Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Trivandrum/Kovalam - Kerala Day 3

Blissful overnight splendor experience. Honestly, I loved the whole lock, stock and barrel of Alleppey Houseboat. Except, mind you, no one for the matter I think will enjoy blood suckers mosquitoes and water rationing. Speak about water rationing? God, can you imagine not showering? Before night-night time and hopes were also dashed down again next morning when I realise substantial water is only enough for brushing teeth, washing your face and down there cleaning up as well. Yuks! Then again, anything else possibly? Nothing. Unless you wanna chance yourself into Allleppey backwaters itself? Tipping the houseboat guys, yes we did, not necessarily you must or should, do it only if you feel they truly extended their warmest Kerala hospitality, we moved on for journeying and Kovalam sightseeing. Four hours on the road if I am not mistaken, Kovalam is another must do. In fact, if you are tour travelling, Kovalam will be included because its marketed as “must-see-must-experience” destination for International tourists (Colombo Sri Lanka). Yet to be known to us whether Kovalam will be joy of Kerala, hopefully, we definitely kept our fingers crossed it will add another feather on our traveling cap as another Kerala gem. By the next two hours most to most whilst we travelling, we I think already concluded that Kovalam won't be let down once we passed by the serenity and nature given beauty of Kerala as a whole.   

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Karaikudi Kozhi Kuzhumbu/Chicken Curry

Kozhi. Chicken. Ayam. My other half-half's, one of his enemies. Enemy as in he does not eat chicken. Why, if you are asking me? As far as I know, like a Tamil movie sentimental and emotional roller coaster story. Back then those days, when he used to follow his mum to central market where he has been seeing how chicken were slaughtered, life chicken of course, from there on, the chicken (Sweet Chilli Chicken, Sesame Chicken, Indian Masala Chicken Curry & Butter Chicken) bulb lighted in him for he himself deciding that no more chicken in his life. What an Indian story right? Beats me. Pretty much says it all why I cook chicken (Cashew Masala Chicken, Chicken Devil Curry & Indian Chicken Curry) when he is away or I cook for my friends. Karaikudi Kozhi Kozhumbu/Chicken Curry. Utterly spectacular. Trust me. And when paired alongside Cabbage Kootu and Saffron Rice, oh my goodness. Mouthwatering right? 

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Poondu Thakkali Rasam/Garlic Tomato Rasam

Rasam (Pineapple RasamPepper Garlic Rasam). I can talk and talk about rasam till the cows come home. Believe me because, like I have coughed out many a times, rasam is our favourite (Rasam - Home Made Rasam Powder). In fact, at least twice a week and these days, instead of making twice, I make once a week and store in the fridge. Why not? Who told you, you can't store rasam in the fridge for a few days? After all, rasam is meatless (Nandu Rasam) and its all about spices and the rest of the customary ingredients? Also, how different can a rasam be? Unless of course, you want to take rasam to sky level by coining the various types. Not me though. Enough (Mor Rasam, Egg Rasam & Instant Rasam). Enough of even taking my cooking to a higher level and rasam which is in my fridge, oh, I actually freeze in smaller portions, is then brought out for warming up for our next meal. Thereafter, I just do the topping. Topping like frying fish or making a stir fry veggie, and our meal is ready. Poondu Thakkali Rasam/Garlic Tomato Rasam. I suppose the nearest door to another version. Of course, we don't compromise on its quintessential tastes. Sourness, and tadbit of heat, and rasam definitely is our healthy, nutritious and nourishing to our body Indian soup.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Oats Coated Fried Prawns

Every now and then, its nice to go back to yesteryears. The years you were so enthusiastic about cooking a splashing meal to impress your husband. Of course, during the beginning of your marriage steps or even maybe, 10 years down the road? Thereafter, you are only interested in cooking a basic meal. As long as home cooked, you know you are being the good wife. Regardless, the yesteryears does come into your marriage food picture. Not regularly, but like I have already told you, every now and then. Oats Coated Fried Prawns (Thai Prawn Red Curry, Goan Prawn Curry & Butter Prawns). Nothing new for me. Did it before, and today, somehow I thought let's bring back the prawn memory lane (Tamarind Prawn Curry, Sichuan Chilli Prawns & Prawn Sambal). Oats Coated Fried Prawns obviously is the fried stuff. The fried stuff which is really fab when eaten there and then (Chinese Prawn Fritters). As soon as out of the frying pan (Mee Goreng  Udang). Oats Coated Fried Prawns. Grab it while you can. Crunch!

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Kerala - Alleppey Houseboat Overnight Stay

Galloping time, time travelling forward, tunnel travelling digging again. I did obviously. Within a few months, in fact I think maybe 3 months most to most after returning from my honey bunny love travelling (Hokkaido/Sapporo). Prior to that, solo single travel venture (Sri Lanka) and past tense, another together forever lovey dovey sightseeing (South Africa). Wow! Money graciously of course. Saving is definitely the vital cap for travelling, I vouch, Kerala, my first ever India land landing here I coming for you. Supposedly solo me, all arrangements self made through the travel agent who actually took a while to digest the fact that this lady in her fifties is solo adventurous. However, due to the couple I made friends during one of my solo trips (Vietnam/Cambodia), followed by we small tour travelled again (Chiangmai/Chiangrai & Myanmar), it automatically became 3 in a tour Kerala embarking. Honestly, I didn’t mind because these are the only two people I get along as my tour buddies. Albeit, believe me, I didn't beg and roll on the floor for pessifying them in joining me. I was already solo gamed for, but since they were really keen, I told myself, why not? Nothing to loose anyway. Maybe all for the better?  

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.     

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