Johannesburg (South Africa) - The Best Out Of The Rest

From Cape Town to Johannesburg (Cape Town Part 3, Cape Town Part 2 & Cape Town Part 1). South Africa’s largest and most cosmopolitan city, also commonly known as Jo'burg or Jozi, our two hours flight obviously landed us at the airport. Subsequently, while journeying for another approximately 45 minutes to North West, Lanseria, I made sure I peeped out from the coach for glimpsing at this economic hub of South Africa and capital of Gauteng. At the same time, I gasped the fact that Johannesburg is not a safe haven for wondering around on our own due to its crime rate primarily, as narrated by our born and bred South African tour guide. Nothing really bad so far I have encountered for the past three days, but I must mention that I had a hard time with the immigration officer at the airport who insisted I greet him and I couldn't help but wonder why he was picking on me by asking a string of unwanted questions. I went like, what's going on. Baffled me. Why, why on earth? Trust me, I was so close to giving him a piece of mind when he rudely throw my passport back. Nonsense! A chip on his shoulder I suppose. The other person I must mention is our bus driver who wouldn’t stop complaining how unfair life is in South Africa. Nonstop he went on, each and every time I bumped into him. As if, we don’t have our worst share of unfavorable policies towards different races in Malaysia? Looks like people all over the world do come in different packages, you meet the good and the ugly as well. In fact, I was already forewarned by my social media South African friends what to expect in South Africa. Crime rate, people sulking and unwelcoming behaviour, which by far played on my mind prior to us stepping foot in Lion Park.

Pulut Inti (Glutinous Rice With Sweet Coconut)

It is one thing for cooking, the other is whether you must have all the ingredients? What then? What happens when you can't get certain specific ingredients? You are going to ditched aside the idea of making the dish? Or my question is, are you still going to go ahead by making do? Making do basically meaning, are we going to go ahead with the dish. If you are asking me, I am quite a good cooking runner. I always make do. Take this pulut inti for an example. By right, you need banana leaves, then again? So what? What about re-looking at how can we still make without the leaves. I definitely did fine. My pyrex showed me the way and I hand-crafted Pulut Inti for the serving style. See, I already told you? Nothing is absolute and you can still be a food hero in your own way. What is Pulut Inti? Clue already given. Glutinous rice with sweet coconut which must placed alongside our kuih-muih or local delicacies (Chrysanthemum Goji Jelly, Kuih Kosui & Malaysian Sago Pudding). Our Kuih-muih (Bingka Pisang, Bubur Chacha & Honeydew Sago Dessert)? The treasures of Malaysia and will forever remain as our propelling sweet treat, sweet delight and our sweet moment  (Wajik Pulut, Kuih Buah Melaka, Kuih Sagu Kukus & Pumpkin Sago Dessert).

Chrysanthemum Goji Jelly

Have you heard of Chrysanthemum Goji Jelly? You know? Or you don't know what I am talking about? If you are Chinese (Honeydew Sago), I think you should know. Nevermind, if all of us are as blank as each other. But I am not blank. I quite know it. Otherwise, how could I have made? Back then, years ago, Chrysanthemum Goji Jelly was a popularity. Don't know if it is still, but I can still remember and today, my food and cooking mission is to show you how we can make Chrysanthemum Goji Jelly. Actually, come to think of it, I don't think I should dwell too much. Everything you need to know and see? Clearly listed below. Follow me and you can't go or do any wrong. Chrysanthemum Goji Jelly. The yesteryears sweet delight. Outstanding for its uniqueness.

Vazha Koombu Thoran

The last time we meet, we hit it at Sri Lanka cuisine (Miris Malu). Today, we are hitting back to another round of Kerala cuisine. Kerala cuisine (Mathi Achar, Nadan Meen Curry, Meen Puttu, Parippu Pradhaman)? I quite know it right? Well, I must admit I quite have it at the back and in front of my cooking hands (Malabar Fish Curry & Kerala Fish Curry). What is Vazha Koombu Thoran? Vazha Koombu is vazhaipoo, or banana flower or banana blossom. How about thoran? Basically, a stir fry (Tuna Thoran, Beans Thoran & Cabbage Thoran). To make Vazha Koombu Thoran? All clearly listed below and quite a simplicity, but cleaning the banana flower? You better get ready with time and some oil for rubbing and removing its stickiness while, maybe at removing the flowers and thereafter for cleaning your hands and fingers. Other than that, Vazha Koombu Thoran is our yesteryears and forever appeciated by my generation side dish delightfulness alongside rice (Carrot Poriyal & Tapioca Stir Fry).  

