Monday, November 21, 2016

Chloe Palak (Spinach & Chickpea Curry)

Somehow! This thing to spinach (Spinach Tofu, Spinach Dal Curry & Tomato Spinach Soup) and chickpea (Chloe Masala) in one? Like married made in heaven? These days however, lemme tell you that not only married, in fact even cooking is made in social media. Nothing new right? Don't believe me? Take a look at social media and you will know what I mean. Having said that, spinach and chickpea do dance and jive together. Whether our married jive and dance over the years, we shall not dwell about it right now. Yet outrightly, spinach and chickpea, chloe and palak, after I made this curry (Tari Wale Aloo, Vegetable Kadhi & Ennai Kathirikai Kuzhambu), proven. A vegetarian version (Pavakkai Puli Kuzhambu) obviously, and chloe palak will be much, extremely loved for rice, roti or as you sincerely wish.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Sapporo/Hokkaido - Japan (Day 6) Winter Time

What a disappointment. Duh! Sightseeing crumbled crushed because of heaviest winter lashing. Can you imagine how I would have felt when told sightseeing infinitely has been cancelled? For me personally, travelling is about sightseeing and none other. Not shopping neither even food tucking. But I suppose I had to accept the fact that there's nothing much for us for the day except shopping (Otaru Sapporo). In fact, we were also told to be prepared for flight cancellation and another day, if we have to, staying back due to this one of the worst winter. Yet, I didn't stop keeping my fingers crossed. Hope still continued to flame for "Okurayama Viewing Point", the 1972 Winter Olympic Games sky jumping venue. In the end, hope came crashing down like the massive white snow falling. Confirmed its a no go as well for viewing the entire Sapporo city from atop mountain peak and Sapporo Shrine located in Maruyama Park. Bottom line, no sightseeing at all (Sapporo, Noboribetsu, Hokkaido & Chitose/Hokkaido). Bang! Frankly speaking, I felt as though a shape travelling arrow had pierced into my heart and a big explosion has erupted in my head despite being aware that we shouldn't make matters worst when weather is playing sparks. Being safe definitely must be adhered. tell me about weather ruining our hard earned travelling money? Never mind I then calmly told myself. Was there anything I could have done? Unfortunately and sadly, nothing.     

Friday, November 11, 2016

Vegan Thai Fried Rice

Vegan and vegetarian. Whatever. Both not applicable for me. Though vegetarianism is something for my other half-half once a week. Vegan on the whole is rather a confusing matter to me. Then again, to each their own and of course, sometimes due to health or allergy, I think some people don't have a choice whereas some others choose to be. Whatever again. Thai food on the whole for us? We just so love (Thai Red Prawn Curry). How do we make Vegan Thai Fried Rice (Thai Style Eggplant, Vegan Tom Yum Soup & Thai Vegetarian Tomato Soup)? Simple. Fried Rice? Tell me please? Anyone for the matter can be a fried rice top chef. I have listed the ingredients below, you get them ready and you just do the frying. Vegan Thai Fried Rice! Mouth popping wonder for, in fact all of us regardless whether we are vegans, vegetarians or not.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Thai Red Prawn Curry

Let's get the colors of food vibrant and exciting. Let's get going from green to red. Thai food of course specifically I am referring to (Thai Green Crab Curry & Yellow Chicken Curry). The color of their food colours obviously (Lamb Massaman Curry & Thai Vegetable Curry). The start to making? We make the curry paste (Thai Fried Chicken) and while at it, or before it or after it, prawns (Penang Mee Udang, Shrimp Pho & Hong Kong Wonton Noodle Soup) need cleaning don't forget. Thereafter, we getting cooking. Thai Red Prawn Curry. A revelation and role play of the punchy, kicking and explosion of sumptuousness. Yum.   

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Otaru (Sapporo - Hokkaido) - Winter Time

Day 5. Our day in Otaru which is about 45 minutes drive from Sapporo. Waking up feeling really well rested, we, yes, we totally crashed on bed early the previous night due to tiredness already catching up on us (Noboribetsu, Hokkaido & Chitose/Hokkaido). I definitely woke up looking forward to exploring Otaru. Said as must be included in your Hokkaido tour, it will be trust me and like the rest of the tour groups, I knew we will be exploring the same tourist spots. Nevertheless, I couldn't help but slide into my deep thoughts. One one side, I was sort of glad I will returning home in another two days time, on the other, I dreaded the daily grind awaiting me the moment I am home bound. Quite a dwelling matter actually, given a choice, honestly, I would love to travel 365 days, yet, the reality is that unless money fall from the sky, I need to work and I need to save before travel venturing again. Tell me about it. The reality bullet to middle income people like us. Sure. Anyway, instead of wasting more time getting worked up emotionally, I got ready and came down to the dining area for breakfast. Walla! Satisfying favourable Japanese breakfast. Bacon, eggs, Japanese porridge, soups and a cuppa of piping hot coffee for body warming me before we embarked on our journey along the Pacific Ocean to arrive in Otaru.   

Monday, October 17, 2016

Malaysian Vegetarian Spaghetti

Malaysian, and Malaysian, and Malaysian (Malaysian Chettinad Mutton, Malaysian Banana Flambe & Malaysian Style Sambal Sandwich). Another Malaysian hops in today. Malaysian Vegetarian Spaghetti.  I suppose its the power of your thinking capacity for proving that any dish is possible in our Malaysian ground. Of course based on your years of cooking experiences you have garnered for reinventing recipes (Mee Siam Kuah Vegetarian, Mee Rebus Vegetarian, Vegetarian Nyonya Laksa, Vegetable Noodle Soup & Vegetarian Fried Mee Hoon)? I can actually stretch the list to the various types of vegetarian noodle dishes I have already shared as far as I want. Then again, let's just keep it brief, short and sweet. Malaysian Vegetarian Spaghetti. I don't think I need to tell you how to cook spaghetti by itself. Look at the instructions on the packet and you will do fine. For the rest, the ingredients and how to cook, you must need my recipe. Mine only for this Malaysian style sambal based spaghetti sauce in which there will be grilled tofu and peas, and atop spaghetti. Plus, of course, grated cheese is like customary for a spaghetti dish. 

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Sapporo - (Hokkaido - Day 4) Winter Time

So far so good. No complaints whatsoever. Hokkaido so far has been a favourable travelling gram for all of us. Well planned and executed as per our itinerary and all's well that ended well for the last 3 days (Chitose & Hokkaido, Hokkaido Japan & Noboribetsu). In fact, its been an absolute winter ball of a time sightseeing, except, believe me, as I have already told you earlier, winter in Hokkaido during this tripping of ours was really utterly crazy. One of the coldest we were told and we ourselves had also figured it out, oh-my, never have I experienced this kinda weather nor I want to in the near future. Then again, come to think of it, our Malaysian hot weather too is a killer. But because our Malaysian born and bred blood is quite accustomed to mostly sweating and perspiring, our coping mechanism is pretty much in place. Winter in Hokkaido on the other hand mind you, honestly, almost body ruined me. Anyway, was there anything I could have done? Nothing much actually. Weather definitely is beyond my control. Unless I lock myself in my room and say no to sightseeing? Logically, silliness right? Since we have paid for coming this far for supposedly, recommended by many as Hokkaido winter wonder? Inevitably. Starting off on the same note on day, all that getting ready by showering and what not, and tucking into the fab huge buffet breakfast spread for option between the Japanese and Western items I must tell you was a sincere food pleasure, prior to us departing to Sapporo. 

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...