Stir Fried Oyster Mushrooms

I'm not sure. In fact, I am rather confused about, what is healthy cooking for healthy living. Seriously guys,  I can't comprehend and I really don't know how should I go about explaining healthy cooking and healthy eating (Moringa/Drumstick Leaves Stir Fried). For me personally, I eat anything. Anything in other words, everything in moderation and I do, from time to time, indulge in sinful guilty food pleasures. Of course, not gawking those heavy duty rich food daily, but when the craving kicks in. I am really fine. No guilty feeling due to me not the pigging out kinda and me exercising regularly. Still, trust me, controlling my weight and also, avoiding tiredness, body pain and headache which every now and then can literally pull me down? Not an easy feat for Nava K who is 54, going 55.

Ipoh, Perak - Nava K Discovery (Day 1)

Ipoh. Mum's motherland. Mum “Made In Ipoh” and at 14, yep, I said it loud and clear, at 14 years old, mum married to dad, before making Kuala Lumpur as her next hometown. 3 years later, Nava K  “Made In Sungei Besi”. In one of the government houses across the army camp which don't exist anymore. Of course, obviously, nine months later? Aha! Nava K crawling out of mum's worm in Kuala Lumpur General Hospital and Ipoh, mum’s heritage? Part and parcel of my life as well. Mostly visiting grandparents during school holidays until Ipoh becoming a permanent full-stop. Due to grandparents themselves uprooting their Ipoh roots from Kampung Paloh for joining us in Kuala Lumpur. Whatever it may have been, Ipoh in tandem to mum's and my background? Those teen years of mine specifically in Ipoh? Walking to the river side for idling my time away, staying in the traditional wooden long house and making it a point in regularly slurping into "Ice Bola” and “Bread Ice-Cream”. Those good old memories? Unforgettable and still, mind you, glued on my mind till this day.   

Pachai Sundakkai Kulambu (Fresh Turkey Berry Curry)

Not only fish curry (South Indian Style Fish Curry). In fact, any curry for the matter in my house? A must. Yes. Without a doubt. Not for me though. I am okay in exploring various types of dishes, but for my Indian other half-half I have been faithfully married for the last 17 years? Curry, curry and curry (Mushroom/Kaalan Sour Curry) for every other meal (Spinach Chickpea Curry, Brinjal Curry & Vegetable Kadhi). Basically, no curry, no food hunger or food happiness for him. Perhaps, if I am not mistaken, can I take it as, its the same curry cooking story in your house as well if you are married to a typical Indian man (Navratan Korma & Pavakkai/Bitter Gourd Puli Kuzhambu)? Unless, of course, your husband don't mind cooking his own curries (Okra Curry & Drumstick Sambar/Dhal Curry) and he also lovingly cooking meals for you too. Anyhow, whether you are the chef at home or its your spouse, this pot of Nava K invented Pachai Sundakkai Kulambu/ Fresh Turkey Berry Curry. A power house, spicy, tangy vegetarian authentic Indian style curry. Sincerely worth being made in your kitchen too. Trust me, won't let down your and your loved ones tastebuds.

South Indian Style Fish Curry

Fish curry in my house (Thai Green Fish Curry, Asam Pedas Ikan Bawal & Malaysian Fish Head Curry)? What can or should I possibly say? If not once a week, at least every fortnight. Even if it’s not fish curry, there must be some sort of fried fish various types (Fried Fish Soy Sauce, Ikan Goreng Asam & Thai Crispy Fish). Obviously for the matter every few days once due to? Fish being the brain food for my other half-half. Mmmm? Cooking for our loved or loving ones? You tell me please. I am sure you know what I am talking about? Easier said than done I suppose and we women mostly, in fact, all the time making it a point in cooking what our loved ones will pleasure into. Furthermore, over the years, honestly, though I did try, I have given up on trying to coax my other half-half in trying chicken (Karaikudi Chicken Curry) or pork (Pork Bulgogi). Not worth because trust me, food can actually rock the marriage boat. Especially when age has caught up and you realize that you don't have anymore energy in trying to change your husband's food likes or dislikes. Instead, better to leave them alone and just go with the flow by cooking the food they will pleasure into. 

Malay Style Udang Sambal

Yes. Of course. There is infinitely, as far as I know, various types of Udang Sambal or as per say, Sambal Udang (Sambal Goreng Udang Pete). Udang Sambal obviously, if you are asking me, is a popular Malaysian dish and specifically the originality of Malay cooking. And I? Do I have to repeat myself again and again? I just so love Malay food and sambal (Sardine Sambal & Sambal Tumis Telur)? Oh my sambal! Trust me, a spicy Malaysian delight, perhaps I must include Indonesian various types of sambal as well (Ikan Cabe Ijo) and Malay Style Udang Sambal? Truly, such an authentic cooking style, but somehow not the same as the Chinese style or Indian style Udang Sambal. For Indian Style Udang Sambal, its mostly curry powder and curry leaves, whereas Chinese Style Udang Sambal (Sichuan Chilli Prawns), specifically a Nyonya style, more or less, pretty much to a certain extent, can be trended somewhat to Malay Style Udang Sambal (Nyonya Okra Sambal). Still, I will vouch that nothing can out-beat or over-take a Malay Style Udang Sambal (Sambal Belimbing Ikan Bilis). Malay Style Udang Sambal! The absolute full-flavored, greatest good tempting power house. Alright foodies. Grab this recipe of Nava K.

Vegetarian Potato Sambal

Vegetarianism and Nava K. Oh pleaseeee!!! Please don't put us side by side. Honestly everyone, vegetarianism is definitely out of the question for me. Neither will I force it on me for the sake of doing it or just because others are willingly or blindly jumping into the back wagon of vegetarianism. Seemingly, I may be wrong, but obviously, people are under the impression that if you are a vegetarian, you are a symbol of healthy living. For the Hindus as well, if not all, at least the rest, they are under the impression that abstaining from meat is a sign of holiness (Mushroom Curry/Kaalan Puli Kulambu). Really? I am not going to say anything further. Hindus, believe me, they are really sensitive if you talk about their religion. Anyway, whether you are a healthy grain or holy grain or not, there is such a thing as being a part-time vegetarian right (Vegetarian Nyonya Laksa & Nasi Minyak)? Why not? Whenever we feel we should or we want to instead of allowing others in pressuring us?

Fraser's Hill - Pahang

From Bentong to Frasers Hill. At our own speed. No, no. Please don't get me wrong. We weren't like strolling or nuisance driving. Basically, we didn't see a need for rushing or bulldozing our way through. After all, like I have told you before or maybe I didn't, inbound country road trips or even those across the continent. For a matter of fact. Wouldn't you agree should be easy going instead of wanting to prove a point to others we super heroes who are conquering one place after the other for the sake of showing off? Or, you might as well tell me as well. What is the point of travelling if we return home feeling bashed up, trashed out or worn out? Instead, shouldn't we hail or appreciate travelling as a relaxing frame of mind? As it is, like, we don't have enough of our day in day out daily grin I am sure you agreeing is already killing us softly? Must we also load up more stress by getting all worked up or paranoia in the name of travelling? Think about it, while I slowly take you through my travelling story. Out of Bentong, somehow, along the way, don't ask me why and what not, we somehow ending up Teras.