Malaysian Cucumber and Pineapple Salad

Recently, I've been cravings for the Malaysian version of Cucumber and Pineapple Salad. It's really simple to make and it's very refreshing for a hot summer season. Hope you enjoy the recipe :)

Ayara Thai Sauce

Leaving Malaysia 3 years ago, i never thought i will miss Malaysia food this much. When i was in Malaysia, i always take things for granted because i can easily get all the kuih-muih (cakes/snacks) and wonderful hawker foods everywhere. To make things worse, whenever i went back to my hometown Penang, all I did was open my mouth and request whatever dishes that I wanted to eat then I would have my grandmama and my aunties getting all busy in the kitchen cooking all of my favourite dishes. I know I know, I'm pretty spoiled. What do you expect, I was my grandmama first grandchild for a very long time before my cousins were born like 12 years later. So i am that little princess at home!

Since I am married to my husband and settling down here in California, I have no choice but to learn how to create all those wonderful dishes that I adore. I do enjoy cooking even when I was back in Malaysia but I never thought that I would be able to cook difficult dishes like Penang Prawn Noodle and stuff like that. With the location I am staying right now, there is no way i can get authentic Malaysia food. My only solution is to learn and experiment in the kitchen to recreate those flavors that I was once enjoyed back home.

Tom Yum Soup - Picture from Ayara Thai Cuisine

Besides Malaysia food, I love love LOVE Thai food. I used to have Tom Yum twice a week from a Malay stall near my home. On top of that, I have a relative who is from Songkla, Thailand. So, you can imagine how lucky I was back then to be able to taste all these wonderful foods prepared by someone who actually knew exactly what they were doing.

Yesterday, I received a wonderful package from a dear friend, Bchoo from Gourmand's Simple Pleasures She had asked her friend from LA. California who is the owner of Ayara Thai Cuisine to send me freshly made Thai Sauce. They do sell it online. You can check it out here. I was very touched by her gesture that I couldn't help but cry while reading the message she had for me together with these wonderful gifts. With the sauces now I can try to create wonderful Thai dishes that I absolutely enjoy. I like the fact the sauce is freshly made in their kitchen everyday with no preservatives. This is awesome because I love my food/ stuff to be as fresh as possible. So, Bchoo, Thank you so much for this wonderful gift. I love it!

As for the rest of the readers that are not really into cooking or just looking for some Thai food in LA California, Fear not. Ayara Thai not only produce their own sauce and sell it online, but you can also visit their wonderful restaurant in LA. Check out their website here . You can also check out their facebook page here

Ayara Thai Cuisine located
6245 West 87th Street, 
Los Angeles, California 90045

Phone: 310-410 8848

Operatiing Hours
Mon - Thu:10:30 am-10:00 pm
Fri:10:30 am-12:00 am
Sat:11:00 am-12:00 am
Sun:11:00 am-10:00 pm

**Mention that you're their Facebook fan during Happy Hour (weekdays between 3 to 6pm for additional 10% off

**All opinions written are 100% honest. I am not affiliated with Ayara Thai Cuisine. The products were a gift from my dear friend for personal use.

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Belacan (Shrimp Paste)

Look at what i got here? Belacan aka shrimp paste. I love love LOVE belacan. A lot of westerners thinks this product stinks but somehow i think this is the most fragrant ingredient in the world. Anyway, back in NY, i know where to find this piece of ingredient with no problem but it was tough over here especially in the area i am staying now in California. There are 2 asian markets near the place i stay and none of them carry this.

The only way for me to get this is through ordering online. So i rarely cook using this ingredient as i refuse to buy online because of the shipping and the overcharge price. When my husband found out the 3rd Asian Market around our area, we make a trip there and THANK GOD i found this ingredient in one the aisle in the shop. Guess what i do next? i quickly grabbed 4 blocks of Belacan. Best part is that, they only sell it for USD 1.99 for a block of 500 grams. I remembered i used to buy in NY for USD3.99 for a block of 250 grams. Big savings for me and i am a very happy woman today. So the next few days, i will  make a few simple dish using belacan and other ingredients. Stay Tune.

So what is belacan exactly? You can read more from here

Pickled Green Chilies

Growing up in Malaysia, one definitely familiar with chilis. Green chilies, red chillies, chilli paste and etc etc. one of my favourite is Pickled Green Chillies. The one you can find in most of the noodle dish like wantan mee, sar hor fun, koay teow t'ng and many more. While i was living in Malaysia, it never occur to me that i need to learn this simple condiment. When i was about to fly to USA 3 years ago, i got the recipe from my uncle and i am glad that i remember the recipe and make myself a good portion of this condiment.

Ingredients
1lb green chillies (sliced)
12 oz white vinegar
12 - 15 tbsp sugar

Method
Dissolve sugar in boiling vinegar
Add sliced chillies into the boiled vinegar sugar
Stir for 30 seconds to a minute until you see the change in colour of the green chillies.
Turn off the stove and let it cool down in a bowl
Transfer the pickled green chillies into jar (preferably air tight jar) and keep it refrigerated.


**when ready to serve, be sure to use a dry utensil