Penang Acar | Penang Achar (Penang Spicy Pickled Vegetables)

13/06/2013 by Shannon Lim-de Rooy | 20 Comments

Penang Acar | Penang Achar (Penang Spicy Pickled Vegetables)

Penang Acar (also spelled as Achar) is a very special pickled vegetable dish. I think every Penangite loves it because of the appetizing, sour and spicy great taste. Who wouldn’t? There’s this lady at the pasar (wet morning market) near my Penang childhood home that sells mouth watering acar. Besides buying from the pasar, many economy rice vendors also include acar into their dishes. Maybe that’s the reason why my Mama never made acar before. Continue Reading →

Eucheuma Seaweed Kerabu (Eucheuma Seaweed Salad)

29/05/2013 by Shannon Lim-de Rooy | 7 Comments

Eucheuma Coral Seaweed Kerabu

Everytime I were to step into Tuck Heng Ginseng Hall, I have to spare 2-3 hours. Time just flies when I’m tasting and learning new produce with the herbalist Ah Wai.  There’s more than herbs in that shop. Each visit always end up with new discoveries, I feel like a kid unwrapping presents, except I have to pay for them..

One of the things Ah Wai was very adamant on me to try is the Sea bird nest or San Hu Cao (珊瑚草) in chinese. Eucheuma Seaweed is nicknamed sea bird nest because it supposedly have the same collagen benefits of birds nest, with a whole list of health benefits. Always willing to try anything for beautiful skin and it’s a cheap alternative, boiling the seaweed as suggested by Ah Wai ended up with a pot of gooey slimy goo.. which wasn’t appetising at all. Continue Reading →

Kacang Phool / Kacang Pool (Spiced Fava Beans)

25/03/2013 by Shannon Lim-de Rooy | 13 Comments

Kacang Phool

Kacang Pool or Kacang Phool is a rather popular food in Johor Bahru, and everyone seems to be talking about Kacang Pool Pak Haji at Larkin. As this dish is adapted from the Middle eastern way of eating fava bean, I think the name Kacang Pool most likely got its name from the Egyptian word foul (or pronounced “ful”) for fava bean. Foul Medames is considered to be Egyptian’s national breakfast. Continue Reading →

Asam Prawns (Tamarind Prawns)

31/01/2013 by Shannon Lim-de Rooy | 16 Comments

Asam Prawn (Tamarind Prawn)

Hey wonderful peeps!! It’s been a while since the last post. The lack of updates were due to yo-yo health problems since Christmas.. There’s a lot about down time that I’m yet to learn and grasp. Like how not to loath spending more time in bed – instead of enjoying the much-needed rest. Like, how I need to learn to “let-go” and allow others to pamper me by over-indulging. But it’s all under control now, so let’s indulge with this deliciously simple Asam Prawns. Continue Reading →

Shakshuka (Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce)

06/12/2012 by Shannon Lim-de Rooy | 25 Comments

Shakshuka (Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce)When I first saw Javelin Warrior made Shakshuka, I immediately cooked it for next day’s breakfast. There’s something about this “Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce” that is so irresistible. I’m hooked on my 1st bite and Shaksuka is now one of my favorite brunch. I’ve made this dish many times, it’s easy to prepare, makes a big breakfast/brunch and very delicious! Continue Reading →

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 →

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 →

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 →