Recipe: Easy, Beginners Nasi Lemak (With Step By Step Photos)

"Nasi lemak", which literally translates to Fat Rice in English, is a popular and signature dish in Malaysia, typically served for breakfast. You can find different versions of this within almost 5 km radius anywhere in KL on a normal weekday. Traditionally, it was eaten by our ancestors as breakfast due to the labour-intensive work they had to do during the day, such as rubber tapping, agriculture, carpentry etc - and nasi lemak fuelled their daily activity. 

Usually, nasi lemak's main focus is the rice, cooked in coconut milk, along with its' other condiments, mainly the sambal (spicy dried chilli sauce), boiled egg, fried anchovies, cucumber, and peanuts. Sometimes it is also served with other protein such as fried chicken (which you can see above), rendang, gulai and other dishes. I tend to get breakouts when I eat ground peanuts, so I usually never include it when I prepare nasi lemak at home. As it is a rather tedious cooking method, I cook this maybe once or twice a month. This is the most fuss free recipe to satisfy your nasi lemak craving.

Click the 'Read More' link below to view the full recipe!

Recipe: Cili Kisar/ Homemade Dried Chilli Paste

Cili Kisar (Cili Giling in the supermarkets), or Homemade Dried Chilli Paste is a staple in Malaysian recipes. This is the base for many sambal (Chilli) dishes in Malaysia. It's a relatively easy item to make, except for the fact that your hands will be "heaty" for a while, so you can't rub your eyes, touch your skin or take a shower for a good while. When I was younger, I hated making cili kisar because my mom would make me cut the chillies and I would sweat profusely and rub my eyes afterwards.

You can use it for rendang, masak hitam, sambal dishes and many other Malaysian dishes. It keeps in the fridge for one week and freezes well too (freeze in portions!). I always only make one portion because I dislike cutting so much of the chillies and deseeding them. Some people don't cut them, some people don't boil them (they just soak them in hot water) but I prefer cooking it to be safe and to reduce the spice level.

Click the 'Read More' link below to view the full recipe!

Food Review: Fish & Co. Malaysia Cheesemeltz Promo @ Paradigm Mall

Fish & Co. is a casual, full service family chain restaurant that serves seafood in a pan. Once in a while, we would visit Fish & Co. whenever we had a seafood craving. As seafood is quite costly nowadays in whatever restaurant you frequent, it's an indulgent treat for us once in a while. Which was why we were excited to discover the promotion of the Cheesemeltz series with 30% discount.

I added on Soup Of The Day (Fish Chowder) + Drink (Orange Juice) to my meal so my daughter could enjoy some seafood goodness. The soup is has thick texture, but every bite is a mouthful of seafood explosion in your mouth. It has a very creamy taste. For RM 10.95, it's a good deal as the soup itself is a big portion.

My daughter waiting for the next spoonful of Fish Chowder... 

Our order of Fried Calamari Rings. Fish & Co. offers you fried or grilled. I prefer the Fried version, as the crunchy crispy coatings provides a nice satisfaction against the succulent rings. RM 18.95.

My order of Ebiko Gratin. I ordered it not knowing what to expect. The grilled white fish was cooked perfectly, however I found the Ebiko Gratin topping to be slightly sweet to my liking (I think it was the mayonnaise sauce?). The ebiko provided nice surprise element of saltiness. Promo Price RM 18.85, Original Price RM 26.95.

My husband's order of Baked Mozzarella White Fish. I loved the taste of this dish! The succulent white fish worked perfectly with the melting, gooey cheese mix. Sinfully delicious! Promo Price RM 18.85, Original Price RM 26.95.

My daughter is eyeing the plump and juicy lychee from the Lychee Mojito. It has a very refreshing taste, boosted by the burst of fresh lychees in every bite. RM 12.95.

Our total bill. The original total would have been RM 96.75, so thank you Fish & Co. for this promotion!

Rating:

1. Variety: 4/5
1. Considering the promo was for the cheesemeltz series, they offered a good mix of cheesy offerings (there was also Pesto Parmesan and Grilled Parmesan), maybe they could offer different types of fish to cater to those whose tastebuds are not so white fish-inclined.
2. Taste: 4/5
• I don't think Ebiko Gratin would have been everyone's cup of tea, but I loved the Baked Mozzarella White Fish. Would order that next time. The fried calamari rings was to die for. And the mojito was the right blend of sweet and fresh!
3. Value for Money: 4/5
• For RM 18.85 per cheesy baked fish meal, I thought it was very reasonable! 
4. Cleanliness: 4/5
1. Relatively clean, although I think there's room for improvement.
5. Service 4/5
• There was a slight issue with my seating placement, which can be improved. I have informed the management regarding the matter and they will resolve the issue. The fisherians were quick to assist with the order and helping to clear the plates when we were finished.
6. Overall: 4/5
• I wish the promo was longer so I could try the other variations of the cheesemeltz! I do think if the Ebiko Gratin topping ratio to fish was perfected, the fish could have tasted differently. Otherwise, everything else was spot on!

