Roti Canai - Malaysia's Best Breakfast

I usually take simple breakfast on workdays.. A 3 in one beverage sachet such as Milo and Nescafe.. And two piece of Jacob's biscuit.. That's all I need to power tru lunch.

Just on weekdays I am able to enjoy the truly Malaysian breakfast.. A roti canai or better know as paratha worldwide and a glass of teh tarik..

What's special about Roti Canai? Well, it is probably the best 1Malaysia meal meaning it is enjoyed by every race in Malaysia.. Malays.. Chinese.. Indians.. Indeginious.. It is best to consumed slowly while catching on gossips with friends or watching the latest Liverpool vs Man U football match or even the local Terengganu vs Kelantan match hahaha..

The round shape roti or bread is made up of flour.. Keep aside to raise for a while before shaped into a ball.. When an order came, the ball will be kneaded into a rounded shape, twirled a few time (the most advance will be twirled on air and caught again).. The proses will be done a few times.. Before the roti is fold to form a rectangular shape for a plain roti canai.. If you desire the roti canai telur (egg), pisang (banana), sardin (sardines).. The said additional item will be put in the centre of the roti before being fold..

After that, the roti will be fried on a flat iron skillet to fry with little bit of oil for a bout 5 mins.. Before it is ready to serve piping hot with a small plate of curry or dhall for me and you to enjoy.. Yummyyyyy!!!


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Boat Ride @ Kuala Terengganu

One of the thing I like about my job is the perks.. I deal with companies, and usually free samples are abundant. However, chances of riding something somebody did is rare indeed.

So, today I have the prevlidge of riding a boat built by MSET Shipbuilding of Terengganu. Wahhh.. I like!

We are able to ride a boat used by the Malaysian maritime test-using new Yamaha machine. Wow! At first the boat started slow, and then it speed up to 48 knots which was pretty fast. My colleague had to hang fast to her tudung or head covering, afraid that it would fly away. I myself only managed to snap a few pics, as instinctively I know that the gust of wind by the speed would tore my BB away from my grip. I had a funny moment thinking that the wind whipping our faces makes our faces all funny with the excess flesh whipping around with the wind.. Haha..

The boat is durable as well as very stable, I was anticipating that the ride would be rough especially after going upriver, we also had a round into the open sea. It was still a choppy ride but not much. As it is a speed boat, the ride finished fast, I think I might go for a slow boat ride someday.. Heard somebody told me that it is around RM10 only return trip from Kuala Terengganu town near Pasar Payang market to Taman Temadun Islam. Hmm..


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Time for a Break :)

Hiya there! It is Sunday and while everybody's having a rest on weekend, we're on the East Coast is on our first day of the week.. Not that I am complaining you all, kinda like it cz Sunday is a relaxing work day for us.. Hahahaha :P

So, enjoying my cuppa of instant Nescafe there at my desk.. Mind you I'm not a Unisza staff, got that very nice mug earlier this year when I gave a small briefing to a group of students there...

Also shown there is one of the last shortbread cookies I've cilok or taken from my Tistle Hyde Park London.. Nice cookie for an afternoon cuppa..

Tea anyone :)
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Porcupine @ My Mum's House

Think this year I'm a bit fortunate, first I saw the elusive tapirs then during the weekend at mom's, I saw a landak or porcupine.

Must admit, this is the second time I saw live porcupine. Last time I saw them was at my friend's house when I was around 12. Her dad's kept a group of them at their backyard as lifestock.

The same thing happen when I posted the porcupine pics on my FB.. Lotsa my friends commented on the deliciousness of porcupines be it rendang style or plain fried.

Thruth be told, my family is the type that would eat animal that we reared. For example chickens. Think around 2-3 times my dad slaughter our chicken but us children do not partake a single bite. So, when the livestock become a lot, we usually sold it to the third party.

So, with the porcupine, we just let it be. Think it must be someones pet as it is tame. It pursued me the first day and as you can see from the picture, became still when I raise my foot. I got an instinct that it wanted me to pet him, but seeing his spiky body, I don't think I'll be that friendly with him.



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Why So Many Visitors Today??!??

Am quite surprised actually to see soo many people visiting my blog today.. Around 300.. Wow!

Well.. This blog is actually for me to jot down something I found interesting in a jiffy.. Or when I am bored.. Or get some extra time before a meeting started. And having a free BB with full internet access help greatly haha.. Just I can only post a pic in one entry though I snapped many is the only disadvantage.. Ahh well.. Perhaps when I get a Galaxy Tab, I'll post more pics folks (but not so in the near future) hahaha :P

Anyway.. Back to the Qs on hand.. Apparently when I check tru my Feedjit, I saw the traffic is from Facebook.. I really wonder why.. I don't think I had linked anything to my FB on this.. Hurmm.. Point to ponder!


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A Malaysia Night at Trafalgar Square London 2011

Sorry for updating late! Is composing this entry at my hotel lobby Tistle Hyde Park but my UK's BTOne 5 days wifi access had just expired.. So will only be able to update my blog as soon as I step on Malaysia when my Maxis line is restored.

Had just finished the Malaysia Kitchen Trafalgar 2011.. Wow! I must admit reading the news and the report is something.. But being there, absorbing the sight, sound, smell, touch, taste is definitely bring the whole world of difference.

I was there during the day a bit early. So had time to have a bit to eat at Pret a Manger (was wondering what's the place all about.. But had very nice salmon sandwich and lemonade there :)).. Then a whole bit of culture and beautiful potraits at the national museum.. Wow! We Malaysian never had painting that survive hundreds of years like the European.. Wow!