Kuih Kodok (Mashed Banana Fritters)

Modernised, trendy, healthy and the latest trend Kuih Kodok/Mashed Banana Fritters. Why not? Why shouldn't we modify or tweet our back then been existing for years recipes? I have no qualms actually. After all, there is no limit to cooking invention (Wajik Pulut, Pumpkin Sago Dessert, Malaysian Sago Pudding & Bingka Pisang)? Otherwise, we won't be moving forward and we shouldn't praise those who modify recipes in cooking shows? Pretty much. In fact, for this my Kuih Kodok version, instead of frying the mashed banana (Banana Chocolate Cake & Easy Banana Bread), grated coconut and sugar batter in round balls, which by far can be soaking in oil, I decided I will do the grilling on the, over the stop portable grill. Plus, coconut and sugar not incorporated in the batter. Instead rolled over grilled fritters. Basically, for not overdoing it with sugar loading. That's it guys. The grilled and modernised Kuih Kodok. 

Kuih Kosui Gula Melaka

Ingredients

1/2 cup gula Melaka/palm sugar

White sugar  - as needed (if you want to add. I didn't)

1 1/2 cups water

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup tapioca flour

A few pandan leaves - knotted 

Fresh grated coconut mixed with a pinch of salt.

Method

Simmer gula Melaka with pandan leaves and water for a thick syrup.

Remove from heat and cool it down slightly. 

Sift all purpose flour and rice flour over the gula Melaka syrup. 

Whisk and stir so that there's no lumps of flour.

Pour on a steaming tray or individual moulds.

Steam to cook.

Thereafter cut and roll over grated coconut.

Mapo Tofu

Mapo Tofu! As far as I know, Mapo Tofu is Sichuan coming and calling dish. Most probably. Me and Sichuan dishes (Sichuan Chilli Prawns & Sichuan Noodle Soup)? In fact, Chinese food on the whole for the matter (Fried Prawn Wanton) and do I have speak about tofu? A favourite in my house. Always and forever. Any which way will do for tofu which comes in different made these days (Tofu Manchurian, Tofu Green Beans Stir Fry & Tofu Scambled Eggs). For Mapo Tofu, I actually opted for Japanese Tofu instead of the white ones. Why, are you asking me? No particular reason. I just thought I want to show you that you can make Mapo Tofu from Japanese egg tofu (Tofu Katsu) and this my version is a totality on it own. Basically different and outstanding due to me wanting to use my at home ingredients instead of? Why buy ingredients when you can make do with what you already have stocked up? Potentially. Mapo Tofu? Tad bit of spiciness, tad bit of saltiness, spring onion garnished and soft tofu (Chinese Tofu Soup, Spinach Tofu Stir Fry & Indian Tofu Curry).

Fried Prawn Wanton

Fried Prawn Wanton. My-My! Such a fab kinda crunch and munch right? I know. Fried stuffs especially on the whole? You tell me. In fact, when these wanton skin parcel filled with prawns came out from my wok, a few actually went missing immediately. Not anywhere far, but our tummy tucking actually. By themselves, or when dipped into chilli sauce prior to having a ball of a time and as many as we want till all the fried prawn wanton are over and done, perhaps within a short while, what a delight. How do we make these prawn wantons? I think I have already alerted you. In fact in my previous recipes as well (Hong Kong Wonton Noodle Soup & Chicken Wanton Soup) and this latest variety is sort of the cousin of the previous Fried Shrimp Wanton. Only that, the tedious thing for me when prawns are a concern (Mee Goreng Udang, Hokkien Hae Mee, Mongolian Prawns, Goan Prawn Curry, Butter Prawns & Prawn Coconut Milk)? The peeling and cleaning, especially the time taken pulling out the veins. Otherwise, all is fine with prawns though I must say we are not the biggest fans of prawns (Sichuan Prawns & Chinese Prawn Fritters). Of course, there is always the once a while and these Fried Prawn Wanton, trust me, are super yummy, super crunchy and super beautifully plated up. 

Nescafe Chocolate Cake (Eggless)

Buying ingredients is one thing, the other of course is making sure we use or finish them up. Potentially we should right? Otherwise, don't you think its such a waste to our money? I know. I in fact have been trying to finish up the box of quality cocoa powder I bought and seemingly there is no end (Eggless Molten Lave Cake, Chocolate Genoise & Cocoa Butter Cake). Greedy me actually. Instead of buying a small box, me the hero bought a big box. Henceforth, I am like racing in finishing it up and thank god, I decided to let go of the brakes towards this Nescafe Chocolate Cake (Milo Cake Eggless). But instead of getting excited again by buying coffee, I told myself. What the hack. I will make do with Nescafe which is by our favorite coffee brand. Not at all a regret. Nothing in fact was regrettable. Obviously, Nescafe instead of coffee, plus cocoa powder (Chocolate Cheesecake, Marble Cake & Chocolate Rum Tart) and the rest of the ingredients listed below for this eggless cake (Eggless Mandarin Orange Cake). Nescafe Chocolate Cake? Like a dark knight splendid attractiveness. Coffee and cocoa in one, super moist (Easy Banana Bread, Traditional Butter Cake & Sujee Cake) and vanilla scented winning eggless cake. 

