Malaysian Fish Sambal

Malaysia My again? Of course. Remember, can you recall my Malaysian story (Malaysian Fried Mee Hoon)? Henceforth, tell me then. Can a Malaysian like me possibly ditch sambal aside? No way man! Impossible. My love for sambal clinging through thick and thin even when I travel until after a few days being away, I can't like wait to rush back for diving into a spicy chilli based dish (Nyonya Steamed Fish, Asam Pedas, Sambal Udang Petai & Stingray Spicy Sauce) which also must scream atop of its voice on some saltiness from belacan, some tanginess from lime juice/tamarind juice and a tiny tinge of sweetness from Gula Melaka/palm sugar (Salted Fish Bone Soup, Masak Lemak Ikan Masin Nenas, Dried Shrimp Sambal & Sambal Sotong). All you typical Malaysians out there, I bet you must be nodding your head now? You know the feeling? The feeling on missing our Malaysian sambal no matter wherever we travel to? Of course. I know. Ask this do or die Malaysian and like she has already said, no sambal, Nava K most probably cannot function (Chilli Lime Fish, Sambal Kentang, Sambal Ikan Pari & Ikan Masak Kicap). This Malaysian Fish Sambal? A power rocker and roller. Absolutely exciting, trilling and boldly sensation on our palates. Bang! Major revelation of tastes (Malaysian Crab Curry). How do we go about making Malaysian Fish Sambal? Lather/mix fish alongside turmeric powder, rice flour and salt, followed by frying and once you have made the rocker sambal, tip fish inside, stir and dish out (Sambal Bilis Petai & Chilli Soy Fish).  

Restoran Nirwana Maju (USJ, Subang Jaya) Selangor

Considering I have covered almost most of the eateries in SS15, friends suggested I should follow them to Nirwana Maju. Sure, I didn't mind and so, we car pooled, parked at one corner of the road and walked into this spacious eatery. Lunch meal definitely must be banana leaf and that opened up with banana leaf, rice, veggies and curries of the day, curries, papadam, rasam, mor millagai/sun dried soaked in curd chillies and puli inji/ sour-sweet ginger pickle.

Baingan Bharta

Baingan Bharta! What is Baingan Bharta? Baingan Bharta is a brinjal dish from the land of Punjab. Interesting right? I know (Kashmiri Vegetable Soup, Aam ka Achaar, Andra Sambar, Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani & Tamatar ki Chutney). In fact, to tell you the truth, though I am aware where exactly Punjab is seated in the world map, honestly, I never knew Baingan Bharta existed until I had to crack my coconut on what should I do with brinjal. Basically which style to cooking. I could have, if I wanted to, opt for the dishes I have cooked before or add brinjal in curry, then again, don't you think it will be nice to scout for recipes for a new kinda dish? Sure. Why not? After all, shouldn't we keep our cooking and food eating interesting too instead of similarities dependable? You are right and I was right in searching for recipes. Popped up a whole list, more than enough actually and among those, me opting for Baingan Bharta (Japanese Eggplant Saute, Eggplant Tikka & Brinjal Stir Fry). But no, not copied exactly. I looked through the recipes and instead roasting or blistering brinjals and cooking till a mushy texture, I invented my own Baingan Bharta. Tadaa!! Why is my Baingan Bharta unique and outstanding? I added saffron strands for exclusive and exotic tastes (Navaratan Korma, Vegetable Kadhi & Tofu Manchurian). Saffron strands, believe me, they can be expensive but worth paying once a while to heighten dishes to another level.

