Sometimes we tend to forget that Malaysia is indeed a colorful country. Forget all the troubles we have been hearing lately. Focus on the colors of the people, the food and the culture and you will soon ignore all the "racialist" hogs that we all know. Sometimes, weekends are the best time to unwind. My Dell notebook went berserk at 4 pm today after I installed a video editing software. Blame it on the software but I think Dell has this tendency of breaking down after 2 years. Well, my notebook has been with me for 2 years now. Ever since I left my previous job, that faithful notebook has been my trusted blogging companion. Sent it immediately to a shop an hour ago and thank goodness, the shop is owned by my very own colleague, Neoh.

Anyway, Carol and I went to Pasar Ramaddan. The spread of goodies is just fabulous. I couldn't imagine how one can resist all the great makan (food) spread across the table so modestly.
We thought it was great to pick up some Malay styled dishes for dinner. After all, the boys enjoy having spicy stuff and we are all very Malaysian so to speak. Pasar Ramaddan is actually a evening market for Muslims to buy readily cooked meals so that they can buka puasa (break fast) in the evening. It's usually crowded and it has been awhile since I last been to one.

We ended up buying Ayam Percik(Wood-fire broiled chicken dressed with sweet coconut gravy. Ayam Golek/Ayam Percik is eaten with white rice in major family dishes and can also be dipped into "cholek" (Thai chilli sauce), Chicken Curry, Murtabak and some Malay styled cakes.

Look at some of the sights captured during the walkabout we had a few hours ago. What a wonderful time I must say!

Before you jump into any conclusions, let me remind you that it was a very finger licking good Naughty Nick. Yes - we decided to venture into our domain around Tg. Bungah. After all, it's not usual of us to do so. Carol has just finished "teaching" Elly not to steal food from the kitchen...guess it's one of those days. 

Back to our friend Nick. We just got to know him 2 hours ago. Yes - after buying his delicious "razorbacks(wild boar)" curry, his famous BBQ pork ribs - it was indeed 2 thumbs up.

We waited patiently while he was cooking up the dishes for us. I might say he seemed to have lots of patience doing so. He has been selling that for the past 6 months and mind you, business is brisk. I am sure you would argue with me that you probably had better "wild boar" curry but let me reassure you, his is the BEST.

At least, Carol and I had a good time chatting with him. Somehow, I had his curry before when he was located at Indian Association along Jalan Gottlieb. After his landlord decided to raise his rental from Rm200 to Rm750, it became apparent he had to move.

Guess he is now at Jalan Sungai Kelian. Located a few meters after the Esso Petrol Station at Jalan Sungai Kelian, you can find his bbq pit with the tentalizing aroma of BBQ ribs and chicken being bbq there.

One thing I learned from his conversation. You must have the love for anything you do. Be it a sailor to a good engineer, if you don't have any passion for your work, don't waste your time. I am sure you would agree, wouldn't you?

Anyway, we had a total of 4 ribs, 4 chicken wings, 1 big bowl of "wildboar" curry and 2 pieces of roti bengali (tough bread). I drenched it down with a bottle of beer at home and the boys are busily preparing for the exams.Gosh another round of exams. Enjoy the pictures and video. I am trying out this.

Have a "burpy" weekend ya?

Very low key but with lots of smiles. Day started off with breakfast and a trip to the local wet market at Fettes Park to buy pork chops. Onwards to Tesco for further vegetables and other stuff. It's our turn to show our appreciation today. Decided to cook pork chop with garlic & mushroom sauce. Got this recipe from Carol's book and I took up the challenge to cook something simple but meaningful. After all, Carol has a full-time job 24X7. The food before chowing started. Jefferson was the Asst Chef and Carol was the moderator and yours truly was the Chef in Charge. Also served was a big bowl of salad and a huge serving of mashed potatoes. Truly filling and delicious. We had chocolate cheese cake for dessert....yummmmeee...

We decided to save $$ and cook great food at home and the kids gave it 3 out 4 stars. Carol said it was great but she was doing 60% of the cooking (cutting of ingredients , etc). At least for the first time, something of a good western style cooking to share a happy occassion.

Too all mothers, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY. I truly enjoyed my day of cooking for the family. Truly enjoyable.

 

 

  

I am not defending the fast food industry in Malaysia and neither am I banging hard on the decision of Malaysia's Radio and Television for trying to curb fast food adverts on National TV. However, don't you think we are going overboard on this? Read on and you decide.

There are far better issues to talk about. It starts from the schools and this needs to be emphasized. Many Malaysians would have to eat food that is less nutritional because of their lifestyles at work.

Try asking anyone who works in KL. Lunch time is just an hour and location of food outlets is not easy to be located at times due to traffic congestion...

 

Sometimes it's a wonder why the Govt would want to talk about this. Let the people decide.

 

February 26, 2007 01:04 AM

RTM To Air Programmes To Enlighten Public On Fast Foods

KEMAMAN, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) will air programmes to enlighten the public on fast foods through its Debat Perdana and current affairs slots on its TV1 channel.
Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin said this was necessary as the media was the best platform to increase people's awareness on the health aspects of fast foods.
"RTM wants to take the initiative in this and will invite fast food operators, advertisers, doctors and others to discuss this issue," he said.
He said this to reporters after opening the national-level Quran recital assembly at the Kampung Meraga Mosque in Kijal near here Sunday night.
Also present were State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Said and Foreign Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
Zainuddin said RTM could not immediately stop showing fastfood advertisements on its television channels because it was bound by contracts worth RM11 million.
He said that the discussion on the issue had already started on the RTM1 channel through the Selamat Pagi Malaysia talk show and after the Warta Perdana news bulletin.
"The discussions will dwell on the pros and cons relating to the issue because it involves many matters, including employment opportunities, trends and so on,' he said.
Earlier in his speech, Zainuddin called on Muslims not to be easily influenced by groups considered as outdated in their actions to that extent that they accused what other people did as unIslamic.
He said these groups held demonstrations when the government organised entertainment programmes but it was okay if they did so.
-- BERNAMA