In this Live broadcast on Chillies, I cover the different types of chillies used in Malaysian and Southeast Asian cooking, and explain their uses and preparation methods. I also reveal a good, cheap substitute that I’ve encountered in my recent trips to my local non-Asian fruit and vegetable shop, and how to “hack” the flavour to achieve the same » Read More
How to Cook Khmer Seafood Amok
April 19, 2018 by
A Wok Around Asia Recipe by Chef Chanrith Van of Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap Resort I knew very little about Khmer food prior to Siem Reap, but I had heard of Amok, a strong contender for the title of Cambodia’s national dish. I was also vaguely aware of some lively online debates as to what constitutes an authentic amok. Chef Chanrith Van » Read More
How to Make Curry Laksa (aka Curry Mee) – Cooking Class Recipe
April 12, 2018 by
I was invited to do a demonstration cooking class at Kogarah Community Services yesterday, where I made a curry laksa (aka curry mee if you’re from Penang) based on a recipe originally supplied by the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. (By the way, I enjoyed the session enough that I’m currently open to offers to do more of these workshops, so » Read More
How to Make Kuih Ketayap (Coconut-Filled Crepes)
March 21, 2018 by
Kuih Ketayap - A Wok Around Asia Recipe courtesy of Parkroyal Penang Resort Kuih Ketayap, also known as Kuih Dadar in my part of Malaysia, is a popular teatime snack which consists of pandan-infused crepes rolled with a coconut and palm sugar filling. It's an easy recipe to attempt, and the ingredients should be readily available at any » Read More
How to Make Chicken or Beef Bak Kwa (Barbecued Minced Meat)
March 9, 2018 by
I grew up in the part of Malaysia where this is known as “long yoke” (Cantonese & Hakka), and for a long time after coming to Australia, I had no idea what other people were talking about when they made reference to “bak kwa” (Hokkien) - more evidence of how gloriously splintered Malaysia can be when it comes to food, language and » Read More
How to Cook Malaysian Chicken Curry Noodles
February 26, 2018 by
I wasn’t intending to blog about this Live Asian Kitchen broadcast, because Malaysian Chicken Curry is something I cook on a regular basis and I've already posted the recipe in the past. However, this particular batch turned out different enough (in a good way) that I thought it worth sharing. Plus there's the added element of serving it with » Read More
How to Cook Chicken Bak Kut Teh (Chik Kut Teh)
February 21, 2018 by
I’ve had an aversion to pork since I was a kid, so I have no recollection of ever having eaten Bak Kut Teh (BKT), which is traditionally made using pork spare ribs. The smell of BKT is quite unmistakable however, and hard to avoid if you grew up in Malaysia or Singapore. Since I knew how it’s meant to smell, I felt vaguely confident going into this » Read More
10 Cambodian Foods That Will Make You Fall In Love With Khmer Cooking
February 14, 2018 by
It was my first morning in Siem Reap, on my first ever trip to Cambodia. I knew no-one except a handful of staff I’d met the evening before at the hotel. I couldn’t speak one word of Khmer, and I was still trying to wrap my head around the local currency - I had converted my Aussie dollars into Cambodian riels but was pondering if I should have » Read More
#2166 – One Postcode, Three Food Destinations
January 3, 2018 by
Most people don’t know that my first few years in Australia were spent in Cabramatta and its surrounds. As new migrants in 1984, my parents couldn’t afford to live in the more upscale northwestern suburbs, where most Malaysians seem to congregate, so we ended up in postcode 2166 - Cabramatta, Canley Vale and Canley Heights. The insolent teen in » Read More
How to Make Indonesian Sup Soto (Low Carb)
December 26, 2017 by
I was hesitant to call this a Soto since its defining characteristic is the use of compressed rice squares (ketupat) simmered in soup, and with the whole low-carb thing, I’m severely restricting my rice consumption. Instead, I added some coconut powder (I would have used coconut cream or coconut milk but I didn’t have any on hand) to compensate » Read More