A Curry that Prevents Swine Flu?

You might have read my previous post about the magic ingredient that prevents swine flu.

I’ve been asked: How can this magic ingredient be used?

That’s a good question. There’s no point knowing what the magic ingredient is, when you don’t know how to use it!

I find that the best way to deploy it is in a curry as I’m sure the slow cooking involved will release the star anise’s special properties.

In case you haven’t seen this recipe before, here it is. It’ll make a great Buka Puasa dish too!

Minang Fish Curry

1. Mix 1 heaped teaspoon tumeric powder and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Add 2 tablespoons water and mix into a runny paste.

2. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in saucepan. Add 1 cinnamon stick, 3 cloves and 1 STAR ANISE and let whole spices flavour oil for a minute or so (this is an essential step that releases the properties of Star Anise, the other spices merely add flavour but my also be beneficial).

Unleash the healing properties of Star Anise!

3. Add paste and fry for a minute making sure paste doesn’t burn or get stuck to saucepan. If needed, add a tablespoon of water.

4. Add garlic (3 cloves), ginger (1/2 an inch) and about 2 chilies, all finely sliced. (Hotness from chilies can be quite variable, so how hot the dish is going to end up is always a mystery!) Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Fry for 1 minute.

5. Add 1 onion, sliced up. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Fry mixture of paste, garlic, ginger, chilies and onion until onions are caramalised. This is a very important step that brings all the flavours out and should take at least 20 minutes.

6. Add 1 tin of coconut milk and 1/2 to 3/4 cup water depending on thickness of coconut milk used. Add 1 stalk lemon grass (sliced into 2 or 3 pieces). Add 1-2 whole chilies (optional – for presentation purposes to garnish but delicious too)

7. Simmer for 40 – 50 minutes.

8. Bring to medium heat and add fish (about 3 fish fillets depending on size, each fillet sliced into 3). Will take about 5 to 10 minutes to cook. Test occasionally with fork. Instead of using just fish, you could include prawns, baby octopus etc to create a seafood curry (as per the photo below)

Ready to eat?

9. Remove lemon grass before serving. If sauce is too spicy for younger children, remove children’s portion of fish and, in a bowl, rinse a couple of times in boiling water from kettle.

Enjoy!

And, of course, stay healthy!

BTW I had an article in The Star on merdeka day. It’s called A HISTORY THAT BELONGS TO ALL.

History of Malaysia: A Children’s Encyclopedia is also now available on Amazon!

How did a Mat Salleh become the Agong?

On 26 April 1994, in an elaborate ceremony at the Istana Negara, Tuanku Simon Mackay was appointed as Malaysia’s 10th Yang DiPertuan Agong.

Huh?

How could a Mat Salleh, a white man, be appointed as Malaysia’s King?

As you’ve already suspected, this never happened.

But, this Merdeka week, I thought it could easily have.

If Vyner Brooke, the 3rd Rajah of Sarawak didn’t abdicate in 1946, he would have continued on as Rajah.

Vyner Brooke, 3rd Rajah of Sarawak

When he died in May 1963, his grandson, Simon Mackay, then only 29, would then have become the 4th Rajah of Sarawak. When Malaysia was formed four months later, he would no doubt have joined the list of nine rulers eligible, in turns, to become the Yang DiPertuan Agong.

Since he was the most junior of the rulers, only becoming Rajah very recently, his position would be at the end of the list after all the other rulers. This means that in 1994, after all the rulers of all the other states have had their turn as Malaysia’s king, the Rajah, then aged 60, would then become the 10th Yang DiPertuan Agong!

Simon Mackay, 10th Yang DiPertuan Agong?

Other than not being a Malay, the other interesting thing is that the Agong is not a muslim. There is nothing though in the Constitution of Malaysia that states that the Agong has to to a muslim. It does, however, declare that the ruler of a state is the head of Islam in his state. I am sure that an exception would be made for Sarawak for otherwise Sarawak would not have joined Malaysia. Or, it is also possible, that the Rajah might have converted to Islam.

So, that’s why, we could easily have had an orang puteh Yang DiPertuan Agong.

But back to real history.

The man who could have been our 10th Yang DiPertuan Agong, Simon Brooke Mackay, is currently a member of the British House of Lords. His title is Baron Tanlaw. You can find out more about him in Wikipedia.

The family still has strong links to Malaysia.

Isn’t our history, and it’s possibilities, interesting?

Want to eat Palm Oil Chocolate?

If you’re a Muslim, you probably shouldn’t be thinking about chocolate right now. It is, after all, the start of Ramadan.

But what about palm oil? Don’t you think it’s a odd ingredient in chocolate? Who, after all, wants to eat palm oil chocolate?

Cadbury’s in Australia didn’t think so. Recently, they substituted cocoa butter for palm oil in their chocolate bars.

Unfortunately for them, they backed down on their decision and went back to cocoa butter.

Why?

1. Consumers didn’t like the new taste
2. Consumers thought palm oil was less healthy than cocoa butter
3. Clearing of the jungle for oil palm plantations was decimating the orang utan population

Cadbury’s decision was consumer driven. Whether or not the reasons were justified, it was the perception that mattered.

