Food - Sahara Tent Restaurant

Since we had missed my son's and mom's birthday celebration this year due to time constraint among other things, I tot, why not just celebrate both on 1st May.

So I had decided to surprise them by having dinner at Sahara Tent Restaurant, Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam. This is a one of its kind restaurant with arabic features which serves Arabic food and delicacies.

The restaurant was nicely decorated to make patrons feel as if they are entering into an arabian atmosphere. With red cushions and its unique ambience. However we didn't get to sit at this unique tables as the restaurant was already almost full by the time we arrived. So we had a table on the terrace instead.

According to a friend, Sahara Tent was founded by 4 Saudi Arabian cheff who came here to introduce their Arabic Food. Sahara Tent is renowed for its Middle Eastern Cuisine. For a really exotic experience patrons could try their Shisha Pipes. They have apple, orange and strawberry flavored tobacco for this. I think its around about RM10 per session or something.

The dish - Beriyani Lamb and Chicken as well as Mandi Lamb were superb. I would recommend this one for sure.

The drinks - Arabic tea was ok , though I had to add sugar to it as it was a bit strong. But, readers, please, please, please, you need a strong gutt to take on Turkish Coffee.. Order this if you can down a cup of purely blended Cinnamon, corriander and clover served in an expresso sized cup. No hint / tint / taste of coffee at all.. O dear, I saw stars and could only take 5 sips and I surrendered. (And I thought confinement medicinal herb was bad). Had to order a Mirinda instead.  Dont get discouraged though, they do serve normal drinks.

For desert - we tried  Mahalabia which is sweet puding-like dish with a tint of jasmine.

Summary:
This Restaurant is indeed a place to dine in ambience and style, but a wee bit pricy for me. Good for special occasions or celebrations. I would  / can only afford to bring the whole calvary here once a year... Spent just under RM200 for 6 ppl but bear in mind this was including the extra drinks as some of us just could not stomach the Turkish Coffee. It is indeed an acquired taste. Nevertheless, I would definitely come back to try other delicacies they have. Perhaps we might try their Bakhlava.

Ratings
Ambiance: 4 star
Food:          4 star
Price:          Pricy but worthit approx RM20 - RM40 per head

Movie - Ironman2 (30.04.2010)

On Friday 30-04-2010, since I had official leave from company, in lieu of 1st of May Labour Day, I took the liberty to go and watch IRONMAN2.

Many of my colleagues as well as my sister complaint that IRONMAN1 was a let down. Thus IRONMAN2 would not be so hot - so they said.


IRONMAN1 - 1st one third of the movie was a drag for me. 1st 10 mins into the movie I said to myself, gee wiz..war movie. Damn… But things got more interesting after he was back onto US soil and made himself the famous state of technology IRONMAN armour.. and then on it was good.


IRONMAN2 – bravo!!  compared to the 1st one. What a stimulating plot, coupled with a roller coaster ride of emotions and action. Uwah…. I must say the 2nd movie really deflated my negative preconception. It is indeed a wower…

IRONMAN2 – this episode sees Tony Stark deals with deadly issues involving the government, his own friends, as well as new enemies and state of health due to his superhero alter ego.

The storyline

Movie began with Tony Stark noticed that his blood toxicity level has been peculiarly high and kept on increasing drastically. He had exhausted all resources to reverse the situation and he knew that he was dying.
So what does a dying man does despite still having obligation towards the public? He tries to do the things he should have done, to fulfill his wishes, desires, especially with regards to the affair of his heart as well as his company. But, being an obnoxious man as he is, finds it difficult to do so. Typical.

In the midst of his messy situation, he ( I believe ) wanted to kill himself. And what better way to exit this world than to go in style and with a big bang? Get behind the wheels on a race track !! Of course!!
This is where the action began. In came Whiplash. Slow but menacing. His weapon is a pair of electric whips which could slice into almost anything. He oozes of terror on the race track as he splits some racing cars, including Tony’s, into slices of metal. But as any villain in a movie, eventually he was brought down and taken into custody after fighting with Tony who by then had turned into Ironman.

Whiplash (a scientist himself) is the son of one of Stark Industries’s scientists who was sent into exile for turning bad. Naturally Whiplash was made to believe (by his father) that the Ironman should have been him and not Tony. And that the technology was stolen from his family by Tony's father. So revenge is a foot after Whiplash's father died.

