Mughlai Style Vegetarian Korma

And so? Every now and then, or every often, we yearn for a different cooking style of the same dish. Of course. The same goes in my house. I mean, it can’t be the same cooking style for the same dishes all the time? No. It can’t be. This time, instead of my regularity to a similar Korma, or Kurma Gravy, or Curry, I did a different kinda Korma. Korma or Kurma (Navratan Korma, Vegetable Kurma & Mutton Kurma), I reckon is a popularity amongst the Indian community and perhaps, throughout the sub-continents of India (Hyderabadi Biryani & Vegetable Kadhi), also, other parts of the world. After all, food likings, food delights and food cooking from various part of the world, has, without a doubt, travelled throughout the globe. Therefore, the food of one country is the availability in other countries, and also, cooked by people like me in Malaysia who like to keep their food life interesting, trilling and aha, sex-citing as well. Sex-citing! Aha! If you are a true and true foodie, you will know what I mean. The rest of you? Go figure and I bet you will agree.

Vegetarian Bayam Masak Lemak (Spinach Coconut Stew)

Hi all you amazing and wonderful people.  

How have you been? Hope all is well and extremely positively good. Me? What about me? I am doing good as well. Oh-well! It’s not all perfection, rosy and sunshiny all the time. But, I keep going positively. Even if things go wrong. Even if, every once a while or every now and then I feel the world has collapsed on my head. My life! Hah! A colourful life. Yea. I like to keep my life colourful.Always. The latest colors pop-yea-yea in my life? “Karthigai Deepam” Hindu religious festival. Also known as the “Festival Of Lights”, specifically the lights of Lord Shiva’s enlightenment and this festival, celebrated over a period of three days is about lighting the earthen lamps. For me, been like, in fact, I can’t even recall when was the last time I ushered this festival of lights. Most probably, I think, most probably, 30 over years ago. That too, during my growing up years in Brickfields when I was single and available. This year! Aha!. I just felt vibes. The vibes to lighting the earthen lamps. On the first day, 31 lights lighted up, second day, 51 lights and on the third day, wow, 101 earthen lamps lighted up in my garden. My garden. My pride and joy, and of course, I am the gardener. Gardening. My stress buster and one of those which is part of my colourful life.

Sweet Durian Porridge & Steamed Glutinous Rice (Serawa Durian & Pulut Kukus)

The typical, traditional, authentic Malaysian Malay dessert. Sweet Durian Porridge & Steamed Glutinous Rice, aka, Serawa Durian & Pulut Kukus. My-my! Durian lovers! You will love, love this absolutely delicious mouth watering, our Malaysian dessert. Yes. You will. Take it from this “The Crazy Lover”. What about the rest? The rest who are not so fancy frilly over the smell and tastes of durian? Why not? Try. You must. After all. Unless you try, you never know right? Furthermore, don’t discriminate food. Any kinda. Be adventurous. Be a joy and love to food of all walks of life. Including, of course, our Malaysian food is still the best and our desserts, ahhhh, they are such  a major delight (Pulut Inti & Wajik Pulut). Best in the world. Best out of the rest. Precisely. But, in any case, you have tried durian and durian is still a no go to? Replace durian with jackfruit or whatever and whichever fruit you believe can take the place of durian.

Tempe Orek (Indonesian Spicy Fermented Soy Beans)

Indonesian Food (Ikan Cabe Ijo). Indonesian Cuisine (Terong Balado Pedas Manis). Indonesian Cooking (Sayur Lodeh). Yes I am. I am the star. The number one, glittering, shining star. The star as an avid, number one fan of Indonesian food or Indonesian cuisine. I am also the glossy, twinkling and lighted up star as well to Indonesian cooking (Sambal Goreng Teri). Of course. I know. Self praise is a disgrace. Then again? Who cares? I don't because if you don't praise yourself, like what? You are waiting for others to praise you? Oh please. Cut the crab. Anyway, I am without a doubt, the cooking star in my kitchen. In my own ways as the Indonesian chef in my house. But not like kinda, I have cooked a whole, long stretch of Indonesian dishes. The essentials though. The most probably, famed ones though (Ikan Balado) and my trip to Indonesia a couple of years ago? Oh-My-My-Love (Surakarta/Solo). The daily food love affair to Indonesian food happiness, which included the various types of tempe dishes (Yogyakarta Indonesia).

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.

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).  

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.