God Loves Them More

This post is for a good dear friend who recently lost the person she loves.

It must be hard for you, really hard. Losing someone who is so dear to you. I have been there, and I still feel it up to this very moment. How can we ever forget their smile, their laughter? Only to find out we won’t be hearing it again. It was all out of a sudden. Today we were talking happily, telling jokes, stories of our lives. Yet the next day, they’re gone forever. All that is left are their giggles ringing inside our ears. All that is left are photos of those good times together. All that is left are sweet memories. All that is left are images on how cute she looked when she eats her muffin. All that is left are the press cuttings of that tragic accident.

But it is the will and act of Allah. Death is inevitable, sooner or later we all are going to face it. It just happens that those who we dearly love had their turn ahead of us. If we think we love them so much, Allah loves them more. All we can do is send them prayers and may we be reunited with them one day. That one sweet day where sorrow cease to exist. There will only be eternal happiness. All we can do is just pray for that moment to happen.

My dear friend. We have to be strong. Our life may seem incomplete without them, but we have people around us who will always complete the missing pieces in our lives, as long as we have faith. Life, no matter how cruel it is, has to go on. Allah will never test us beyond what we can endure, because Allah is The Most Loving and Merciful.

Al-Fatihah

Ketegaran Cinta...

Ruang waktu yang terbentang
Memenjarakan Perasaan Cinta ku
Berdiri dengan kaki cinta menopang dengan kekuatannya
Menancapkan kata sehati dan tak pernah ingin mengingkari

Lembut cinta menemani sang Putri kerinduan
Kicauan Cinta dari hati yang lain
Merdu terdengar.......
Membujuk untuk merubah haluan
Mencoba Menyandarkan Perahu Cintanya di hati

Malaikat cinta.........
Matikan perasaan cinta ku
Disaat........
Cinta akan memalingkan wajahnya untuk cinta yang lain
Biarkan lah dirinnya hangat
Disaat.....
Kerinduan itu merendam kedalam jiwa
Menemani pengharapan cinta untuk kekasih hati

Meminta dengkuran kata-kata indah mu
Untuk mendampingi hatiku yang rindu ini
Menunggu...
Menunggu Mu datang dan memetikan bunga kerinduan
Yang bersemi di hati.....
Dan menyelipkan sekuntum diantara
Hatiku.... Hatimu.....

Kesendirian Cinta

Terluka....
Akan cerita cinta..
Mengumandangkan hati pada akan kicau rindu
Rindu akan goresan lembutnya cinta.

Terbias akan suasana sedih......
Membawakan aku pada congkaknya hati
Gemurut menggigil di tengah kedinginan jiwa tanpa asmara
Membiarkan kekosongan ditelan waktu tanpa harus tersadari.

Membelakangi cinta yang datang
Membalikan wajah disaat wajah itu menatap ku
Mengenangkan akan goresan hati yang berlalu
Yang membenamkan aku pada kebisuan cinta.

Ketidakpastian hati...
Membingungkan dua perbedaan yang ada di jiwa
Harus kah aku berlari dan terus berlari di kesendirian
Ataw memeluk dan menyayikan nyayian cinta pada bidadari yang datang.

Biarkan kan hati berbicara apa yang dia tuangkan
Menyulam satu persatu perasaan hati yang terkoyak
menjadikannya satu keindahan di balik kesendirian
Sehingga hati berdendang mengalun kan syair cinta
Untuk sang tercinta.......

Menanti Hadirnya Cinta

Ketika Senja akan di telan bumi
Angin berhembus meninggalkan dedaunan yang berguguran
Mengarahkan mata pada satu pandangan
Memandang satu Cinta yang ada dalam hati

Cinta.....
Segenggam harapan yang kau hadirkan di depan ku
Membuat kaki cinta mampu bangkit dari keterpurukan
Membuat kasih dan sayang lebih di mengerti
Memberanikan diri untuk membenamkan cinta dalam kehidupan

Cinta.....
Tersenyum dirimu melihat aku
Seakan tahu apa yang hati rasakan
Mengerti bahwa kini aku belum bisa memiliki mu

Cinta.....
Aku harus mengerti sandiwara ini
Permainan cinta yang berjalan sesuai dengan alurnya
Merajut cinta diantara kasih sayang yang tak tahu arah
Menempatkanya pada tempat yang ada
Sehingga hidup dan cinta saling berjalan bersama.