Earlier, we see the Government, represented by Senator Stern wants to own the Ironman suit. They claim that if it is still with Tony, it will pose a threat to the country, as they run the risk of its technology being copywrited by other nations. In the attempt to defame Tony at an inquest, the Senator called on Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell - fellow rival to Tony himself) who then presented his discrediting accusation. As expected, it was pathetically unsuccessful and Justin was put to shame instead.

Meantime, Tony’s spirit spirals down.
His best buddy Col. Rhodes steps in to ease up the tense situation between the Government and Stark Industries. He warned Tony that if he steps out of line again the Government will take away his Ironman suits. Opportunity came and the Col Rhodes suited up into the Ironman armour (silver) and took off to the army base.

Here, Justin Hammer had a feast with the suit and went on to make some alterations as he see fit.

At the same time, Hammer had also masterminded the escape of Whiplash who in turn used Hammer and his facility (right under his nose ) as a stepping stone to execute his revenge. Hammer wants to make a better suit than ironman’s, to be used by the army but Whiplash created a troop of drones instead.

Back to Tony Stark, as he battles for his life, in came a team of Russian secret agents, who lends a helping hand in a weirdest way. They offered clues to Tony’s new power resources where of course Tony would have to figure out himself how to make it. And this clue lead back to his old man.

I shall stop here, as I believe, if I write more, it would spoil the thrills and suspense coming. Believe me there are plenty. The “filler” characters (Black Widow, Nik Furry, Pepper Potts, Senator Stern, Justin Hammer) really played their part well to make this movie complete and an awesome watch.

My comments

I felt touched when IRONMAN’s dad left a heartfelt message for him. See boys.. things are not what it seems, especially with parents. This movie would be good for fathers day / Father and son thingy.


The star of the show I would say, is Mickey Rourke (Whiplash). He didn’t say much or do outrages stunts but his presence made such an impact and command undivided attention from us the audience. I can’t help but felt uneasy and intimidated with him up there on the screen. I could go jelly on my knees, soggy guts and  I’d just surrender and die. Now, that, is one hack of a power actor.

I love Scarlett Johanson, (she acted in The Other Boleyn Girl as Anne’s sister Mary and I loved her acting then and now) She is the Russian Spy Black Widow. Ice cool and yet skillful.

Taking my hat off for Gwyneth Paltrow’s character, Pepper Potts. It is indeed tough for a woman to be a CEO and yet remain level headed and cool. However in the end, leave the best job to the best person to execute, that’s the message and its alright to be the no.2 . As the word goes, behind a successful man there is always a powerful woman.

As usual the movie also portrays the bond between buddies Don Cheadle (Lt Col Rhodes) and Tony Stark who would stand by each other through thick and thin. Prevalent with boys / men.
Also I like the fact that this movie also shows that there is indeed no problem for two women of strong characters to work together without scratching each other’s eye balls or tearing their hair out. Women may have different focus and commitments but nevertheless they contribute well towards acheiving 1 goal. As a matter of fact they would make a pretty good team.


The success of this movie is not just owing to Block Buster names like Robert Downey Jr and Gwyneth Palthrow, but also the strong command of presence from the supporting actors; the villains Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, the goodfellas / fillers; Don Cheadle, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johanson and Garry Shandling among others.


THE WAY I SEE IT –

This movie deals with a lot of subtle, unsaid emotions, both men and women. There are things that people don’t or unable to do / express when they really should. Why they are unable to do so? That is another series of reasons. It is easier for us to start labeling instead of taking the time to evaluate people’s action especially those who do not conform to what is expected of them.

Ironically, the position of IRONMAN’s power source is too scarily similar to ULTRAMAN's… mmm… right smack in the middle of the chest.. 8-) anyone noticed this???

I would definitely want to go and watch the big screen again and will sure get the DVD for keeps when it is out.

Food - Laksa Johor

This one is one of my family favourite.

