Ayam Pongteh

Me and my Nyonya cooking. Guess there is no end and if you are asking me, I don't think I will put a bracket to Malacca or Penang calling and coming Nyonya dishes. We did speak about Nyonya cuisine in quite a length previously (Chicken Vindaloo, Kuih Buah Melaka & Penang Assam Laksa) and in other recipes as well? Henceforth, lets just put a stop to speaking further on the same thing over and over again (Devil's Curry, Dried Shrimp Sambal, Masak Lemak Ikan Asin Nenas & Nyonya Lam Mee) instead of getting to the gist of this Ayam Pongteh. What is Ayam Pongteh or Pongteh Chicken? Basically, chicken cooked alongside potatoes, taucheo/fermented soy paste, chilies, vinegar and other kitchen friendly user ingredients, and for the end result of broad and wide burst of spiciness, saltiness and and nuttiness (Ayam Masak Tiga Rasa, Chilli Chicken, Ayam Goreng Berempah, Ayam Masak Merah & Chicken Devil Curry).

Kuih Buah Melaka

Dessert day everyone! No ordinary dessert, but our Malaysian dessert (Bingka Pisang), or sweet treat, or sugar crush and rush kuih-muih or Malaysian delicacy, the best among the rest. Absolutely! Without a doubt compared to the rest of the desserts from other parts of the world and we must really, seriously and sincerely look up at our Malaysian kuih-muih because they can be made from our affordable and forever available Malaysian ingredients instead of paying more for imported ingredients. Remember, can you still recall the few Malaysians desserts I have already shared with all of you (Bubur Cha Cha, Honeydrew Sago, Bubur Kacang Hijau & Malaysian Panna Cotta)? And today, its another of our famed kuih-muih. Kuih Buah Melaka, aka ondeh ondeh, or onde onde or as the Indonesians call it, Klepon. Ingredients for Kuih Buah Melaka? Glutinous rice flour, Gula Melaka, fresh grated coconut, a tiny bit of all purpose flour and of course, our Malaysian kuih muih can't be completed without pandan leaves/screwpine leaves (Sago Gula Melaka & Pandan Coconut Milk Jelly). Kuih Buah Melaka? The pop and burst of Gula Melaka/palm sugar once you bite into these sticky and coated with fresh coconut balls.

Tandoori Salmon

For a change, its an imported fish. Indeed. One of the favourites for us is definitely salmon. Honestly, we just so love salmon, but considering how much I have to pay, I try to limit and as I have already told you before, I try to stay true to our local catch (Ikan Masak Kicap, Bengali Fish Croquettes, & Mauritian Fish Curry) even if the fish dish is from another any part of the globe). Of course, every now and then, I somehow wobble and give in to salmon. The healthy, no smell and easy to cook fish. In fact, just some salt and pepper will do (Grilled Salmon), but of course, we shouldn't limit salmon to just one standard style of cooking which shouldn't be the fish case  for other types of fish wherever they are swimming (Fish Sandwich, Spicy Grilled Fish, Batter Fried Fish, & Thai Crispy Fish). Alright. Let's get down to making Tandoori Salmon. You can, if you want to, use store bought Tandoori spice or for simplify, just follow this recipe of mine (Lemon Butter Salmon) Curry powder, ginger paste, garlic paste and spices (Indian-Spiced Salmon) marinated salmon, grilled in a non-stick over the stove grilling pan and for an appealing, vibrant (Teppanyaki Salmon) char on the outside and soft melting moment inside, paired alongside raw, refreshing, tangy mint yogurt chutney.

