Chinese Vegetable Noodle Soup

Don't ask me why and what not, I really can't tell you why even among the Chinese, there are vegetarians (Vegetarian Fried Mee Hoon & Chinese Vegetarian Noodle Soup). Most probably due to religionism, I believe so and like the Indians, more and more Chinese (Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup, Chinese Fried Rice, Chay Kway Teow, Chicken Wanton Soup & Cantonese Yee Mee) are now opting for vegetarianism. Beat me why. Honestly I don't know. As it is, I myself am not a vegetarian, (Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup & Hakka Noodles) neither will I want to be because I can't be a meatless person, nor I am trying hard. Of course, every now and then, in fact my other half-half is a vegetarian (Vegetarian Chow Mein) every Saturday, not me though but I don't actually mind a vegetarian meal and I quite like the concept to a tasty to like this Chinese Vegetable Noodle Soup mostly, plus cooking such dishes mind you is not really mind boggling. Nevertheless, a flavorful vegetable broth definitely is a must (Old Cucumber Soup & Burdock Root Soup). Otherwise, vegetable noodle soup dishes will taste bland, and you can either make the broth or get the ready made store bought ones. Whichever, up to you and for this style Chinese Vegetable Noodle Soup, I doubt you will struggle in getting the ingredients as listed below. This my style Chinese Vegetable Nodle Soup seriously is flavorsome and unbeatable. 

Sarawak Laksa

Guys, I thought maybe for the time being, we will just stick to within our Malaysian recipes instead of humping and jumping to other countries around the globe and most probably, my last few recipes have indicated that I am staying put and standing on my Malaysian ground (Ayam Pongteh & Chicken Vindaloo). Of course, I am not denying that a gastronomical tour to other countries is definitely a food show for exposing us to the various types of cuisines (Singapore Laksa & Vietnamese Noodle Soup). Yet, to a certain extent, I think we must do our local food hunting as well. Trust me, I myself personally have not completed making noodles from our different states (Cantonese Yee Mee, Malaysian Sour Spicy Fish Noodle Soup & Penang Mee Yoke), though Curry Laksa, or Laksa Lemak or Curry Mee been trended in this space of mine (Nyonya Curry Laksa, Malaysian Lamb Curry Noodles & Penang Curry Mee) and back then, don't know how moons ago, I did make a trip to Sarawak whereby I tuck into their well known Sarawak Laksa.

Kuih Buah Melaka

Let me take you on a journey into the world of Kuih Gula Melaka, a delightful Malaysian treat that holds a special spot in my heart. Originating from Melaka, it's also known as Ondeh-Ondeh in some parts of the country. Imagine this - small, sticky rice balls filled with palm sugar syrup, all coated in fragrant grated coconut. It's a heavenly mix of sweetness and texture that always leaves me craving for more.

 

Now, if you're thinking of trying your hand at making Kuih Gula Melaka, let me share some tips I've picked up along the way. It's been a while since I last whipped up a batch, but every time I do, it feels like reconnecting with an old friend. First things first, make sure your dough isn't too sticky - trust me, you don't want a gooey mess on your hands. Wetting your palms can make shaping the balls a breeze. And whatever you do, resist the temptation to stuff too much palm sugar inside. Overdoing it can lead to cracked balls, and nobody wants that. Oh, and don't forget to chop the palm sugar into tiny pieces for maximum sweetness in every bite.

Aam ka Achaar

Aam Ka Achaar. What are we talking about, are you asking me right now? Guys, I thinks pictures have already spoken and connected you to this Mango Pickle, a Punjabi style achaar or pickle. Mouthwatering and you are salivating right now right? My favourite. Any kinda of pickle or chutney, or even sambal dip for the matter (Tamatar ki Chutney, Penang Acar & Sambal Terasi). Aam ka Achaar obviously showcases mango as the core ingredient and mango by far, I think a favourite among many of us (Prawn Mango Curry, Thai Mango Sticky Rice & Mango Mocktail)? This Punjabi style achaar is just plain and simple, but trust me, a perfect fab fit as a condiment for our rice meals (Vegetable Achar & Salted Fish Pickle), and you basically need a couple of ingredients listed below, unless you want to take it to the sky level by adding whatever other ingredients. Aam ka Achaar nava-k's style by the way is different (Indian Mango Chutney), or better for me to say as unique because I did it my way instead of the conventional method of following others. Aam ka Achaar? The burst of sour spicy notes in one.

