Sambal Belimbing Ikan Bilis

The power house Malaysian (Nasi Ulam) sambal is up and about again in this precious space of mine. Sambal? What else do you want me to say or I myself should possibly say (Sambal Goreng Teri, Malaysian Sambal Sandwich, Sambal Udang Kering & Sambal Udang Petai)? Of course, I can go on and on, and blow all the trumpets towards our sambal, especially the various types I have already shared with all you foodies (Sambal Sotong & Sambal Ikan) and much has also already been spoken about Belimbing, or Belimbing buluh in my precious recipe (Malaysian Fish Head Curry). Thus, lets just keep it simple for the intro and keep it boldly spicy for this Sambal Belimbing Ikan Bilis (Sambal Tumis Ikan Bilis). The base, in other words, the sambal base is pretty much the same as in for other sambal as well, but belimbing definitely is the sensation for its sourness and tad bit of sweetness in Sambal Belimbing Ikan Bilis. In fact, Belimbing Buluh is another of our Malaysian powerhouse fruit.

Chili Hummus

How far have I come in this space of mine? Quite far actually. In fact, quite a proud improvement for my cooking and recipe sharing. However, not about copying recipes (Tomato Rice Pilaf, Moroccan Pea Soup & Baingan Bharta/Brinjal Mash). Actually, to tell you the truth, copying is not my ball game, though I admit I do refer to recipes. Recipes from anywhere for the matter and of course, these days, online videos and tv cooking shows are most marketed. If you are asking me, indeed yes and I guess its a good thing as well. We learn, we improve and we can along the way coin our own recipes. Take this Chili Hummus as an example. My own version. If you don't believe me, do your search please and I bet you will believe me. What is hummus by the way? Hummus is basically a dip (Sambal Terasi, Mango Chutney & Creamy Avocado Dip). Dip for anything you like to dip in and we dipped toast into this Chili Hummus made in the blender. Ingredients for this my special style Chili Hummus? Chick pea, yogurt (Cucumber Yogurt Salad), chili flakes, olive oil and believe me, curry leaves (Curry Leaves Rice).

Eastern & Oriental Hotel - Georgetown, Penang (Buffet Breakfast)

 

I definitely looked forward to breakfast in Eastern & Oriental Hotel. I did. I wanted to find out if buffet is gonna be worth, mind you, our premium suite did not come cheap. So, logically, for the price we paid, of course buffet is already billed, next morning (Deluxcious Spa & Red Garden Food Paradise), at about 9.15, after a lazy hop out of bed and showering, we walked into the dining area. Lovely! Akin we have walked into a classic, those days Chinese coffee shop, we decided to sit outside, across the sea. Nice view. Beautiful spot on view for gazing at, while tucking into breakfast. Coffee came cruising soon, we then, I mean what else is there but to opt for our choices between the spread of local and western dishes. Salad, fresh juice, toast, dips, noodles, nasi lemak and the rest.

Red Garden Food Paradise - Leith Street, George Town (Penang)

Returning back to Eastern & Oriental Hotel, I, trust me, I was still fuming. How can I possibly not be? Remember, I told you about my spa disaster in Deluxcious spa? My anger thermometer almost raptured, I just couldn't keep my big fat mouth shut. I had spill all of it to my other half-half, who was still dazed after his sleeping beauty sleep. He in return just smiled, what else can he do anyway, later, we got down to deciding where dinner should be (Coffee Lane Cafe). Restaurants, classy expensive eateries? Neh. What for? We thought we might as well walk the streets, and if we find something, we will decide there and then. And, so we walk, a long walk actually. All the way from the hotel, while looking out for eateries, eventually, once we noticed Red Garden's signboard, we had to decide. How about dinner in this hawker paradise? Sure. I was in for it. Grabbing a table beforehand, once we took a good turnaround, we realise that Red Garden Food Paradise is akin an international food court. Row by row hawker stalls, featuring all sorts of food, all sorts mind you. Not only local cuisines, you name it, Japanese,Thai, Korean, Western and what not. Quite a huge choice, indeed, thrown in with free entertainment from the three piece band.    

Deluxcious Spa - Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah (Penang)

Within an hour, over excitement and jumping on the bed in Premium Suite Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang slowly fizzled off. I was getting restless whereas my other half was trying to catch up on his sleep. To stop me from needling him, he suggested that I should do a spa. Why not I thought since he is paying and I can continue with more luxury which doesn't come always. At E & O Hotel there's no spa but can be arranged. Highly recommended is Deluxcious spa, in fact, I think the one and only, yes, hotel will make the arrangement for you. Screen the spa menu in your room, let the hotel know which is your choice, the rest will be cared for. I opted for the highest and most expensive "Mediterranean Spa Journey" because I really wanted my time to a luxurious pampering session. 

Nasi Ulam (Malaysian Mixed Herb Rice)

Nasi Ulam. Malaysian Mixed Herb Rice. Indeed, a popularity in our Northern states (Laksam Kelantan) and a trip to any of these states is not complete if you don't tuck into Nasi Ulam. I of course as you know, have a profound and tremendous love for rice. Whichever type, believe me, will make me happy and Malaysia and Malaysian proud me (Mee Goreng Udang, Malaysian Sambal Sandwich, Nyonya Acar Fish, Masak Lemak Ikan Masin Nenas & Malaysian Spicy Sour Fish Soup Noodles). Furthermore, rice dishes are not something new to me. I quite have it at the back of my hands and when you grow your own herbs in your garden, what should be confusing in coming up with your version of Nasi Ulam (Nasi Pudina & Nasi Dagang). Honestly, if you are asking me, any combination of local herbs will do instead of specific varieties. You can even coin a vegetarian version, but by far, fried and flaked fish possibly must be one of the it in Nasi Ulam,  and of course for spiciness, nothing can beat our Sambal Belacan or even Sambal Terasi and instead of cooking rice in the rice cooker (Tomato Rice Pilaf) like I usually do, rice must be steamed. Thereafter, all things nice Malaysian herbs - pegaga/pennywort, kacang botol/winged beans (Kerabu Kacang Botol), bunga kantan/ginger torch bud, daun kunyit/turmeric leaf, basil leaves, spring onion, and shallots and salt. Steamed Rice, flaked fish and herbs tossed and in one for a spectacular, Nava-K's version of Nasi Ulam. 

Eastern & Oriental Hotel - Premium Suite, Penang

Quite an action packed, full of activity previous day (Ixora Hotel, Flamingo Hotel, Ayer Hitam Asam Laksa & Kek Lok Si Temple), next day after lunching in Karaikudi Restaurant, family decided to part. In fact, all of them returned to Kuala Lumpur, whereas, we decided to extend our stay in Penang. Huh-huh! Joy to my travel venture, my other half-half literally couldn't say no when I slyly insisted that we stayed on. He also I think was trapped in our marriage love trap because he gave in, again, to our stay in Eastern & Oriental Hotel. Joy on this day, I have always wanted to experience a stay in this, one of the best among the rest, well known and back then to those years hotel (Rasa Sayang Hotel). No booking whatsoever, at an ad-hoc basis, we tried our luck. We were actually only keen in a normal room, but since, we could get none, we agreed for the premium suite. Premium suite? Yes, believe me. So excited I was, not always, akin lottery stuck, of course, with my other half-half's hard earned money, while he sorted out payment and our particulars, we were served the punchy, fruity and extremely delicious juice. Wow! Honestly, the first quench into this juice was proven. I made sure I finished off every drop, thereafter, we were ushered to our suite by the butler.