Pudina/Mint Chutney

I must take off my hat to my mum and her cooking. She can be hours in the kitchen for pounding, grinding and doing whatever it takes for preparing a meal for us. But lemme tell you that I don't think I want to be like her. Not in the sense of cooking a meal for the two of us, but hours in my kitchen can literally kill me softly and slowly (Chilli Hummus, Tamatar ki Chutney, Avocado Dip & Mango Chutney). Honestly, unlike those days, try being in your kitchen for just an hour and see how you sweat drip? The weather. Climate change and the heat is on forever even when its raining or thereafter. Moreover, I think I am one of those who sweat for no apparent reason and twenty fours a day just like that. Thus, I keep it as short as possible in cooking. Take this Pudina/Mint Chutney as an example. Made in the jiffy in the blender. Into the blender went sauteed together mint leaves (Mint Chutney), dried chillies and white dal. Next, tipping in oil, yogurt (Curd Chutney) and salt before pulsing for this minty and tangy Pudina Mint Chutney (Nasi Pudina/Mint Rice). An accompaniment as a side for our rice meals or have it your way.  

Malaysian Rava/Semolina Kheer

The Indian side of me is out today (Sardine Varuval/Dry Style & Pepper Garlic Rasam). Actually, not really today, I made this Indian dessert (Mango Kulfi) two months back. As usual, my recipes are, sadly ditched aside due to blogging time constraint. Trust me, who ever said blogging is as simple as perceived? It is not. My plate is forever filled up with endless chores at one go. One minute is cleaning, the other minute cooking, so on and so forth. Not easy right? I know. There is no end to housework right? I know again (Curry Leaves Hummus, Indian Chicken Curry & Bitter Gourd Prawn Curry).  So, how can I park myself right in front of my laptop constantly, and mind you too much of laptop staring is also ruining my health (Gobi 65, Chilli Potato, Indian Fish Achar, Tapioca Poriyal & Black Lentil Vadai).So, I have no other choice but cut down on blogging.

Istanbul - Topkapi Palace & Grand Bazaar (Turkey)

A full circle from this end to the other, akin we went around Turkey's full moon, for returning to  Istanbul where arrived on the first day (I Conquered Istanbul). In all fairness, its been absolutely a joyous trip-travelling throughout the last 7 days. Indeed. But that packing almost every other day for moving from one hotel to the hotel, trust me, in some way or rather did get to us (Canakkale/Kusadasi/Pamukkale, Cappadocia & Ankara & Bolu) . Tiring. I too was caught in the web of winter. My first ever winter experience, I didn't come prepared because I relied on the tour agent's advise. I was told that thick jackets will do, when in factual fact, let me tell you that winter literally killed me. No other choice, I had to buy two winter coats during our visit to the retail outlet, thank god my credit card saved me. Otherwise, I can't imagine how would I have coped. But fortunately though, winter in Istanbul was rather tolerable. I didn't had to three or four times layer my body.

Turkey – Ankara & Bolu (I Conquered Turkey)

Routing out of Cappadocia, the first stop for the day, supposedly another knowledge thirsting visit, when it actual fact the catch was another marketing and sales gimmick (Cappadocia Turkey). No doubt, sincerely, this visit of ours in Hanem Arts Centre, in all fairness, I must say did expose us on semi-precious and precious as Nava K gemstones from beneath Turkey. (Canakkale/Kusadasi/ Pamukkale & Istanbul) Honestly, we did gather some knowledge on how stones are carefully harvested and cut-shined-polished, thereafter either sold as individual pieces or mounted in/on jewelries. The best part of it all was that there’s no hold barred to picturing. Yes, you can put your phone or camera to use compared  to those outlets I have visited in other countries (Krabi Thailand, Perth Australia & Bangkok Thailand). Took me by surprise until I made it a point for checking with the staff. He reaffirmed it. Such an unorthodox liberal business think-tank I believe must be looked up at. Respect and thumbs up to these people. Having said that, no matter what, I am not gamed for precious gems. Not at all. Unsure I am if the rest bought, but I can vouch that all of us did marvel over those impressive glittering gems.   

Sardine Varuval (Dry Style)

Tuna or Sardine? Sardine mostly. Fresh sardine or canned sardines? Both goes strongly and tremendously (Mathi Achar & Nadan Sardine Curry). But stocking up canned sardines has become a habit I can't let go. Basically like if I don't stock up, seemingly my grocery doing is not complete. How about you? You are like me? You must have sardines in cans in your pantry? Actually, its a good thing because canned sardines will never ever let us down (Sardin Masak Lemak & Sardine Rolls). Unlike our husbands who sometimes can drive us up the wall? Even canned tuna as well (Tuna Thoran, Tuna Burgers & Tuna Cutlets). I mean, canned tuna being our cooking saviour. What's the story to me making this Sardine Varuval (Sardine Sambal & Sardine Potato)? The same food story in fact. Always a favourite (Jeera Aloo/Potato & Meen Puttu) and imagine sardine varuval alongside rice soaking or fully flooded by rasam or sambar. Heaven called easily fab meal right? I know (Udupi Sambar & Pepper Garlic Rasam). We Indians and our fingers to eating for happy tummy sardine varuval meal? What more should I possibly say? Nothing. Dive into Sardine Varuval at your pleasure (Chicken Varuval & Mutton Varuval). 

Lahari Kitchen - Bandar Puchong Jaya, Puchong

My food venture on this day took place in Lahari Kitchen. Thanks to the owner for extending an invitation which of course I didn't refuse. Why should I refuse or what is there to doubt when I am made proud by owners who recognised the existence of Nava K in the virtual world? Don't you agree? I bet you are agreeing. Starting off my day early from my base in Shah Alam because I like to, preferably beat the lunch time crowd. Before 12.00pm, I had already made my presence known in Lahari Kitchen. Located at the left lane you turn into once you notice Pelita Restaurant and trust me, me, you won't have any  issue identifying Lahari Kitchen. Their blue bright signboard I can assure will positively welcome you. I walked in, I greeted the owner, vice-versa, thereafter I sat and took a turnaround to admire their comfortable, clean and well set up ambiance. Since owner was busy attending to customers who were already leaving after tucking into their meal, more were constantly, one after the other streaming in for packing food back whereas the rest were like me, already seated, I had to stay put on my seat. But not till long. You know how fidgety I can get? 

Kuih Sagu Kukus (Steamed Sago Cake)

Kuih-Muih was my all time growing up years memories. Not to say I don't indulge in our local delicacies anymore (Wajik Pulut, Kuih Buah Melaka, Malaysian Sago Pudding & Bingka Pisang) but, sparingly and mostly during occasions instead of making at home, or sometimes I do buy from the Malay shops. Why not making at home? Basically, no takers. My other half-half need to control his sugar intake due to he must keep his diabetes in control, whereas myself. I am without a doubt free from more sugar in my body, but sugar by itself, I am quite cautious. My concern primarily is, what if I become a sugar victim if I don't limit my sugar intake and the other reason, sugar can lift my weight higher. As it is, I easily put on weight and if I don't exercise? Worst and what about what sugar doing further disaster (Honeydew Sago).