Friday 29 May 2015

Banana Cake: A Postnatal Confinement Gift

I miss the simple time when the gifts I gotta find for friends are either birthday gifts or holiday souvenirs. Then come the tricky wedding presents. Once I get a hold on that, the game changed again. Now, the much more complicated, filled with pantang-larang, gifts for postnatal friends. 

Melawat orang pantang (postnatal confinement) nak bawa hadiah/buah tangan apa?

  Some suggested fruits then another said not all fruits! There are those "cold" fruits that new moms gotta avoid. No, nothing to do with putting the fruits in the fridge. Then there are those conflicting views on fruits like oranges. Some said no way jose while others said go ahead. Rules and more confusing rules.

Why is it so hard? I just want to bring something (hopefully healthy) for the mom!

So I Googled "kek pisang orang berpantang" and found this.

  Baked it for a friend and made some into cupcakes with cream cheese. Result? Tastier and more moist than other recipes I've tried.


Banana Cake for Postnatal Confinement Moms
Banana cake all wrapped and boxed


Ingredients

  • 2 cups cake flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 jumbo eggs
  • 1 cup corn oil
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 4 cavendish banana
  • 1 tbsp white vinegar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla


Steps

1. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda & salt. In a blender, put eggs, corn oil & white sugar. Blend well. Add in mashed banana, white vinegar & vanilla. Blend again.

2. Add mixture to sifted flour. Combine well.

3. Pour into greased cake pan. Bake at 160ºC for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake come out clean.


I left the cake in the switched off oven for about 10 minutes to let it brown a bit more. LOVE the smell!


Banana cake by Shea Sonia

Banana cupcakes by Shea Sonia

For the cupcakes, I poured the batter up till about half of the cupcake liners and bake for 10-15 minutes. I let them cool before frosting with buttercream cheese.

  Personally, I think the cake is good enough without any frosting. And I don't even like banana cakes!


Thursday 28 May 2015

Potato Skins: Another Way to Bake Potato

Baked potato by Shea Sonia

I've shared a cheesy baked potato recipe before. Recently I had a bunch of russet potatoes just sitting there BUT no sour cream. So I found another baked potato recipe and tweaked it to my taste. Read: cheesy and yummy!

Ingredients for 2

olive oil/butter to grease pan & potato skin
2 russet potatoes
1 tbsp butter/margarine
2 tbsp yoghurt
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
1 tsp salt & pepper
1/4 cup shredded cheddar
cayenne pepper (for sprinkle)
 grated parmesan


Steps

1. Wash & dry potatoes. Poke a few tiny holes to help cooking and place them onto greased/oiled baking tray. Bake for 40 - 50 minutes at 180ºC. 

2. Slice the *hot* potatoes into half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the flesh into a bowl filled with butter, yoghurt, mozzarella, salt and pepper without damaging the skin. Mix well.

3.  Fill the skins with potato mix. Top with cheddar, sprinkle with cayenne powder. Bake for another 5 minutes then top with grated parmesan before serving.



I used about 1 tbsp olive oil to grease the brownie pan and coat the potatoes skin (I just rolled them in the pan a bit).   

You may choose to substitute cayenne with paprika if you want something milder. Or skip it together if you want something that isn't spicy but I promise the sprinkle is just for taste. I won't be too hot. 


Baked potato by Shea Sonia

The texture is more smooth and creamy than the other recipe. A bit like mashed potatoes sans the gravy. You can pack them for lunch and you're good until dinner :)


Friday 22 May 2015

Muzium Kota Kayang, Perlis

Muzium Kota Kayang

Muzium Kota Kayang

Operating hours
Daily : 0900 - 1700
Closed on eid ul Fitr and eid ul Adha

Muzium Kota Kayang is one of the museums in Perlis Indera Kayangan, a state in the north of Malaysia. It is situated in a complex comprising a few building and a park, among hills. You can find the museum using Waze or Google Map.


Muzium Kota Kayang Perlis
Where to start?

There are 5 galleries in the museum complex. 3 are in one building while the other 2 galleries are on another building.
  • History Gallery
  • Archaeological Gallery
  • Weapon Gallery
  • Royal Gallery
  • Cultural Gallery
There is also a tomb and cave within the complex. I started exploring the museum complex starting from the Gua Kayang (Kayang Cave) and Al-Marhum Kayang's tomb.

Muzium Kota Kayang

Muzium Kota Kayang Perlis

Muzium Kota Kayang, Perlis
Follow the path to the cave

Muzium Kota Kayang, Perlis

Muzium Kota Kayang, Perlis
The fella said he could see light on the other side of the cave but we didn't venture in

Muzium Kota Kayang, Perlis
tomb

Muzium Kota Kayang, Perlis
path to the park. I love this spot!

I could understand how some people thought it was the 'kayangan' (heaven/paradise). The huge rocks lent a mysterious air to the path which opens out to a park.

Muzium Kota Kayang, Perlis
park behind the museum building

Muzium Kota Kayang, Perlis
the royal well, methink

 Couldn't take the Perlis scotching sun too long. So I went into the galleries (and aircond).