Then the event started at three where the 20+ stalls are able to sell food. Was observing the whole senario when Trafalgar started to be filled up with Londoners.. Some had start staking places at Trafalgar steps to wait for the traditional performance. When the smell of food.. Satays cooking and delicious rendang and nasi lemak came wafting by.. People started going off in search of the Malaysian food..

I was enjoying myself seeing the Londoners and also European tourists start digging in their Malaysian food. Satay seemed to be the favourite choice of food followed by Rendang and rice.. Roti Canai.. Some of the noodles.. Malaysia curries.. Apam Balik even.. Well, there is something for everyone... :)

When the show started around 430.. After the Malaysian High Commission, Deputy Mayor of London.. And the State Secretary of Terengganu Government (Yay!!! That's my home state by the way).. The atmostphere started to become festive! I was happy to see the performance of the Terengganu dancers.. Have to admit, I haven't even seen some of the dances or heard the song they sang that evening - it was definitely pure traditional Terengganu performance :)

I really enjoyed seeing Londoners enjoying themselves especially those that had enjoyed themselves as well as doing the jigging to the song melodies. The crowd grow steadily until it swell at around five after the Londoners finished their working hours. Lines to buy food become longer and space to navigate become more and more difficult. Really had a fun time seing these Londoners enjoying themselves as well.

The event stopped at around 10 - a requirement by the London Authority. Most of the stalls had sold off their products. From my visits and observations to the Malaysian restaurants, Londoners had become more aware of the Malaysian cuisines and patronage had increased steadily. Not bad for a two year event :)

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Shopping @ Oxford Street

Well, now I know why people enjoy shopping in London. Apart from the high street item, there are shops offering quality products at competitive pricing. Malaysians and Londoners for example, enjoy shopping at Primark Oxford Street.. Quality products at cheap price. I am now extra big bones so I enjoyed buying pants and lingerie here.. No awkawd staring.. Easy to find my size.. And cheap price.. Wow!

Am thinking of buying a nice jacket but as autumn is here.. Most of the clothing are geared towards being extra warm .. However, I did bought a five pound winter coat at a car boot sales (a steal there definitely).. A leather satchel at Mark and Spencer.. Hurmm.. Have to say, really enjoy the shopping spree :)



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London Day 1

Today as my second day at London.. Still using my Malaysia time as I had awaken since 3+ am.. (That would be around 10 am in Msia) and can't sleep at all after that..

London weather was nice yesterday.. Sunny and the temp was around 19 c.. So not so bad going around with the light business suit.. At night, it was different - cold (for a Msian newly at London I supposed)..

I'm here for work purpose actually - for Malaysia Kitchen Trafalgar London 2011 which would be on tomorrow, 23 Sept 2011.. So as part of the tour, we also do rounds visiting Malaysia restaurants.. As it was an official thing, we would be very privelidge as we would meet the owner themselves!

So, after flying in at Heathrow (LHR - haha Heathrow Airport abbreviation.. When I first saw it in the flight monitor, I mistakenly thought it as Lahore, Pakistan hahahaha)...

We arrived around 5.30 am after 12.30 hours flight (what a long flight).. And at the gate meet with our TC.. A very hardworking and friendly guy - really suitable for his current post..

A quick stop at Tistle Hyde Park where we will stay for the next 6 days.. At noon we went to our London office for a brief..

Then lunchtime at TukDin's.. Wow! Very nice Malaysia food - Gulai Daging Salai, Telur Sambal, Ikan Bakar and asam for dip (they put in Bunga Kantan or Laksa Flower there - and the taste is awesome).. Have to say that they had adapted the recipe a bit to suit the blander Londoner taste, but very tasty! I enjoy their food and I was told that the Sultan of Brunei and some Malaysia royalty also enjoy their food.. No wonder! I totally agree with them.

Then for dinner, we went to Melati downtown. Well, I must say I kept my eyes open as they are some light red ligjt district there.. Haha wonder if I can go in one during my time here. We met their young lawyer owners whom are really friendly and full of insights on way to make Malaysia Kitchen better.. We enjoyed their Assam Pedas Ikan, Shrimp sambal with Petai, Daging dendeng, Tom Yam soup and finished with Bubur Pulut Hitam. Thruthfully, their food is nice but nearing 9 pm or around 4 Malaysian time, we were falling asleep on our delicious food :P

I observed that their restaurant enjoy quite a good patronage perhap because of their strategic location. It was gratifying to see the faces of Londoners enjoying their Malaysian food.. I was feeling pride when told that Malaysian food is currently the rage as celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsey and some others have endorsed Malaysian food.. Even the best soap drama here Coronation Street mention in some of their dialog that they are off to enjoy some Malaysian dinner and wanting to go holiday in Malaysia! Wow!

Well, if you happen to be in London now, be it Malaysian or London.. Come visit us at Malaysia Kitchen Trafalgar tomorrow.. There would be special presentation from my state, Terengganu - Nasi Dagang (glutinious rice with fish curry and veggie acar salad), keropok lekor (fish sausage) that is a must snack for Malaysia and Terengganu traditional dance performace and wayang kulit (shadow puppet to boot!)..

I'll be around as well eating my way tru Malaysian delight.. Satay, Teh Tarik, mee mamak, assam laksa, well, the list is endless.. I will never go hungry for Malaysia food during my time here :)

More info, please visit Malaysia Kitchen London website.. http://www.malaysiakitchen.co.uk.. They are also on Facebook! See you there!!

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