Guess the Secret Seasoning

Let's play a guessing game. Can you tell me what secret seasoning/ingredient behind these yummy grilled chicken skewers? Take your guess here. Continue Reading "Guess the Secret Seasoning"

Sea Bound

I will be sea bound to South Caribbean for 9 days starting tomorrow night. Blue sky, aquamarine sea, powdery white sands, warmth, and sun--things that make me eternally happy. "Don't worry about a thing, cause every little thing gonna be all right." Island coconut cookies, cakes, sweet ripe bananas, hot off the grill Johnny cakes, local banana ketchup, conch, seafood, and Rum. Counting down... (Check back on Rasa Malaysia to see the foods and sights of South Caribbean.) Continue Reading "Sea Bound"

Shopping Alert: Canon Digital Rebel XT Camera

I don't usually do this, but there are a couple of good deals at Amazon I wanted you guys to know. Canon Digital Rebel XT (body only) is now on sale at Amazon for only $399.99. That's a steal considering the quality of shots produced by this camera. I shoot all my pictures--food, travel, and people photography--with this camera and I take it with me whenever I travel. I just love it. What about the lens, you ask? I use Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens, which is priced at $86.48 at the moment. If you want, you can also buy this camera with its kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6) for $469.99. That's even cheaper than the body and the 50mm macro lens combined, and you will have exactly what I originally bought. However, the kit lens is just OK for food photograhy so I hardly use it. If you have been waiting to invest in an entry-level DSLR camera, now it's the time. Shipping is FREE at Amazon, so head over there and buy now! To see samples of my photography, check out the following (all pictures were shot with Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens)... Food Photography People Photography Travel Photography Continue Reading "Shopping Alert: Canon Digital Rebel XT Camera"

Happy Chinese New Year (新年快乐)

It's Chinese/Lunar New Year's Eve in Asia now, so I wanted to wish everyone a very happy Chinese/Lunar New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai, 恭喜发财. May the year of the rat brings you great health, happiness, prosperity ($$$), and of course, lots of scrumptious foods. Looking for Chinese New Year's recipes? Check out my recommendations and recipes below... Stir-fried Lobster with Butter and Cheese (芝士牛油焗龙虾) - This is the kind of dish that one would order at restaurants during Chinese New Year. Make it at home this year! Braised Daikon/Turnip with Pork Ribs and Dried Oysters (白萝卜蚝干焖排骨) - perfect for family dinners, dried oysters are excellent for Chinese New Year festivities. Sichuan Wok-fried Chicken - Running out of chicken recipes? Try this spicy and numbing Sichuan dish. Imitation Shark's Fin and Crab Meat Omelette - go eco-friendly this Chinese New Year without sacrifying taste, really! Steamed Scallops with Soy Sauce and Garlic Oil - try steaming something different this year, scallop is a wonderful choice. Minced Chicken and Pork Rolls (鸡卷)- A slightly different twist to the classic "lor bak" (卤肉) but equally delicious. Stir-fried Chive Buds - Introducing an uncommon vegetable dish that is sure to impress your family and guests. Shrimp Wontons (鲜虾云吞) - Who doesn't like this Chinese classic? A certified crowd-pleaser. Red Bean Paste Pancakes (豆沙锅饼) - end the family dinner with a sweet note with this Chinese dessert pancakes. Longan Dessert/Longan Tong Sui (龙眼糖水) - Serve your guests a warm bowl of this soothing drink; great for Chinese New Year's cakes, cookies, and candies. You can get more Chinese recipes idea here. Happy eating (and drinking) for the next 15 days! *wink* Continue Reading "Happy Chinese New Year (新年快乐)"

Can, Can't, CANNES

(Click on the image above to view the complete photoset of 2 pictures) Be it "can" (pronounced the American way), or "can't" (pronounced the British/French way), I am heading to Cannes in south of France tomorrow. I know, I am really a lucky one. Other than Cannes, I will also check out Nice, St. Tropez, and Monaco (Monte Carlo). I am getting myself a nice little rental car to explore around. Nice, very nice! I will probably be MIA--but hey, do check back on Rasa Malaysia as I might well surprise you with a post or two from the French Riviera. For now, I wanted to share this very exceptional dessert with you, Or Nee (Taro/Yam Paste) Puffs which are practically to die for. Don't believe me, ask Robyn and Dave at Eating Asia for their objective opinions... If you are in Penang, or will be going to Penang, do yourself a favor. Go dine at my favorite Chinese (Teochew) restaurant in Georgetown called Goh Huat Seng (I have previously raved about it here and here) and ask for these after you savor their oysters and steamboat. Not many patrons know about these Taro/Yam Paste Or Nee puffs, but considered the secret revealed. Too far from Penang? Don't fret, you can make these at home by combining two of my recipes into one: Recipe: Taro Dessert (Or Nee / 芋泥) Recipe: Curry Puff (Without the curry puff filling, that is.) Happy eating and stay tuned for my complete food reports and travel photography from south of France. Continue Reading "Can, Can't, CANNES"

