Monday, November 9, 2020

Sambal Style Sardine Fry

This sardine cooking story in my house? Always, forever and I am absolutely certain will go on, and on. Either every now and then, or for a fact, I reckon, every often like a rapid fire or towering inferno. What's with sardines in my house if your curiousity is killing you? In other words, why sardines are one of our food prides? Actually, you know what? I really don't have an absolute answer for you. Perhaps better be said as, because fish is sort of a favourite in my house (Western Style Pan Grilled Spicy SalmonNyonya Fish Curry & Ikan Goreng Asam Jawa), and sardines, especially, since our local catch, they are pretty, really affordable and mind you, tastiness as well. Regardless, whether the fresh ones or canned sardines (Sardine Varuval & Sardine Peratal). Sardines! Yea. There will always be the favourites to sardines like sardine curries (Nadan Fish Curry), or the Malaysian, our chilli based and chilli cooked sardine side dishes. For me personally, the craziness and madness will forever be our Malay style gravy style sardines dishes (Tempoyak Masak Lemak Sardine & Sardine Masak Cili Padi). Those spicy (Sardine Sambal), salty and tadbit of sweetness, the Malay or Malaysian revelation of mouth-popping, yippie-yeh-yeh tastiness (Nyonya Acar Fish).

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Sabah (East Malaysia) - Nava K's Discovery (Part 3)

Day 5 in Sabah. Off for another two, facing the beach sight viewing (Sabah Part 2 & Sabah Part 1). How did it go? By this day. Hah! I somehow managed to put the Sabah jigsaw puzzle into perspective for getting a clearer picture of what is going on. Without a doubt. My smartness. Yea. Mine alright. My smartness concluded that, my so called advisers didn't do their homework about any damn thing in Sabah. Apart from wrong projections on land prices, they had almost nil knowledge about land transactions, nor any clue what soever about the business indicators in Sabah. Damnit! On the contrary, I must thank some of the good people I came in contact with. They actually making it a point in sharing their expertise unselfishly on the hidden, unspoken and nitty-gritty business insights in Sabah. Furthermore, aha, I had also done my fair share of homework before leaving home, particularly on native land purchasing and how complicated it can be. Anyway. Anyhow. As frustrated as I was. I felt like a hero for my learning curve and knowledge on how, to a certain extent, doing business in Sabah can be complicated. Done. Over. Full stop. By day 5, I knew. I must give up. Either temporary or permanently on my future vision and mission in Sabah.

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Western Style Pan Grilled Spicy Salmon

Salmon! Of course. Why not? Salmon. I must admit, is a favorite in my house. Furthermore, when its a matter of mind over matter for cooking salmon, oh yes, easy cooking and cooked in a jiffy. Salmon also, on the whole is tastiness by itself and just a couple of ingredients will do the job as well (Grilled Salmon). Of course, if you want to elevate the tastes of salmon further to another higher level for other dishes? You can and you should (Burmese Biryani & Thai Fish Noodle Soup). What about how much will you pay for salmon? Definitely higher compared to our Malaysian local catch, yet, I don't mind spending the extra. Not always, but every now and then will do (Indian Spiced Salmon). Furthermore, even if its fresh salmon, the frozen ones can be a perfect fit for any dish you have on mind. Me and salmon? Certainly. Absolutely. Without a doubt (Tandoori Salmon & Lemon Butter Salmon).  

Sunday, October 4, 2020

Sabah (East Malaysia) - Nava K's Discovery (Part 2)

Day 3 in Sabah (Sabah Part 1). Hello Kota Kinabalu by 6.30am. Well! Oh well, well, well! Sleeping in a hotel room. Even if its the best room in the world? Even how tired I am. Never been like the best sleep, because, the best sleep for me, has to be my humble bed at home. Furthermore. Over the last  year or so, I've developed the habit to, like some, or all of you, who believe in, early to rise, early to shine is the key to starting your day promisingly. Also, the first thing for me when I wake up. Even before brushing my teeth. Of course. After a glass of warm water. The health is wealth trend. Next will be. Has to be. Must be. The aroma and taste of a cuppa of coffee for a fabulous, positive happy morning start up. Folllowed by, least to least, one full circle and cycle of "Surya Namaskar (Yoga Sun Salutation) gratiifying gratitude to the morning sun. Therefore, this day starting off on the same note. Water, coffee culture, and me the yoga practitioner respecting the sun. Then of course shower, and out of the hotel by 9.30am, for a basic, simple and no frill breakfast. 