Fish & Co. Malaysia Cheesemeltz Promo, Selected Outlets @ Malaysia

14 - 18 August 2017
Address (Paradigm Mall):
CF-53 Paradigm Mall,
No. 1, SS7/26A, Kelana Jaya,
47301 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Website: http://fish-co.com.my
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fishncomy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fishncomy/

*This post was not sponsored or endorsed by Fish & Co.

Recipe: The Best, Easy Peasy Blueberry Muffins

I had some blueberries in my fridge (RM 6.90 per pack! So cheap!) and my daughter was a little fussy as she had a cough and was teething (what a terrible combination) so I searched for an easy blueberry muffin recipe online to get her to eat more antioxidants (she won't eat the blueberries on its' own). What's worse is the blueberry stains she left on the carpet trying to destroy it.

The recipe from AllRecipes.com claimed to be To Die For Blueberry Muffins, and definitely was true! It had a crumbly sugary top (upon baking I realised how this recipe was not waistline-friendly) unlike other muffin recipes. I'm not a baker at all but it's really easy to follow so if you're not so confident with baking (I have zero confidence!), and have any blueberries in your cupboard then this recipe is perfect!

Click the 'Read More' link below to view the full recipe!

Food Review: McDonald's Spicy Korean Burger

So the latest food craze (because in Malaysia, 90% of the things that go viral are food-based) is McDonald's Spicy Korean Burger. It was so popular, that it was temporarily unavailable for a while. The first time I had it was on a trip to Pahang, and I had half the burger after my mom and aunt decided to have a "bite" (equals half the burger). To my recollection, my half of the burger tasted quite good even though I only ate it 30 minutes after purchasing it.

So when I wanted to purchase it again, the burger was unavailable. I was quite happy to hear the news that it was available again, so I headed to McD to tapao the lunch meal.

By the time I returned to my office, the chips/ fries looked exactly like the photo, the drink had melted slightly so it was more pale, and the burger was waiting to be unveiled...

Messy. Sloppy. Full of crunchy veggies as seen in the photo. The charcoal bun is as black as in the photo. There was sauted onions and some bright orange sauce slopped onto the burger.

My first bite into the burger was as memorable as the first time I had it. 

• The beef patty was still warm and juicy. It was quite thick, and not thin as other regular burgers. The burger patty itself was full of spice and flavour, so you could have Oriental influences in every bite.
• The sauce was, I'm sure, kimchi-inspired. To me, it reminded me of the Samyang noodles. The spice level increased more and more with every bite. Suddenly, the spice had creeped up to me, and hit me smack, bang, on my tongue, to the point where I turned to my collegue and said, OMG IT'S REALLY SPICY. Do bear in mind that after I gave birth, my spice level somehow reduced and I tend to find food that I would normally find not spicy (prior to giving birth) now spicy.
• The vegetables consisted of crunchy lettuce head and purple lettuce, with julienned carrots to add a much needed crunch to the burger and also to cool down the spice from the sauce. 
• The saluted and caramelised onion added a touch of sweetness to the burger, adding a great balance of sweet to the savoury dish.
• The charcoal burger itself was a regular burger bun, except for the colour, reminiscent of the charcoal colour. 
• As you can see from the photo below, eating the burger was a messy affair, with the sauce dripping everywhere.

On a side note, my friend Ida pointed out to me that they did a clever marketing ploy, imitating famous Korean posters when promoting their burgers.

 

Left: McD poster. Right: Original K Drama is Boys Over Flowers

Left: McD poster. Right: Original K Drama is My Love From The Stars

Left: McD poster. Right: Original K Drama is Descendants of The Sun

Creative, huh?

Rating:

1. Variety: N/A
2. Taste: 4/5
• It was spicy for sure, but each bite was a lovely harmony between all the saltiness of the beef, the freshness of the veggies and the sweetness from the sauted onions. The sauce added that Asian kick of Korean spice to the burger.
3. Value for Money: 3.5/5
• I do believe paying RM 16++ for a burger set from a fast food restaurant is a tad pricey, even if the burger was big.
4. Cleanliness: N/A
5. Service 5/5
• Burger was receiving in less than 5 minutes of ordering and paying for the burger. Tip top fast service.
6. Overall: 4/5
• I would have the burger again. However, I do wish they had a poultry version of the burger to appeal to Malaysians who can't eat beef during to religious purposes.

