Saturday, November 12, 2022

Vegetarian Tofu Sambal (Malaysian Style)

Hi loves, 
How are all of you doing? I bet  you are doing well and good. As for me, as I have repeated myself, over and over again, its packed to the rim, from the ground for strengthening my business, Nava's Zen (Sun Dried Mango Vegetarian Curry & Drumstick Egg Masala Curry). Nevertheless some things have been put into perspective and one of it, dang, my YouTube Channel, which has been giving a facelift. Of course, there is much room for further improvement and enhancement, without a doubt. For the time being, it is my sincere hope that the facelift will attract you further to return to my YouTube Channel for checking out, what is "Nava's Cooking" latest recipe.  

Now, let me usher you back to this, another precious space, like Nava's Zen, of mine. Well, its another cooking story. Basically, another food love. After all, I believe food is one of the connections for friendship and food is the love to our soul. Any kind of food for the matter and sure, we have our favorites as well. Having said that, unsure I am if this "Vegetarian Tofu Sambal" (Plant Based Masala Tofu, Mapo Tofu & Tofu Manchurian) will be a hit to your palates? Then again, even when it comes to food, lets keep our option open please. 

Friday, October 21, 2022

Nyonya Prawn Sambal (Sambal Udang Nyonya)

Hi darlings, 
Sincere apologies to those of you who may have been on the look out for a new pitching in this precious space of mine. Ah! Tell me about it. Time and time, apart from, I am one of those who can't stay put in front of my laptop for pitching. Oh-yes, the fidgety me, the hyper me. Nevertheless, there has to be, yes, the moment I must surrender my butt on the chair for pitching. So here I am. I also sincerely wish, I can pitch something different, instead of recipes all the time, but when the mind is tired, the thinking capacity will be swinging like a pendulum. Therefore, in such instances, the best will be? The familiarity to my cooking and sharing my recipes. Today, I bring you another Nyonya recipe (Nyonya Okra Sambal & Nyonya Acar Fish). No, no, I'm not a Nyonya. I am actually the Indian lady, who not only love exploring Nyonya dishes, but also a big fan of? Imagine, please do right now, the role play, the interlinking, profound, spicy, and aromatic bloom and boom of our Malaysian herbs in Nyonya dishes (Ayam Pongteh, Nyonya Mee Siam & Ikan Goreng Asam). Precisely too, in this Nyonya Prawn Sambal. Right on, right into the recipe now. 

Monday, September 26, 2022

Drumstick Egg Masala (Murungakkai Muttai Masala)

Hi Darlings, 

What a long break from my cooking pitching. Like, almost a month plus already. Oh-well-well, nothing new for me to share. Its the same thing basically (read at Sun Dried Mango Curry).  Alright, without taking up your time and mine, to the recipe of the day. Drumstick/murunggakai? Yes, there's been recipes before in this space of mine (Drumstick Leaves FryFish Muringakka Curry & Salted Fish Murungakkai Curry). Let me add another one and as usual, cooking for me personally, is about simplicity and making do with my pantry friendly ingredients and whatever has been stocked up in my fridge. Right on, hit it at the recipe now please!!!

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Sun Dried Mango Curry/Maangai Vathal Kuzhambu

Challengers are challenging! Of course, without a doubt, and I guess, challengers are part and parcel of our life. Furthermore, say what you like, challengers are unavoidable, if we are want to positively move forward in achieving whatever we have set in our mind. Unless otherwise, for those who are contented, doing what you are doing currently, or maybe, not even doing anything, there will no challengers. How about me & my challengers? Remember, I told you before (Plant Based Masala Tofu)? No, no, don't get me wrong. I am not sulking, neither complaining. I take challengers as the stepping stone for my future goals and achievements (Lemongrass Rice & Balinese Fish Sambal).  

Monday, August 1, 2022

Lemongrass Rice (Nasi Serai)

Hi Darlings, Hope, all of you are doing well and good. After all, hope is life. As for me, as usual, the hustle-bustle, and rimmed back to back with my daily chores, including managing and running my fitness zen. Ah! Challenging as usual as well. Having said that, if there's a will, there is always a path in front of you. Of course. Oh, I also must tell you that, I have found another hobby, apart from gardening, for fulfilling my soul. The hobby? My dance videos, shared across the board in all my social media accounts. How has it been so far? Well, the good and the ugly. The ugliness of receiving flitty, ugly, dirty, bad, brutal and hammer house of horror comments. Comments like, I'm a lonely desperate woman, I'm looking for men on social media, I am a mental case, I am a shameless old lady, I am doing drunk dancing, and the list goes on. Nevermind, let it be and let them be, because I am least bothered, and I care least. On the other hand, there are people who appreciate my dancing videos. These are, the people who don't judge, who don't label, who don't assume, and they should also be known as the "beautiful souls". Thank you, stay blessed you great people.

