Tagged! My favourite food

Posted on May 24, 2007 by Lyrical Lemongrass

Wmw tagged me with a task. I am required to talk about my favourite food. Easy? Maybe to some. But here’s the thing about me: I am a seasonal creature with seasonal tastes.

And the flavour of the month? Asam boi.

I have had an on-off relationship with asam boi (preserved prunes) for several decades now. Our love affair began when I was about 7. Growing up in Penang, there were many trips to the beach along the winding roads around the island. My parents discovered early enough that I suffered from motion sickness.

I threw up on every trip.

Mum offered me asam boi. I took one bite of that salty, sour preserved fruit and I immediately felt better.

It was the panacea for all my queasiness.

asam boi

Have you ever heard the phrase “muka macam asam boi” (face like asam boi)? You know how when you’re upset, you twist your face to create a huge frown? Doesn’t that frown look like an asam boi? :-)One of my favourite drinks is lime juice with asam boi. The saltiness of the asam boi works well with the sour juice to create a wonderfully refreshing cold drink.

Now, on my travels, I always bring with me a little packet of asam boi. It has become my comfort food – a reminder of home.

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

***Start Copy***

Proposition: What is your favorite food in your state or country? Requirements: Find some info about the food and show delicious pictures of it.

Quantity: FIVE PEOPLE.

Tag Mode: You leave their blog and post link and add to the list below.

Mybabybay loves Asam Laksa from Penang, Malaysia

JustMyThoughts loves Penang Char Koay Teow

My Lil Venture loves Laksa Sarawak

Monterssorimum loves Teluk Intan Chee Cheong Fun

Chinnee loves Melaka Wan Tan Mee

PeimunLeah loves Hakka Lei Cha

Hui Sia

Jonamum

Karen loves Pan Mee

Something about Lai loves Crispy duck skin from China

Simple American loves Cheese Enchiladas

Nicole Tan loves Char Tau Kueh

Velverse loves Otak-otak

Kenny Ng loves Jawa Mee

Fatty Poh loves Nasi Dagang Kelantan

wmw loves Kuih Tutu

Lyrical Lemongrass loves Asam Boi

And the “lucky” 5 to be tagged are:-

Xiu Long Bao from KL people KL food
Tigerfish from teczcape
Shilpa from Flog & Rosbif
Pink Elle from Funky Cookies
Citygal from KampungboyCitygal.

It certainly feels like an awards ceremony. 🙂

Teochew porridge in SS2, PJ

Posted on May 23, 2007 by Lyrical Lemongrass

I used to eat porridge only when I was ill. And no matter how good the stuff was, it would taste bland to me because my tastebuds were totally screwed up. So naturally, it didn’t come as a surprise that I was never fond of porridge when I was growing up.The funny thing about being an adult is the contradictions that occur when you compare your life now and when you were 12. I hated brinjals and ladies fingers, and now they are my favourite vegetables. Thosai? I would have rather thrown up. But now, I go out of my way to look for it, perhaps because I don’t live with my parents anymore, and so I don’t get to enjoy the thosai that mum so lovingly makes.

I now eat porridge because I want to, not because I have to. It does bring a sense of comfort to me as I eat it, though.

chicken

The teochew porridge at Teochew Porridge Restaurant in SS2, PJ is not outstanding, but it certainly isn’t bad. There is a limited selection of meats, normally braised or cooked in soy sauce, but what I like is the fact that there is a whole section dedicated to different types of vegetable dishes. The selection isn’t varied, but I was happy with the dishes that we picked.

porridge

The consistency of the porridge was just right. Teochew porridge is normally a little watery and the grains are recognisable and not completely mushed up. Eaten alone, it is certainly bland, which is why the various dishes, salted and spiced, are perfect complements to the porridge.

dishes