Thai Style Eggplant

Eggplant, aubergine or brinjal. All from the same family tree right? Except maybe their shapes and sizes and at times, color code as well. Eggplant in fact is a favourite in my house for all sorts of dishes, including in curries as well (Nadan Meen Curry). In fact, I can go on and on and speak about eggplant, but potentially it will be best I stick to this recipe for the day. Thai Style Eggplant. Thai cuisine and Nava K (Vegan Tom Yum Soup, Thai Fried Chicken & Lamb Massaman Curry)? Pretty much says it all and after,  and Thai Style Eggplant basically is fried eggplant in a spicy, tangy and kaffir lime leaves scented attractive gravy/sauce. Oh, a vegetarian variety too (Bengali Begun Bhaja, Baingan Bharta, Japanese Eggplant Saute, Eggplant Tikka & Brinjal Stir Fry).

Gobi Manchurian

The dry style Gobi Manchurian (Tofu Manchurian) instead of in a sticky and gooey sauce. Personally, to tell you the truth, I don't like the sauce. Sauce which will absorb into batter fried gobi/cauli (Shahi Gobi, Cauliflower Curry & Aloo Gobi) and for making them soggy even before you tuck in. I in fact actually prefer Gobi Manchurian for their crunchy crispiness and when eaten hot-hot once out of the frying pan, oh-my-mamma-mia (Cauliflower Pakora & Cauliflower Fritters). Furthermore, I must mention that we sort of to a certain extent have a sincere love towards gobi/cauliflower which these days are really affordable. How do we make Gobi Manchurian? My style Gobi Manchurian? Almost like making Gobi 65, but this is the kid friendly non spicy, maybe optimal level of spiciness and curry leaves and cumin seeds scented Gobi Manchurian (Bengali Begun Bhaja). 

Eggless Molten Lava Cake

Hunny Bunny sugar rush and candy crush sweet treat. Literally for rushing and heightening your sugar rush (Chocolate Genoise, Easy Banana Bread & Cocoa Butter Cake). Believe me. Believe me as well that I have been baking. I have. Unsure I am what got into me, but when it gets in, I am on the go for baking (Lemon Bars, Traditional Butter Cake, Sujee Cake & Marble Cake). Daily meals cooking of course shouldn't be forgotten. In fact, it is an utmost priority and every now and then when time permits, I get down to baking. Most probably when my hormones won't stop raging and I think after baking, hormones sort of settle down without me realizing. During this round of my hormones like twisting and turning me, I quickly looked for a recipe and after reading through a couple of few, I decided I will make Eggless Molten Lava Cake. The microwave using concept instead of oven inside (Chocolate Rum Tart). Easy-preasy, like easy on the go, within minutes making and once Eggless Molten Lava Cake out came from my microwave oven, oh what a joy. Oozy gentle eruption of lava (Chocolate Cheesecake) once you fork in and surrounded by soft melting moment cake (Milo Cake Eggless, Mandarin Orange Cake Eggless & Cayenne Chocolate Cookies Eggless). 

Kerabu Taugeh

Kerabu? Remember those kerabu or Malaysian raw salads I have already shared with all you guys (Kerabu Kacang Botol, Kerabu Mangga & Kerabu Kaki Ayam)? Plus of course, the rest from this and that part of Asian Continent (Cambodian Green Mango Salad, Sri Lankan Carrot Salad & Asian Watermelon Salad) and me, the Indian who just so love our ulam, local herbs and Malaysian local produce for my cooking and eating pleasure (Nasi Ulam, Kacang Buncis Cili, Sambal Belimbing, Gado Gado & Nasi Dagang)? Tell me please and I will return willingly tell you on this Kerabu Taugeh, aka, Bean Sprouts Salad. Obviously, point blank said, you need beansprouts which you just need to break the brown bottom of them and then, if you asking me, just buy the kerisik (pan fried and pounded grated coconut). What's next? Quickly blanch bean sprouts (Bean Sprouts Omelette & Bean Sprouts Salted Fish) and tossed alongside kerisik, shallots, red chillies, coriander leaves, spring onion, lime juice, sugar and salt. Refreshing, crunchy, spicy, tangy and aromatic Kerabu Taugeh/Bean Sprouts Salad is ready. Go ahead everyone. Devour in.  

