February 2015 Favourites List

I almost forgot that February is the short month! It wouldn't have been right to allow the month to pass without sharing with you this month's list of lovely stuff with some fun pictures. So, with just today and another 2 days left, here I am!

This month’s pictures are of the Cheong Fatt Tze House, otherwise known as the “Blue Mansion”, in Georgetown, Penang.

Built by Cheong Fatt Tze, known as the “Rockefeller of the East”, he was a famous man of many hats; tycoon, diplomat, and politician. However, his beginnings were as a destitute migrant to Malaysia from Hakka. His success was entirely self-made.

The building, dating from the 1880s, is a fantastic expression of Chinese artistic design, based on the principles of Feng Shui. A tranquil, calm and beautiful place, full of atmosphere and serenity… until the next coach load of tourists arrive. Sadly, you never get the place to yourself to savour for long....

It’s a highlight of Georgetown, whose street food scene is worth the journey alone. But the architecture and street are come a worthy second. 

Recipes:

French Puy lentils with Chard, a vegetarian Winter warmer, or perhaps a side dish with chicken or fish: http://www.lemonsqueezy.eu/recipes/category/vegetarian/puy-lentils-with-chard

A quick and easy Cassoulet without the faff of making confit duck.  http://www.sweetsugarbean.com/2012/01/for-your-hibernation-sausage-white-bean.html

Teriyaki beef with mushrooms and coconut milk by Dan Toombs (The Curry Guy): http://www.greatcurryrecipes.net/2015/01/20/teriyaki-beef-mushrooms-coconut-milk/

Slow Roasted Tomato & Garlic Soup: Packed with the flavour of lycopene rich tomatoes and slow roasted garlic. http://www.elizabethskitchendiary.co.uk/2015/01/slow-roasted-tomato-garlic-soup-vegan.html/

Pea and ham soup, perfected by Felicity Cloake: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2014/nov/13/how-to-make-perfect-pea-ham-soup-recipe

Goan style roast pork loin by Cyrus Todiwala, the Incredible Spice Man: http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/28/how-to-cook-roast-loin-of-pork-goan-style-4204369/

10 mins prep, 40 mins to cook, a weekday freezer recipe for casserole: http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/quick-lamb-and-chickpea-casserole

Garbure - a Gascon soup of ham, cabbage, cheese, bread and beans. http://apostcardfromfrance.com/2015/02/07/garbure/

Cookwitch Lisa's new recipe for Roasted carrot and sesame houmous with chick peas and tahini: http://cookwitch.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/roasted-carrot-and-sesame-houmous.html

Broccoli Rabe - wonder where I can get some in London? If not, perhaps purple sprouting broccoli will work? Pasta with broccoli by Julia delle Croce.
http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food-drink/sunday-supper/article9791651.html

Food for informal gatherings and fun, Hawaiian Hula Pork Fajitas with Pineapple Slaw & Coconut Rice: http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/hawaiian-hula-pork-fajitas-pineapple-slaw-coconut-rice/

North African stewed heaven... who can say no to meatballs? http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/lamb-and-mint-meatball-tagine-with-chermoula/

Articles/Know How:

The much maligned microwave is defended in style by Kavita at Kavey Eats blog. http://www.kaveyeats.com/2015/02/microwave-magic-why-i-love-my-microwave.html

You've probably heard of the 5th taste, umami. But have you heard of kokumi? The science of flavour. Just fascinating! http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21641133-researchers-are-still-chasing-nature-and-number-basic-tastes

Yelp votes Dishoom the best restaurant in the UK. It's a great place for a fun and tasty Indian meal, for sure. Interesting that it has beat places with greater "wow" factor and bigger names.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/best-restaurant-uk-dishoom-beats-celebrity-chefs-to-the-top-spot-10020652.html

Where can you get the best chips in London? http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/news/chip-week-2015-hip-chip-hooray

Confused about cuts of meat and what to use where? Kavey has written a useful guide with input from other top food bloggers on beef. http://www.kaveyeats.com/2015/02/which-cuts-of-beef-are-best-for.html

What you might have missed at Snig's Kitchen:

Linda Poulnott's 3rd guest post at Snig's Kitchen - her Neapolitan Baked Aubergine recipe (Parmigiana di Melanzane). Catch it here!

http://snigskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/parmigiana-di-melanzane-guest-post-by.html

Jack White is a genius guitarist and songwriter with an eye for detail, so why wouldn't his guacamole recipe be well considered? http://snigskitchen.tumblr.com/post/110337942739/jack-white-is-a-musical-genius-turns-out-he-also