On page 42 of my History of Malaysia – A Children’s Encyclopedia I mention that:

The oil palm is a native of West Africa … The tree was introduced in the Malay peninsula in the 1850s but only became a strong export commodity a hundred years later. Malaysia is the largest exporter and producer of palm oil.

[**The encyclopedia is now available on Amazon. and MPH Online]

So this is not good news for the Malaysian economy, particularly palm oil exporters. This decision may seem insignificant, but, whether the reasons are justified or not, it’s the perception that matters.

So, would you eat Palm Oil Chocolate?

This and That

Thank you everyone for your kind condolences. It hasn’t been a good year for our family. My father passed away exactly one year ago. He passed away at KLIA of all places. A rather unique place to leave this world but then again he was a rather unique man who lived live to the full.

They say that the passing of a parent makes one’s mortality seem very real, even closer. Perhaps this has been the case for me, although I’ve always, in my adult life, thought of my own mortality and, as such, have had a yearning to find meaning. Perhaps that is why I write. Why I left the corporate world.

On a lighter, more refreshing, note, I’m delighted to say that History of Malaysia – A Children’s Encyclopedia is now on Amazon. Unfortunately, stock is very limited.

Did I mention that I’m in the current issue of Going Places (the Malaysian Airlines inflight magazine)? Lydia Teh, Robert Raymer and I wrote a story jointly for the Merdeka issue. It’s about a woman who was in a car accident who, after a coma, wakes up many years later. I’m very grateful for the people at Going Places for coming up with this innovative idea.

I’ve been thinking of coming up with some recipes which include that magic ingredient, star anise. But you’ll have to wait for that one!

Return to Happiness …

My brother Mel lost his wife this week.

Amy had lymphoma and deteriorated very quickly. She was only in her 40s. It was an awful shock to all of us. Amy joined our family only a few years ago and it’s a pity I didn’t get to know her well.

A few days before Amy passed away, Mel wrote this on Facebook:

We talk about life, living and smile when we see a baby. We avoid the issue of death and all that it brings…..well yesterday I came face to face with it on the 6th floor of menara timur at the university hospital. The gentleman opposite my wife’s bed went into his last gasps and left us, just like that. That’s life, so make the most of it in a kind and gentle way, thats all we leave behind.

We do avoid the issue of death.

I really didn’t know what to say to Mel when I called him from Australia. No one prepares you on how to properly offer your heartfelt condolences. No one teaches you to be open with your emotion.

And, yes, Mel is right on this one too … we must make the most of life.

It reminds me of the John Lennon song that says “Life is what happens to you whilst you’re busy making other plans.” That is so true. We think about other things, hoping or worrying or complaining or just dreaming, not realising that life is happening right here, right now.

I wish Mel strength to endure through this sad and difficult time. I wish him peace of mind and a return to happiness.

Magic Ingredient to prevent Swine Flu?

What is the key natural ingredient in Tamiflu? A friend who works for a large pharmaceutical company recently gave me the answer.

I was astounded.

Surely it couldn’t be so natural, so simple an ingredient, especially such a readily available one.

And yet the answer, once you thought about it, is not all that surprising …

After all, asprin, which is used to relieve headaches and minor aches and pains, was first obtained from the bark of willow trees and shrubs. Many of us also know that many foods have specific health benefits. Your traditional Chinese medicine shop too will have an array of foods, each to cure a specific malady.

Many believe that the spices used in curries have beneficial health effects. After all, 500 years ago, such spices were worth their weight in gold. And history tells us that wars were fought (the 1511 invasion of Melaka is but one example) to control the spice trade.

The plethora of spices is just amazing and includes cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cinnamon sticks, fennel seeds, cloves and asafetida. When we combine them with other natural ingredients like garlic, ginger, chilies and tumeric, then not only to we achieve an awesome flavour but it must, we hopefully think, abound with wonderful health benefits too.

So what is the main natural ingredient in Tamiflu?

It is star anise!

Not a hundred percent convinced, I looked up Wikipedia:

“Shikimic acid, a primary feedstock used to create the anti-flu drug Tamiflu, is produced by most autotrophic organisms, but star anise is the industrial source. In 2005, there was a temporary shortage of star anise due to its use in making Tamiflu. Late in that year, a way was found of making shikimic acid artificially.”

So you might guess that I’ve been cooking more curries lately. Invariably, I slip star anise into the hot oil, not only to give it a wonderful flavour, but also to provide the family with the benefits of Tamiflu. Of course, you need not cook a curry as long as you use this key ingredient … soups, stews, even hot drinks come to mind.

For me, conjuring up a curry is no more than a preventative measure, no different from washing my hands after being out in public spaces, which I hope will work. It’s certainly no substitute for visiting a doctor if you’ve got flu symptoms.

Will you be cooking curry tonight?

-> By the way, MPH Online, in its support for local authors, and are currently offering “History of Malaysia: A Children’s Encyclopedia” at a promotional price of RM61.20 instead of RM68. It also includes a FREE poster.

