My mum’s recipe 4: Sambar

July 6, 2020.Reading time 7 minutes.

I learnt how my mum cooks ‘sambar’ or ‘dhal’ in her kitchen a couple of weeks ago. I’ve seen her prepare it many times but have never paid any attention to what it entailed. I now know that it entails quite a lot. Too much dicing and slicing, spices, cooking and slaving over a hot […]

In the present

June 22, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

I can feel sad. Surprisingly, suddenly. Without warning. A song. A paragraph in a book. A poignant message on WhatsApp. A scene from a movie. Just a few triggers that make me feel melancholy for no apparent reason other than the trigger itself. The change in emotion is quite dramatic. Thank goodness they are mostly […]

I, me and myself

June 15, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

It’s June. Six months into 2020. I was flipping through my table-top calendar (yes, it’s not digital) to check what I had jotted down in January for the rest of the year. Stopped in March, which was my birthday month, not the whole month. Although I do try to stretch my birthday for as many […]

Onde Onde ice cream

June 8, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

Onde Onde ice cream potong? Who would have thought of making ice cream from a traditional kuih or cake/snack in Malaysia? I didn’t. I am glad someone did because it’s fabulously creamylicious. I am familiar with most local cakes, snacks and pastries. Ice cream, I know only too well. Both making and eating them. Which is […]

Life and livelihood

June 1, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

I haven’t gone to the temple in SS3 since March 17, the Tuesday before the Movement Control Order (MCO) took effect in Malaysia. That’s 10 visits that didn’t happen in over 2 months. That’s 10 times I didn’t buy flowers from the florists stationed just outside the temple. The two flower stall holders are not […]

My mum’s recipe 3: Pulut kacau

May 18, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

‘Pulut kacau’ is another favourite ‘kuih’ of mine. And, naturally my mum’s is the yummiest. While not an Indian ‘palavaram’ or cake, it nevertheless makes an annual appearance at Deepavali. My mum’s is not just any ‘pulut kacau,’ it is the pink, rosy, glistening variety. Glutinous rice, creamy coconut milk and sugar. Three yesses. This […]

Wash. Clean. Repeat. Wash. Cook. Repeat.

May 4, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

Wiped all surfaces. Dusted rugs. Vacuumed floors. Scrubbed sinks and bathroom floors. Cleaned toilets. Repeated the sequence at my mum’s unit. The following week – washed, cleaned and repeated the routine at my unit, and then my mum’s. Hard work these. I like a clean house and bathroom just like the next person. But, I […]

Back to normal…

April 20, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

I have written three posts related to Covid-19. Two more than I had intended. And, here I am again writing about it. I didn’t want to for obvious reasons. The deluge of coverage in the print, electronic and social media is more than enough. Everyone has an opinion – right, wrong, ambiguous or self-serving. Politicians, […]

My mum’s recipe 2: Muruku

April 13, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

I like my mum’s ‘muruku’ best. Of all the savoury delicacies at Deepavali, ‘muruku’ or crunchy crackers is my favourite. Golden brown with little ‘mullus’ or spikes. Twisted, like a pretzel but not quite. A textured consistency with just the right snap. Yummy and flavourful. Not biased. Just honest. My mum’s ‘muruku’ should come with […]

Social distancing

March 30, 2020.Reading time 6 minutes.

Social distancing fits me to a T. I have been practising social distancing all my life. I welcome it. In fact, one of my pet peeves is people invading my personal space. I cannot and still cannot understand why people sidle up so close. Literally and obliviously in my face. It’s not that I am […]