Ondeh-ondeh * Nyonya Kuih

Ondeh-ondeh is one of the colorful and delicious nyonya kuihs (for more nyonya kuih surprises, click here). They are in pandan flavoured green glutinous rice balls sprinkled with grated coconut that is seasoned with fine salt on the outside and gula melaka inside as a fill. On the other hand, ondeh-ondeh is also known as Buah Melaka.

This is an easy-to-prepare dessert, it can play a role as a mouth-watering appetizer too. To me, I personally think that they look quite similar to the Tang Yuans except that they are "hairy" =]. Anyone could try them out at home as long as you have glutinous rice flour, gula melaka and grated coconut.

Gula (means 'sugar' in Bahasa Melayu) melaka, sometimes called 'palm sugar', is the most popular gastronomic delights of Peranakan or nyonya. Gula melaka can be found light golden colour to a rich dark brown. It is used in some savory dishes but mainly in the local desserts and cakes of the Southeast Asian region.


Ondeh-Ondeh Recipe
(16-20 balls)

Skin:-

240g of glutinous rice flour
120ml of water
2 tablespoons of pandan leaves juice

2 tablespoons of castor sugar

coconut milk (suitable amount)

1 tablespoon of oil

Filling:-

1 piece of gula melaka (cut into small pieces)

Coating:-

some grated coconut (suitable amount)

1/2 teaspoon of salt

Method:

1) Pour the hot water into the glutinous rice and mix.

2) Add in the other ingredients for its skin until it forms a dough.

3) Form small balls into size and fill them with a little piece of gula melaka and seal them up.

4) Boil some water in a pot.

5) Put the sealed balls into the boiling water.

6) When the balls float on the water, take them out and sprinkled the grated coconut on them.

7) The ondeh-ondehs are ready to be served.

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Pen Mutiara Curry House Penang

Few days ago, a friend of mine sent me an email about this new Malay restaurant at Batu Maung, Penang. I was wondering where this grand restaurant located. Last Sunday, after going to PC Fair, decided to discover this restaurant.

Before I went there, I tried to google. Found that the total cost involved to start this new restaurant is around RM1 million. RM700K was contributed by the Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) while the remaining RM300,000 came from Pen Mutiara. Thus, this restaurant is owned by the Penang Fishermen's Association. It was originally a house which had been renovated into a restaurant in 2005.

Fish Fillet Curry

Mango Kelabu

Stir Fried Kangkung

Cabai Prawn

Fried Squid

Paprik Chicken

You would surprise to find out that there was a pianist playing the piano in the restaurant. You could even find a small artificial waterfall in it. It's really nicely decorated. The menu does not offer too much. Their specialty is fish head curry or fish fillet curry. It came in a big clay pot with lady's fingers in it. You do not have many choices of the fish, I remember promfet is one of them. The price is ranging from RM26 onwards. But if it is fish fillet curry, then it would be RM5/fillet. This was the only dish still hot when it was served to us.

Others like they have cooked before you order, then just reheat in microwave and serve. I might not be correct, but please do pay a visit and advise. As when I asked them why other dishes were not hot, the waiter did not know how to explain. Serving was very fast, like they need very little time to cook.

We ordered the fish fillet curry in clay pot . And a small plate of friend squids. In addition, we also ordered a stir fried kangkung and paprik chicken. The paprik chicken was like cooked with chilli sauce which I don’t really quite like it. A jug of coconut juice which cost us around RM15 was also expensive as it was just enough for 4 small glasses.

My friend was not happy with all the dishes except the fish curry. We wanted to try their nasi goreng kampung but were told only served during lunch time. I would go back with customers some other days to try their nasi goreng kampung. I am really a big fan of nasi goreng kampung or the Malay style fried rice.

Oh, I almost forget that they also have karaoke room for 20pax. The room charge is RM50 per room and RM30 per hour. But to me, I think the karaoke room is more like a conference room.

Karaoke Room

P/S: Their wash room is quite lousy, does not match the decoration at all.

Pen Mutiara Curry House Penang

Address: D/A Pelabuhan LKIM Batu Maung
Batu Maung, 11960 Penang.
Tel: 04-6264615

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Seafood Bee Hoon 海鲜米粉

This is a place that I used to pass thru very often but did not notice that there is a seafood bee hoon stall. Always thought that this is a very common coffee shop selling some hokkien mee, laksa, etc. Till one day, my neighbour told me about it and said that this one is as good as the one at Sungai Tiram. And the satay sold by an Indonesian is very nice too.