(please note that the ingredients' quantity I have written here is an estimate because as with any traditional cooking one has to use all one's senses to taste and smell the dish to make it perfect to one's tastebuds)

Stage 1 : Preparing the Laksa Gravy

Ingredients

5   shallots (pounded or thinly sliced)
2   tbs of grounded / pounded dried shrimp (soak in warm water for 10 mins and drain off before pounding)
2   pieces of dried Kurau fish meat
3   pieces of lemon grass
1   stem of Kantan Flower
1   handfull of Daun Selasih (basil leaf)
3   pices of drid tamarind
2   tsb of ground dried chili ( chili boh )

1   small packet of Fish curry powder (mixed with cold water and made into paste)

2   grounded coconut to make a thick coconut milk ( 1 bowl ) and thin coconut milk (2 - 3 bowls)
1   small packet of Fish curry powder (mixed with cold water and made into paste)
3   pieces of cleaned Terubuk Fish, boil with some ginger and salt. ( water must cover fish and keep the soup for later use) Once cook, drain and de-bone. Put into a blender and blend with coconut milk no. 2.

Cooking
Saute shallots in hot oil. Add dried shrimp & lemon grass. Then add ground dried chilies and fish curry paste. 
Add the blended fish and let it cook. Keep stirring.
Add on Selasih / Basil leaf and Kantan Flower as well as the thin coconut milk.
Once simmer, add the dried kurau fish & dried tamarind pieces.
Let simmer till the dish reduced to thick gravy. Add the thick coconut and further simmer for half hour or till gravy is thick.


Stage 2 : Prepare the Sambal Belacan 

Ingredients


5-6 big fresh red chillies (remove the seeds)
2    big fresh green chillies (remove the seeds)
2    Kasturi Lime
2"   Grilled Belacan  (shrimp paste)
Salt and sugar


Pound all into paste - do not use blender

Stage 3 : Prepare the Laksa dressing

3   Cucumber - shreded
1   Kantan Flower - sliced thinly
A handful of Selasih / Basil leaf - finely chopped / sliced
Some Kasturi lime
2   Big purple onions thinly sliced (do not use the orange onions - purple onions are sweeter)
A handful of beansprout
A handful of mint leaves (finely chopped / sliced)

SERVING

Laksa Johor gravy is usually served over spagetti accompanied by the complimentary dresings and Sambal Belacan on the side.

(Generally the Lasksa Johor taste should be a balance of creamy, salty, slightly sour, with a tang of sweetness. Nicely blended aroma of herb and spices yet not too spicy hot - should never taste like curry eventhough using curry paste)

Bon Apetite

Food - Sardine Puffs

SARDINE / MEAT PUFFS - Had not done this one for ages. Simply due to time constraint and I do not have a helper to assist. So whenever I made these, my spouse would be the victim.  8-)

Stage 1 : Prepare the fillings ( I will write with illustrations on this, the next round I do some, bcoz it was after the dough was almost done when I tot of uploading this )

Sardine fillings:  
1 can of sardines (medium can) drain off the sauce
2 big onions ( diced or thinly sliced )
1 fresh chilly (diced or thinly sliced) - you can add as many as you want
2 Lime extract the juice or 3 tbs of thick tamarind juice

2 tbs tomato sauce ( if you like)

3 shallots ( pounded)
2 cloves of garlic ( pounded)

Cooking
Saute shallots and garlic till brown. Add in sardines, chopped big onion, chilly, lime juice or tamarind juice. Mash the sardine to fine texture and cook till simmer. Add tomato sauce and salt / sugar to taste.
( I personally like the filling to be a little bit on the sweet side ). Cook till all liquid evaporates.
Remove from heat, set aside to drain off excess liquid using sieve. The filling should be dry, so that it would not leak when its time to fry. Stage 2 : Prepare the dough ( I will write with illustrations on this the next round I do some bcoz it was after the dough almost done that I tot of uploading the photos to this blog )

Stage 3 : Prepare puffs

1) Flatten the dough using a rolling pin

2) Use a round mould to cut dough into round pieces

3) Spoon the fillings into the centre of the round puff skin and fold into two. Press the ends with your fingers to seal it up.

4) Twist the sides to double seal the puff, also to make it pretty.

 
 
 
 

 

 

5) Fry puff in a wok. Oil must cover the puffs in the wok. Fry with slow fire till brown.