Combining two British classics - Cottage Pie and Bubble & Squeak. http://snigskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/lovely-bubbly-cottage-pie.html

My latest blog post - review of London's Brasserie Zedel, who bring some Parisian style and class to the centre of town. http://snigskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/brasserie-zedel-london.html

My new blog, Snig's Classroom first ever post: When should you start revising? Procrastinating, timing and motivation - http://snigsclassroom.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/when-is-right-time-to-start-revising.html

TV:

Radio 6 Music Festival 2015; Mogwai and Interpol

Radio 6 Music Festival 2015; Royal Blood and Jungle

Wolf Hall

Music:

I Love You Honeybear - Father John Misty

Welcome To Mali - Amadou and Miriam

Vicissitudes - Maps

Please note: as with every monthly Favourites List, all of these items have been selected by me simply because I love them. I do not receive any money, benefits in kind or other incentive for posting these links or recommendations.

January 2015 Favourites List

Brrr! I am writing this post wrapped up as warmly as I can manage. My boots have some extra space in them (I always try to buy them that way), allowing for double sockage. When the going gets tough. the Snigdha wears at least two pairs of socks!

Things were so different for me just a matter of weeks ago! I was in Penang, wandering around Georgetown, enjoying the street food and street art. 

This month's pictures are from that trip, and were taken in the "Khoo Kongsi" in Georgetown. 

Many Chinese migrants came to live and work in Penang in the days of Empire. To assist them with settling in and getting established, they set up "clan houses" where people who came from the same region of China with the same family name (surname) could live and find support. These clans, by their hard work, prospered, and they reinvested in their clan houses. The Khoos were particularly successful, and the Khoo Kongsi is a celebration of their financial success and their devotion to their faith and culture. It's a gorgeous building and shows exactly why the historic centre of Georgetown is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. 

Recipes:

Tibetan dumplings, chicken momos. http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/chicken-momos/

A purple inspired whole grain recipe by Sarah of Maison Cupcake, Freekeh and beetroot salad: http://maisoncupcake.com/beetroot-salad-with-freekeh-whole-grains-recipe/ 

Columbian style braised beef. Slow cooked meaty heaven by the brilliant Kavita (aka Kavey): http://www.kaveyeats.com/2014/12/colombian-cartagena-braised-beef.html

Roasted Butternut Squash and Chorizo Soup: http://howtobeagourmand.com/roasted-butternut-squash-and-chorizo-soup/

Anyone up for a 100 year old curry recipe? Victorian curry recipe unearthed. What are your views? My thanks to Karin Struyk for bringing to my attention!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-30718727

Nigel Slater’s tuna with miso, edamame and wasabi recipe, a quick and tasty fish supper for midweek nights: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/dec/02/nigel-slater-tuna-with-miso-edamame-and-wasabi

10 mins prep, 40 mins to cook, a weekday freezer recipe for casserole: http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/quick-lamb-and-chickpea-casserole

Vegetarian Chilli with sweet potato and kale. Warming, satisfying and inexpensive! http://wallflowergirl.co.uk/sweet-potato-kale-chilli/

Roasted "curried" carrot salad. Or, as I am thinking, an alternative accompaniment to the Sunday Roast.
http://www.thekitchykitchen.com/?recipes=/roasted-curried-carrot-salad-with-raisins-and-pine-nuts/

Articles/Know How:

If "detoxing" is... well.... a load of bollocks.... then what can we do to get healthy? http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/dec/05/detox-myth-health-diet-science-ignorance

Fay Maschler's round up of London's best curry restaurants. A brilliant and varied selection. My thanks to Kavita of Kavey Eats blog for bringing it to my attention!
http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/restaurants/keep-calm-and-curry-on-londons-best-indian-restaurants-9982343.html

What you may have missed at Snig's Kitchen:

Penang's street food demystified by my hosts at Chulia Mansion: http://snigskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/mini-hawkers-affair-chulia-mansion.html

Come facette mammeta (like mother makes) or How to cook like a Neapolitan Mamma! (guest post by Linda Poulnott): http://snigskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/come-facette-mammeta-guest-post-by.html

Risotto with mixed (fresh) mushrooms, second Guest Post by Linda Poulnott: http://snigskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/risotto-con-funghi-misti-guest-post-by.html

Film:

Get On Up

The Book Of Life

A Walk Among The Tombstones

TV:

The Sounds of The Eighties

BBC 4 Sessions: The Great American Songbook

Synth Brittania

Music:

Atoms For Peace - Amok

Depeche Mode - Black Celebration

Nitin Sawhney - Beyond Skin

Please note: as with every monthly Favourites List, all of these items have been selected by me simply because I love them. I do not receive any money, benefits in kind or other incentive for posting these links or recommendations.

