Last night I had my dinner at the famous nasi kandar stall along Jalan Kapitan Keling (formerly Pitt Street). The stall is just next to the mosque. This place is well known to nasi kandar lovers all over Malaysia. Actually there are two stalls there. One starts from lunch till about 11pm. And the other will take over from then till early in the morning. It is said the one that starts at 11pm is better. But honestly, to me they are both the same as long as you get there when the food is just cooked, fresh and hot.

Anyway, this is not about nasi kandar. It is about what I witnessed there. We talked about racial harmony, Bangsa Malaysia, tolerance, living with one another regardless of race or religions. All these are just mere terminology if we never put into practice.

While having my nasi kandar, a Malay family of 5 came and sat next to my table. The wife and children were seated while the father went to queue up to place the order. Then I saw him waved to the waiter to come over. He then told the waiter to ask an old Chinese man sitting near the queue if he wanted a drink. The Chinese man said that’s ok, but the Malay guy insisted and told the waiter to get him a teh tarik. And if that’s not enough he asked the Chinese man if he would like some chicken but the Chinese man again said it’s ok.

I turned around and I saw that the Chinese man was having just curry on the rice and some fried cabbage and a glass of plain water, probably tap water.

My point here is that, the Malay man did not see the color of the skin of the Chinese man. He saw a poor old man who could use some proper food. He sees through the skin into the pain and sadness. And probably hunger. He sees another human being in needs.

After I paid my bill and walked away, I felt so bad that I’ve not noticed the Chinese old man. But I guess I was not the only one; there were like 30 to 40 other customers who did not notice the old man too. Anyway, that’s no excuse. The question is, would I have done the same?

When I reached my car, an old rugged Malay “jaga kereta” man came over and directed me to reverse my car. I always see that Malay man there but I’ve not “seen” him. Like the Old Book says, “Having eyes, see ye not? And having ears, hear ye not?” Sometimes we can be blind even we have good eyesight. And our ears are often deaf to the cry of those who are in needs around us.

When I looked into man’s eyes, I saw pain, sadness and hunger.. I then took out my wallet and gladly gave him a few ringgit and asked him to go and have a good meal. Thanks to the anonymous Malay man, and many other unsung good Samaritans out there. These are the people who don’t just preach, they walk the talk about racial harmony, Bangsa Malaysia, tolerance, living with one another regardless of race or religions.

Maybe there is a lesson we can all learn from Nasi Kandar. Whether we are Malays, Chinese or Indians we love our nasi kandar. We sit next to each other, we eat the same food, some like it a bit spicy and some not too spicy but it’s still nasi kandar and we love it.  There is no race issue at the nasi kandar stall, only rice.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the decision to confer the title on the actor was suggested to Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob by former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin recently.

Daim said it was a means to promote Malacca and the actor had shot a movie scene here several years ago.

The movie One 2 ka 4 was shot at the A Famosa Resort in Alor Gajah in 2001.

“This resulted in many people visiting Malacca. The award was given in recognition of this,” Mohd Ali said after the investiture ceremony in conjunction with Khalil’s 70th birthday celebrations.

Shah Rukh Khan was given the Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM) which carries the title Datuk.

(Excerpt from The Star)

We have a F1 Datuk. A Space Tourist Datuk. And now a Bollywood Datuk! Who will be next? Walk down the mall, and half of the shoppers are “Datuks” and for whatever reasons only God knows.

How do you gauge the number of people visiting Malacca because of the movie? How many people actually visited Malacca after watching that movie since 2001? I can’t believe that these words come from a Chief Minister! And that’s the reason Shah Rukh Khan was bestowed the title of a “Datuk,” because the movie has brought many people to Malacca! Is that a joke? No offence to fans of SRK.

Then we should also confer the datukship to Jackie Chan, I believe he did also shot a couple of movies here. And also Chow Yuen Fatt and Jodie Foster for the movie “The King and I,” shot in Penang. And let’s not forget Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones who shot the movie Entrapment against the backdrop of the Twin Towers in 1999 (Quote from LKS). I believe these movies and many more are distributed to wider audiences worldwide than the SRK movie One 2 ka 4. So shouldn’t we also bestow the title of Datuk to them for promoting Malaysia?

And what has SRK contributed to Malaysia or Malacca? Was the proceed of the movie given to the poor, or the less fortunate? Or was it channeled to a foundation? NO! In fact the fans who paid good money to watch the movie contributed to SRK’s bank account! Made him richer! He has already received his reward.

There are more deserving Malaysians who put their blood, sweat and tears in making Malaysia a better place but yet no one recognise them. There are people who have given their whole life helping the disabled people, drug addicts, orphans, elderly people and the less fortunate. People who out of love, go to the streets and feed the homeless and destitute. Do we see them? Do we recognise their efforts? No! Instead we recognised SRK just because he shot a movie here and made tons of money for himself and we conferred to him a datukship. Because of him and the movie, many people visited Malacca! Another Malaysian joke by a Malaysian politician!