Friday, July 15, 2022

Balinese Fish Sambal/Sambal Ikan Bali


Hi Loves, to blog or not to blog? Ah! What a mindboggling question. Seemingly blogging has taken a back step due to social media platforms. Still, there are bloggers who are continuing with blogging, taking it as a platform for sharing whatever they feel they should and want to share with all of you great souls. What about me? Well, sad if I let me blog die a natural death (Turkish Carrot Yogurt Salad & Masala Tofu). By right, I should have switched to a website, considering I am now into my own fitness zen, fitness business and in the fitness industry. Then again, tell me about it? Cost? Seriously, I can't afford. Therefore, for me personally, although I'm not as active as I have been in blogging, I will still keep this previous space of mine, which I believe has reached 10 years mark. 

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Turkish Carrot Yogurt Salad/Yogurtlu Havuc Salatasi

 Hi Darlings, 

Today, I bring you with lotsa love, happiness, peace, joy and laughter, another Turkish dish. Furthermore, its another salad dish. Turkish cuisine for me personally? Ah! Such a profound food joy and salad, of course, my food love as well. The question you are probably asking now, I'm assuming actually, must be, how does this Indian lady in Malaysia know about Turkish food? Is she pulling my legs, hands or any other part of my body, or she knows it? Darlings, the utter truth is, I have had my moment in time in Turkey and during this trip, I of course, being a foodie and home chef, I made sure I put my heart and soul in finding out about Turkish food (Turkish Cucumber Yogurt Salad, Turkish Saffron Rice & Chili Hummus). Literally, from wherever. From classy restaurants, and tasting street food too.  Alright, to the recipe now. Nothing complicated, nothing messy, neither a mind-wrecking matter. 

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Plant Based Masala Scrambled Tofu

Goodness gracious! I've been "MIA" from this precious space of mine, like a month already? Sort of. The story is none, but the same story (Indonesian Vegetarian Green Sambal Brinjal). The challenge of building my business, which involves, mainly and primarily, marketing. Not bad. Been quite favorable, step by step forward. Slowly and surely, my client base is growing. Alright, so much from my business perspective, clock is ticking, time is rushing, gushing and pushing, let me take you straight up, down, under, above and around the recipe of the day. Masala Scrambled Tofu. Tofu. One of the "besta" source of plant based protein, and simply loved by Ms. Nava K. However, tofu by itself, oh-well, can be rather subtle, bland and flavorless. Henceforth, lets amplify its taste alongside spices for kicking-in and out, the ohlalala-ness (Vegan Tofu Sambal, Tofu Manchurian & Spinach Cumin Tofu). Apart from, you don't have to curb tofu for Malay (Malay Style Vegetarian Coconut Milk Stew) and Chinese dishes (Vegetarian Bak Kut Teh) as well. Whatever said, trust me, my recipes are always user-friendly and your pantry-friendly ingredients will lead the way. 

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Indonesian Vegetarian Green Sambal Brinjal/Terung Sambal Hijau

 
Hi Darlings,

Its been a while right, since we greeted each other? I know. So, let me begin by extending to all of you darlings, my utmost best and ultimate beautiful greetings. What have I been up to? Ah! How challenging! Trust me, it is really challenging starting a new business, from a scratch. Endless! Some days, I feel like collapsing, other days I am like a shining star. Regardless, its a meaningful profound learning curve. Indeed, so much to learn, so much of growing up, so little time for paying attention to what others, especially those who brand you, judge you, label you, and put your down, without realizing how much I have on my business plate, for keeping my business going. Hah! The society we are living in today? People who try their level best in breaking your self-confidence. Nevermind, let them be. We move on positively and don't forget, promisingly.

Sunday, March 6, 2022

Plant Based Spinach Turmeric Stir Fry (Vegetarian)

Where did I disappear to? Nowhere. Why then no pitching in this space of mine? Well, not everyday is a day the mind is activated for writing, furthermore, some days its pure laziness to writing, and I have been preoccupied with other things as well. One of those things, if not all, some of you know that I founded my home based, fitness Zen. That's right. Nava's Zen. Henceforth, time taken up for marketing and managing my business. Having said that, cooking is still on my list, albeit there are days its food from outside. These days, the cooking style of mine, as and when time permits, let's say, least to least, twice a week? Pretty much clean eating, healthy eating, and of course, simplicity to cooking too. Today,  its another one of my simple cooking, specifically, plant based cooking, Plant based spinach turmeric stir fry! Spinach? Oh-yes, (Chloe Palak/Spinach Chickpea, Saag Aloo/Spinach Potato, Vegetarian Spinach Coconut Milk Stew & Palak Paneer/Spinach Indian Cottage Cheese)  one of the favorites and turmeric, part and parcel of healthy cooking (Malaysian Sodhi/Coconut Milk Stew). Right now, its best we just zoom and vroom into the recipe to - plant based spinach turmeric stir fry. 