Kasmaran

Lembut tatapan mu meluluhkan ketakutan ku
Naluri mencintai berlari menghampiri hati
Merayu untuk kembali.....
Memaksa cinta berdiri dari keterpurukan hati

Kasih putih....
Menghampar luas dihadapan
Mengisyaratkan dua hati saling bertaut kasih
Mendekat dan mendekap ingin menyatukan menjadi segumpal keindahan

Halusnya jari jemari cinta mu
Membelai indah hati yang luka
Sedikit demi sedikit menghapus cerita lama
Memulai cerita dengan keikhlasan cinta

Alunan jeritan sayang merdu terdengar
Mengalir mengikuti alur takdir
Berniat untuk mengakhiri kemuara Cinta
Menenggelamkanya sambil berpelukan
Cinta ku...Cinta mu.....

Mahakarya Cinta

Mahakarya Cinta

Berlinang air matamu
Membiaskan seuntai kata cinta
Berkata melalu seikat perasaan yang ada
Melantunkan alur cerita di atas sandiwara cinta

Senyuman mu....
Mengisyaratkan suatu keikhlasan
Membimbingku masuk kedalam penggalan hati
Yang ku cari selama ini

Membelai mu adalah keinginan ku
Ketidakberanian ku membakar hasrat yang ada
Membalikan ketakutan menjadi seberkas cahaya
Yang akan menerangi mu

Cinta....
Hadirnya akan diri mu ditengah hidup ku
Memberi ku arti yang tidak aku ketahui
Menyadarakan aku dari fatamorgana cinta
Karena kamu adalah "Mahakarya Cinta"

ayam kurma

Chicken Korma

6 Tbsp / 1 1/2 oz Ghee (Minyak Sapi)
2 Onions, peeled and finely sliced
10 Shallots (Red Onions), peeled and finely sliced
12 large Green Chilies, de-seeded and cut in halves (optional)
1 Limes (Limau Nipis) - halved
1 Lemongrass (Serai)- halved and bruised
10 Cherry Tomatoes - halved
4 cm / 2 inch Cinnamon Bark (Kulit Kayu Manis)
3 Star Anise
4 Cardamom Pods
5 Cloves
3 Tbsp of Kurma or Korma Powder
1 kg / 2 pounds / 3 oz Chicken
1 litre / 32 fl oz Coconut Milk (Santan Cair)
1 cup water
4 Potatoes, quartered
150 ml / 5 fl oz Natural Yoghurt
6 Tbsp / 1 1/2 oz Almond, finely grounded
4 Tbsp / 1 fl oz Crisp-fried Shallots (Bawang Goreng)
Handful of Coriander (Cilantro, Chinese Parsley or Ketumbar) - finely sliced
Handful of Mint Leaves (Daun Pudina) - finely sliced
Salt, pepper and sugar to taste

Paste Ingredients A (to be finely grounded)
15 Shallot (Red Onion), peeled
3 Garlic cloves, peeled
2 cm / 1 inch of Ginger, peeled
1 Onion

Paste Ingredients B (to be finely grounded)
1 bunch Parsley
5 Coriander Roots - cleaned, save leaves for garnish
10 sprigs Mint Leaves (Daun Pudina) - save half for garnish
4 Green Chilies, seeds removed
1 cup of water

Method

Melt Ghee in a pot and fry 1 Onion together with the fresh Shallots.

Add in spices: Cinnamon, Star Anise, Cardamom, Cloves, and Lemongrass.

Fry till fragrant and golden.

Add in Paste (A), Stir-fry for 5 minutes.

Then, add in Korma powder and Paste (B).

Stir well and fry for approximately 20 minutes over moderate heat till excess oil begins to appear on the surface.

Wait for a few minutes until most of the water has been evaporated.

Add in Chicken pieces and continue cooking over moderate heat for 5 minutes.