Malaysian Style Fried Mee Hoon (Rice Vermicelli)

Malaysia My! Malaysia Mine! Malaysian Me! Me the typical Malaysian and I won't in any way or no way compromise our Malaysian food. The best food in the world I vouch and trust me, no food in this world can come close to our Malaysian food. Of course because we Malaysians are not short of the various types of dishes and instead of segregating ourselves by mentioning the three main races in Malaysia (Chinese Vegetable Noodle Soup, Chilli Clams, Sayur Lodeh & Malaysian Indian Fish Curry), I must include all of us together when Malaysian food is a concern. Anything for the matter, including our forever and always loved fried rice (Malaysian Fried Rice) and I might as well include this Malaysian Style Fried Mee Hoon because we Malaysian love adding some anchovies (Anchovies Fried Mee Hoon) or dried shrimps for our variety of a simply fried together noodle dish. Moreover, there is limit to Malaysian Style Fried Mee Hoon (Malaysian Egg Benedict, Malaysian Sour Spicy Fish Soup Noodles & Malaysian Chicken Chop). In other words, its a meal for anytime of the day. For breakfast, for bunch, for lunch, for tea time, for dinner and we Malaysians (Malaysian Lamb Stew, Malaysian Pumpkin Soup & Malaysian Fried Mee) sure can extend our eating time till supper. Malaysian Style Fried Mee Hoon! A joyous meal once you fry mee hoon alongside our Malaysian ground found ingredients. Of course, like I have already told you, do not forget for celebrating dried shrimps (Malaysian Chilli Crab & Malaysian Lamb Curry Noodles).

Cambodian Sour Fish Soup

Just in case you are wondering how do I know to make Cambodian Sour Fish Soup, there's nothing for me to say right (Angkor Wat & Siem Reap)? No point repeating over and over like a parrot right (Phnom Penh Noodle Soup)? Furthermore, I shouldn't also mention their neighboring country Vietnam (Vietnamese Steamed Fish & Vietnamese Fish Soup)?  Pretty much logically, I don't need a long intro for substantiating this Cambodian Sour Fish Soup. Thank god! Nevertheless, it will be good if I relate some of the fish recipes I have already shared with all you beautiful people (Indian Fish Curry, Asam Pedas, Thai Crispy Fish, Steamed White Pompret & Ikan Masak Kicap) and what is the cooking story to Cambodian Sour Fish Soup? Oh, so easy, so uncomplicated, so straightforward, so food slurping and you add local veggies. Notably, mine had to okra/bendi/ladies fingers and I added some turmeric powder for bright hue and extra flavor (Nyonya Fish Soup, Thai Fish Soup & Mutton Soup).

Tuna Thoran

Tuna and Thoran? Synonymous in Kerala (Parippu Pradhaman, Malabar Fish Curry & Kerala Fish Fry), whether you use fresh catch tuna or canned tuna. For me personally, Tuna Thoran (Cabbage Thoran & Beans Thoran) basically is a stir fry (Chicken Varuval) and can be stir fried with or without grated coconut (Kiri Hodi) or we might as well take the convenience of coconut oil in case we can't run or rush to buy coconut for thoran. My style to Tuna Thoran (Tuna Burgers & Tuna Cutlets)? Aha! I think I told you before, this habit of adding potatoes and looked like I automatically added without even thinking twice its a Kerala Thoran. Then again, there is no right and wrong to ingredients we prefer, especially when you are rushing for time in making Tuna Thoran? Of course. Tuna Thoran is actually a simplified dish though some people love to blow it up as though its a mind blogging dish to make. Basically, all you got to do is get the ingredients listed below ready, mostly our pantry user friendly ingredients right and stir fry to a dry style, worthy tastiness.

Nyonya Hot and Sour Noodles in Fish Soup

Cooking can be interpreted in different ways to all of us. For the most of us, cooking basically is about ensuring a healthy home cooked meal in a clean environment compared to exposing ourselves to what not when we eat out. Of course definitely if you are asking me and I will totally vouch nothing like a home meal even if its just basic and simple dishes. You can include me in this category of women who make it a point in cooking, but every now and then, cooking for me personally is about setting my own bar against how better I can cook. Basically, I like the thing of allowing my mind to wonder for my own invention. Rather challenging for oiling my thinking cap and which does land me in the zone of happiness whenever I come up with my invented dishes. Take this Nyonya Hot and Sour Noodles in Fish Soup which is actually the other door to Assam Laksa, and I have already previously opened two doors (Malaysian Sour Spicy Fish Soup Noodles & Penang Assam Laksa).