Spicy Korean Burger @ McDonalds, Nationwide @ Malaysia
Address: http://www.mcdonalds.com.my/promotion/article/latest-news-spicy-korean-burger-is-back

Website: http://www.mcdonalds.com.my
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/My.McDonalds/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcdonaldsmalaysia/

*This post was not sponsored or endorsed by McDonald's or any of its' subsidiary companies.

Recipe: Siakap Stim (Steamed Seabass)

I love ikan siakap (seabass), whether fried or steamed. Usually at home, I'll steam it because it's really easy to do. Frying requires old and turmeric and is generally messy, so I'm lazy to clean the aftermath haha. It's really easy and healthy, and you only need a few ingredients.

Click the 'Read More' link below to view the full recipe!

Food Review: MyeongDong Topokki @ Paradigm Mall

The fuss-free premier Fast Casual Korean restaurant.

MyeongDong Topokki was one of the small stalls I didn't notice until my business partners invited me for lunch there. As I live nearby, I didn't mind trying out MyeongDong Topokki for the first time. I'm not really a Korean food expert; the only Korean food I enjoyed previously was at a restaurant at Tropicana City Mall, which has since shut down.

I was pleasantly surprised by the menu.

According to their website:

THE ORIGIN of Topokki goes back to 1950s where it was first introduced to masses. This chewy rice cakes drenched with spicy red chili sauce derives from the royal household and it was a part of school lunches among students bringing back nostalgic memories.

Bulgogi Beef Deopbap MDT Value Set, which comes with 3 side dishes + 1 drink (RM 17.80).

The beef marinade was perfectly balanced; you can taste the sweet soya sauce and garlic. The beef itself was tender and cooked perfectly. I loved the addition of the glass noodles. The vegetables such as carrots and cabbages added a crunchy texture to the dish.

Hangul Chicken Deopbap MDT Value Set, which comes with 3 side dishes + 1 drink (RM 16.80)

The chicken from the Hangul Chicken Deopbap was crunchy on the outside and succulent on the inside. The sauce was spicy and sweet, a perfect mix if you love savoury and sweet together. The seaweed added a fresh balance to the dish.

 Kimchi Jjigae MDT Value Set, which comes with 3 side dishes + 1 drink (RM 16.80)

I ordered this dish. For such a small bowl, there was so much treasures in the soup. I loved discovering all the delicious veggies in ever scoop. The chicken taste in the dish was nothing to shout about (boneless + skinless chicken fillets which was overcooked, probably due to the long cooking in the soup) but the soup itself was really delicious.

I loved all the side dishes that came with all the MDT Value Set. The anchovies were slightly salty, but the nuts added a nice sweet bite. The kimchi was pickled cabbage goodness adding a great tang to every bite, and the crunchy veggies was cooked perfectly (many restaurants tend to overcook the veggies).

Claiming to be a premier Fast Casual Korean restaurant, their menu focuses heavily offering topokki (Tteok-bokki) or stir-fried rice cakes, along with other Korean food such as ramyun noodles, jabchae (korean glass noodles), bibimbap (rice served in a stone pot and layered with vegetables and meat), bulgogi (marinated meat served with rice), and kimchi jjigae (kimchi soup).

They offer value sets (which comes with condiments/ side dishes such as Kimchi for Kimchi addicts + drinks), as well as add-ons such as extra cheese, fried egg and rice ranging from RM 1 - RM 2. The price range is from RM 6.80 for topokki and roughly between RM 15.00 - RM 20.00 for a noodle/ rice value set which comes with 3 side dishes and 1 drink. They also offer popular Korean Street Food options.

Our receipt.

Rating:

1. Variety: 4/5
• The menu stayed true to Korean cuisine and offered noodles and rice to appeal to different tastebuds, with optional add ons. I loved that they had affordable Korean street food options
2. Taste: 4/5
• Really love the taste for all the food I have tasted so far. I actually went back and ate with another friend a few days later. The kimchi (always the star) and the food is always consistently good.
3. Value for Money: 3.5/5
• For a "premier Fast Casual Korean Restaurant", the prices are a little steep for a casual restaurant with small dining space and self-service. 
4. Cleanliness: 5/5
• It's a small space so I guess hygiene and cleanliness is easy to maintain. 
5. Service 5/5
• As they don't charge service tax/ charge, you can't fault with the service. The staff are friendly and will call your number once your food is ready. My food was ready within 10 minutes of ordering.
6. Overall: 4.5/5
• Would definitely patron again!