Muzium Kota Kayang, Perlis

Muzium Kota Kayang Perlis
They have library, kids activity room, etc.

Muzium Kota Kayang, Perlis
"Bukit ni kita nak bagi nama apa? Banyak bukit kita jumpa di sini"
"Bukit lagi!"

Muzium Kota Kayang, Perlis

Muzium Kota Kayang, Perlis

Muzium Kota Kayang Perlis
Jon Snow's bastard sword should look like this :P

Then to the other side for the other 2 galleries...

Muzium Kota Kayang Perlis

Muzium Kota Kayang Perlis

Muzium Kota Kayang Perlis
A copper fan. I wonder how well does it fan?

That's another state museum in Malaysia off my list!


Thursday 21 May 2015

Fatinnaz Corner, Kangar


Fatinnaz Corner, Kangar


Fatinnaz Corner in Persiaran Jubli Emas, 01000 Kangar Perlis is also known as Fatin Corner. You can use Waze to find the restaurant. I came from the "wrong" side and didn't see the restaurant as I was looking to my left. The restaurant is opposite the road and you should see the signboard if you come from the other way (from town). 


What's famous here?

The cendol pulut of course. There are a few choices for how you can have your cendol. I took mine with laici. The friendly staff was helpful and patience while I ponder on what to eat.

Fatinnaz Corner
Cendol

Most people come here for the cendol pulut (sticky rice). I arrived just in time for lunch and so I ordered chicken rice, noodle soup and cucur udang (prawn fritters). Cucur udang is different than my favourite batter fried prawn although I've used the same translation before. Think of it as fried cakes flavoured with shrimps.

Fatinnaz Corner Kangar
I'd prefer if the chilli wasn't poured onto my chicken :( 

Fatinnaz Corner Kangar
Chicken rice <3<3<3

Fatinnaz Corner, Kangar
Cucur udang <3<3 served with sliced cucumber, tofu and hard boiled egg

Fatinnaz Corner, Kangar
Noodle soup <3<3<3

Taste - Average. The chicken rice and soup were good. Cendol was okay but I prefer Banting style :) Nothing bad but nothing memorable either

Price - At total of RM20.50, I'd say value for money. Remember to remember what you ate when you go pay at the cashier :)

Ambiance - Family-friendly, spacious and shaded. Table cloth could use a change tho.


Is it worth a visit?
Yes. If you love cendol pulut.


Friday 15 May 2015

Gua Kelam, Perlis

Gua Kelam, Perlis


Gua Kelam is situated in Kaki Bukit, Perlis Indera Kayangan- a state in the north of Malaysia. Aside from Gua Batu Caves, Gua Tempurung and Gua Mulu, it is probably one of the most popular caves in Malaysia. 

  It is less than 3-hour drive from Penang Internation Airport and just over 5-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. You can use Waze or Google Map to find the place.

  As you arrive, you'll see a building which looks like the reception. Ignore it and proceed to the parking area. Supposedly they have train/tram service into the caves but on the day I visited, the building was deserted. Ticket counter is at the other end of car park (near the parking for motorcycles).

  It was a public holiday when I visited and there were some motorcycle gangs hanging about. They didn't give any trouble though.

Gua Kelam Perlis
RM1 parking fee

Gua Kelam, Perlis

Ticket Price
Adult - RM 1
Children between 4-year old to 12-year old - 50 sen

Gua Kelam Perlis

Operating hours
Monday - Friday : 0800 - 1730
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday : 0800 (ish) - 1800

Campsite rental charge per person
Students - RM 1
Adults - RM 2

I *believe* that there's no different rate for foreign tourists.


Gua Kelam, Perlis

Gua Kelam, Perlis

Gua Kelam Perlis

Gua Kelam, Perlis

The walkway is different that the one in Gua Tempurung. Gua Kelam's one scared me a bit because it was suspended and a bit shaky. Water runs under the walkway so try not to drop your camera when taking photos. The cave was well-lit but unfortunately, filled with graffiti. Many visitors can't resist the temptation to write their names on the cave walls like the cavemen.

  I was pleasantly surprise to see many visitors. Until I realised that they don't care about the cave. They were there for the river! To 'mandi sungai'.

Gua Kelam, Perlis
Vandalised cave wall behind this sign :(

Gua Kelam, Perlis
at the other end...

Gua Kelam, Perlis

From the cave, you will emerge at the "secret garden" where locals swim and have picnic (in and by the river). There is a trail going around the place. You can follow it and see the deer farm (looked deserted to me) and camping ground. Plenty of gazebos for families to use.

Gua Kelam, Perlis

Gua Kelam, Perlis

Gua Kelam, Perlis

Gua Kelam, Perlis
The park (?) is peppered with information like this one. If you're interested to learn.

Gua Kelam, Perlis
Camping ground

Gua Kelam, Perlis
Watch tower

Gua Kelam, Perlis


Is it worth a visit?
At least once.

But please don't vandalise the cave. or trees. or rocks. or whatever. You are not a caveman. We have papers and blogs for writing.

Gua Kelam, Perlis
My favourite view

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks ~John Muir