 

 

 

Bon Apetite

The Unfortunate Goose

Hello readers,

Today I would like to write about my early years in Kelantan. This one involved barn animals.  One particular swan-like creature. I was almost 3.

Born a Nature Lover, I love life.  Nature is so beautiful and carefree. A gift from God Almighty.

The wind, air, trees, rivers, land, creatures, beings.

For a start, since I love animals, my mother introduced me to cats.

O yes we had plenty.

Love to cuddle and sleep with them.

And then came the chickens,

the ducks , 

goats

and

 geese.

Also there were many flower pots and a few flower beds all over the house and garden.

Mom and Grandma used to say there’s nothing more precious than to see the glow on my face and my chuckles when I played with the cats, collected chickens’ eggs, fed the ducks, and hugged the goats.

I wasn’t afraid of them at all. And they in turn tend to be at ease and love to be in close proximity to me. Of course mom and grandma were close by watching me like a hawk.

 I can still remember how the little ducklings followed me around the compound. When I ran, they ran too, towing a line behind me. Its like a centipede dance.

And Nelly the goat would often pushed her face onto my back, nudging me to inch forward. I would in turn pat on Nelly’s ruffled, rough, furred forehead to calm her down. She would then continue nudging my palms.

One fine day I saw new animals in our compound!!
Mom said "they are called goose or geese".

 O my...they were huge. As big as Nelly, I thought.

They looked majestic to me, as I was standing at just about 2ft high. (yes I was petite).  These Geese were kept in an enclosure with wire netting.

I love to see them flap their big white fluffy feathered wings. So Grand....

Whenever I held out my hands high, some of them would waddle towards me. As they came nearer they would lower their heads, as if waiting to be patted. I like to touch the top of their heads. They have these interesting crest / tuft on their heads which felt like soft, spongy-like balls (later I call this, head sponge) – well at least that was how I understood it at that age.

Some crests were black / dark brown in colour but there were a couple of geese with reddish / orange-ish tufts. Obviously I was attracted to the red ones.. but the geese with the red tufts don’t seem to want to come near me.

Finally one fateful day, my wish came true!! One of the red ones did. I was so very happy I quickly held out my hands.

I didn’t realize the gate of the enclosure was ajar. The goose came straight at me and lowered its head. As the head made its way out of the gate, I reached out and touched the crest.

However, because I was too happy and excited I didn’t realize that I had not just only patted, but I had actually squeezed the poor goose’s crest.

So....Can you guess what happened next?

 

Immidiately I heard this awfully loud, deafening, squeal coming from this majestic creature. It flapped its wings vigorously. I was startled. I let go of my grip and ran as fast as I could, as the goose chased after me, pecking at my butt, many times all the way to our kitchen door.

My heart was racing like a train. I screamed and  cried.  My butt was red and it hurt. And was terribly upset because I didn’t understand what I did wrong.

That night I was scolded by my mom, I was strictly warned, not to touch any goose again. "Goose is bad"… She said that it was lucky my dad did not see what happened or else, these goose would be gone.

That night, my grandma on the other hand, set my heart at ease as she put me to sleep though I was still sobbing.

She said with a long sighing breath and shook her head as usual, as she looked at me and spoke soft but teasingly...

“that poor goose must still have a splitting headache  since you had squeezed his head so hard just now…”

and she laughed.

I.... giggled myself to sleep.

 

Next morning, I woke up, butt still sore. I quickly went to look for the goose. (I am sure readers must think I am indeed stubborn and just wont learn from my mistakes)

I totally forgot my mom’s warning. Not because I purposely want to disobey. But after what my grandma said, I felt bad for the goose and I wanted to see if it was ok. ( I just cant help but to see things differently then and still do now)

The goose was standing in a distance. As usual I put up my hands. Other geese came instead. Not him. While I pat the others, I kept my eyes fixed on him as if calling out to him. It met my gaze and I immediately said in my heart, as if talking to him, that I am truly sorry for what I did yesterday. For a moment, time froze.... and finally he bowed down.

It was not long after, I woke up in the morning and found all geese gone... its sad.... I didn't even ask, coz deep inside I knew, Dad must have already known.

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

The next unfortunate encounters were with a darn cat and tadpoles.

These encounters left me with scars for life.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this episode and perhaps would come back again to read my blog.