Add in Coconut Milk, water, Potatoes, grounded Almonds and 4 Green Chilies.

Also add in salt, pepper and sugar to taste.

Stir well and simmer gently over a low fire till gravy thickens and Chicken becomes tender (approximately 35 minutes).

Just prior to serving, add in Yoghurt, a squeeze of fresh Lime Juice, Cherry Tomatoes, Mint and Coriander leaves, Fried Shallots and the remaining Green Chilies.

Fold them together and simmer for another half a minute.

Dish onto a serving plate.

Garnish with crisp-fried Shallots (to taste).

Serve with rice or Nasi Biryani.

Note: Beef and Mutton can be substituted for Chicken.

cake of the day

Kek Lapis Asam Manis

Bahan:

· 4 biji telur

· ½ cawan susu pekat

· 1 cawan gula

· 1 cawan mentega

· Gula asam manis secukupnya(asam bulat keping)

· Biskut marrie (dikisar halus seperti tepung)

· 2 jenis pewarna

Cara-cara:

· Pukul sehingga kembang campuran gula dan mentega

· Masukkan telur, susu pekat dan serbuk marrie, kacau sehingga sebati

· Bahagikan adunan kepada 2 bahagian dengan warna yang berlainan

Kukus satu persatu lapis selama 5 minit berselang-seli dengan gula asam manis


Kek Batik

Bahan :

3 1/5 buku butter cup

600g (sekati) biskut mary

½ cawan milo

½ cawan koko

1 cawan gula

1 cawan air

2 biji telur

Cara buat :

1. Cairkan butter cup.

2. Selepas butter cup cair, masukkan gula, air, koko dan milo.

3. Kemudian masukkan telur yang telah dipukul.

4. Perlahankan api dan kemudian masukkan biskut serta kacau sehingga sebati.

5. setelah sebati, masukkan biskut ke dalam bekas acuan.

Kek Buttercup

Bahan:

· 3 biji telur ayam

· 1 cawan gula halus

· 1 buku buttercup

· 1½ cawan tepung kek

· 1 sudu kecil esen vanilla

· Sedikit susu pekat (untuk lembab)

Cara-cara

1. Pukul buttercup dan gula halus

2. Masukkan selang-seli telur ayam dan tepung kek ke dalam bahan tadi

3. Masukkan pula esen vanilla dan kemudian susu pekat

4. Bakar sehingga masak

Kopitiam food @ Chawan, Bangsar

Kopitiam food @ Chawan, Bangsar

great drinks for a hot night

I'm getting bored about blogging about Ipoh, hence here's a post on good old Kay-el food. Chawan, the restaurant which took over Devi's Corner in Bangsar finally opened last weekend. For the first day, it was super packed. Since it looked so promising, we joined the crowd to find out what is so great about the place.


Malaysia's unofficial national dish - nasi lemak (RM12.90)

I like the decor of this place (sadly I didn't snap any pixs, as we sat outside) - they try to recreate old fashioned kopitiam with modern touches - zinc tables, cement benches, long ceiling fans and etc.


scrumptious ayam berempah

The menu is typical kopitiam fare - a mix of Malaysian favourites from North to South. There's mee rebus, nasi briyani - traditional favourites from the Sorth. Lurking from the North, is Nasi dagang with tongkol ikan curry. There's also assam laksa, Ipoh Kuey Teow and the perennial favourite, nasi lemak. For breakfast, food is much lighter with bread and snacks. The more substantial meals are only available from 11am onwards.


dismal Ipoh kuey teow (RM9.90)

As they have been doing brisk business since they started business, there was little choices left. I wanted Nasi Dagang but that was unavailable hence, I ended up with Ipoh Kuey Teow. Not authentic stuff as they had added loads of stuff inside, I kinda preferred the plainer variety available at Old Town Coffee.

What we were impressed with was their Nasi Lemak. We had a portion with ayam goreng berempah and it was extremely good stuff. The rice was fluffy and fragrant while the sambal was not overly sweet nor spicy till the tongue numbs over. Thumbs up to the fried chicken - aromatic with spices and so juicy. We also loved their drinks - honey lemon and honey lemon tea. Here you could taste the honey versus the watered down versions you get in other places. Coffeelovers will be happy to discover, they serve various types of coffees from all over Malaysia - kinda similar to the Coffeehut in Taman Tun Dr Ismail.

