Ameen Chefs

Awet muda is what we call it. There are variations in the representation of the word. Some say it as "lengundi", some refer to it as "legundi", another would say it as "lagundi", and another version would address it as "lemuni". Since there are so many versions, let us maintain "lemuni" throughout the post. 'Lemuni" is derived from the leaves of the lemuni  or legundi tree. It is a herbal plant that has been popularly used in the Malay culture for its health remedies and other medicinal attributes. Nasi Lemuni . The lemuni shrub comes in two variants. The one that we commonly use (for the purpose of making this Nasi Lemuni ) is the dark purple color leaf, or what we refer to as " lemuni hitam " (black lemuni ). The process and ingredients to make it is pretty simple. Much like making Nasi Lemak given the accompanying spicy fried anchovies ( sambal tumis ikan bilis ), hard-boiled egg, and cucumber. This recipe is on...

"Kuih Kuning" (or "yellow gravy" when directly translated) was the childhood term for the gulai tempoyak . Since my mom hailed from Perak, the gulai tempoyak  that she and Opah would make was  Perak-style; one with the ikan kembung (chubs mackerel). It is the one and only dish that I would look forward to every time we go back to Taiping. That being mentioned, the Termerloh-style gulai tempoyak ikan patin is also equally tasty. One must experience the smell of the fermented durians emitting from the pot of the gulai tempoyak - absolutely mesmerizing! Gulai tempoyak ikan kembung . Ingredients Chubs Mackerel ( ikan kembung ) - 4, cut into halves; the head and the tail parts Lemongrass - 2 Tamarind Slice - 1 Tempoyak (fermented durian) - 4 to 5 tablespoons Timun Ladang  or cucumber - 1, sliced into chunks and mixed with turmeric powder Water - plentiful, add on more if you wish to have more kuah  or gravy Salt - to taste Sugar - to taste To be blended: Chilies - 4 ...

Not too long ago, we wrote about a health safety concern regarding the use of aluminum-based products for baking . Today's post will highlight paper-based products; the alternative to aluminum-based food containers. By the way, there's an interesting tale on the origins of the words 'aluminum', 'aluminium', and 'alumium'  (we're using 'Aluminium' for the post's title, a marketing strategy for sure, and 'Aluminum' throughout this post content - the truth is, those word-correction underlines are a pain to see). Through a quick survey, non-toxic paper baking containers do exist in the market. A recent visit to Ikea's famous Swedish Restaurant in Cheras also seems to confirm this. Chicken lasagna prepared in a paper-based food container. Ikea Malaysia, Cheras. The Pros and Cons of Paper-based Baking Containers From the lens of an environmentalist, it would be witless to go up against paper-based food containers. Considering that a...