Ikan Goreng Kunyit

Ikan Goreng Kunyit. Or Turmeric Fried Fish. Pretty much a simplicity in regards to fish fried after lathering/dusting alongside cornflour, rice flour, turmeric powder and salt. Done with frying, we then move on to making the dip. The dip which does not require cooking. Instead its a raw dip made with, as usual, must be our local affordable ingredients for me right? Of course (Terong Balado Pedas Manis). Without a doubt. Furthermore, chillies forever will be our love (Malaysian Fish Sambal, Grilled Fish Sambal Stuffed, Spicy Grilled Fish & Chilli Soy Fish) and like I have told you before, why bother paying for imported ingredients when our local produce, in fact, you can grow our local herbs in your garden effortlessly (Fried Fish Soy Sauce, Fish Head Curry & Asam Pedas Ikan Bawal), are so spectacular for the bold and and waking up our tastebuds anytime tastiness. You bet. Sincerely. Ask me more and I can proudly speak about our Malaysian cuisine none stop. In fact, I can quote a whole list of dishes we can effortlessly make or we may have to throw in more time and more ingredients (Nyonya Acar Fish, Crispy Chilli Fish & Ikan Masak Kicap). Right. Ikan Goreng Kunyit? Absolutely yummy-tummy satisfaction! Crispiness, spiciness, sourness, saltiness and must I mention the aroma of kaffir lime leaves. 

Terong Balado Pedas Manis

Terong Balado Pedas Manis is? Fried Brinjal in Spicy Sweet Sambal/Sauce. Says it all right? I am back to my Indonesian cooking and back again to eggplant, aubergine or brinjal? Admittedly. My previous balado cooking lingo (Ikan Balado) and other Indonesian dishes (Sate Kambing, Indonesian Grilled Fish, Sambal Goreng Teri & Sambal Terasi)? Plus, we did speak to a certain extent about terong? The bright purple sparkled fruit or veggie or said as warna ungu in Indonesian language and even in our Malay language?  A popularity in fact. Terong being a take for any cuisine around the world for the matter (Thai Style Eggplant). We too quite fancy terong (Japanese Eggplant Saute). Perhaps why I have already rolled out a couple of dishes and whatever said, brinjal in sambal must be one of the food prides. I don't know about my other half-half, most probably for him will still be Indian style to brinjal (Bengali Begun Bhaja, Baingan Bharta, Eggplant Tikka & Brinjal Stir Fry) but me myself can't be separated from sambal (Sambal Belimbing Bilis & Kacang Buncis Belacan). Terong Balado Pedas Manis? The modern twist or a modified version and according to Malaysian ingredients for a satisfying and fabulously exquisite Terong Belado Pedas Manis.   

Kuih Kosui Gula Melaka

The other jiggly and wobbly kuih-muih. Remember the other? Kuih Sagu Kukus (Steamed Sago Cake)? That's right. Kuih Kosui Gula Melaka on the other hand? Like I have already told you, jiggly and wobbly, but made from flour. The rest of the ingredients? Gula Melaka, white sugar if you wish,  pandan leaves, coconut, salt and water. See, I told you? Our Malaysian ingredients for another type of our Malaysian sweet delicacy (Wajik Pulut, Kuih Buah Melaka, Bingka Pisang & Malaysian Sago Pudding)? What else is new. Nothing much I can think of, except, can we get cooking to Kuih Kosui Gula Melaka? We shall. 

Dubai - One Day Tour

Plan all your want for an uninterrupted holiday, whether on your own or in a tour, sometimes somethings are bound to happen for catching us off guard. Believe me. I honestly know what I am talking about, I hope you are not doubting me. Look, I am in no way trying to brag. Of course not, for someone like me who have already trigger started seeing the world, I do come with my share of the interrupted and unexpected. It all started during my first ever, yes, my first, across the sea Italy holiday (Rome 2 Days) with my other half-half whereby the interrupted caught up with us when our coach broke down. By the time help came and coach was back like a transformer, we had to ditch aside Milan sightseeing (Verona & Milan). Akin gone forever, unless I make another trip to Milan. Then came my Malacca holiday (Philea Resort). Another first time ever, yes, my first out of my house exploring another place compared to all the years of staying put on my familiar ground, the couple I travelled with did open my mind on why it is important to travel with the right people. They of course were not, hell, not only I had to spend my money, the worst of it was putting up with their antic (Malacca Malaysia Part 2). Nevertheless, I must thank them. Otherwise, I wouldn't even have considered travelling on my  own. Solo and Nava K.

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.