Although we generally loved the place (even service was very good) but prices are definitely much higher, than your normal kopitiam. (drinks are about RM5)

Chawan
Jalan Telawi 3
Bangsar

Halal. Open from 8am onwards till late.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here is entirely based on my personal tastebuds and may vary for others. The reviewer also declares that she has not received any monetary or non-monetary compensation from the restaurant for writing this review.

Tagged with: Malaysian Food + Nasi Lemak

Dunia si kanak-kanak Palestin

[Entri ini adalah sempena Nakbah Palestin. Satu lagi sisi konflik Zionis-Palestine yang kurang dibangkitkan.]

www.greenstar.org

Seorang pakar psikologi kanak-kanak telah ke Palestin untuk mengkaji tentang psikologi kehidupan kanak-kanak di negara itu setelah sekian lamanya dijajah zionis laknatUllah. Sudah beberapa generasi berlalu tanpa kesudahan terhadap konflik ini.

Sungguh menyedihkan, apabila usahanya sendiri yang ingin membina taman tema kecil seperti mereka yang lain dengan dana sendiri dimana kanak-kanak di sana akan diberi masuk secara percuma telah dirobohkan rejim laknat zionis itu. Niatnya tidak lain tidak bukan semata-mata untuk melihat kanak-kanak di sana bergembira, setelah saban hari bergelumang dengan kematian, bedilan peluru serta ketakutan.

Tetapi itu yang regim zionis tidak mahu. Zionis tidak mahu kanak-kanak di sana bergembira. Mereka mahu kanak-kanak di sana sentiasa dalam ketakutan.

Suatu hari, beliau telah ke sekolah rendah di sana untuk membuat kajian psikologi kanak-kanak di sana.

“Murid-murid, sila lukis di kertas putih yang cikgu edarkan. Tema lukisan adalah bebas!”

Lalu dengan pantas semua pelajar di dalam kelas itu mula melukis.

Sudah diramalkan, mereka akan lukis apa yang difikiran mereka. Itulah menunjukkan kesucian pemikiran mereka.

Sekiranya kanak-kanak di Malaysia disuruh demikian, boleh diagak bahawa lukisannya berbentuk sebiji rumah, disebelahnya ibu, ayah dan dirinya, sunshine di bahagian atas kertas, dan pokok-pokok atau bunga-bunga di halaman.

Mungkin lukisannya seperti di bawah:

Lukisan tipikal kanak-kanak Malaysia

Suasana lukisan tersebut gembira, harmoni dan ceria.

Lukisan kanak-kanak Palestin pula?

www.gcmhp.net

Blood.

Death.

Violence.

Every single day.

The Palestinian children do not deserve to live like this.

Damn you zionists, damn you!

Strawberry Cake

Ingredients

1 10-inche (30 cm) sponge cake
Strawberry Filling
4 pints (2 l) fresh strawberries
1/3 cup (3/4 dl) sugar
Vanilla Custard
2 cups (5 dl) milk
5 egg yolks
1 vanilla bean, cut in two lengthwise
2 tablespoons corn starch
1/2 cup dark rum
2 cups (5 dl) heavy cream (for decoration)

Method

Carefully cut the spongecake into three horizontal layers.
Strawberries
Save half of the strawberries for decoration. Cut the other half of the strawberries in small cubes -- an put in a bowl. Mix in the sugar og let it rest until the sugar has dissolved. It should become a little sirupy.
Vanilla Custard
Bring the milk, with the vanilla bean added, to a boil. Whisk the egg yolks with the sugar and corn starch. Add 1 tablespoon of water if the mixture becomes too thick. Remove the vanilla bean and then pour the milk over the egg mixture and whisk brisklyl. Pour the mixture back into the pot. Gently reheat the mixture and continue whisking until it becomes a thick cream. Pour the cream through a sieve and let cool. Whip 2/3 cup of the heavy cream and fold it in the custard.