Kiri Hodi

We spoke about coconut milk, didn't we. Of course we did, if you can recall (Masak Lemak Cili Padi) and I also mention that coconut milk is one of the favourites for Asian cooking? Me too. I can be said as a fan of cooking milk, though I don't go overboard mind you.(Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani, Goan Prawn Curry & Palakura Pappu) and do I have to actually mention the popularity of cooking milk for Sri Lankan dishes? Especially for this Kiri Hodi, aka Sri Lankan Coconut Milk Gravy/Stew which can be eaten alongside string hoppers and even rice. For us rice is the best food deal and when we drench Kiri Hodi on our rice, oh-so-food-diviners while also adding a scoop of Tomato Chutney (Tamatar ki Chutney) prior to tucking in. As usual, I must say that there's various types of Kiri Hodi? Then again, how different can each be? Either a, actually mostly vegetarian version, but some do add some dried fish. Not for this my version though. Instead I added boiled egg. Acceptable right? Sure, stop disputing. Why should we not by the way into this creamy, tangy, attractive and mouth watering Kiri Hodi/ Sri Lankan Coconut Milk Stew? Coconut milk, like I have already told you is the central ingredients and the rest are pretty much I can say as our pantry friendly ingredients (Sodhi, Prawn Spinach Sodhi & Tanni Saar).

Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani

Oh-my-my! Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani! Those simple, easy going and effortlessly put together rice dishes I have already shared, put together for the outcome as a top-notch Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani (Vegetable Biryani, Rice Pilaf & Ghee Rice). Tell me about it. Tell me about when you are in full force and energetically driven in your kitchen? Of course prior to that, we need to buy or get and organize the ingredients. A whole lot of them compared to for the rest of the rice dishes of mine (Dhal Rice, & Lemon Cashew Rice) or for those we can make do with our common staples we usually stock up at home (Coriander Rice, Turmeric Rice & Curry Leaves Rice). Then again, if you look through the ingredients listed below, I am certain you will notice the pantry friendly ingredients as well? Moreover, I am going show you how to can make Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani in rice cooker. As usual. And since I had no vegetables in my fridge except frozen peas (Vegetable Raita), I will still go ahead and convince you that my Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani shouldn't be disputed as a pride and delightful joy to our taste-buds (Tamatar ki Chutney, Tofu Manchurian, Vegetable Kadhi, Navratan Korma & Vegetable Acar).

Tamatar ki Chutney

To tell you the truth, I can count the number of chutneys I have already shared. In fact, there's only the other, the Indian Mango Chutney, though tomatoes are a must for most of my savory dishes produced in my kitchen. Tomatoes (Thai Tomato Soup)? They just so complete our dishes for the burst of tanginess and sweetness (Tomato Rice), don't they? Of course (Turmeric Tomato Soup & Tomato Spinach Soup) and if you are asking me. I sometimes even do away with lime juice or even tamarind juice if the tomatoes I use can produce the same result. Having said that, there's no assurance all those tomatoes we buy can pack up tanginess? Henceforth, tasting is crucial for balancing the tastes to tanginess and sourness (Pavakkai Puli Kuzhambu & Navaratan Korma) and you got to do the same as well  for this North Indian Tomato Chutney, known as Tamatar ki Chutney, which by far can be an accompaniment for anything for the matter (Creamy Avocado Yogurt Dip). Of course, for us, tangy and absolutely inviting and vibrantly attractive Tamatar ki Chutney was our side dish for our rice meal. Wow!