Wolfberries/Goji Berries: My Latest Ingredient Addiction and Cheat Sheet to Fabulous Food Photography!

Do you know wolfberries/goji berries or 枸杞 in Chinese? Have you cooked anything with them? Lately, dried wolfberries/goji berries have become my favorite ingredient-du-jour. I add them to my savory soup and stew, braised claypot dishes, and Bak Kut Teh (pork bone tea soup). Highly renowned in Chinese cuisine as an ingredient with great healing powers (improving eyesight and immune system), nutrient richness, and antioxidant qualities (meaning you need to stock them up in piles to remain forever young!), wolfberries/goji berries lend a nice sweet (甘味) flavor to dishes, especially to pork and poultry... I am going to share two recipes with you using wolfberries/goji berries soon...for now, please click here to learn more about this ingredient. On a totally unrelated--but useful--note, I published a lengthy article about my tips and tricks to taking drool-inducing food photography at Dining Hall. Go read about it, and I bet you will be on your way to taking gorgeous food pictures with my exclusive article. Anyway, if you are a lazy reader (like I am), I have put together a cheat sheet for you below: Rasa Malaysia's Cheat Sheet to Taking Fabulous Food Photography: 1. Use white serving ware and do some food styling. 2. Never use flash even though it's dark. 3. Use Macro mode if you have a point-and-shoot camera. 4. Post processing with photo editing software such as Photoshop. 5. Tripod is not necessary. (If you don't have a tripod, it's OK.) 6. Consider investing in a DSLR camera. 7. Natural Lighting is the secret ingredient to fab food photography. 8. Minimalist props so your readers are drawn to your food. 9. Experiment with lots of shots. 10. Find your favorite style and mimic it. My sister-in-blog Steamy Kitchen will be writing up a food styling guide soon. So, please be on the lookout.To find out what I use, my gear and lenses, please click here. Continue Reading "Wolfberries/Goji Berries: My Latest Ingredient Addiction and Cheat Sheet to Fabulous Food Photography!"

DMBLGiT December 2007: Host Award Winner

Thanks to the great news from my fellow Malaysian blogger Mandy at Fresh from the Oven, my satay jellyfish entry won one of the 3 special host awards of DMBLGiT Dec 2007 hosted by Food and Photography. Thanks to Food and Photography for selecting me as one of the winners and congrats to all who won this monthly photography contest. To view my post and complete photoset of satay jellyfish--my favorite childhood junkfood--please click here. To view my previous DMBLGiT-award-winning pictures, please check out the following... Steamed Scallops with Soy Sauce and Garlic Oil - September 2007 First Place Winner Bacon-wrapped Cherry Tomatoes - July 2007 Second Place Winner Chive Buds - June 2007 Originality Winner Have a good weekend! Continue Reading "DMBLGiT December 2007: Host Award Winner"

Tastespotting Loves Rasa Malaysia

My blog sister Jaden of Steamy Kitchen shared the good news with me late last night and I am still on cloud nine... 20 of my pictures made it to TasteSpotting 100 of 2007--the most popular delicious links on Tastespotting in 2007. 20 out of 100, that's a whopping 20%! WOW!! I am speechless, but thank you so much Tastespotting. To see the original photosets, click on the links below... 1. Asari Miso Soup 2. Lemon Chiffon Cake 3. Penang Chee Cheong Fun 4. Eating London 5. Chicken Siu Mai 6. Ma La Crawfish 7. Indian Squid Curry 8. Stir-fried Fish Fillet with Black Bean Sauce 9. Penang Hokkien Mee 10. Kabab Koobideh 11. Steamed Scallops with Soy Sauce and Garlic Oil 12. Angel Hair Pasta with Seafood 13. Red Bean Paste Pancakes 14. Fried Shrimp Balls with Wonton Skin 15. Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken 16. Tom Yum Goong 17. Baked Lobster with Cheese 18. Stir-fried Yam Leave with Belacan 19. Ma Po Tofu 20. Mango and Lobster Salad Continue Reading "Tastespotting Loves Rasa Malaysia"

Happy Holidays!!!

