Whatever said
and whatever done, at the end of it all, nothing like our Malaysian desserts, aka
kuih-muih. For this lady, who goes by her pen name “The Crazy Lover”. she, yes,
she alright, will never stop jumping up and down, and as high up to the sky as
well for her country loved traditional desserts. After all, the fact is that, the
best desserts in the world can’t be from any other country except Malaysia.
Yeh! Shout out to this, typical, authentic and traditional Malaysian. Our
Malaysian desserts. They are not super dependent on oven. They just need a
stove. Also, the open air, over the charcoal grilling and of course, why not to
oven baking when the need warrants for.
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Malaysian Banana Fritters (Pisang Goreng Malaysia)
What have I been up to? Ah! Until you haven’t heard of me in this precious space of mine and including my YouTube channel which has been idle. Let tell you now. The two main highlights for me right now? The two major highlights I am currently working my butt out? The pride of mine I am working towards to? One. I’m still at my thesis. My thesis towards obtaining? MSc.Yoga. Plus. This thesis to be converted to a book. My first ever book for publication as E-book and this book, complimentary to all your darlings. Apart from, of course, it’s gonna be my contribution to the yoga world. E-Book is definitely going wake up, all you up immediately. Because. It’s me in my book. The funky, fun, happy, liberal, open minded, bubbly and joyous Ms. Nava. An open book. The yoga openness. That’s about it I am unveiling right now. Ditto.
Monday, May 17, 2021
Nava’s Sambar/Nava’s Indian Dhal Curry
Nava. Of course.
Nava K. Aka, The Crazy Lover. My-my-mind-you! I can cook. I can of course.
Maybe not extended to as a Michelin starlight, starbright, kinda cooking. But? A decent meal
at home. Cooked with love and basic, homestyle dishes mainly and mostly for the loved ones at home. Anyway. Or my way. Or your way. Or whoever's way? There’s only two of us in my house and food? Food is always. Forever.
The food of priority towards my Indian other half-half. My Indian other
half-half? Of course. As always, Indian food. The comfort food (Mysore Sambar, Andra Sambar, Drumstick Sambar & Udupi Sambar). The commonality
food. The known food and the food that has been repeated, over and over again, like? To tell you the
truth? I can’t even recall the number of times I have made Sambar/Indian dal
curry (Palakura Pappu, Spinach Dal Curry, Bitter Gourd Sambar & Sambar). For a fact, countless times for the years I have been married to him. Sambar again? Obviously. This time? Named as Nava K's Sambar/Nava's Dhal Curry. Furthermore? Honestly, nothing furthermore I want to say. Best will be perhaps, how about you reading all my sambar/Indian dhal curry stories in the other types of sambar recipes (Tanni Saar & Moong Dal Curry) I have linked within this intro. Right. Let's hit the recipe now.
Monday, April 26, 2021
Malaysian Rasam. Quick & Easy Rasam/Instant Indian Healthy Pepper Soup
Oh-Dear-My-Nava K! My blog. Blog of mine. This blog of mine. Obviously? Been neglected. My last blog pitching? 16th April (Som Tam/Thai Green Papaya Salad). Right now, you must be asking me why I have not been updated my blog right? No worries. I'll spill the beans right now and the beans will lead to? My yoga journey. Journey which has started very promisingly and this journey has been keeping me on my toes. Apart from the pressure I have been putting on myself, in finishing up my International Yoga Instructor Course. Plus, my thesis for my Master Of Science Yoga. Yes. I have to. Clock is ticking. Time is running out, and time is running really fast. Furthermore, not to forget about my home affairs chores. The cooking, washing, cleaning, as well as I am an avid home gardener and other things that I need to balance at home. Pretty much summing up or down? Why blog has been neglected.
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Indonesian Potato Tauhu/Kentang Tauchu Indonesia (Vegetarian)
Keep your food
journey interesting. Keep your food love exciting. And keep your food happiness
trilling, frilling and sexciting. Why not? After all, food is the primary
reason why we work. For a decent meal on our table, for our hunger and for the ultimate satisfaction
to our palates. Of course, we can prefer familiarity. I mean, we may be inclined to
our comfort food. But if you are an adventurous foodie or food lover like me, we do have
options to other cuisines from all around the globe. And food from the Asian continent
personally for me, is my utmost food love . Take for example
Indonesian food. Aha! Me! The food hero to Indonesian food and you know what? You can effortlessly convert Indonesian dishes to a vegetarian food trail (Urap Kangkung/Water Spinach Salad, Tempeh Orek/Spicy Fermented Soy Bean & Terong Balado/Spicy Sweet Brinjal). Like this Indonesian Potato
Tauhu/Kentang Tauchu Indonesia. Where did the recipe spring from? The mind of
this “The Crazy Lover”. Enough said, to the recipe now please.
