Thursday, October 29, 2015

Jiu Hu Char (Stir Fried Jicama)

 
The central ingredient for Jiu Hu Char? Jicama, aka, yam beans and in our local Malay language, sengkuang. Thus? Obviously? The birth of Jiu Hu Char which is by far one of the looked forward to dish during or while tucking into a Nyonya meal. Yep. Me and my Nyonya cooking (Ikan Buah Keluak, Nasi Kerabu, Kerabu Taugeh, Nyonya Mee Siam & Nyonya Hot Sour Noodles in Fish Soup)? Usually, as far as I know, the other key ingredient for Jiu Hu Char is cuttlefish. But I decided to do it my way with dried shrimps. Furthermore, I gave Jiu Hu Char a twist by adding button mushrooms. Why can't we? After all, like I always say, its our cooking and its the comfort of the ingredients we want instead of replicating recipes blindly? Sure. Of course (Nyonya Lam Mee & Nyonya Curry Laksa). The pairing for this delightful Nyonya style to Jicama or yam beans? Trust me, you need our power lashing Sambal Belacan or Sambal Terasi. Just so sensational for immediately waking up your palates (Kangkung Belacan). 

Monday, October 12, 2015

Sambal Goreng Udang Pete

Sambal Goreng Udang Pete basically is, Prawn Petai Sambal and petai in Indonesian language is known as pete. Pretty much the pod beans from the flat and bulging in the centre part long beans. The bulge is where the pod beans are in and which you need to remove. Or for easy cooking, just buy the pod beans in packets. My take all the time instead of doing the removing of the pod beans from the long beans. This sambal goreng udang pete is the Indonesian style. Of course, I have previously rolled out a couple of our Malaysian petai recipes (Sambal Petai Ikan Bilis, Sambal Sotong Petai, Sambal Udang Petai)? Remember? Can you recall (Sambal Tumis Bilis Petai, Sambal Petai Udang Kering & Sambal Bilis Petai)?  

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Steamed Fish with Fermented Bean Paste

Fish and steaming. We have spoken about before right (Nyonya Steamed Fish, Vietnamese Steamed Fish, Thai Steamed Fish & Hong Kong Style Steamed Fish)? Of course. If I am not mistaken. In fact, I can clearly remember I spoke about fish and steaming in a couple of my recipes (Teochew Steamed Fish & Steamed White Pompret)? Now, what about fermented bean paste, also known as taucu or taucheo? For this, you should refer to my previous recipe of Mee Siam Kuah. Anyway for the gist of it, lemme tell you that fermented bean paste is? The outcome of soy beans fermented in salt over time. And these days, there's a couple of types. The sweet and salty ones, the spicy and salty ones and what not maybe you will discover if you are buying fermented bean paste.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Kuih Kodok (Mashed Banana Fritters)

Modernised, trendy, healthy and the latest trend Kuih Kodok/Mashed Banana Fritters. Why not? Why shouldn't we modify or tweet our back then been existing for years recipes? I have no qualms actually. After all, there is no limit to cooking invention (Wajik Pulut, Pumpkin Sago Dessert, Malaysian Sago Pudding & Bingka Pisang)? Otherwise, we won't be moving forward and we shouldn't praise those who modify recipes in cooking shows? Pretty much. In fact, for this my Kuih Kodok version, instead of frying the mashed banana (Banana Chocolate Cake & Easy Banana Bread), grated coconut and sugar batter in round balls, which by far can be soaking in oil, I decided I will do the grilling on the, over the stop portable grill. Plus, coconut and sugar not incorporated in the batter. Instead rolled over grilled fritters. Basically, for not overdoing it with sugar loading. That's it guys. The grilled and modernised Kuih Kodok. 

Monday, September 7, 2015

Nasi Kerabu Biru Kelantan

Up next after Nasi Bunga Telang Serai/Blue Pea Lemongrass Rice? Do I have to really say? Its obvious right? Another blue rice. Not any other, but Kelantan calling. Nasi Kerabu Biru Kelantan. The blueish blushing and brimming delightfully rice dish. Moreover, must I blow my own trumpet by mentioning that I quite know it to Kelantanese dishes (Laksam Kelantan) or even our Malay cuisine on the whole (Nasi UlamNasi DagangKerabu Taugeh, Asam Pedas Ikan, Nasi Lemak Sambal Udang & Sayur Lodeh) and my Malay cooking list can go on and on for a matter of fact? But the other fact is that I have never stepped into Kelantan before, though I have much tummy and mouth explored Nasi Kerabu from where I am. Easily available and you should try the ones sold in night markets as well. Oh, plus, do I have repeat myself again and again? Like I have already told you many times, rice being my bestie (Burmese Biryani, Hyderabadi Biryani & Vegetable Biryani)? 

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Nasi Bunga Telang Serai /Blue Pea Lemongrass Rice

I threw some bunga telang, or blue pea flower seeds in my garden and they grew. They literally grew without even me realising and without even any tender, loving care. Just like that. By the time I knew, bunga telang which can be addressed in other names greeted me. Beautiful. They are such bluish beauties and me after a few days, getting down to making this Nasi Bunga Telang Serai /Blue Pea Lemongrass Rice. I did. And rice by far, do I have say anything furthermore? Me and my love for nasi or rice. For this typical Malaysian who must have rice at least once a day though usually its plain rice, of course, every now and then, the easy varieties, cooked in the rice cooker are such a delight for breaking free from the monotony and boredomness of our daily meals (Tomato Rice PilafRice Pilaf, Coriander Rice, Turmeric Rice, Dhal Rice & Lemon Cashew Rice). What's the cooking story to Nasi Bunga Telang Serai? Such an easy uncomplicated story. Just a couple of ingredients. In fact, just five. Basmati rice, bunga telang/blue pea flowers, serai/lemongrass, salt and water. The best part of all is, I will and must vouch that you will simply love the floral scent of bunga telang and lemony scent of lemongrass in, and around cooked to the right texture rice. 

Monday, August 17, 2015

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.

Zen Style Chronicles: The Serene Aura of Home Attire

In today's Zen Style spotlight, let's explore the serene world of home attire. Let's start with a simple question: What's yo...