Malaysia
I had two visitors to the blog site yesterday from Singapore - the capital of Malaysia.
Malaysia is a country I would love to visit - but one I know relatively little about - apart from its cuisine which is a wonderful blend of Indian, Thai and Chinese flavours.
Malaysian curries are probably my favourite - fiercely hot and a slightly sweeter than their Indian cousins - and one of the best is Beef Rendang - the country's national dish.
I have cooked Beef Rendang three or four times - and quite successfully too.
The rich flavour comes from the usual mix of Malaysian spices - which is boosted by a double dose of coconut - one lot is browned and roasted coconut flesh - the other a generous helping of coconut milk.
Truly a wonderful dish.
I hope Ashraf Haziq Rosli gets an extra special helping soon - he's the young Malaysian student who was attacked in Barking during the London street riots.
The thugs who attacked him broke the young man's jaw - with a cowardly sucker punch.
Then adding insult to injury a couple of young men 'helped' Ashraf to his feet - but their real purpose was to rob him - and it may even have been the same people who assaulted him in the first place.
This lovely, smiling, polite young man appeared on TV yesterday - and said he felt sorry for the people who mugged and robbed him.
And he's right you know.
Because the young Ashraf has the world at his feet - while his assailants are hopefully heading for jail - since someone had the presence of mind to film the incident.
Ashraf appeared in front of the cameras at the Malaysian Embassy in London - where he let the world know that his mum wanted him to go home.
But he refused - very politiely no doubt - because he still thinks the UK is great and wants to stay on and finish his studies - despite his dreadful experience.
Now that's a positive attitude for you and as soon as his jaw is better - I hope Ashraf treats himself to a big piping hot bowl Beef Rendang - with some plain steamed rice.
Malaysia is a country I would love to visit - but one I know relatively little about - apart from its cuisine which is a wonderful blend of Indian, Thai and Chinese flavours.
Malaysian curries are probably my favourite - fiercely hot and a slightly sweeter than their Indian cousins - and one of the best is Beef Rendang - the country's national dish.
I have cooked Beef Rendang three or four times - and quite successfully too.
The rich flavour comes from the usual mix of Malaysian spices - which is boosted by a double dose of coconut - one lot is browned and roasted coconut flesh - the other a generous helping of coconut milk.
Truly a wonderful dish.
I hope Ashraf Haziq Rosli gets an extra special helping soon - he's the young Malaysian student who was attacked in Barking during the London street riots.
The thugs who attacked him broke the young man's jaw - with a cowardly sucker punch.
Then adding insult to injury a couple of young men 'helped' Ashraf to his feet - but their real purpose was to rob him - and it may even have been the same people who assaulted him in the first place.
This lovely, smiling, polite young man appeared on TV yesterday - and said he felt sorry for the people who mugged and robbed him.
And he's right you know.
Because the young Ashraf has the world at his feet - while his assailants are hopefully heading for jail - since someone had the presence of mind to film the incident.
Ashraf appeared in front of the cameras at the Malaysian Embassy in London - where he let the world know that his mum wanted him to go home.
But he refused - very politiely no doubt - because he still thinks the UK is great and wants to stay on and finish his studies - despite his dreadful experience.
Now that's a positive attitude for you and as soon as his jaw is better - I hope Ashraf treats himself to a big piping hot bowl Beef Rendang - with some plain steamed rice.
