in my studio

Oct
18
2011

spring spaghetti with basil, chilli & garlic

I love this weather. Currently sitting at 24.3 degrees, I couldn’t ask for a better start to a perfect week ahead, inshallah. Inspired by my fresh garden (thanks to hubby!) and the wonderful sunshine we’ve been getting lately, I whipped up this quick meal in no more than 15 minutes. Can I tell you about the flavours? Well they just bursts in your mouth: left, right and centre! Thanks to a few powerful ingredients; garlic, chilli and basil…with a dash of extra virgin olive oil is all you need to turn it into an absolute flavoursome meal. Trust me, its really that good.

organic cooking oil

Ok, lets be honest. I need to give credit to where it all originated from. Secret Recipe. That’s where I first had it (i’ll post a review of this place soon). But for $16.90 a plate, ouch! I seriously felt guilty. Not to my palate but to my husbands pocket. So I decided to try and replicate this and oh la la, what a dish we have here for just under $5 per person. You can substitute prawns with chicken for an even cheaper meal. Hmm, now I really do sound cheap don’t I? yikes!

Slice the vegetables. Slice the garlic. Don’t chop them finely. You want to be able to taste the garlicky flavour.

Sautee the marinated prawns in olive oil. Add a bit of salt and pepper and chilli flakes.

And you have yourself a winning dish. Say hello to Spring!

RECIPE FOR SPRING SPAGHETTI
Inspired by Secret Recipe’s Thai spaghetti

Serves: 2
Prep time: 5 mins
Cook time: 10 mins

Ingredients

2 cups cooked spaghetti
10 prawns (marinate with salt & pepper for an hour)
1 bulb garlic, sliced
1 green capsicum, sliced
1 red capsicum, sliced
4 cherry tomatoes, halved
10 mushrooms, sliced (I didnt have any but if you do,add them)
1 red chilli, cut
1/2 tsp chilli flakes
Handful of basil leaves
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp basil infused olive oil
1 tsp chilli oil, for dressing (optional)
100g feta cheese, for dressing (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

1. In a saucepan, sautee the marinated prawns in olive oil for 2 minutes.

2. Add garlic and stir until prawns are evenly cooked. This should take another 2 minutes.

3. Add all the vegetables and chilli flakes. Season well with salt and pepper.

4. Add pasta to the sauce mixture and pour over with basil infused olive oil. Toss to combine.

5. Finally, topped with some feta cheese and drizzle with some chilli oil.

Click ‘read more’ below to print out the recipe and leave a comment.

3 lovely comments
Categories: in my kitchen, pasta, seafood

Oct
17
2011

food review // old town kopitiam mamak

Wherever you go in life, it always ends up bringing you back home. Although, not literally (in this context). For me, having my quick fix of fresh and spicy Malaysian street food is what I love most.

Quoted from their website, “Old Town Kopitiam Mamak is the most authentic Malaysian restaurant…” and I agree, but just add ‘in Melbourne’ at the end! Mamak simply means Tamil Muslims and if you ever go to Malaysia, be sure to experience the street food culture (note: I don’t take responsibility if you get an upset tummy, mine surely can handle it!). Kopitiam on the other hand, refers to Malaysian Chinese coffee shops. So together combined, makes it a wonderful place just like home.

After all, that’s what Malaysia is all about. Food + Culture = A Glorious Eating Nation!

Pictured above is a mamak flipping a roti canai. Ahh, now I am reminded of how good and flaky this bread is. I’m giving it a 9/10.

The best mee goreng is, mee goreng mamak style. Its so flavoursome and smokey. 9/10 from us.

Curry Laksa. I get this every single time. Did I not mention I’m a laksa fan? This could easily pass for a 10, but presentation wise…hm…I’ll settle for a 9.5 instead. But do try out my version, here. Its as close as you can get to the one in Kopitiam. I promise.

If you’re familiar with Malaysian cuisine, you can never fail to order a bunch of satay sticks. This was our entrée, ‘chicken and beef satay’ with peanut sauce. Although I have to admit it isn’t as good as the ones back home, but hey, probably the best in Melbourne. 8/10.

I’ve been dining here over the last few years, countless amount of times and have not once been dissapointed. Just recently, they expanded their menu with a wide variety of mamak meals and drinks. Couldn’t be happier. The prices are pretty reasonable too, averaging from $9-$14.

We eat here one too many times, that my husband and I have a secret code for it. We call it ‘KP’. Give them a try the next time you’re in town.

No comments
Categories: food review, halal, in my world

Oct
14
2011

in my deen…

“To Him belongs the keys of the heavens and the earth; He enlarges and restricts the sustenance to whom He will: for He knows full well all things.”

Surah Ash – Shura 42:12