Malaysian Cumin Rice

Yep. I have been slacking in my recipe sharing compartment. I know. Well, it is nothing more than wanting to pitch other lifestyle stories. Whatever said, no excuses, I believe I shouldn't let down those who have been faithfully following this precious space of mine, from the initial years, and till now, for my recipes. Henceforth, obviously, a recipe sharing today! Malaysian Cumin Rice. Another version to the previous Jeera Rice/Cumin Rice. You choose whichever you prefer. Of course, this version, Malaysian Cumin Rice is an updated version. Yea, even recipes need updating. In other words, I mean, to keep our food, recipes and eating colorful, alive and kicking, we can play around with the ingredients, for a latest version. Malaysian Cumin Rice. The minimalist, in the vegetarian food category, the uncomplicated rice cooker cooking technic (Mint Rice, Curry Leaves Rice, Dhal Rice & Coriander Rice). and all good to go (Rice Pilaf & Vegetarian Briyani), for pairing alongside, literally, any of our Malaysian dishes. Take care everyone. See you all again in the next pitching of mine. Take care. 

South African Fish Curry

South Africa! Hah! Won my heart, captivated every bit of my mind and soul. South Africa (Pretoria South Africa). One of the pricey travelling grams of mine. Still, worthy every bit. No regrets whatsoever. Amongst all in South Africa, Cape Town became the winner (Cape Town). Cape Town and coming with it, hills, valleys, slopes, beaches, sea, you name it, all of these as Cape Town’s nature pride. What about South African food? For those of you who know me, you know me not only as a liberal traveler, also, as a liberal foodie right? Of course, wherever I am, no matter where I go, apart from eating at the streets is not a big deal for me. Well, when your tummy is a well-trained Malaysian tummy, have no fear to food liberalization. Worst come to worst, let me give you a clue. In case of food mishaps, swallow the charcoal tablets and all will be good to go, or no go to toilet.   

Plant Based Breakfast Platters

Looks like I'm back in action! After a little break from this cozy corner of mine, I'm feeling refreshed and ready to sprinkle some culinary magic today. That's right - it's time to share some zen cooking tales with you all. Ta-da!

 

Alright, let's get real for a moment. While the URL (nava-k) remains the same (because who needs the hassle of buying a new one, am I right?), this space is now officially known as Nava’s Zen. Why the change, you ask? Well, it's all part of my new journey as I dive into starting my own business. Currently, it's undergoing some renovation and sprucing up, all while expanding my urban gardening efforts under the Nava’s Zen banner. But don't worry, my dear friends, I'm still here to spill the beans on all my culinary secrets.

Vegetarian/Plant Based Bak Kut Teh: Veggie Bliss Feast

Hey there, beautiful souls! I hope you're all doing splendidly. Me? Well, I just celebrated my 57th birthday a few days back. Can you believe it? How does it feel? Let me tell you, it feels absolutely fantastic. Unlike when I hit the big 5-0 seven years ago, feeling like the world was crashing down on me because, you know, half a century and all. Back then, I was filled with this unnecessary dread, all thanks to the voices around me whispering that life post-50 is just about serving your family. You know, the whole shebang about being the devoted wife and mother.

Those whispers? They came from everywhere - from my mum, my aunts, my in-laws, and even from random encounters. It seemed like everyone had the same script: an Indian woman's destiny is to be married off and become a selfless servant to her husband and kids. But you know what? Over the years, I've learned that I don't have to conform to those outdated notions. I'm breaking free and forging my own path.

Kambing Masak Kicap/ Mutton Soy Sauce

Hi darlings. I know. I have been missing in action (MIA) in this precious space of mine. Been, like, almost two weeks or so, right? Sort of. Actually, I didn’t even keep tap how long it has been. Anyway, what’s been going on with me, if you would like to find out? Even if you are not interested in finding out, I will still tell you. Aha! Life has been bustling with all sorts of things. As usual. What else is new. But now, it’s even more bustling. I’m now like the queen bee building my honey nest. Meaning. I have been working on a couple of things, including educating myself. Educating in the sense, not so much for flaunting my credentials, actually, come to think of it, why not. But more to that, educating myself so that my customers and clients are confident in the services or products I am offering them. Apart from, of course, credentials and qualifications, for knowledge gaining, for knowledge thirsting and for the learning curve to go up in the industry I am in. There’s still more groundwork to be worked on and hopefully, all will fall in place. Not hopefully actually, they must and they should.   

Indonesian Vegetarian Red Chilli Brinjal/Terung Kampung Masak Cabe Merah (Vegetarian)

Ahhh! Direct translation of recipes? The names primarily. Quite a thing in instances like for this dish - Terung Kampung Masak Cabe Merah. A vegetarian version (Indonesian Potato Tauchu, Water Spinach Salad, Spicy Fermented Soy Beans & Spicy Sweet Brinjal) obviously as I have mentioned. The thing as well? Even though my formal education till my secondary level has been in our local language, Bahasa Malaysia, which by far, as far as I know, can be regarded as a cousin of Indonesian language? I still struggled in translation the name of this recipe. Furthermore, due to, this dish is my invention based on all my previous Indonesian recipes. Still, the best thing is not to give up. Therefore, I have named it as Indonesian Vegetarian Red Chilli Brinjal.

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.  

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. 

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. 

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.