Pineapple Rasam

Rasam and more and more and more? Yes please. I think I have already told you about our undivided love for rasam? Not once though. In fact, countless times and each time I share a rasam recipe (Pepper Garlic Rasam, Rasam, Mor Rasam, Egg Rasam, Nandu Rasam & Instant Rasam). Enough said right? I think so. I know so. And so, let's just stick to the guns of making this latest rasam. Pineapple Rasam? How? Honestly, nothing out of this world or you must kneel on the ground for saying a prayer. Of course not. Pretty much like every other rasam and  we still the customary ingredients. The only difference is pineapple and me using canned pineapple. Otherwise, its a clean sweep in making and for my version, I blended the ingredients for rasam paste. Oh, I did also tip in some gingerly oil for a change. Pineapple Rasam? Truly yours and mine.

Ikan Goreng Asam

The other side to the previous Ikan Goreng Kunyit/Turmeric Fried Fish. The other side which is my favourite as well. Speak about sourness, me, myself and I? Honestly, I so love sourness to every bit. Any kinda sourness in our Malaysian dishes (Nyonya Acar Fish, Asam Curry Fish & Fried Kembung With Assam Sauce). Sourness from our local fruits (Sambal Belimbing Bilis & Masak Lemak Nenas) and of course, lime or asam jawa/tamarind are the other two for streaming into curries or our sambal dishes (Tamarind Prawn Curry, Ayam Masak Tiga Rasa, Sambal Udang Petai & Asam Pedas Ikan), or maybe I should include vinegar as well. For this Ikan Goreng Asam, its tamarind. Tamarind juice and salt as the marination for fish, followed by fish being fried and of course, we need a dip right? Dip which must be spicy, salty and along a touch of sweetness? Potentially (Fried Fish with Soy Sauce, Ikan Masak Kicap & Crispy Chilli Fish). Ikan Goreng Asam? Sourness is definitely our Malaysian food appreciation.   

Ticklish Ribs & 'Wiches - Sea Park, Petaling Jaya (Non-Halal)

Over the moon and over-excited I was. As usual, what else is new with Nava K when its gonna be "Pork Is Life" food-gate. Of course, I made sure I made my way to Ticklish Ribs & 'Wiches. Sea Park. The familiar ground where I was grounded at the stroll away SS2. Henceforth, memories did return, almost instantly by banging waking up my head. All in a nice manner for recalling my mayhem days whereby I used to hang out at Sea Park as well. Parking indeed has never been sailing smooth from those days in Sea Park, rather tight too on this day. But, I knew that, no matter what, after waiting for a while nearby the across petrol station, I will spot a parking spot. Hallelujah! Right in front of Ticklish Ribs & 'Wiches. Upon walking in, I couldn't help in admiring how creatively Ticklish Ribs & "Wiches is set-up. A bar right after the entrance, and ambiance clearly breezing alive and kicking for immediately letting know you that Ticklish Ribs & 'Wiches is the spot-on eatery for a babi meal. 

Gem Restaurant (Jalan Gasing) Petaling Jaya

I haven't been really cooking for the past week or so. No! no! Kitchen isn't permanently closed. Just that there's been other pressing priorities like the never ending family matters, events and why cook when the other half is away. Usually when I am alone, I pack back hawker food instead of rolling the pots and pans for the sake of impressing the neighbours. Sundays too sometimes laziness creeps in especially after staying up late watching tv. Of course, we all know nothing like home cooked meals to please the soul mate. Then again, waking up late surely a luxury these days and the luxury should continue with a meal at restaurants. After all, I'm sure you will agree that eating out is healthy for relationships. Relaxing and bonding over a meal it should be but please, put the Ipad and Iphone aside.       

Banh Mi Cafe - Bandar Puteri (Puchong)

By chance, I stumbled upon Banh Mi Cafe while at trying to needle out if there's any worthy Vietnamese eatery, somewhere within my reach, not too far from Shah Alam. All turned out as exciting and trilling as I expected. Unbelievable true, as though the owner read my mind for me to come over for a complimentary on-the-house food blast. Thank you. Roping in my Chinese friend, I actually arrived way earlier before they were ready to welcome customers. So, I decided to have a hot drink at one of the eateries within this few rows of shop-lots, prior to walking into Banh Mi Cafe at about 11.15am.  

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.