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Vietnamese Spicy Lemongrass Chicken (Ga Chien Sa Ot)
In the previous recipe pitching, Bok Lahong/Cambodian Green Papaya Salad and today,
aha, crossing over from Cambodia to Vietnam (Hu Tieu Nam Vang/Phnom Penh Noodle Soup) for showcasing Vietnamese Spicy
Lemongrass Chicken. Trust me, such a wonderful, wondrous dish from a the land
which has gone through major battering and bruising due to the world know and historically
significant Vietnam War. Vietnam War. Oh yes! No trip of yours to Vietnam (Ca Hap Gung Hanh/Vietnamese Steam Fish) will
be complete or can be considerate as wholesomeness without visiting all the
historical sites which showcases the years of the Vietnam War (Ho Chi Minh City & Hanoi). Followed by the
also the aftermath of the brutal war. All of these. The pain, the misery, the
suffering, the deaths, so on and so forth. Now, how about Vietnamese Food?
Oh-My-Love! Simply spectacular. The freshest salads on earth, plus, a must when
in Vietnam, apart from Vietnamese Pho (Shrimp Pho, Lamb Pho/Vietnamese Noodle Soup & Vietnamese Fish Soup) are the other dishes, known for their
big, bold thundering tastes. A mix bag of spiciness, sourness and sweetness.
Including the dish of the day I am sharing. Vietnamese Spicy Lemongrass
Chicken. Shall we now head to the recipe? Of course. We shall.
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Bok Lahong (Cambodian Green Papaya Salad)
Bok Lahong. Aka, Cambodian Green
Papaya Salad. Indeed. Green papaya from my garden into this, various role play
and interlinking, big bold tasting Cambodian Salad. A raw salad by the way. In
other words, there is no cooking involved and for a fact, such a papaya salad
is also a popularity in other Asian countries as well. Including in Malaysia. Known
as Kerabu Betik and suffice to say, you can actually replace green papaya with
mangoes (Malaysian Mango Salad) too (Cambodian Green Mango Salad). Ingredients for this kinda papaya salad from whichever part of Asia?
Including for this version or variety from Cambodia ? As far as I know, pretty
much the commonality. The common Asian ingredients for the burst of spiciness,
sourness, sweetness and every now and then, saltiness as well. Now, you must be curious in finding
out, how come I know the nooks and crannies in making Cambodian Green Papaya
Salad? Aha! On my palates. Not once but a couple of times during my trip to
Cambodia (Cambodian Sour Fish Soup) in year 2012. Having said that, I tweeted the recipe to suit and fit those
ingredients available locally in Malaysia and those ingredients I couldn’t get
a hold on to? Eliminated. Plus, even the cooking technic. Simplified. Which you
can see and hear from my YouTube cooking video. Whereby I have spoken in great
length on other related and of course, since I like to talk a lot, other correlated
matters. All of it, as a package for my version of Bok Lahong.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Urap Kangkung (Water Spinach Salad) - Vegetarian
It’s
always been my absolute, my moment to my pleasure to tweeting recipes. Recipes I
pick up via my travelling meaningfulness. In other words, at each part of the
world I am, I make sure I somehow or rather, either slyly or demurely ask for
the recipes at the places I dine or pack food. Including at the streets. Or
worst come to worst, I taste the food and figure out for myself what could possibly
be the ingredients for those dishes. Of course, suffice to say, there are kind
people in any part of the world who won’t mind sharing their recipes. Whereas,
I believe it is a known fact that, there are also people who do or die, will safeguard,
protect and defend their recipes like nobody’s business. Nevermind. Does not
really matter. Because as a foodie adventurous person and someone who have been
cooking various types of dishes from various continents for donkey years, furthermore,
thanks to my hard earned money which has enabled me to travel to a number of countries
as well, I am quite a hero in figuring out the ingredients for the dishes. My
food love will without a doubt forever be Asian dishes, but that does not mean I
shun away from Western dishes. Indonesian food (Tempe Orek Vegetarian & Terong Belado Masam Manis) particularly for me. Oh my-my
and during my trip to Indonesia a couple of years ago (Surakarta & Yogyakarta), I managed to dive into
Urap Kangkung, aka, Water Spinach Salad and here’s to the vegetarian version (Sayur Lodeh).
Of course, recipe by yours truly, and recipe, ah, from the mind of Nava K.