Chilli Chicken

This Chilli Chicken is joining the rest. The rest of the Chinese or Indo-Chinese style chicken recipes I have already shared (Chinese Black Vinegar Chicken). More or less right? Chinese or Indo-Chinese style cooking? How different or what can be different for the ingredients, maybe some changes here and there, otherwise, its soy sauce, garlic, ginger, dried chillies (Honey Chilli Chicken, Sesame Chicken, Sweet Chilli Chicken & Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup) or those other required or sort of we tend to reach out to ingredients. Other than that? You tell me. Now, lets get going to making this Chilli Chicken. Chicken (Salted Egg Chicken, Chicken Kebab, Chicken Chop, Baked Cornflakes Chicken) and chillies (Chilli Lime Fish, Sichuan Chilli Prawns, Crispy Chilli Fish & Chilli Clams) obviously are the main highlight and we are going to use chicken fillet or only the meat or flesh. Plus cashew nuts for crunch and bite, oh, I also decided to add potatoes and like I have already told you earlier, the rest of the Chinese ingredients like ginger, garlic, shallots and soy sauce (Cashew Masala Chicken, Curried Roast Chicken, Chicken Varuval & Baked Lemon Chicken).

Tofu Manchurian

Guys, if you are asking me about the history of Tofu Manchurian or even Manchuria, I really can't say much. But I sure know that Manchuria was the puppet state of the Empire of Japan in Northeast China and inner Mongolia, and Manchurian cuisine seemingly has taken a strong influence in India (Indian Tofu Curry). Why, how and what, please don't ask me. Yet I am aware that somehow Manchurian recipes (Chicken Kebab & Hakka Noodles) have been tweeted to the local tastes in India and one of the most prominent is definitely Gobi Manchurian (Cauliflower Pakora) and I must include Tofu Manchurian as well. Regardless, my Tofu Manchurian is an outcome of my thinking, though I did refer to a couple of recipes which really confused me. Thus, to keep my Tofu Manchurian as my invention, I went ahead and cooked it as how we would appreciate a tofu dish to be (Tofu Green Beans Stir Fry, Tofu Scrambled Eggs & Spinach Tofu Stir Fry). Of course we must not discount spices and chillies for Manchurian dishes? Precisely the ingredients that were cooked alongside tofu and since I had some French beans, I added them as well. The outcome? This mouthwatering burst of Tofu Manchurian (Tofu Katsu & Chinese Tofu Soup).

Singapore Laksa

 

Before you say anything and before you compared my this Singapore Laksa to the rest, let me have my say please. I as usual, you know the usual me who love to tweet and modify recipes for heightening it to another, my own higher level? I think I told you before? Can't remember precisely in which recipe or recipes (Nyonya Lam Mee, Prawn Curry Laksa, Hakka Noodles & Nyonya Curry Laksa), but I am crystal clear that I have conveyed my message loud and clear. There's no best formula for cooking, in fact, our own formula I must say is the best? However, whichever or whatever, as long as you have picked up the basic cooking skills and also you know it on which ingredients can be amalgamated with another, you are on the right track (Prawn Noodle Soup, Sour Spicy Fish Noodle Soup, Spicy Thai Noodles, Vegetarian Noodle Soup & Mee Rojak). Hence, pretty much I think I have directly or indirectly told you why my Singapore Laksa is unique and utterly different? Of course. Regardless, nothing has been compromised in terms of tastes (Laksam Kelantan & Mee Rebus). I can definitely assure you that this my version of Singapore Laksa will put a broad food smile on your face (Mee Siam, Fried Mee, Hokkien Mee & Char Kway Teow). What did I do anyway? Well, I took my own ideas from my own recipes (Penang Curry Mee, Penang Mee Yoke & Penang Assam Laksa) and? The birth of this thick, creamy, aromatic, coconut milk and fish Singapore Laksa. Dang!

