Author: Daisy


Mar
2014

Local Organic “Pesto”

categories: Eating In, Recipes

I’ve always loved pesto dishes but find organic basil leaves and pine nuts too expensive to buy here in Malaysia. So I’ve made a “local” version of pesto using bok choy or choy sum (or any local vegetable, really) and rice noodles. Enjoy!

Hey presto! Local Organic Pesto!
Hey presto! Local Organic Pesto!

INGREDIENTS

For Pesto

3 large handful bunches of bok choy, choy sum, kangkung, or any local green veggie

50g of walnuts

8-10 tablespoons of organic extra virgin olive oil (get a good one)

Salt and pepper to taste

For Noodles

1/2 packet of organic brown rice meehoon (make sure it is 100% rice)

10-15 small organic cherry tomatoes

1 small organic carrot, shredded

1 cup organic mushrooms (Erringhi are cheap and fantastic)

2 tablespoons of  butter (I’ve started to use Goat Butter and *love* it!)

1 stalk of organic leeks, chopped finely

5 cloves of garlic, diced

 

METHOD

1. Soak meehoon in water for a few minutes.

2. Melt butter in (glass) pan.

3. Add leeks and garlic, and very quickly after, the mushrooms.

4. Add in meehoon.

5. When noodles are softer, add in carrots, tomatoes, and very quickly (like after a minute!), turn off heat. The more raw your veggies, the better!

6. Separately, wash and blend ingredients for pesto in a blender or food processor. You may need to add a little water if the mixture is too dry to be blended.

7. Add pesto on top of noodles, and enjoy!

Peace,

Daisy


Feb
2014

Simple Life (Malaysia, Multiple Outlets) $ 14/20

categories: Eating Out, Restaurant Reviews, Uncategorized
The Organic Lei Cha
The Organic Lei Cha

This place is a frequent favorite because it’s cheap and organic. Simple Life is one of the few health food stores in Malaysia. Their main thing is vegatarian, lightly cooked food with no junk in it (e.g. no MSG, no palm oil, etc.). So overall, they’re a very healthy and cheap option in middle of KL’s delicious but unhealthy other options.

I almost always get the organic Lei Cha – a traditional Chinese dish that is basically raw and vegan. The lightly fried tofu is soft, chewy, and delicious! The other ingredients are either raw or lightly marinated or boiled. The soup is a pureed and blended mix of green veggies and herbs, which you need to pour over your rice. You’ll feel light and healthy after the meal. Plus, it’s all organic.

A note of caution: the management and staff are not very educated or aware about allergy issues. I’ve asked them about gluten several times, and they confuse it with soy! So you’ll need to be cautious about what you order. Ask them about specific ingredients–don’t assume that they know.

For the Lei Cha, you’ll need to substitute the brown rice for white, which is sad, but the brown rice mix contains barley.

I’ve also ordered the laksa and the rolls before. Make sure they boil the rice noodles separately for the laksa (other options: replace with white rice or skip starch all together). The seaweed roll is fine; just avoid the mayonaise.

Their portions are large, so small eaters could consider sharing. Food is junk free and tastes like it–a fresh, natural taste! I go at least once every week to the one near my office.

Here is a link to their web site (see locations there).

  • Allergy friendly: ***
  • Taste: *****
  • Atmosphere: *** Casual and laid back. Pretty standard Asian restaurant.
  • Service: ***
  • Cost: $ – Mains range between RM10 – 20

Peace,

Daisy