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Map of Abu Dhabi City Center:

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Ive got less than 24 hours to go for my trip and I am not in any way ready.
I must say, one of the best Ikan Belah Belakang I have tasted has got to be at Auntie Nab's.
Anyway I just noticed that I had the previous title of anniversary but didnt have any story about it. Well, kind of.
Finally. I found the opportunity to get uwan to teach me how to make the Asam Pedas daging that I love so much.
mengapakah tergamak sungguh, memperdaya harapan ini
tunas kasih yang aku semai, racun berbisa yang kau sirami
beginikah balasan cinta, manis kata dibibir sahaja
lembut lidah mengukir janji, segunung mimpi berkecai kini
sesalan tidak terucap, bila kau berubah sikap
kusedar siapa diriku, kau buat tempat berteduh
semoga engkau bahagia, disamping kekasih baru
andainya engkau kecewa, janganlah kau cari aku
Biar saja aku sendiri, yang mencari damai dihati
airmata basah dipipi, tak mungkin dapat membasuh luka
** Ku cari damai di hati , by Gingerbread ( listen here )
I have personally enjoyed the live rendition by Jamal Abdillah as well, which is here. (Performed at a live concert in Istana Budaya 2006)
~
This song was played by one of the radio station when I was in Melaka last weekend, and for some reason the song was playing in my mind ever since, up till today. I didnt really know the song, except that the song is sung by Gingerbread (or 'roti halia' as joked by the dj ) . It wasnt so difficult to google it as I knew the artist name, and some part of the lyric was like implanted in my brain. I guess this is what they mean by 'lagu berhantu' - it just wont leave your head, EVEN after you have deliberately listen to numerous other songs, including personal all time favorites.
Personally I think this song has such beautiful melody and lyrics. Though the composition is very 80-ish (duh, it is after all an 80s song), the way it flows and progressed from the early verses, and gradually catching its pace and soul as it gets to its refrain/chorus, i thought was just so awesome. It is accesible, simple, yet very dynamic and certainly gives lasting impression
The credit has to be given to the lyric writer as well, as it definitely complemented the harrowing melody. What I love about listening to the songs in those era was the poetic way a story was told, and it has a real art in it.
Sadly, they just dont make these kind of music these days. While I have heard some good ones, but rarely it stayed in my mind like a broken record as this one did.
* disclaimer *
To song writer and label, I dont intend to steal music by putting the song here, the link is merely to share to those who have not heard it. I would be more than happy to pay for it to make it legal and to support your art/talent.
Muahahahaha.... All four books for only RM40! This is what i call true bargain!!
This is an updated post.
I have made some changes here and there, and this is the latest one that I used and quite like
The measurements are good for about 5 pieces of cencaru fish.
Cili merah x 6
cili boh - 1 tablespoon
Bawang kecil x 5
bawang putih x 3
Belacan - 1.5 inch (using the belacan in rectangle shape abt 10 cm slice)
lemongrass x 2
tumeric powder - 1 tablespoon
garam 2 sudu garam
air asam - 5 tablespoon
halia - 0.5 inch
gula - just a bit (i put about less than half of the scoop)
No added water just blend all above except cili boh. I added it after and mix well
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For some reason, I am in cooking mood lately.
So Today I tried to make Ikan Belah Belakang, all by myself. After observing mama making it the other day, i am more confident to try it.
Here is what I prepared for the stuffing (Recipe below sufficient for 2 medium sized Cencaru.
1. 3 pcs of red chillies
2. 4 pcs of dried chillies
3. 2 pcs onions
4. 1/2 in belacan
5. 1 pc lemongrass (sliced thinly)
6. 1 teaspoon tumeric powder
7. salt to taste (i put in 3/4 pinkspoon)
8. Air asam about 2 tablespoons
Blend the above (WITHOUT WATER), or better still, pound them. I was lazy so I just throw it all in the blender. U should expect it to be a bit course, as there is (very)little liquid. But that is what we are trying to achieve, too much water will make frying more difficult.
Once blended, stuff in the fish.
Fry with low fire to start with, just to ensure that the fish is cooked inside out(The cencaru fish has thick skin). Once you think it is cooked inside, turn up the fire. I personally prefer it garing-garing and burnt a bit.
No pix taken, cos I wasnt sure if the recipe works or not.
Rizal's rate: 8 out of 10. His comments maybe need to add in a bit more bawang tumbuk kasar2.
My observation: taste ok, the lemongrass gave it a crunchiness and nice flavor, mixed with the belacan. Next time i think i would cut the lemongrass even more thinner, and I think I should fry it with more oil. Apart from that I think I almost perfected it.
:)
Rizal and I were in BTS last night to catch RED. To kill the time, we thought of visiting border's new location, since i have read all of my books at home. ..
For those who didnt know, borders on 1st floor has closed its doors last september and re-opening on the Gr floor instead. We were quite excited to see the 'new' borders, hoping it would be bigger and better.
The first thing that came to mind when we were toilering the Gr floor was that the new location is harder to access. But, really, nothing compared to the shock we had when we finally spotted the new borders.
You know why?? It was sooo small!! In fact it is now called Borders Express. Still wouldnt believe my eyes i had asked their staff, to make sure that we got it right. Mana la tahu kan kotkot this is just the express outlet and they actually hv other outlet at different location. But nah ah ah. That was it.
I was so dismayed. So disappointed. I have always prefered going to borders instead of kino or mph but now i guess i just gotta find some other place to find my monthly doze of books. :(