Friday, February 11, 2022

Turkish Cucumber Yogurt Salad (Cacik)

Turkish Cucumber Yogurt Salad, known as "Cacik" in Turkish language and supposedly its a dip. I on the other hand, named Cacik as a salad. Obviously, as you would have already noticed? Yeh, no harm done I suppose? To each our own? We can modify recipe names, after adapting, realigning and modifying  the recipe? Honestly, I have no qualms,. If you do, well, nothing much I can do about your cooking thinking. Anyway, lets move on. You still remember my previous Turkish recipe? Sincerely I hope you do, in case you don't, here's the recipe - Turkish Saffron Rice, which is a wonder food pairing for Turkish (Chilli Hummus) Cucumber Yogurt Salad. Sure, why not as well? You want it as a salad, no one can stop you, including Nava K. Otherwise, if you like it as a dip, as your food wish for your food pleasure. To the recipe now please. 

Saturday, January 22, 2022

Turkish Saffron Rice (Safranli Pilav)

Did this recipe, Turkish Saffron Rice, fly from high up, from the sky? No, of course not. I actually picked up it during my trip to Turkey (Istanbul, Turkey), 8 years ago, during one of my solo trips. This solo trip, for your information was one of those whereby I hopped in a fully-paid, all paid for tour, alongside unknown people. Plus, what a blessings, on our way out of Turkey (Topkapi Palace, Istanbul),  flight was delayed, and when we arrived in Dubai, our connecting flight to Kuala Lumpur has left. Henceforth, a free all paid for Dubai stay by the airline (Dubai). Tadaa! It was also during this trip, I sort of got a hold of Turkish Saffron Rice recipe. Somehow, I managed. Wasn't easy getting the recipe from the restaurant owner, where we dined in, still, yippie, I got it. Turkish Saffron Rice, nope, non-mind boggling, neither cooking complicated matter. Simple, easy-to-go-to, and taste-wise, ah, a wonder as a scented rice dish (Malaysian Cumin Rice, Vegetable Biryani & Rice Pilaf). Saffron? Yes, quite on a pricey side, but these days, you can get your hands to different types of saffron of different quality. See which you prefer and which you can afford, and let's get to the recipe now. 

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

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. 

Monday, November 22, 2021

Ageing Gracefully - Ms. Nava K

It took me many many years to understand what ageing gracefully is. Like any other modern society, many are trying their hardest to upturn the conventions and say that age is just a number, not a big deal. But, looking back now, actually, I don't really know nor understand what it really meant. It felt somewhat meaningless. Now, as I crossed the border beyond fifty-seven (57) years, I can't stop visualizing myself with an endless whirl of chores, things to complete and people to take care of. I wonder if I'll end up like my mum and aunts. Typically, Indian women's chores boom after marriage. Spending most of their time doing domestic work like cooking, cleaning, washing and the list goes on and on and on. And the endpoint to this is usually either health gets in the way or when they leave for the after-world. 

Monday, November 8, 2021

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.   

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Plant Based Breakfast Platters


Hi Darlings, Seems like I am activated all over. All over, hah. After abandoning this precious space of mine, I am up, and about today. I told myself, what the hack, I shall find some time for pitching my cooking terminology today. Tadaa! Actually, the truth is, because I have rebranded, its pitching our “Nava’s Zen. Holistic Wellness” food and recipe stories, and also for informing all you darlings that, we will still willingly share our recipes. Apart from, letting you know again that, only if the founder, me alright, Nava K, have the time for splashing unlimited and undivided bundles of cooking love soul, you can most probably expect a breakfast platter. For our private, exclusive and only through referrals, “Home Dining” and “Homestay”. Featuring our zen grown plants, herbs and we are growing our own fruits as well. Of course, in certain instances, as and when required, we do scout for the best quality, organically grown “Plant Based” ingredients.

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Vegetarian Bak Kut Teh (Chinese Vegetarian Tea Soup)

Hi darlings, Hope all is well and good with all you wonder peeps. On my side? I hit the mark to 57. That's right. I am fifty seven now. Therefore my tagline has changed from "my fifty six life" to #myfiftysevenlife. How do I feel? I feel wonder world. I feel I have so much to look forward to. In fact, life just started for me after I reach 55, and from there on, I have been brainstorming my own brain on my own and now, I am heading towards my passion. My zen. Nava's Zen. Holistic Wellness. Apart from I am into health products as well. Aulora products for health benefits. Without much ado, if you don't mind, watch this video of mine for the depths.  

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

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.   

Monday, July 5, 2021

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.

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Malaysian Banana Sweet Porridge/Pengat Pisang

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.

Zen Style Chronicles: The Serene Aura of Home Attire

In today's Zen Style spotlight, let's explore the serene world of home attire. Let's start with a simple question: What's yo...