The Charcoal Grill: An Entrepreneurial Triumph

Embarking on a remarkable entrepreneurial journey that began as a humble stall in a Kota Kemuning coffee shop in 2017, The Charcoal Grill has undergone a remarkable transformation, now standing as a full-fledged restaurant located at 28-1, Jln Anggerik Vanilla BE 31/BE, Kota Kemuning, 40460 Shah Alam, Selangor. As one of their patrons from the early stall days, I have always appreciated their grilled platters, particularly the succulent lamb chops. Recently, together with my other half-half, we dined in to experience their expanded offerings and revamped ambiance.

How to Make Herbed Rice (Vegetarian Nasi Ulam)

Cooking with herbs, growing your own herbs, and adding herbs into your dishes, it all comes together beautifully. For those growing your own herbs, making herbed rice will be simple. For the rest, it's about buying. But fret not, even if you're in another part of the world outside of Asian countries or Malaysia, herbed rice is still possible. Use herbs that are easily available - even rosemary, thyme, or whatever you can find locally.

For Asians, our local herbs generally include lemongrass (serai), kaffir lime leaves (daun limau purut), turmeric leaves (daun kunyit), torch ginger flower (bungka kantan) or even Thai betel leaves (daun kaduk), some of the common ones. There are also other herbs, some with names unfamiliar even to many Malaysians. Still, it’s all about what you can get, the types of herbs you have access to.

The Grand Mapillai Restaurant Culinary Adventure

My other half-half has joined me in the exciting pursuit of discovering new eateries, a refreshing departure from his usual routine of sticking to familiar places and dishes. The news of his enthusiasm for suggesting novel dining spots was particularly thrilling, considering his previous tendency to opt for the same old eateries and stick to familiar dishes, playing it safe rather than venturing into culinary exploration. I've noticed that people's dining preferences are often influenced by those they choose to share meals with. Some tend to shy away from trying new eateries or exploring unfamiliar dishes unless compelled to by more adventurous companions (Ding Xiang Bak Kut Teh). I've made it a point to avoid dining with those who limit themselves to predictable and mundane food choices.

Potato Sambal Recipe: Vegetarian

No Malaysian meal is complete without sambal – the spicy chili gravy that flavors everything from rice to noodles and stir-fries. Made from dried chilies, fresh chilies, or a combination of both, sambal is a staple of Malaysian food culture (KERABU BENDI/OKRA SALAD VEGETARIAN).

Potatoes are another favourite ingredient in Malaysian cuisine, and when cooked with sambal, they create the delicious Potato Sambal. This vegetarian version is full of bold, spicy flavors, balanced by the natural sweetness of shallots and the tang of lime juice.

 

Ideal as a side for rice or as a main accompaniment, Potato Sambal is loved by vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike (ACAR TIMUN/CUCUMBER SALAD).

Pork Chops Recipe - Chinese Style

Chinese-style pork chops are a delicious twist on classic pork chops, easy to prepare and full of bold, Asian flavours. Unlike Western-style versions, this Chinese pork chops recipe uses a simple marinade made with common Chinese ingredients like soy sauce, oyster sauce, ginger, and garlic. The best part? You can marinate the chops ahead of time and keep them in the fridge,  or freeze them, for a quick and easy meal later (WILD BOAR CURRY RECIPE).

 

Want to take it further? Try Chinese fusion pork chops by adding butter while cooking for extra richness. You can also mix in green peas or sliced red chillies instead of the usual chilli sauce for that spicy kick loved in Asian pork dishes.

Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk

Into a spice-based, turmeric powder chicken curry, a splash of coconut milk turns it creamy and mild yellow. The result is a flavorful chicken curry with coconut milk. Coconut milk adds iron, magnesium, potassium, and B vitamins. It is dairy-free and may support cholesterol balance. Still, it should be consumed in moderation due to saturated fat.

Cooked perhaps once a month with chicken, this dish is a true delight. Coconut milk is a staple in Kerala cuisine and Sri Lankan cooking (FISH CURRY SRI LANKAN STYLE). This recipe is a twist on Kerala-style chicken curry. Tender chicken simmers in an aromatic, spicy sauce. The coconut milk adds natural sweetness and creaminess.

Potato Curry - Vegetarian

When one of the favorite ingredients goes into a curry, it’s a bomb of deliciousness. Potatoes, beloved worldwide, appear in countless dishes, each unique in its own way. From French fries and mashed potatoes to stir-fries and, of course, Indian potato curries, this versatile vegetable shines in every form.

You can also add moringa sticks or fruits from the Moringa tree, also known as Murunggakai or Murungai, though the curry is equally delicious without them (EGG CURRY WITH MORINGA).

Fish Curry with Coconut Milk - Sri Lankan Style

Nothing comes close to the flavor of fresh coconut milk. Creamy, mildly sweet, and nutty, it adds a natural creaminess that elevates any fish curry with coconut milk. When fresh coconut milk isn’t available, canned or packaged coconut milk can be used, and some even use cream for curries.

However, in classic Kerala Fish Curry (KERALA TOURIST SPOTS) or Sri Lankan-style fish curry, fresh coconut milk truly shines, melding beautifully with the spices to release its aroma. Smooth, velvety, and subtly earthy, it gives the curry a pure, fresh taste rather than a heavy feel. 

Even when prepared in a Malaysian kitchen (SALTED FISH CURRY WITH PINEAPPLE), fresh coconut milk ensures the dish remains authentically flavorful.

No-Cook Cucumber Pineapple Salad

Some recipes shine not because of fire or fancy cooking, but because of their raw freshness. This no-cook cucumber pineapple salad is one of those gems - crisp cucumbers meet juicy pineapple in a medley that is refreshing, tangy, and lightly spiced. 

It’s the kind of easy tropical salad recipe that works for hot days, quick meals, or as a cucumber pineapple side dish to balance heavier curries.

In North India, a similar version is known as Kachumber, usually made with cucumber, onion, and tomato. Move further south, and you’ll find variations served alongside rice (VEGETABLE BIRYANI) and curries, often simply called cucumber salad.

Marriage and Culinary Exploration: Vietnamese Delights (Ding Xiang Bak Kut Teh Restaurant)

In the journey of marriage, we learn valuable lessons, and one of them is that you don't always have to compromise on your food preferences. Last Sunday, this lesson took me on a delightful food venture in Bandar Rimbayu. As my husband headed to a kopitiam for Indian cuisine (K2 Kopitiam), I found myself at Ding Xiang Bak Kut Teh Restaurant, craving Vietnamese flavors. This unassuming eatery, also serving Bak Kut Teh and Chinese dishes, offered a menu right on the table - a thoughtful touch.