May your holidays be filled with love, joy, happiness, and lots of delicious foods! :) XOXO, Rasa Malaysia Continue Reading "Happy Holidays!!!"

Some New Food Pictures at Shanghai Ding, Penang

(Click on the image to view the complete photoset of 15 pictures) I haven't done telling you all the stories about my recent trip to Penang, Malaysia--all the foods I devoured, my fun little getaway and other escapades, but I will share with you some food porn today--a small food photography project that I did for my sponsor Shanghai Ding /上海鼎 in Penang, Malaysia. If you are in Penang and haven't checked out Shanghai Ding /上海鼎, do pay it a visit. (You can read my previous review here.) If you have tried it and haven't been there lately, they have expanded their menu with new dishes such as the Shanghainese specialities Dongbo Rou/braised pork stomach (东波肉), vinegar pork ribs, etc. Other than the location near Queensbay Mall, Shanghai Ding /上海鼎 has recently opened up their second branch at the New World Park (next to Swatow Lane) in Penang. Shanghai Ding /上海鼎 (NEW BRANCH) 102-E-3, New World Park Jalan Burmah, 10500 Penang Main Branch (at the right hand corner shop before Queensbay Mall) Blk H, 4G, Persiaran Bayan Indah, Bayan Bay, 11900 Penang Tel: 04-644-1644 Check it out and let me know what you think of my photography project... (note: it was raining and not a lot of sun when the photo shoot took place; sun really is the secret ingredient to very good photography!). Related Posts: Photoblog: Food, Glorious Malaysian Food Belacan Grill Malaysian Cuisine Continue Reading "Some New Food Pictures at Shanghai Ding, Penang"

My Favorite Childhood Junk Food

(Click on the image above to view all pictures) Favorite childhood junk food = satay jellyfish. Ingredients: jellyfish, salt, vegetable, oil, starch, chili. Method of preparation: Eat them as is, or--most deliciously--lightly grill them over charcoal fire, or in the absence of it, over your gas stove! Price = RM1.10 (equivalent to US$0.35) for 12 sticks. Reminiscing the taste of my childhood = PRICELESS. What is your favorite childhood JUNK food? Note: To my Malaysian readers, I hope this post reminds you of your childhood, too. I am sure you have had this delicious junk food. ;) Continue Reading "My Favorite Childhood Junk Food"

Featured: The New Sabah Times

I am blogging from Taipei, but I wanted to share a BIG news with you. I was featured in The New Sabah Times on November 3rd in an article entitled "The Paragons of Food" by the ever so friendly and patient Shan Sandhu. (For your information, I did an email interview with Shan a few months ago but had been bugging non-stop for the publication date of the article!). There is a HUGE picture of me and two of my food pictures. My fellow food buddies Robyn and Dave of Eating Asia (click here to read Robyn's post about our recent eating escapades in Penang) and Terri of A Daily Obsession were also featured (click here for her post). W00t! I have never been to Sabah (a Malaysian state in Borneo), but the warmth and love showered by The New Sabah Times and all my Sabahan readers have firmly convinced me to visit The Land Beneath the Wind the next time I go home to Malaysia... I am wearing a big smile on my face while typing this post--MY FACE IS ON THE NEWSPAPER for the second time! The first time was when I was 16 and passed my SRP (Malaysian high school national exam/equivalent to PMR) with flying colors, but I reckon this time I didn't have to burn midnight oil or study hard...*wink* Now, who wants to join me for a culinary tour to Sabah (and Penang, of course)? I will guarantee that you will be able to savor Malaysian food ala Eating Asia's experience if you are with me. Drop me a comment or email. Continue Reading "Featured: The New Sabah Times"

