Copenhagen (Denmark ) - Day 1 (Part 1)

My travelling bags, as well as my kept aside shoes for walking me while travelling screamed their lungs out when I gave them a broad smile to indicate that they will be put to good use (Krabi Libra Cruise & Perth My Knowledge Travel Venture). My smile pretty much indirectly told them that they will be travelling alongside me throughout this 9 days & 7 nights Denmark & Norway tour. Oh-mamma-mia! All of us happily grinned and glittered together, thanks to my other half-half for this our regarded as worked hard and rewarded globetrotting holiday. Our second in line, the first was (2 Days Of Rome). I of course have had my fair share of seeing the world on my own while other half-half was working his butt out. Potentially for reaping rewarding us towards this already planned a year ahead holiday. Our much eagerly awaited day arrived, off we left to KLIA prior to landing in Amsterdam for Copenhagen transiting. Stepping foot at the airport (Ho Chi Minh City & Bangkok Through My Canon) less than an hour for every clearance group, off we left to Slotsholmen for lunching at one of the Chinese restaurants along the row of shops. To the first floor, in all excitement I completely forgot to note down the name of the restaurant. Believe me, I was still pinching myself from the moment we walked from the main road. Unbelievable. Am I actually in Copenhagen? Yes, I am. Our early lunch, by 11.30pm, opened up invitingly.

Cocoa Butter Cake

Me and my baking story? I think you already know it (Traditional Butter Cake)? My pastime and not hobby. Baking definitely can't be my hobby (Lemon Bars, Mandarin Orange Cake & Milo Cake) and me and baking are not even distant cousins. In fact, we are like touch and go, hit and run, acquaintances. Wish I can actually develop my interest in baking, but trust me, seemingly still inconclusive. What then to the outcome of this happy-tummy, soft and moist Cocoa Butter Cake? The calling for using up the ingredients and maybe, practice must make perfect. Absolutely. Cocoa Butter Cake actually is the other side of the coin to my previous Marble Cake. And pretty much, we need the same ingredients right? Of course. But instead of doing the swirling, I decided I want to a contrast between the dark brown tone (Chocolate Cheesecake) and yellow buttery tone (Sujee Cake). Not at all a letdown. I am sure you are agreeing?

Cambodian Green Mango Salad

Mango and salad? I already told you before right? I did (Kerabu Mango/Mango Salad). Maybe I could have repeated the same food story and mango I think like donkey times (Mango Cheesecake & Mango Mocktail)? Thus, mango is a favourite for all sort of dishes (Aam ki Achaar & Indian Mango Chutney)? If you are asking me, undeniably. But when salad is a concern on our dining table, most of the time it must be the Asian style. As long as salads packs our Asian and Malaysian customary tastes, oh-my, our meals will be truly a delight and we actually have salad as a side dish for our rice instead as a starter, nibbler or appetizer. That's how it has been for us for as long as I can recall and since I have already showcased mango in our Malaysian style, I decided I will take on the Cambodian side to a mango salad (Cambodian Sour Fish Soup). Pretty much not much of a difference in the ingredients. I mean, what can be different? Our Asian cooking is all about more or less the similar ingredients right? Of course (Kerabu Kacang Botol, Vegetable Raita, Asian Watermelon Salad & Shrimp Pad Thai Salad). Cambodian Green Mango Salad? Obviously, green mango, and then garlic, shallots, chillies, coriander leaves, sesame seeds, sugar, oil and of course, we must need salt for this vegetarian version Cambodian Green Mango Salad  (Mango Cucumber Salad, Penang Acar & Cucumber Yogurt Salad). 

Maggi Goreng Mamak

Maggi Goreng Mamak. The number fried noodle selling. In fact, each time we head to the mamak stalls, its like a habit or food lingo we must call for a plate of Maggi Goreng Mamak. My knees too can wobble for this style. Quickly fried on the spot, there and then noodles (Mee Goreng Udang, Char Kway Teow, Anchovies Fried Mee Hoon & Malaysian Fried Mee). Maybe not always, yet, I do yearn for and I usually request for lotsa veggies in Maggi Goreng Mamak. Can be a satisfying mind you even when we make it in our kitchen and of course, without compromising on cleanliness and according to our taste (Nyonya Mee Siam, Malaysian Fried Mee Hoon & Hokkien Mee). Whichever and whatever ingredients we prefer, regardless, the essentials have to be Maggi instant noodle or noodles, chillies, soy sauce, and like I have already told you, throwing in lotsa vegetables.

Mochakottai Karuvadu Kulumbu (Field Beans Salted Fish Curry)

As I peer into the earthen pot, brimming with the flavorful Mochakottai Karuvadu Kulumbu, my appetite awakens. I must admit, I have a soft spot for this Indian-style salted fish curry. Salted fish has always held a special charm for me, with its salty goodness. It's no surprise that I could happily indulge in it every day. Yet, I'm mindful of the health implications of too much saltiness.

 

But amidst these considerations, there's something comforting about a touch of saltiness, like an old friend. Making this curry is simple, without any fuss. My goal is always to make cooking a joy, not a chore.

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.  

Nyonya Acar Fish

Nyonya (Nyonya Mee Siam & Ayam Pongteh) and Acar (Aam ka Achaar & Penang Acar) and Fish (Indonesian Grilled Fish & Malaysian Fish Head Curry). Like a rhyme and rhythm especially for me and I just so somewhat love sour notes. Whichever and however, sourness is something I can't give up no matter what (Cambodian Sour Fish Soup) and this Nyonya Acar Fish? A splatter on our taste buds. In fact, can rekindle your appetite and of course you need a plate of rice. Nyonya Acar Fish made from the quintessential and like must have ingredients for Nyonya cooking or even for our other savory dishes, made ahead and stored in the fridge and the next course of action of course is tucking in during your daily meals.