Last 2 weeks, my mom was craving for seafood bee hoon. So instead of going to the one at Sungai Tiram, Bayan Lepas, we decided to go to this one at Relau. Unfortunately, the satay stall was closed as this Indonesian has gone back to her hometown, so we did not have a chance to try the satay this time. But, the seafood bee hoon stall was on business.

Look at the varieties that you could choose. Fish, fish meat, fish balls, fish cakes, meat balls, squids, prawns, flower crab and also the intestine. You may also choose to have clear soup or tom yam. Seafood porridge is also available. We ordered 2 bowls of clear soup bee hoon, one bowl of clear soup instant noodle and one bowl of tom yam instant noodle.

The clear soup bee hoon was good but I love the one in tom yam more. Well, just because I grow up in Penang, so I love spicy food. The tom yam soup was just nice, not too sour! You should give it a try when you go there. Must go earlier as it will be full of people around 7.30pm.

Other than the seafood bee hoon stall, you can also have Bah Kut Teh and Chu Char ( dishes with rice ) there. The owner of the coffee shop was very friendly and the service was excellent.


Location: At the traffic light from Sungai Ara to Relau, beside a temple (closed on Tuesday)

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Fruit Salad French Loaf

Thanks for Mi Tong's recipe. I followed the creative idea to make this lovely Fruit Salad French Loaf. My niece and my neighbours' kids love this good looking and tasty french loaf so much that they want me to make for them during their birthday parties.

It is just a simple way to do. Even kids can make for themselves. I think this is good for mothers as kids would love to eat those lovely stuff. Especially for working mothers that do not really have much time to cook any 'fancy' kids' meals.

Prepare the following ingredients:-

-1 French loaf

-1 or 2 potatoes
-1/2 can of sweet corn

-1/2 can of mixed fruits

-1 or 2 hard boiled eggs

-Salad cream

-some lettuce

Method:-

1) Cut the French loaf into 4-5 cm length. Make it hollow but leave a base on it.

2) Cut the cooked potatoes and hard boiled eggs into pieces.
3) Take out the sweet corn and mixed fruits, but wash away the syrup.


4) Mix everything into a big bowl together with salad cream.

5) Fill the mixture into the cut loaf and put a small piece of lettuce at the side.

It's done! Simple and tempting to kids! Do try it out at home yourself and don't forget to share your foodie experience with me!

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Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O Hotel) Penang, Malaysia

As a Penangite, I am very proud to announce that, last year, Georgetown (the capital of Penang) had just been added into the UNESCO world heritage list together with Malacca.


Last week, driving around Georgetown, looking for somewhere to go, the idea of going to E&O Hotel suddenly came into my mind.

E&O Hotel was found by the Armenian Sarkies brothers: Martin, Tigran and Arshak. In 1885, Martin and Tigran established " The Eastern Hotel" and after that they established another hotel- "The Oriental Hotel". In 1891, Arshak joined the business of running the hotel. And later on, "The Eastern Hotel" and "The Oriental Hotel" were combined and thus E&O Hotel was formed.

The Founders of E&O Hotel

E&O Hotel is a luxurious heaven which is located in the bustling heart of Penang, grand and historical hotel, offers the finest traditions of luxury and service. At the E&O, guests can relax in an historic ambience. A few minutes walk from the E&O Hotel, guests may come across several restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs, it's sure a good place to hang out after dinner, especially you want to enjoy your after-dinner-chat. Furthermore, on the doorstep of E&O Hotel, there are two fascinating "American Express Heritage Trail" which hotel guests can explore on foot or by trishaw (highly recommended, it's something unique).

For tempting flavours and aromas, guests and tourists can sample the restaurants, cafes and bars of the E&O Hotel:

*1885- fine dinning restaurant that offers fine cuisine and wine


*Sarkies Corner- a colonial-styled coffee shop


Indoor Sarkies Corner


Outdoor Sarkies Corner

*The Bakery- specialize in fresh baked breads, pies and pastries with brewed coffees and teas
*Farquhar's Bar- good choice for beers
*Verandah- the terrace on the promenade, offering al-fresco dinning
*The Deck- serves light meals and refreshment by the pool


In short, E&O Hotel is a perfect place for EVERYTHING~!


Lobby of E&O Hotel

Old Lift
This lift was built in the olden days. Do you believe that it still can function?!
But for safety, it had been locked up and guests have to use the normal elevator. For your info, this lift is the oldest in the South-East Asia.


Breath-taking views of the E&O Hotel

EASTERN & ORIENTAL HOTEL
Address: 10, Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: 604-2222 000
Fax: 604-2616 333
Email: hotel-info@e-o-hotel.com
Website: http://www.e-o-hotel.com/

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