Essence of Shangri-La Cookbook

I just spent two wonderful nights at Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa in Penang. I can't wait to tell you all about it, but for now, I wanted to share this cookbook with you. "Essence of Shangri-La Living. Dining" is easily one of the best and most beautiful Chinese cookbooks I have ever come across. This book is a collaboration of the top Chinese chefs at Shangrila-La hotels and documents precious and much-valued recipes served at Shangri-La's famed Shang Palace and Summer Palace restaurants in the Asia Pacific region... If you love food and cookbooks, this is a must-have collection, really! Complete with 108 mouth-watering recipes, gorgeous food photography, and introduction of each dish (with tea/wine pairing suggestions), my eyes were glued to this cookbook for hours...I simply can't wait to try out all the recipes! Note: The cookbook is a limited edition and not for sale, most of them are presented to Shangri-La's VIPs and Golden Circle members. Guests who would like to have a look at the cookbook can contact the Communications department of any Shangri-La hotels/resorts. Continue Reading "Essence of Shangri-La Cookbook"

I am SHAMELESS, but...

Chez Pim wrote this on her Blog Day 2007 post: "...some bloggers clearly should be publishing magazines and not blogs" and Rasa Malaysia is one of them! Then, Apartment Therapy included my Baked Lobster with Cheese picture on their slinks--n. (slingks) Surreptitious web links to other good sites. And then, Guardian UK made me one of their favorite blogs (there are only 5 on their list!). Screenshot below. Last but not least, mega chef and cookbook author Mr. David Lebovitz (Gasp! He checks out my blog?!) featured my Red Bean Souffle Balls as one of the recipes to use for egg whites... This is a SHAMELESS self promotion, but I really can't help it. *wink* Thanks a bunch! Continue Reading "I am SHAMELESS, but..."

Rockin' Thinking Girl Blogger Award

Habeas Brulee and Ramblings from a Gypsy Soul, sorry for procrastinating for so long, I am just terrible at doing memes these days. I mean, look at me, I don't even reply to my comments timely now. What can I say? I am just tooooo lazy busy! However, I feel obliged to spotlight the following bloggers--not only do they make me think, they also totally rock my culinary world with their handsome blogs. So, being the goofy me, I am doing something different, I am combining the "Thinking Blogger Award" and "Rockin' Girl Blogger" into a spanking new "Rockin' Thinking Girl Blogger Award." Anyway, without further ado, I present you the following award-winning blogs/bloggers: Piggy's Cooking Journal - A fellow Malaysia girl who hails from Penang (my hometown), Piggy's blog, her cooking and baking (yes, she can bake!), and her food photography always had me ogled like a dodo in front of my monitor. Her recipes are both authentic and creative (now, that's hard); Piggy's Cooking Journal is a real gem. Fresh from the Oven - I really admire and respect people who can bake. Baking takes a lot of patience and it's not something you can learn by watching your grandmother, mother, or aunt in the kitchen (that's how I learned my cooking). Mandy bakes, very well. She whips up cakes, cookies, and various baked goods of various shapes and forms, and everything she bakes looks like it came straight out from a Parisian patisserie. She rocks in the baking department, click here to check out what's fresh from her oven... Ilit Kitchen - Another fellow Malaysian from Penang who is a superior home cook. And yes, she can bake, plus she makes her noodles (!!!) from scratch. Her blog is in Chinese and that makes me respect her even more. I mean, cooking is one thing, but being able to type her thoughts and her recipes in Chinese...that's really something. (I am Chinese-educated, but I type slower than a snail and can't figure out 75% of Chinese typing.) Visit her kitchen now and see what she is made of. If you can't read Chinese, no worries as her food photography speaks for itself. Lemongrass - Yet another Malaysian girl who is multi-talented. Even though she doesn't cook as often, when she does, she always blows me away with her gorgeous pictures and creative recipes. Remember my pandan chicken, I stole the idea from her, but hers look much better than mine. Don't believe it, see it for yourself. Yoyo's Food - Another Chinese blog filled with yummylicious recipes plus colorful and inviting food photography. I discovered Yoyo's Food recently and now I am hooked. The dishes she makes are sophisticated and simply gorgeous. Again, when it comes to good food, there is no language barrier. Pop in to Yoyo's Food and check out her creations. That's all! Thanks for reading this. Continue Reading "Rockin' Thinking Girl Blogger Award"

Selamat Hari Merdeka

Happy 50th Birthday to you, Malaysia. Selamat Hari Merdeka. Happy Independence Day! PS: By now, Hari Merdeka is over in Malaysia, but it just gets started in the western hemisphere. :) Continue Reading "Selamat Hari Merdeka"