In my recent trip to Penang I had Achar Hu (pickled fish) for the first time.  I loved it so much I had to replicate it.  The perfect opportunity came when I had leftover achar pulp to make the pickling liquid.   [View photos]

I learnt to make Daging Masak Hitam from a friend.  It is beef stewed in spiced soya sauce, with blended sultanas to make it typically Sarawak.  In fact I cook it for friends more often than other dishes and it has become my signature dish.  Along with my visually stunning signature dessert.    [View photos]

I thought I'd make an imitation version of Putu Mayam, the Sri Lankan and South Indian breakfast popular in Malaysia that's served with curry ... brings back childhood memories.   [View photos]

Roti Jala (Lacey Pancakes) served with Lamb Curry cooked Nyonya style ... ie. Nyonya chicken curry but with lamb instead! Lamb is rarely featured in Nyonya food. I had bought the Roti Jala "mould" at a market in Sana'a, Yemen nearly 2 years ago (where they use it for Ethiopian food). Finally I get to use it.   [View photos]

My attempt at making Dendeng ... Sumatran style beef jerky. The only thing I wanted to bring back from my recent trip was Dendeng Aceh ... from Aceh of course!  Unfortunately that wouldn't make it past the NZ borders so I had a go making some myself thanks to instructions from a friend Rashidah.   [View photos]

Cincaluk is fermented baby shrimps ... it sounds gross but it is somewhat like Thai fish sauce which is made from fermented anchovies ... it gives that flavour punch to nearly any dish.  Here I use it as a topping on grilled chicken and also to dress a beef salad.   [View photos]

Another Nyonya dish.  Chicken is stewed in soya sauce, ginger and lime juice.   [View photos]

Remember when the satay man would come round on his bicycle with a charcoal stove on the back?  Or the ice-cream man with two large vacuum jars of frozen goodies? Given the choice of a cone or having it in a bun, there was no question ... creamy melting ice-cream in a soft fresh bun is pretty hard to beat!   [View photos]