Sujee Cake

Can you believe it? I actually baked. Baking and yours truly? I think you know it. Not my forte. Neither do I have a burning desire, nor, like I have told you before, there are no takers for cakes or even desserts (Saffron Poached Pears, Honeydew Sago, Rava Kesari & Bubur Cha Cha) in my home. Not even me. Maybe every now and then, I craze, but that too is countable. Of course, the mood for baking (Marble Cake & Lemon Buttermilk Cake) does linger on my mind whenever I feel I want to break free from cooking the usual daily meals. On this day, I was so into baking (Baked Rice Pudding & Chocolate Tart) and specifically a Sujee Cake. Where did the recipe come from? Actually, to tell you the truth, I did refer to some recipes from my old recipe books (Cream Puffs) and of course, what is the virtual world for? Millions of recipes popping up the moment you search and seek online (Eggless Orange Cheesecake)? Still, somehow I am quite apprehensive when it comes to especially cake recipes from books and tell me about what can go wrong for online recipes. Thus, I actually was more convinced by this recipe handed over by my friend who does baking as her part time income. What I learned from her is that you need to soak sujee in milk for softening. Otherwise, sujee will remain grainy once cake is already baked. Made sense and I must admit its a crucial technic because, wouldn't you agree this Sujee Cake is really-really a baking show stealer? Cake sampled by colleagues and they couldn't agree more. So, guys, I will strongly suggest you grab this recipe of mine and I am really certain you will love this soft and melting in the mouth sweet non-sinful pleasure.

Cantonese Yee Mee

Cantonese Yee Mee. Chinese style noodle dish. Another variety to Chinese style cooking (Teochew Steamed Fish, Sichuan Chilli Prawns & Cantonese Fried Rice) noodles. Trust me, Chinese and their noodle dishes. Oh-my! They sure have it and know it and there's abundance of varieties and also each to its own meaning. I certainly can't nail why and what are the significance of the noodles dishes, but I sure am aware that Chinese and they eat for prosperity, longevity, happiness and what not (Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup, Lam Mee & Chinese Vegetarian Noodle Soup). What about Cantonese Yee Mee, are you asking me? Well, I cant say much. Must be some sort of significance as well or its just the Chinese noodle dish pleasure (Penang Curry Mee, Penang Assam Laksa & Penang Mee Yoke).

Creamy Avocado Yogurt Dip

Me and avocado, me and dip? Like a strange thing right? Me, the typical Malaysian who is mostly showcasing our local sambal dip (Sambal Belacan) or Indian style chutney (Indian Mango Chutney), and all of a sudden, you actually see a dip made from Avocado in this precious space of mine? Honestly, to tell you the truth, maybe you already know it as well, me settling for our local produce and for a change, I decided I will pay for Avocado. To say Avocado is pricey, I am not really sure. RM5.00 for a single avocado? What do you think? I suppose once a while paying a bit more for ingredients, especially for an imported ingredient should be a fair deal right? Right. Back home with the single avocado, and already by then I had visualized a dip, this Creamy Avocado Yogurt Dip (Creamy Mushroom Soup & Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry) came into our food picture. Yogurt of course as you know is one of my favourite ingredients (Cucumber Yogurt Salad) and yogurt pulsed alongside avocado, mint leaves, olive oil, salt and pepper for this Creamy Avocado Yogurt Dip, served with fresh salad (Asian Watermelon Salad) and crackers. Platter food (Gado Gado).

Nyonya Lam Mee

Indulge in the exquisite flavors of Nyonya Lam Mee, a tantalizing Malaysian delight that will transport your taste buds to culinary nirvana. You might wonder about this dish, but let me assure you - it's a noodle sensation that you won't soon forget.

 

Nyonya Lam Mee holds a special place in my heart; it's a favorite whenever I visit the hawker stalls. Visualise this: plump yellow egg noodles swimming in a velvety gravy, each bite bursting with savory goodness. While each stall may have its unique twist, the essence remains - a comforting bowl of noodles and gravy, paired with the fiery kick of sambal belacan.