While doing this posting, I realised that it is another Sunday again. How time flies! Hari Raya just over, next will be Deepavali. And before you know it, Christmas bells will be ringing. And then 2009 and you’ll see Badawi call it a day. Or will it be sooner? Will we see a history in the making, where for the first time, there will be a change of government. Let’s hope so!

Till then, let’s enjoy some simple home-cooked dishes and some take-away snacks.

***************************** 

Seafood Noodles

Seafood noodles: Organic noodles soup cooked with Pomfret, prawns, squids and Shitake mushroom and lettuce, served with coriander and garlic in soya sauce and lemon juice.

 Sambal Bendi (Okra) and Stewed Potatoes

Kacang bendi, is also commonly known as ladies’ fingers or okra. Best to fry it with just blended chilli, shallots, onions and garlic. I abstained from using belachan. And stewed potatoes  with onions, tomatoes and garlic - simple yet yummy!

Tomato Omelette & Fish Porridge

Tomato Omelette fried with onions & Fish Porridge garnished with julienned ginger and shallots and a dash of sesame oil.

 Take-Away Food

Sushi from Jusco & Egg on black sesame seed bread sandwich and chicken on wholemeal bread sandwich from Roti Boy

Moist double chocolate cake from Jenni’s Cake House & Sweet potato “Tong Sui”

And lastly, cinnamon, cheese and green tea donuts from Big Apple with a nice hot cup of brewed Arabica coffee with cardamon

Nestle right in the middle of the banking district in Georgetown, Penang’s Little India  is in a world of it’s own. If you have never been to India and you want to experience what India is like, this is a good place to start.

I’ve backpacked all the way from the south of India, starting from Chennai (formerly Madras) to Srinagar in the north, and everywhere in between, in my younger days. It took me almost 2 years to make that journey. I love India. That’s why I love to scroll down the streets in Little India whenever I have the opportunity. It brings back such fond memories of the good old days.

Tabla and sitar chanting music blasting at full volume on side of the road, and pop Hindi music on the other side. Jasmine or Rosewood scented incense fills the streets. Noise, people, lights, music, traffic, crowded streets, little roadside stalls, large textile shops, jewelry shops, spice shops, restaurants, ginger tea, tosai, parota, and everything India…,  are all here.

Little India

- A World Of It’s Own

(Click on image to enlarge)

(Note: Photos are taken with only a mobile phone camera)

Last Sunday, I was so engrossed in re-writing the “Why I-S-A?” song that I missed out the Sunday Special - which I’ve set aside just for food that I prepared or “makan.” Cooking is my passion, eating is my pleasure. Food is such an important part of lives. especially we Penangites! “Remember so much food, and so little stomach,” quoted from LiteFM -hehe!!! Eat a little of everything, a little at a time regularly at an interval - so you can have more varieties! A good advice or should I say, “a food advice.”

******* ******* *******

Nasi Lemak

Steamed basmati rice in coconut milk and pandan leaves, served with sambal ikan bilis, cottage sun-dried salted fish, sliced hard-boiled egg and cucumber.

Braised Brinjal & Onions and Basil Omelette

Brinjal braised over slow flame in basil and garlic sauce with prawns and garnished with fried shallots & Onions and basil omelette.

Penang Assam Laksa & Teochew To’h Kueh (Pear Cake)

Laksa noodles in spicy and sour assam (tamarind) fish soup garnished with sliced red onions and mint. (Sorry, I missed out many other garnishing, such as julienne cucumber & pineapple, thinly cut lettuce, bunga kantan and red chilli. Option: heh Ko or prawn paste) Anyway, it’s the soup that matters, it’s all in the soup!

And this very unique pastry. To’h Kueh or Pear Cake (direct translation).  The tang mee hoon (wheat starch flour) skin is filled with cooked yam, har bee and celery with seasoning. It is then moulded in a moulder in a shape of a pear, (no idea why the pear shape) and then steamed. When it is done it has a pinkish color with a chewy texture, like chai kueh, except it’s bit thicker. It is eaten with sweet chilli sauce. By the way, not many people know how to make it, it’s a dying skill. In the next generation, this To’h Kueh will be extinct. (This To’h Kueh is a compliment from a friend)

Pakoda - A Perfect Snack for Tea-time

Pakoda or Indian Onion Fritters: Fried chopped onions, coriander, red chilli (should have used green chilli) fold into gram flour batter and deep fried. It is best to dip the pakoda in mint and coriander sauce, and a nice hot cup of ginger tea.

(*** Gram flour is a flour made from ground chana dal, a lentil similar to chickpeas)

This week I was invited to join a Libyan friend and his family to “futur” with them. And in the same week, I had another futur with a group of Middle Eastern brothers of whom I have known for more than 4 years, and they are real “buddies.” They are all doing their PhD program here at USM.  (Oops! By the way, “futur” in Arabic simply means breaking fast.)