Myeong Dong Topokki @ Paradigm Mall
Address:
LG-22, Paradigm Mall, No. 1,
Jalan SS 7/26A, Kelana Jaya,
47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Operating Hours:
10 AM - 10 PM Daily

Contact Details:
+603-78865363

Website: http://myeongdongtopokki.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myeongdongtopokki
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myeongdongtopokki

*This post was not sponsored or endorsed by Myeong Dong Topokki.

Recipe: Home-made Babyfriendly Chicken Nuggets

I'm always trying to find easy and baby-friendly recipes for my daughter. During the weekend, we tend to eat a lot of junk and unhealthy food as we're always at wedding receptions and just generally out seeing people, so I'll try to feed her healthier food during the weekdays when I send her to her nursery. 

Asian food generally is high in carbs (porridge/ congee) for babies, mashed potatoes etc - so I was trying to find a recipe to incorporate more protein and veggies, and I found a really great recipe from foodbabieslove.com.au for chicken nuggets, coincidentally I had all the ingredients in my fridge. My daughter's also at the age where she prefers to feed herself, so porridge can get a little messy. These nuggets are convenient and great for babies who wants their little independence.

The recipe is really easy to follow and produce - although I would probably sub the onions and garlic with powder next time. 

Happy face enjoying the chicken nugget.

Click the 'Read More' link below to view the full recipe!

Lady Qomash: Handdrawn Art Shawls

I am always seen wearing a Lady Qomash brand shawl. I own no other brands for shawls asides from Lady Qomash, and own all basics and printed shawls - square and rectangular. My favourite collection is the Hydrangea collection - you can see me wearing them at least once weekly.

Have you heard of Lady Qomash? If you haven't, you need to know more about this unique brands. Founded by Liyana, an artist with arts and illustration background, LQ was a pioneer brand in Malaysia to produce shawls with prints that was hand-drawn, before it was digitally scanned and produced into fashionable apparels.

 
Clearer photos of the Hydrangea Pink shawl.

What makes Lady Qomash so special is all the art pieces are painstakingly hand-drawn. During it's launch years (2016 onwards), it focuses on shawls (square and rectangular), to provide elegance to the modern Muslimah wear and boost confidence, making you glow and your day shine. LQ was also the first to focus on beautiful florals, especially Hydrangeas. Only now, the Malaysian fashion scene is bursting with hydrangea inspiration.


All Lady Qomash shawls are high quality, undergoing stringent quality checks to ensure there are no defects, especially "wonky" shawls, which are more common amongst some other brands.

To purchase the Hydrangea Pink, visit https://ladyqomash.com/collections/new/products/hydrangea-pink-collection-1

View the full print and collection at their website: https://ladyqomash.com

Address:
J-18-1, Jln SS 6/16,
Dataran Glomac, 47301,
Kelana Jaya, PJ, Selangor, MY

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM

Tel: T: +603 7499 7332

E-mail: hello@ladyqomash.com

Mall Review: Atria Shopping Mall Damansara Jaya

As a mom to a baby-almost-toddler, I tend to prioritise baby-friendly malls. The few things that I rate my experiences are:

1. Easy access from parking spaces to lifts/ travelators
2. Baby-friendly toilets (big space for me to bring in my daughter if I am using a stroller)
3. Baby rooms with hot water facilities
4. Malls with restaurants/ eateries that are wallet-friendly
5. The mall must have a supermarket
6. Baby shops
7. Department Store

As we live in Selangor, we are spoiled with choice for baby-friendly malls. On weekend, I like to explore the new shopping malls and do my weekly groceries. 

My most recent exploration was at Atria Shopping Mall, Damansara Jaya last Sunday since my husband had work nearby the area. When I was younger, I remember it being a very crowded and tight places. Atria was renovated to become a modern and bigger shopping mall.

Immediately when I arrived, I tried to locate the Baby Room, which was on the second floor.

The front of the Baby Room. I was actually a little confused how to open the door as there was no handles. I pushed it until I realised you had to slide it open.

Click the 'Read More' link below to view the full entry!

My Daughter's Chicken Obsession

My daughter is getting to that age where her learning development is rapidly increasing and sometimes I catch myself thinking wow, when did she learn to do that? It seemed like it was only yesterday that she was so dependent on us, unable to walk or incapable of eating. 

Now, she's almost 16 months old and she's walking, refusing to hold my hands, reading books the wrong way up, eating stuff off the floor (... yeah... so we have to keep the floor very clean). She's doing something new every other day and growing up so fast, she's not as little as she used to be...

