Happy Deepavali & Guestpost: Chicken Kurma

12/11/2012 by Shannon Lim-de Rooy | 8 Comments

Happy Deepavali to all Hindu friends.

I am thankful to have the very talented Sri from Love2Cook Malaysia to share with us a delicious Diwali recipe. When I stumbled upon Love2Cook Malaysia earlier this year, I couldn’t stop browsing through the gorgeous mouthwatering Malaysian food and bakes. Despite her busy schedule in preparing for Deepavali, the ever so lovely (& huge chicken lover) Sri has so kindly cooked up a scrumptious chicken dish: Chicken Kurma. Do head over to Love2Cook Malaysia to show Sri some love for this Deepavali festival.

I’d better not take up much space, let’s have Sri’s gorgeous food take over from here.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

Chicken Kurma by Love2Cook-Malaysia Continue Reading →

Lotus Root Soup with Peanuts & Red Dates

05/11/2012 by Shannon Lim-de Rooy | 16 Comments

As I was digging around my files, I found this Lotus Root Soup photos in my archive that has yet to be published. The photos were taken almost a year ago. Time sure flies.

I come from a family of soup lovers, there’s never a day without Chinese soup during my growing up years. Papa would come home after work and be happy with just a big bowl of hot simmered soup. And the tradition continues. Sometimes I do that too, on the days where I want a light dinner. Maybe others will find it strange that we drink hot soup in hot tropical weather. To me, a simple bowl of soup like this is the essence of the wholesome goodness of home-cooked food. Continue Reading →

Kay Pachok (Skewered Chicken)

31/10/2012 by Shannon Lim-de Rooy | 7 Comments

Kay Pachok (Skewered Chicken)When I saw this Kay Pachok (Skewered Chicken) on Phong Hong Bakes, I immediately bookmarked to make it for Malaysian Food Fest: Terengganu Month hosted by Lena of FrozenWings. But this month has been so busy with my participation in the Nutriplus Baking Competition that I’m only managed to squeeze in time to post this recipe in the nick of time. More stories about the baking competition soon.

Continue Reading →

Dayak Black Pepper Stew

10/09/2012 by Shannon Lim-de Rooy | 29 Comments

This month’s Malaysian Food Fest brings us to the state of Sarawak. Known as Bumi Kenyalang (“Land of the Hornbills”), Sarawak is the largest of Malaysia’s States and one of the two States located on the third largest island in the world — Borneo. With little knowledge that I have on Sarawakian dishes, my research brought new understanding and delights into my life.

The Dayak are the native people of Borneo. It is a loose term for over 200 riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic subgroups, located principally in the interior of Borneo, each with its own dialect, customs, laws, territory and culture, although common distinguishing traits are readily identifiable. As Sarawak contains large tracts of tropical rainforest, the food of the natives are hugely influenced by the natural resources surrounding them whether it’s the jungle, forest, sea or rivers. Activities like foraging, hunting and fishing were important for food source. Continue Reading →

Gerang Asam (Spicy & Sour Fish Curry): Malacca Nyonya Cuisine

29/08/2012 by Shannon Lim-de Rooy | 40 Comments

Nyonya Ikan Asam Pedas quite often appears on my weeknight dinner (thanks to my mama’s frozen curry paste). I know I still owe you readers the recipe.. coming soon 🙂 I got intrigued to try a similar Nyonya dish – Gerang Asam  (Spicy & Sour Fish Curry), also a popular Malacca Nyonya dish. This recipe is from “Nyonya Kitchen”, the cookbook by a Baba Nyonya descendant, who is none other than Chef Florence Tan. She has been teaching & promoting Nyonya cuisine for 50 years. Continue Reading →

Ayam Masak Merah (Chicken in Spicy Tomato Sauce)

18/08/2012 by Shannon Lim-de Rooy | 18 Comments

Ayam Masak Merah (Chicken in Spicy Tomato Sauce)

Tomorrow is Hari Raya or Eid, the biggest Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, or the Islamic holy month of fasting. In Malaysia, all races come together to celebrate all types of festivities with open house, and we are served with lots of food.

My favourite Hari Raya open house dish is Ayam Masak Merah (Chicken cooked in rich creamy spicy tomato sauce). Yes, Ayam Masak Merah is not an everyday affair, it is a unique dish to be enjoyed on special occasions such as “traditional Malay weddings” and Hari Raya or Eid Celebration. Continue Reading →

Teochew Steamed Fish Recipe (潮州式清蒸鱼)

06/07/2012 by Shannon Lim-de Rooy | 16 Comments


Steamed fish recipe is one of my go to weeknight dish – it’s quick, healthy and nutritious. I grew up eating Steamed Fish Teochew style almost every day, as mama is of Teochew descent. Teochew (or Chaozhou) people are native to the eastern Guangdong province of China and Teochew cuisine offers a lot of healthy steamed, stir-fried and braised dishes. Using whole fish with tomatoes, salted vegetables and salted plums, the flavours of Teochew Steamed Fish are savoury, sour, spicy and altogether very appetising. Continue Reading →

Bubur Pulut Hitam (Black Glutinous Rice Dessert)

25/06/2012 by Shannon Lim-de Rooy | 9 Comments

Bubur Pulut Hitam (Black Glutinous Rice Dessert) is a popular dessert in Malaysia and also in the neighboring countries Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. It is probably one of the easiest dessert to make. Bubur Pulut Hitam literally translates to Black Glutinous Rice Porridge, so it’s basically cooking porridge and serve with the fragrant coconut milk . Continue Reading →

Malaysian Kerabu Beehoon (Rice Noodle Salad)

16/05/2012 by Shannon Lim-de Rooy | 20 Comments

Kerabu = a spicy, sweet & sour salad.

Beehoon = rice vermicelli

Kerabu Beehoon is a vibrant Nyonya dish of rice vermicelli tossed with sambal belacan, calamansi juice, and lots of herbs. Nyonya is a culture and cooking style, from the influence of Chinese and Malay cultures in areas of what is now Malaysia and Singapore. Continue Reading →

Yee Sang (Raw Fish Salad) – the Prosperity Toss for Chinese New Year

27/01/2012 by Shannon Lim-de Rooy | 8 Comments

What a week it has been, I’m over my food quota for the month! Lots of cooking, delicious traditional Chinese festive food, sweet treats, laughter, firecrackers and more fabulous street food of Penang. Starting with the 10 dishes reunion dinner on the eve of Chinese New Year at my paternal grandparents house, steamboat lunch on 1st day of Chinese New Year and dinner at my 2nd Aunt’s house. Continue Reading →