And also just in case not to confuse you, I’m not a Muslim. I’m a Christian, but I make it a point to breakfast with my Muslim brothers whenever I can during Ramadhan.

So this week Sunday Special will just feature Middle Eastern food. The Libyan meal is courtesy from my Libyan friend and the “Penang” Middle Eastern Food - well, all I can say is, I tried!

Me and my Libyan friend, Mukhtar - breaking fast.

My Middle Eastern brothers: (From left to right) Fatemi from Iran, Ghayth from Iraq, me, and Saba from Iraq.

*********** *********** ************** ***********

Libyan Food

(Prepared by Mukhtar’s wife)

1. Starter (Sesame sweets & dates)        2. Salad

 3. Sharba (Soup)                                        4. Tabahash (Side-dish)

 5. Couscous                                  6. Kebabs and Fried Chicken

************ ************ ************ ************

The “Penang” Middle Eastern Food

Dried Dates from Saudi & Banana and Orange Milkshake

Iraqi Chicken Consome’: Chicken slowly simmered with tumeric and onions & Arab bread (bought from an Arab bakery at Ivory Plaza)

Cucumber and Tomatoes Salad: Diced cucumber, tomotoes and Onions with Middle Eastern dressing (yogurt, dill, cumin and fennel seeds) & Saffron Rice with sliced almond and dates. (Yummy!!!)

Maraq (Arab Chicken Stew): Chicken pieces slowly simmered in fresh tomatoes sauce with potatoes and Fava beans. & Fresh Dates for dessert

Man, what a week! Three arrested under ISA in a day. Just hope that all these nonsense will stop. It just brings fear into the community rather than security. Feel like we are living in Myanmar or some third world country, where people are arrested without a fair trial or given a chance to challenge or defend the charges. Draconian law at work!

Anyway, we need to seek God and pray for our nation. Pray that justice will prevail, pray for those arrested under ISA and their families and pray for peace and unity.

And this week Sunday Special has a touch of India.

____________________________________

Dhal Curry & Stir-fry “Kangkung”

Ingredients for dhal curry: Spices - mustard seed, cumin seed, fenugreek seed; Condiments - curry leaves, dried chilli, onions, garlic, fresh green chilli and coriander (for garnishing); Vegetables - potatoes, carrots, small eggplants (brinjals), bottlegourd Bhim (also known as bottlesquash) and tomatoes.

Dhal curry & Stir-fry “kangkung” with garlic. “Kangkung” is sometimes known as water spinach, water cabbage, water convolvulus or water morning-glory. Read the rest of this entry »

  Happy Ramadhan to all our Muslim friends.

This is the month of Ramadhan, and just can’t believe what I’ve been reading. Isn’t this a time where you seek God. Isn’t this a time to forgive those who has done you wrong. Isn’t this a good time to ask for forgiveness for your wrong doings?

But what do we have? We have Ahmad Ismail refusing to apologize for the remarks about the Chinese being squatters in Malaysia during the recent Permatang Pauh by-election campaign. And if that’s not enough, he is accusing the media for making false reports about his statements.

He even claimed that his decision not to apologise for his racially inflammatory remarks has received “tremendous support” from Malay-Muslim groups. “They were flabbergasted with the emerging threats against Malay rights and privileges,” he said.

“I am surprised with the unexpected overwhelming support I had received from Malay-Muslims across the country. It seems Malays have kept back their disgruntlement for far too long and my issue had evoked their sentiments. “It is going to be a major issue now.”

I’m sure the majority of Malays-Muslims don’t feel the way Ahmad feels. I think he has killed the spirit or reason of Ramadhan. He has lost the purpose of Ramadhan!

So if he wants to continue on to stir up racial sentiments, let him be. I like to leave him alone and wish all our Muslim friends a “Happy Ramadhan,” (including Ahmad) and not let it spoil my Sunday Special and my hope for a better Malaysia.

_______________________________________

Saudi Dates

I bought this Saudi Dates stuffed with cashew nuts, almond, walnuts, and dried peach. I thought this would be a good way to start my Sunday Special this week since it’s the month of Ramahdan.

________________________________________

Spaghetti alle Vongole il Bianco

Or Spaghetti with Clams in a White Sauce. Vongole simply means clams and Bianco is white sauce. So we have spaghetti cooked just long enough to be still firm, and not too soft (al dente) with clams, shrimps, fresh abolone mushroom, julienned carrot in white sauce garnished with fresh basil.

_________________________________________

Stir-fry Thai Basil Chicken & Stir-fry Petula

Sliced deboned chicken fried with basil and chilli padi in soy sauce & Stir-fried Petula with carrots.

____________________________________________

Nasi Goreng Kampung Siam

Kampung Fried Rice with long beans and carrots, served with chilli padi, fried ikan bilis (small anchovies), sliced red onions and egg omelette.

____________________________________

Dessert

Snow Skin Mooncake with red beans paste fillings, and dragon fruit served with Lavender tea