind you. From the non-vegetarian and vegetarian various types (Thai Crispy Fish, Tom Kha Gai, Shrimp Pad Thai, Thai Tomato Soup & Thai Vegetable Curry) and believe me, the list is on-going. Nevertheless, this is my time I am sharing a Thai dessert, of course a Thai drink has already taken its spot (Thai Lemonade) and on the whole when its a sweet Thai pleasure, how can we not do this Khao Niaow Ma Muang? Thai Mango Sticky Rice, aka Thai Glutinous Rice Mango. So easy. So simple. So uncomplicated. Steam Glutinous rice alongside pandan leaves/screwpine leaves (Pandan Coconut Jelly) till plump, and obviously you need sweet mangoes (Mango Salad, Mango Mocktail & Mango Cucumber Salad) and I think we did speak about coconut milk for Asian desserts previously (Sago Gula Melaka). My version of Khao Niaow Ma Muang if you have noticed is served as separate compartments. Meaning, steamed glutinous rice by itself, palm sugar syrup by itself, coconut milk by itself and mango by itself, but as one delight. Why, are you asking me? Well, let's tuck into Khao Niaow Ma Muang as we wish. We decide on how much of sugar, coconut milk and mango we want alongside glutinous rice. Regardless, I must stress that this version of mine Thai Mango Sticky Rice is still a proud and pride sweet pleasure in your mouth (Baked Rice Pudding, Watermelon Sorbet, Saffron Poached Pears & Pineapple Bread Pudding).

Moo Gook (Korean Radish Soup)

We are going places, are we not, or should I say that I am actually the one taking you all over the world for home cooking food trail? I think I am. Pretty much we have been food travelling together, obviously in the virtual world, we can be at home and still head to all the different food destinations in any part of the world? Shall we now recall where we have gone so far? Of course everything must begin in our home ground Malaysia (Chinese Mixed Vegetable Stew, Onion Soup, Lentil Vegetable Soup & Burdock Root Soup) and particularly for soups, we did head to other countries as well. More or less (Vietnamese Fish Soup, Chinese Chicken Herbal Soup & Tom Yum Goong), then again, with cooking invention and cooking thinking, anything is possibly? I mean, the marrying of cooking technics and ingredients from different parts of the world (Salted Fish Bone Soup) and in Malaysia by itself, there's not only the three main races? In fact, there is no short of, you name it, the various types of food from the rest of the ethnic community? Furthermore, when we speak about vegetarianism, vegetarianism in our country and elsewhere too (Vegetarian Pumpkin Soup, Portuguese Caldo Verde Soup, Thai Tomato Soup, Japanese Vegetable Soup & Chinese Tofu Soup). What about this Moo Gook, aka Korean Radish Soup? A vegetarian soup, or if you really feel you like to convert it to a non-vegetarian soup, I think beef is the meat you should add. Otherwise, just stick to my version of vegetarian Moo Gook. Moo Gook, aka Korean Radish Soup? Super smooth utter satisfaction by our home affairs common ingredients, except for buying Korean radish and Korean soy sauce.