Mini Hawkers Affair Chulia Mansion Georgetown Penang Malaysia

I love food and travelling. Discovering new things to nibble and gorge on is my kind of fun. Him Indoors is of like mind. So we decided that the best place to get away from the chill of the English Winter would be somewhere warm with good food. We agreed on Penang, in Malaysia, widely regarded as the country's food capital.

However, when we arrived we found ourselves bewildered by the sheer choice available to us! There are a great many restaurants, which we had every intention of visiting, but first we wanted to dig into the internationally famous street food.

Practically every street corner in Georgetown has a stall serving up something tasty looking, from snacks, sweets to light meals. There are small individual stalls everywhere, and occasionally a few set up together in a small shop providing a rotating service all day long, with different food provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner. How were we going to work out which way was up?

Our hosts at our home-from-home in Georgetown, the newly opened Chulia Mansion hotel on Chulia Road (Lebuh Chulia) had a novel way of solving this problem for us and for their other guests. Frankie and Fred (the CEO and Business Manager) decided to bring the street food inside! For their Christmas celebrations, they held a 4 day "Mini Hawkers Affair" festival, with what they informed us were the street food icons and classics of Penang.

Char Koay Toew
We kicked off with what is the most popular street food dish; rice ribbon noodles of medium width (tagliatelle pasta width), which are pre-cooked and then rapidly stir fried with beansprouts, spring onions, prawns and dark soy sauce. The wok is heated to scary hot before the stir frying even begins. 

Somehow the cook was so skilled that the eggs and prawns are just cooked and everything is piping hot. The skill is in keeping everything moving in the super-hot wok. 

Optional extras can include Chinese sausage, finely chopped pak choi or carrot, thin slices of pork and cockles.

Asam Laksa or Penang Laksa
Nothing like the orange, fiery Singapore Laksa, this is a sour and tangy tamarind affair. 

The soup is made of a seafood broth, tamarind paste, prawns and fish. This may not sound appetising in writing, but if you get the chance to try this dish, I hope you will hold your scepticism at bay. This is a noodle soup dish full of bold, fresh flavour. 

The noodles are a mix of fine rice vermicelli and 'yellow' (wheat) noodles. Served with spring onions and halved boiled eggs,

Rojak
A fruit salad with a difference! Cucumber, pineapple, pear, apple are smothered in a dark, gloopy, tamarind sauce sweetened with natural palm sugar to give a sweet dressing with a very slight sour tang. 

The fruits (and sometimes vegetables) selected are chosen to provide different textures. Some crunchy, some soft. It's a sweet and savoury combination which felt unfamiliar, but went down a treat.

Satay
Different from its more famous Thai counterpart, this strongly marinaded grilled chicken skewer is not served with peanut sauce. 

The strong spiciness of the marinade rendered it completely unnecessary. Him Indoors and I kept coming back for more of these as they came off the grill.

Pasembur
A vegetarian dish made of layers of tofu, cooked potato, crispy crunchy fried crackers, slices of onion and julienned cucumber. 

The sauce depends on who makes it. Apparently these recipes are trade secrets and are disclosed to no-one. No self-respecting Pasembur hawker wants their 'secret sauce' being ripped off elsewhere!

Belachan chicken
It appears that nearly every culture has its own take on 'fried chicken'! Belachan chicken is marinaded in fermented shrimp paste, lightly battered and then fried in a medium depth of oil in a hot, hot wok. The shrimp paste marinade brings depth of flavour to the chicken meat, particularly the wings. 

Super tasty, finger food, these tasty little nibbles are dangerously addictive. I had to have some the very next day...  and I will confess to hunting them down elsewhere on my travels around Penang! I may have succumbed to the addiction!

Our experience gave us a new awareness of what we were looking out for, and a familiarity with the flavours of Penang street food and names of the most popular dishes. We and the other guests thoroughly enjoyed a festive celebration which was full of colour and life, yet a world away from roast turkey and Brussels sprouts!

Him Indoors and I stayed at Chulia Mansion as full price paying guests. I have not received any payment or incentive for this post.

Chulia Mansion
413 Chulia Street
10200 Georgetown
Penang
Malaysia
enquiry@chuliamansion.com
http://www.chuliamansion.com/