Spread half of the vanilla custard and then half of the strawberry filling on the bottom layer of the sponge cake. Place the second layer on top of this and press gently. Repeat the above process before placing the last layer of sponge cake on top.
Tip! If you have extra time on your hands, you may cover the cake in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for 24 hours before decorating. This will give the flavours time to settle a bit and will make a great cake even better!
For serving
Whip the remaining cream. Use a pastry bag with a spout to decorate, working it in an upward movement all around the cake. To crown the work add the remaining strawberries on top.

Greek Salad With Popcorn Cheese

Ingredients

2 large tomatoes, cubed
2 Lebanese cucumbers, cubed
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup of Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
1 ripe avocado, cubed
1/2 cup of fresh dill, finely chopped
1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
1 cup of Kefalotyri cheese, cubed


Method

Heat the oil in a deep fryer to 375˚F (190˚ C).

Mix all the vegetables in a large bowl with the dill, olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice.

Deep fry the cheese at 375 ˚F (190 ˚C)* for 2 minutes approximately.

Toss salad and garnish with fried cheese on top.

mee bandung

Ingredients

60 ml / 2 fl oz Cooking Oil
1 block of Bean Curd or Tofu (Tauhu), fried
2 Eggs
3 Shallots (Red Onion), peeled and sliced
4 Garlic cloves, peeled and minced
2 cm / 1 inch Ginger, peeled and minced
2 Tbsp / 1 fl oz dried Chili Paste (Sambal Cili Kering) - soften 6 dried Chilies in hot water, drain, and blend
500 ml / 16 fl oz / 2 cups Chicken Stock
200 g / 7oz Prawns, shelled and de-veined
200 g / 7oz Squid tubes, cut as desired
125 ml / 4 fl oz / 1/2 cup Tomato Ketchup (Tomato Sauce)
2 Tbsp / 1 fl oz Thai Red Chili Paste - see below*
100 g / 3 1/2 oz Cabbage, shredded
3 stalks Chinese Flowering Cabbage (Choi-Sum or Sawi Bunga), cut into 3 cm length
200 g / 7oz Yellow Egg Noodles (Hokkien Noodles, Mee Kuning), blanched and drained
6 Fish Balls
Handful of Bean Sprouts (Tauge), tailed, if desired
Salt to taste

Home made Thai Red Chili Paste Ingredients(Makes 1 cup)
10 large dried Chilies (Cili Kering) - softened in hot water, drain, then finely chopped
2 red Bird's Eye Chilies (Cili Padi) - add more if you like it spicy
2 cm Galangal (Lengkuas or Blue Ginger)
5 Garlic cloves
2 tsp Thai Shrimp Paste or roasted Shrimp Paste (Belacan)
1 Lemongrass (Serai)
1 tsp Cumin powder
2 tsp Coriander powder
1/2 tsp Black Peppercorns (or powder)
1/2 tsp Salt
2 cm strip of
Kaffir Lime (Makrut, Limau Purut)
6 Coriander Roots, washed, finely chopped
4 Shallots (Red Onion)
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend to a smooth paste.

Garnishing Ingredients:
Crisp-fried Shallots (Bawang Goreng)
2-3 Red Chilies, seeded and sliced, (Optional)
2 Green Chilies, seeded and sliced, (Optional)
2-3 Spring Onion (Scallions), diagonally sliced
Handful of Coriander (Cilantro, Chinese Parsley or Ketumbar), chopped

Method

Heat Oil in a pan and sauté Garlic, Shallots and sliced Ginger.


Add in dried Chili Paste and Thai Roasted Chili Paste. Mix well and fry for 1 minute.

Add in Prawns, Squid and Fish Balls and stir-fry them.

Add in Chicken Stock, Tomato Ketchup, Egg Noodle, shredded Cabbage, and Chinese Flowering Cabbage (Choi-Sum or Sawi Bunga). Mix well and season with sugar and salt, to taste.

Add in Tofu, Coriander Leaves, and Bean Sprouts, and simmer. Break in Eggs to thicken Sauce.

Garnish as desired with crisp-fried Shallots, Red and Green Chilies, Spring Onions and Coriander Leaves. Serve immediately.