Thursday, January 16, 2014

Nyonya Pineapple Tarts

After crafting Chinese Peanut Cookies, I found myself drawn to another delightful treat: Nyonya Pineapple Tarts. What led me to these delectable delights? Simply put, it was my curiosity and desire to explore the sweetness of Nyonya cuisine (Nyonya Lam Mee) that beckoned me forth.

 

The journey to perfecting Nyonya Pineapple Tarts was fraught with setbacks. Despite consulting various recipes, I found myself grappling with failed attempts and wasted dough. Yet, from these failures emerged a recipe uniquely my own. What sets Nyonya Pineapple Tarts apart? It's all in the crumbly, buttery pastry and the distinctive open-face design, a departure from conventional tarts.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Chinese Peanut Cookies

In a world filled with hustle and bustle, sometimes it's the simplest pleasures that bring the most joy. And for me, that joy comes from the warmth of my kitchen and the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the air.

 

It all started with a moment of inspiration during my annual leave, where instead of succumbing to the monotony of idle time, I decided to embark on a culinary adventure. With travel plans on hold, I turned to the comforting art of cookie making.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Milo Cake With Milo Glaze (Eggless)

Cake time ladies and gentlemen. Looked like I was in the mood? I was in fact. Most probably because my cake making utensils were lying around instead of me putting them back in the cupboard. Great valid reason I told myself before moving on to thinking and deciding which kinda of cake it should be this time (Traditional Butter Cake & Eggless Orange Cheesecake). Thanks to instructables for the recipe which caught my attention the moment I started searching online. Thank you once again, but me being someone who don't fancy a totality in replicating a recipe, I made the change. The change to using Milo instead of cocoa and despite doing so, cake turned out as a fantasy coming true. Recipe definitely can't be disputed compared to those other cake recipes I have taken from the virtual and which turned out witches from hell. This one must be utterly praised. Soft melting moment and beautiful to look at and once I did the glazing with Milo too, and after some of the store bought pink sugar flowers going atop, oh-my, what a beauty to the eyes and fantastically fabulous in the mouth. 

Friday, January 10, 2014

Traditional Butter Cake

So I baked after a lapse of few months and I baked traditionally. In other words, I baked a Traditionally Butter Cake. Why traditional? Well, because traditional will always be in demand and traditional also means the recipe has been existing for many, many years and still cherished till this day (Sujee Cake, Eggless Orange Cheesecake, Lemon Buttermilk Cake, Lemon Cream Pie & Marble Cake). Where did by the way the  recipe for this traditional butter cake derived from? From my friend. My friend who bakes like nobody's business and she sharing her recipe on the phone. To tell you the truth, initially I hesitated. I doubted myself if I can do a real-deal baking job for ensuring that I will not be a failure in making this traditional butter cake, though generally I never doubt myself when other types of sweet delights are a concern (Malaysian Sago PuddingKuih Buah Melaka, Rava Laddu Payasam). In the end, as much as I wasn't really sure what will be the outcome, Traditional Butter Cake that came out of my oven I must say was a winner in my own category (Baked Rice Pudding). Soft, crumbly, not overly sweet and honestly, awesomeness.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Malaysian Fish Head Curry

Malaysian Fish Head Curry, aka Kari Kepala Ikan. Believe me, not the ordinary nor you should compare with those from the restaurants. Why are you asking me? Because this is a typical, authentic and most dangerously delicious, finger licking homemade Malaysian Fish Head Curry (Malaysian Fish Sambal, Nyonya Fish Noodle SoupMalaysian Fried Mee Hoon & Malaysian Fish Curry) Yes, stop questioning me. Fish head curry cooked alongside belimbing buluh from our Malaysian grown trees, and belimbin buluh somewhat I think can be regarded as the other side to the coin to starfruit though these are oblong in shape and greenish and yellowish in color. Trust me please, due to this really mostly sour fruit, you don't have to think twice on tamarind juice and when fish head is cooked alongside the customary ingredients (Chilli Soy Fish, Spicy Stingray & Fish Noodle Soup) we need for any curry and also coconut milk, pow-wow (Asam Pedas Bawal, Salted Fish Bone Curry & Ikan Masak Kicap). Malaysian Fish Head Curry by Nava K? Unbeatable for rushing your mouth towards its spiciness and coconut milk creaminess.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Mongolian Prawns

Not bad. I deserve a pat on my shoulders. I should because I am actually taking the height and depth to learning and knowledge thirsting on the various types of cuisines from throughout the globe and mostly from Asian region which of course stretches from this end till that end. Where and which part of Asia is Mongolia located? Somewhere within Asia and neighboring China and Russia on the across side. Why I am going into a such fact on Mongolia, are you now asking me? Well, to let you know that China has an influence, to a certain extent on the types of ingredients Mongolians tend to use for their cooking. Ah! I think I got it right. Otherwise, I don't think you could have digested the fact to me coining this Mongolian Prawns (Grilled Prawns, Chinese Prawn Fritters, Shrimp Wanton, Prawn Cocktail, Butter Prawns & Devilled Prawns). Actually, to tell you the truth, mutton and beef seemingly are the popular take in Mongolia, but considering that beef is taboo for us and since we have already hit our limit to mutton or lamb (Nepalese Mutton Curry), I decided on prawns (Goan Prawn Curry).

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Sri Lankan Carrot Salad

The raw deal to a raw salad must be recognised and hailed as healthiness and for keeping it really easy and simple in our kitchen. Of course. I in fact love the concept to raw salads, but can't be a regularity because my half-half does not really fancy. Maybe every now and then is acceptable to him, whereas I am every willing to tuck into a raw salad even if its daily and sometimes raw salads are not necessarily an accompaniment for my rice meals (Penang Acar). They can be my snack as well when I feel like munching instead of grabbing junk food (Apple Cucumber Salad, Watermelon Salad & Malaysian Mango Salad) and anything for the matter made with vegetables is most probably low in calorie counting (Shahi GobiCabbage UpkariKashmiri Vegetable Soup & Vegetable Raita). Moreover, when we speak about this Sri Lankan Carrot Salad (Carrot Poriyal)? An ultimate fresh raw burst to natural sweetness (Cucumber Yogurt Salad) of carrot and cucumber, refreshing tropical grated coconut (Sri Lankan Coconut Gravy), tadbit of heat from red chilli and green chilli, and tangy lime juice.

Verona, Italy: A Journey Through Romance and History

As the days dwindled down to just two left in Italy ( Venice ), a feeling of reluctance settled in ( Florence ). How I wished our tour could...