Friday, September 25, 2020

Burmese Masoor Dal. Burmese Dal Gravy.

Dal, or dhal. However you want to spell. Dal. One of the family members of legumes. Dal. Without a doubt, synonymous for Indian cooking, including for Nava K's Indian household cooking and I know that, dal is an appreciated ingredient for other types of cuisines as well. My dal recipes? Aha! Tadaa! Here we go (Udupi Sambar, Palakura Pappu, Andra Sambar & Punjabi Sabut Moong Dal). What about dal in Burma, now known as Myanmar? Absolutely. Down the memory lane of Indians from India and spreading their dal cultural cooking heritage in Myanmar. The question now is? How do I know about Burmese Masoor Dal? Hah! Been there. Done it. Been to Myanmar, and have tasted their dal dishes. My story. This is my story. My Burmese or Myanmar food story, alongside my dal cooking story (Mulligatawny Soup, Tanni Saar & Dal Rice). By the way, for your information. This Masoor Dal Gravy. Sure. Must be regarded as a close cousin, to the varies types of Indian Dal Curries or Gravies (Fish Sambar, Palak Sambar, Bitter Gourd Sambar, Drumstick Sambar, Simple Sambar & Mysore Sambar). Pretty much? Obviously? Of course. Like I have told you? The influence of Indians from India and spreading their dal cooking skills and knowledge, once and after they step foot in Myanmar back then. Alright. Shall we get to the recipe now please. We shall and, until the next pitching of mine, take care everyone. 

Monday, September 21, 2020

Sabah (East Malaysia) - Nava K's Discovery (Part 1)

Finally! Me and Sabah? Yes. Indeed. Me in Sabah at the earliest date in the month of February. Finally!! Yes. Can you believe it? After Nava K being on or in this earth for the last 56 years. Before. Even before, or whilst Covid 19 was getting upbeat and ready for showing its true colors, and before this virus crushing, crumbling and tumbling on my travelling life and style. Now, what's with me tripping in, on, over, above, under and about Sabah? Aha! The big dreams of mine. The future goals of mine. Which mind you, ending up as a major massive, thundering disappointment. To tell you the truth, I was utterly shattered. I was utterly broken into pieces. Until, I felt like, each and every part of me, including my inner wings of emotional strength, were like, torn and tattered into pieces. Duh! Doomer to whatever I wanted to achieve in Sabah for my future. 

Friday, September 11, 2020

Nyonya Fish Curry.

Nyonya Cuisine. Nyonya Food. Nyonya cooking and Nava K? Yes. Yes. Yes. Shouldn't I or should I proudly profess that I am a Nyonya food hero (Ikan Buah Keluak & Ayam Buah Keluak)? Why not? I know self praise can be a disgrace, then again? Don't we all, can't we all ought to be proud of our achievements? We must for a fact (Nyonya Mee SiamNyonya Curry Laksa & Nyonya Lam Mee). We absolutely should. Without doubting our capabilities and abilities. Furthermore. I am proud. Yes I am. My credentials in culinary arts. Though in the specific niche area of Bread Making and Patisserie. Of course, self learning can be regarded as learning as well? Building from the base of knowledge and learning curve we have obtained? Where has this learning curve led me to? Having cooked and still learning by improving my knowledge, skills and abilities by cooking various dishes from various contingents. Recipe of the day? For show casing my "know how" to Nyonya recipes? Nyonya Fish Curry, aka Nyonya Curry Fish. Splendidness and awesomeness. The revelation and role play of the true, authentic, sincere and genuine Nyonya tastes and flavours (Nyonya Fish SambalAyam Pongteh & Nyonya Steamed Fish). By the way, for your information, I've made a different version of Nyonya Fish Curry before. Known as Nyonya Assam Fish Curry. Let's say, this latest Nyonya Fish Curry style of mine is the updated, upgraded and rebooted version. Also, if you click on all the links I've linked, they will be the treasures to other Nyonya recipes too. Happy cooking everyone!

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