So recently we were at a wedding reception, and she was walking around with a drumstick in her hands, a first for her.

Here she is with her favourite cut of the chicken, a drumstick... because it's so easy to hold on to.

Click the 'Read More' link below to view the full entry!

Recipe: Rendang Ayam (Chicken Rendang)

Rendang is a traditional recipe, very famous in Malaysia and Indonesia. The origins of the dish varies (depending on which country/ nationality you ask!) but one thing is certain: rendang is very delicious. It is a little time-consuming to cook, and requires a certain labour of love. I know there are chefs out there who have claimed to create "time saving rendang" where they omit certain ingredients or reduce the cooking time; to each its' own, but generally rendang is known to take at least 2 hours to cook.

Depending from which state you are in Malaysia, the ingredients might very slightly, but the main ingredients should include meat, coconut milk, and kerisik (grated and toasted coconut - it's different from dessicated coconut). Some people tend to omit the kerisik as it provides a nutty depth to the rendang. 

During Hari Raya Aidilfitri (eid al-Fitr), rendang is traditionally served with "nasi himpit" (compact rice cubes) or "lemang" (glutinous rice + coconut milk cooked in bamboo hollows), but it's also a famous dish eaten with one of our top national breakfast, "nasi lemak" (literally means fat rice). You may eat this with bread as a snack. Rendang is really flexible, and you may opt to use beef instead of chicken. My grandma makes duck rendang every eid. 

Click the 'Read More' link below to view the full recipe!

Recipe: Daging Masak Hitam (Beef in Black Sauce)

Generally, I don't cook beef much as it's pricey, and most Malaysian recipes require at least 1 kg of fresh beef block. My parents are most gracious to give us beef and bones (especially for Imaan to place in her porridge), so I have a little stock of it at home.

I came home without defrosting anything or buying anything from the market, so I was glad to have some frozen beef. The fastest way to thaw beef is by placing it in a plastic bag and leaving it in a small container of running water.

This recipe was taken and adapted from the awesome Azie Kitchen. Azie calls it Daging Masak Hitam but some may call it Daging Masak Kicap. I have digressed. Try this simple recipe, it's quite easy to make!

Click the 'Read More' link below to view the full recipe!

Lunch @ Mohd Chan Kelana Jaya

As our office is surrounded by heaps of good restaurants, we had lunch at Mohd Chan today, a famous Chinese Muslim restaurant chain. The food selection is reasonable, at RM 6.90 - RM 15++ for a meal.

Nasi Goreng "Kam Heong" Special, RM 7.90. 

Fried rice with dried shrimps, chilli padi, fish cakes and egg. Served with two pieces of prawn. Quite flavorful and packs a punch!

Kantonis "Ying Yong" Bihun + Kuey Teow, RM 8.90. 

They were out of kuey teow, so it was replaced with just bihun. The gravy was to die for! The bihun was unique as it was fried so it was crunchy to bite into.

Nasi Ayam, RM 7.90. 

Didn't try it but the chicken looked succulent.

According to their website, Mohd Chan Restaurants offer a fusion fare of delectable Chinese-Muslim dishes, inspired by our melting pot culture and various regional cuisines. They also have fish, crabs, prawn, squid, mussels and other dishes catering to the fusion theme. You may view their full menu here.

Mohd Chan Kelana Jaya
Address:
B-G-06 & 07, Jalan SS 6/20,
Dataran Glomac, Kelana Jaya,
47301 PJ, Selangor

Operating Hours: 11 AM - 11 PM Daily

Contact Details:
Phone: +603-7880 9099
H/P: +6017-882 8861

Website: http://www.mohdchan.com.my

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mohdchanmy

*This post was not sponsored or endorsed by Mohd Chan.

Thrifty Mom

Ever since I became a mom, it became harder for me to go to shopping malls because I want to buy every cute dress and top I see for my daughter.

I always have to remind myself that she's growing really fast and there's no point investing in an RM 80.00 dress which she will wear once or twice vs all the items I can get with that one dress. It's also so much harder with girls because everything is too cute. Designers are becoming smarter and making cute dresses with attached handbags and pockets so sucker moms like me can't resist.

I actually prefer to buy tops and leggings for her so it's easier to send her to the nursery - no double or triple thinking too long, just chuck her clothes in. It's only when I noticed her clothes begin to show signs of wear and tear that I will look for new clothes.

But time to time there's always irresistible great bargains... like these clothes for 50% off from normal price. What's a mom to do but not resist haha. The tops were RM 10.00 each. Daddy's Little Sunshine with the pants was RM 10.00, and the tutu top/skants was RM 15.00. From Tesco!