Monday, February 15, 2021
Nava K's Palak Paneer (Spinach Indian Cottage Cheese)
Hi
Darlings,
Recipe
of the day? Nava K’s Palak Paneer. Palak? Spinach (Spinach Coconut Milk Stew, Spinach Potato & Spinach Chickpea). Paneer? Indian cottage cheese, which for a fact, you
can make at home and homemade paneer without a doubt, is the best. Still, there
is such a thing as store bought paneer. Supposedly, homemade, home style paneer
you can pick up at the Indian stores for the matter of “convenience for
cooking”. Not to say I have not had my hands-on experience to making paneer in
my kitchen, yet, these days, since I prefer least time to cooking, I usually
settle for the store bought ones. The store ones too, by far, are a great
choice. Furthermore, these days, considering that such ingredients have
travelled and are still travelling around the globe due to global trading, you
get ample choices to various types of paneer at the Indian stores. Including in
Malaysia, those made, sealed, embossed and transported from India. For this, my
version to palak paneer, yea, store bought, a couple of dollars paneer. To the
recipe now darlings. Indian cottage cheese, spinach (Spinach Tofu & Spinach Dal), yogurt and spices for this
delightful Nava K’s Palak Paneer.
Monday, January 25, 2021
Chilli Cashew Stir Fried Veggies
I'm still like a yo-yo. Up-down, down-up, back and forth, and to and fro. My colorful life as usual. The things I juggle, remember I told and in case you have not read, click on this link Nurish Organiq Face Essence please. Alright. So much only I want to speak about "MyFiftySixLife" today and without wasting anymore time, let's zoom into the recipe for the day now. Chilli Cashew Stir Fried Veggies. The Chinese cooking style (Chinese Style Eggplant, Stir Fried Oyster Mushroom, Jiu Hu Char, Bitter Gourd Omelette & Mapo Tofu) to a vegetarian Chinese vegetable dish and cashew nuts by far? As far as I know and as far as my cooking skills are a concern, Indians use cashew nuts as a thickening agent for curries or gravy dishes, whichever and whatever dish it may be. Whereas, for the Chinese, cashews are one of the ingredients for their stir fries. Okay. I'm done with the intro pitching for this recipe, because I got to get back to some the pending things I have to complete and one of those things I actually indulge in is, gardening. Not only gardening, but also, what I do with the supply of my gardening supply. Aha! pandan leaves/screwpine leaves for my interior. Watch this video of mine and you will know what I mean. Of course, recipe to Chilli Cashew Stir Fried Veggies will be laid out next. Take care lovings. We will catch up sooner or later. Bye!
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Ponnanganni Keerai Poriyal (Sessile Joyweed/Dwarf Copperleaf Stir-Fry)
Ponnanganni
Keerai? Mmmm! Honest to goodness, if I am to translate this leafy green veggie
to English, or to another understandable language? I will fail. Fail massively.
On the other hand otherwise, after reading from the visual world, which I did
of course prior to pitching this recipe, I will crown myself as a hero. Aha! Ponnanganni Keerai! Known as Alternanthera
Sessilis, also as, Sessile Joyweed and Dwarf Copperleaf. You know
what? To make this matter easier, later on, if, if, if, if at all you watch me in
the video, you will get a clearer, better and easier picture on which leafy
veggie is Ponnanganni Keerai. Ponanganni Keerai! The absolute to packing
aplenty nutrients. So as well other vegetable dishes I have shared before (Beans Turmeric, Spinach Potato, Murungai Keerai Poriyal, Vazha Koombu Thoran/Banana Blossom Fry, Bitter Gourd Chips & Spinach Tofu) and
this veggie, particularly and specifically, oh-my, the valuable nutrients to
our eyes. Furthermore, you don’t big bundles of ingredients for this simply,
easy to go, easy style to cooking this delicious Ponnanganni Keerai Poriyal. Ah!
Sincerely, faithfully and truly appetizing and just cooked rice will be the
best soulmate for Ponnanganni Keerai Poriyal. Of course, you can mix and match
with other dishes for a fact (Malaysian Sodhi, Tomato Rasam & Udupi Sambar). Please yourself. Whichever and however you want
to devour or demure into Ponnanganni Keerai Poriyal. Anything else I want to
say? Nothing really. Clock is ticking, time is most precious because I’ve a
whole lot of things lined up to do. Signing off and you guys take care. Lots of
love.
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Malaysian Sodhi (Indian Coconut Milk Stew)
Let's talk Sodhi - a flavorful Indian coconut stew that's a hit in many households, including ours! It's like a cousin to Masak Lemak, a Malay coconut milk stew, but with its own twist. While Masak Lemak opts for fresh turmeric and lemongrass, Sodhi keeps it simple with turmeric powder, giving both dishes their vibrant yellow color. Sodhi is a regular at our table, often poured generously over rice and enjoyed with side dishes. There's something magical about scooping up that creamy goodness with your hands!
Monday, December 14, 2020
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.
Monday, December 7, 2020
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.
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
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.
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
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).
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.
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