Aam ka Achaar

Aam Ka Achaar. What are we talking about, are you asking me right now? Guys, I thinks pictures have already spoken and connected you to this Mango Pickle, a Punjabi style achaar or pickle. Mouthwatering and you are salivating right now right? My favourite. Any kinda of pickle or chutney, or even sambal dip for the matter (Tamatar ki Chutney, Penang Acar & Sambal Terasi). Aam ka Achaar obviously showcases mango as the core ingredient and mango by far, I think a favourite among many of us (Prawn Mango Curry, Thai Mango Sticky Rice & Mango Mocktail)? This Punjabi style achaar is just plain and simple, but trust me, a perfect fab fit as a condiment for our rice meals (Vegetable Achar & Salted Fish Pickle), and you basically need a couple of ingredients listed below, unless you want to take it to the sky level by adding whatever other ingredients. Aam ka Achaar nava-k's style by the way is different (Indian Mango Chutney), or better for me to say as unique because I did it my way instead of the conventional method of following others. Aam ka Achaar? The burst of sour spicy notes in one.

Chicken Vindaloo

Don't you think this Chicken Vindaloo should join the rest of the Portuguese/Eurasian and most probably even those Nyonya dishes I have already shared with all of you (Devil's Curry, Chicken Devil Curry, Devilled Prawns & Pada Salt Fish Pickle)? If you are asking me, I am definitely not in denial and let me reassure you that Chicken Vindaloo must be listed alongside. Spices and herbs are the central ingredients for Portuguese/Eurasian and Nyonya dishes and we must also consider the Penang Nyonya (Penang Acar & Penang Curry Mee) clan as in Malacca, though I can't conclude on the rest two. Regardless, when we speak about cuisines from any of these clans, we must expect the big, bold and profound tastes.

Macher Chop (Bengali Style Fish Croquettes)

Just maybe three to four days of break from fish, and fish bounces back again in this space of mine. What? Are you going like what, fish again? Guys, hang in there before you jump the gun. It is not going to be a boring (Tofu Katsu, Cauliflower Pakora, Crispy Fried Okra & Mushroom Rolls) fish recipe (Malabar Fish Curry) I will assure you because we are heading towards this Macher Chop, aka Bengali Style Fish Croquettes (Bengali Fish Curry) and of course I must as usual, give you options to other fish recipes as well (Fish Soy Sauce & Lemon Butter Salmon). Macher Chop can also be known as fish cutlets (Tuna Cutlets) and most probably, if we are talking about the ingredients, basically, its ingredients from whichever part of India the recipe originated from? If you are asking me, yes and I went ahead with making a curd coriander chutney for dipping crispy on the outside and soft bite inside (Chinese Prawn Fritters, Lamb Patties, Lamb Kofta, Mushroom Veggie Patties & Tuna Patties) fish croquettes which I seriously believe you will love each and every bite, each and every pop, each and every crunch, and all of the deliciousness. Either as your snack, or appetizer, or starter, or paired alongside rice and other sides (Indian Potato Balls).  

Old Cucumber Soup

Old Cucumber, or some of you may like to call it as Matured Cucumber. Up to you. Its really up to you how you prefer to call this aged and also known as yellow gourd. And of course, it must be according to the Chinese (Chick Kut Teh, Chinese Black Vinegar Chicken & Salted Fish Bone Soup) because I don't think old cucumber is a familiarity to us Indians, unless maybe you are another Indian like me who love Chinese food (Chap Chai) and soups, old cucumber is hailed for its health benefits (Burdock Root Soup & Winter Melon Soup). Especially for those of you like me, me again right, who every and now then feel as though you are gutted by fire. In other words, you want to ditch aside heatiness from your body. Without a doubt, a familiarity for old cucumber soup is usually simmering it over low heat or in the slow cooker or some prefer double boiling, alongside pork bones or chicken (Chinese Chicken Herbal Soup) but this nava-k's version is a vegetarian and vegan slurpiness (Vegan Pumpkin Soup, Thai Tomato Soup, Portuguese Potato Soup & Japanese Lotus Root Soup). Furthermore, who on earth ever said making Chinese soups is a brain cracker? Not at all foodies. Anyone for the matter who has a stove and a pot can make. How do we make this Old Cucumber Soup? Old cucumber, wolf-berries and ginkgo nuts, plus our pantry staples and vegetable stock, just simmer please (Creamy Mushroom Soup, Chinese Tofu Soup, Lentil Vegetable Soup, Tomato Spinach Soup & Mixed Vegetable Soup).