Chocolate Genoise

On the go. Baking is still on the go? Looks like it, but perhaps sooner or later, most probably sooner I foresee I will be pulling the brakes to baking (Easy Banana Bread & Cocoa Butter Cake). Enough. I think enough of practice and trying to make perfect, and also putting some much of effort on baking. Done it and I am quite satisfied actually (Lemon Bars, Mandarin Orange Cake, Milo Cake & Sujee Cake). Pretty much satisfaction attained, but I thought I will still do one for the road and out came from the oven this Chocolate Genoise. The other side of the coin to Classic Genoise. Of course the intention was also for finishing up the box of cocoa (Chocolate Cheesecake & Cayenne Chocolate Cookies). Chocolate Genoise as you can see is an ultimate sweet delight right? And the technic to making? Remember, the folding must be done daintily and without rushing. Otherwise? You tell me please (Traditional Butter Cake). 

Ingredients

3 eggs (room temperature)

80g sugar

30g warm melted butter 

70g cake flour

15g cocoa powder

15g corn flour

Method

Create a double boiler (a bowl placed on top of a pan simmering with water)

Whisk eggs and sugar (on the bowl) till slightly warm and foamy.

Remove from heat.

Whisk to the ribbon stage (drop to see a line)

Combine/mix cake flour, corn flour and cocoa together. 

Sift the flour mixture over the egg mixture.

Carefully fold in. Do not over fold but ensure there's no lumps. 

Stream warm melted butter inside and fold in.
Tip cake mixture onto a greased baking pan (size depends on how thick or thin you prefer the cake)

Bake at 170C (preheated for 5 mins) for about 40 mins or until cooked.

(Note; adjust heat according to your oven and baking time, depending on the size of the pan).

Remove from oven, cool down and optional - dust some icing sugar atop. 

Mathi Achar

Mathi Achar. Kerala Sardine Fish Achar or Kerala Sardine Fish Pickle. Says it all. Me and my love for fish achar (Nyonya Acar Fish) or even salted fish pickle (Pada Salt Fish Pickle & Salted Fish Pickle). And so, you think I would have had major kitchen struggle in making Mathi Achar? I don't think so because I have to some extent, mastered my cooking skills towards Kerala cuisine (Nadan Meen Curry, Fish Puttu, Tuna Thoran & Malabar Fish Curry & Kerala Fish Fry). Of course, I must admit I did refer to a couple of recipes, but at the end of it all, I decided I will stay true to my own Mathi Achar cooking invention and fish by themselves, do I have to repeat myself again and again (Fish Ball Noodle Soup, Malu Kirata/Sri Lankan Fish Coconut Stew, Indonesian Fish Balado, Mauritian Fish Curry & Ikan Masak Kicap)? Moreover, sardines are not only a popularity in Kerala, but here in Malaysia too. So, sardines they were. Masala enhanced fried sardines tipped into a spicy and full of utmost power packed vinaigrette. Oh-My! What a fish pleasure. Made ahead and having Mathi Achar as you wish whenever you yearn for, for your rice meals (Sardine Masak Lemak).

FIsh Ball Noodle Soup

Fish Ball Noodle Soup. No, no. Not market bought fish balls, but made from a scratch, home made fish balls. Yes. Indeed. I made fish balls for a change. Can you believe it? For someone like me who is, if not always, sometimes taking the door to ready made ingredients (Hong Kong Wonton Noodle Soup, Sichuan Noodle Soup &  Bee Hoon Soup), I actually did it for these fish balls in noodles and soup. Why, are you asking me? Well, what should I tell you? Maybe because I wanted fish broth (Cambodian Sour Fish Soup & Vietnamese Fish Soup) from the bones after carefully stripping away fish flesh (Yong Tau Foo) for fish balls. Not bad right? I know. In fact, we had a ball of a time over this Fish Ball Noodle Soup. Really bouncy and no smell soft fish balls, and as I have already told you, fish bones and skin simmered for extracting the broth (Nyonya Spicy Fish Noodle Soup, Salted Fish Bone Soup, Thai Fish Noodle Soup & Penang Assam Laksa). Next? Hand crafted and hand rolled fish balls cooked in the broth till they floated atop and together with the broth, generously poured over noodles, garnished with fried shallots and fried basil leaves atop just my invention at the spur of the moment from the basil leaves grown in my garden. Of course, you can use spring onion or even coriander leaves. Conclusively, Fish Ball Noodle Soup, wouldn't you agree is making your hungry right now and imagine, what a feeling when tucked in during and after rain has fallen down from the sky (Hokkien Hae Mee, Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup & Chinese Vegetable Noodle Soup)?