So the kids we're completely whooped after a day out and I was kinda over the whole retail/commercial scene. I wanted some nitty gritty, some stankonia if you know what I mean? I wanted to smell the aromas of the various vendor's cooking mixed in with the stench of close quarters city living. I wanted the zooming vespas & motorbikes racing by while cabbies yelled in various tongues / dialects with the cheapest fare. I wanted to mingle.... none of these things are frowned on with children, but while I had my friend's child with me I was much more conservative. (They ate Burger King in the mall- enough said) So once I got both of the boys home safe and sound, and put the VERY A.L.B.B. to bed I went a walking!
I dare not take my camera, cause I hate that look...goofy tourist with a camera taking pics of people cooking, traffic, sewage systems, night life....maybe next time. This was my first time out alone and I was going to relish it: Kurta (Long conservative tunic) -check, Linen pants -check, $70+ Ringgits (Malaysian Dollars) -check, Sandals -check!
Not ten minutes before I walked out the door there had been a crazy rain storm, the kids and I had taken a cab home because it was so bad. To my delight it had completely cleared by the time I was to embark on my little adventure. I walked out the complex gates and heard a little diddy in my head:
"Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk,
I'm a woman's man, no time to talk.
Music loud and women warm.
I've been kicked around since I was born.
And now it's all right, it's O.K.
And you may look the other way......"
I'm a woman's man, no time to talk.
Music loud and women warm.
I've been kicked around since I was born.
And now it's all right, it's O.K.
And you may look the other way......"
Yeah, I know, but I'm just trying to give you the WHOLE picture....oh yeah and your girl's loc's where pop'n too! (An updo if you're interested)
Anyole whoo, everything immediately out the literal gate was very Western. Why the heck would I come all the way to Malaysia to eat Mexican or Irish Pub food? Oh crap, I forgot people actually live here and DON'T want to experience Malaysia, they just want to get by till they can get out....so sad. I decided to be bold, be daring, be...who else ME. I went down a small street off of Restaurant Row, and immediately found myself surrounded by little stands. Some had tin roofs, other's look like cheap cabanas, and a couple looked like old markets or liquor stores that had been turned into makeshift kitchens. All of the cabbies that had been harassing earlier were perched at various "cafes", eating from banana leaves, Styrofoam boxes and mismatched dinnerware. JACKPOT, go where the people are and you will find the GOOD food. So I walked a couple more blocks before I settled on "Curry House" - there was a buffet option and al a cart. I ordered:
Anyole whoo, everything immediately out the literal gate was very Western. Why the heck would I come all the way to Malaysia to eat Mexican or Irish Pub food? Oh crap, I forgot people actually live here and DON'T want to experience Malaysia, they just want to get by till they can get out....so sad. I decided to be bold, be daring, be...who else ME. I went down a small street off of Restaurant Row, and immediately found myself surrounded by little stands. Some had tin roofs, other's look like cheap cabanas, and a couple looked like old markets or liquor stores that had been turned into makeshift kitchens. All of the cabbies that had been harassing earlier were perched at various "cafes", eating from banana leaves, Styrofoam boxes and mismatched dinnerware. JACKPOT, go where the people are and you will find the GOOD food. So I walked a couple more blocks before I settled on "Curry House" - there was a buffet option and al a cart. I ordered:
- Biryani Fish Rice (Fried Rice w/Currants & Golden Raisins instead of Peas & Carrots)
- Garlic Naan (I watched him make it....ohh gaaawwwwddd!)
- Shirmp Marsala
- Curried Veggies
- Marsala Tea (Cardamom Tea w/Evaporated Milk & Sugar)
It smelled so friggin good I almost opted to eat it there, but I didn't want A.L.B.B. to wake up and me not be there and then unleash is rage on our lovely hosts. (Which he totally would) So I boogied back, with a song in my heart, mud on my feet and a stupid grin on my face. I got back to the house and realized I had forgotten to order some of the aromatic Jasmin rice, so I threw on some brown rice. This is the before:
Curries & Marsala's in the baggies, Fish Biryani in the box
Curries & Marsala's in the baggies, Fish Biryani in the box
This was about 2minutes before the carnage:
I know for a fact that I'm going to have to find out if spices are allowed as carry on...I'm also going to now hard boil eggs to chop up and put into my biryani rice, cause I'mma learn how to make it!
So the meal, deelish, everything was just bursting with exciting spices and textures. The oral orchestra that was playing in my mouth was most certainly along the lines of the most robust Paganini.
I have the itis and must go to bed, I will dream of my leftovers that I will be eating for lunch and the next food adventure.
Thanks Mahh (aka Roz), the woman who taught me that eating with the locals wherever you are is THE only way to really experience a place.
So the meal, deelish, everything was just bursting with exciting spices and textures. The oral orchestra that was playing in my mouth was most certainly along the lines of the most robust Paganini.
I have the itis and must go to bed, I will dream of my leftovers that I will be eating for lunch and the next food adventure.
Thanks Mahh (aka Roz), the woman who taught me that eating with the locals wherever you are is THE only way to really experience a place.
Wow you inspire me to sing my own personal songs in the little things on my blog, instead of my usual woe is me. I can almost taste the food in my mouth - its watering as a matter of fact. All I can think about is how pissed I am that my family puts handcuffs on my affinity for food. You know the good stuff...curries, lamb, fresh veggies/fruit straight off the vine!! That is lifes little pleasures for real. Just one more wake up call that I gotta get out this desert and back to civilization aka da bay. Thank you for the inspiration
ReplyDeleteCha!!!! Okay so this is my first time getting to read your blogs, they are amazing. I can't believe Sol didn't like the fish, as much as he talks about them! The food looks amazing. I may need to add Malaysia to my list of places to visit...towards the bottom, but on my list nonetheless!!! Be proud of me, I am seven days completely raw - not just "raw-ish". I am having Sol withdrawals - give him kiss for me! Miss you!
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