-> By the way, I am in the current issue of Going Places (the Malaysian Airlines inflight magazine). Lydia Teh, Robert Raymer and I wrote a story jointly for the Merdeka issue. It also mentions my novella “Juriah’s Song”. It was a real pleasure to work with both Lydia and Robert.

Hello Swine Flu!

I’ve had a ticklish throat for a couple of days. Yesterday, I was feeling quite tired with a slight headache. But no … it’s not swine flu. If you’ve got swine flu or normal flu, the effect is quite dramatic. Today, you’re perfectly fine and tomorrow you’re laid up in bed, feeling (if I recall from my last bout of flu several years ago) that you’re about to die!

I’ve read that over here there is a one in five chance of catching the virus. And if you’re got kids at school, which we have, then the chances are greater. So, hello Swine Flu, here I come! (The thought of it sends a piggish shiver down my spine)

Luckily, the effects are not as bad as first thought. Fairly mild actually. Headache, cold, body aches, fever. One of the teenage boys at Karate was down with it. He said it wasn’t too bad. But he’s healthy. Then again, the old and the young, seemed to get badly hit by this bug. There are a lot of contradictions out there.

As you know people have died from it and will continue to do so. Usually because of an underlying health problem. This includes obesity … so maybe for some of us it’s time for that diet. Diet or die, has a certain ring to it. My apologies, the horror writer in me is surfacing.

A couple of friends thought that it’s a good idea to deliberately catch swine flu now whilst it’s in its milder form. The idea is to get resistant to it, so that if the thing does become a real killer, then they may escape the death sentence.

The good news is that the vaccine is being made. Unfortunately, it’s still a couple of months away. Hopefully, the virus won’t turn real nasty before that time.

Know anyone with swine flu yet?

–> By the way, MPH Online, in its support for local authors, and are currently offering “History of Malaysia: A Children’s Encyclopedia” at a promotional price plus a FREE poster. Go check it out!

Who was Frank McCourt?

I met Frank McCourt several years ago within the pages of his childhood autobiography Angela’s Ashes. It is indeed a wonderful, funny and moving book about his hard childhood growing up in Ireland.

Whilst Ray Kroc is often cited as an example that it’s never too late to start a successful business (he was essentially the founder of McDonald’s) since he started the business in his 50s, Frank McCourt is often cited as an example that it’s never too late to start writing. The author published his best selling book in his 60s. So there … you’re never too old!

Frank McCourt died a week ago. I was fortunate enough to hear a radio interview yesterday that was replayed on ABC Classic FM.

One thing he mentioned was a seven-course Irish meal. “Wow,” I thought, “this must rival an 8-course Chinese dinner?” He then said, and I’m sure with a huge grin on his face, that the seven-course Irish meal was a 6 pack of beer and a potato!

What wonderful Irish wit!

The other thing he mentioned was writing requires simplicity and clarity. And you need to be a story teller too. He said he learnt all of this when he was teaching teenagers in New York.

He sounded like a very nice man.

Frank McCourt, rest in peace.

My BFM Radio Interview

On my last trip back to KL, I was interviewed by BFM radio.

It was great fun ,,,

Shazmin, the DJ, did a great job and I was made to feel very comfortable.

To listen to it, just click here.

One day I’ll learn how to insert the media player (if that’s what you call it) here. I tried embed the podcast by pasting it but the html just disappeared every time I tried to publish it. One day, I’ll find out …

At the moment we’re moving furniture around at home, particularly the children’s rooms. We felt like we needed a change. It’s also a good opportunity to declutter, to get rid of unnecessary stuff. I read somewhere that all that unnecessary stuff we hoard gives rise to negative energy.

Mostly, I find that change is good. That’s why we go on holidays, just to have a change from our normal lives.

Here’s a photo of me in Hyde Park …

I like the David Bowie song “Changes”.

Do you like change?

Who was Nadra?

I read yesterday that Bertha Hertogh passed away.

Who was she?

You may well ask. This tale is half a century old but remains poignant today.

Just in case you haven’t heard her story, here it is :

Because of poverty and hardship during the Second World War, a Dutch woman in Java gives her 5-year-old daughter, Maria, to a Malay woman for adoption. The Malay woman raises the girl as a Muslim and later relocates to Kemaman, Terengganu. Eight years later, when Maria is thirteen, her Dutch parents, after discovering the whereabouts of their daughter, now want her back.

One commentator wrote:

“Who will lose their daughter in this heart-wrenching case? Will it be the Dutch parents who were forced to give her up because of the hardship of the war or will it be the Malay woman who treated her as her own daughter for eight years? Whoever wins, we know one side will suffer and so don’t be surprised to be told that no judge or experienced lawyer will have the gall to say that the law is fair. Justice and fairness are not the same thing. In case you don’t know the full facts of the case and intend to read the [The Nadra Tragedy by Haja Maideen], I shall not reveal who ultimately gains custody of Maria Hertog or Nadra, to use her Muslim name. But I will say that this is a tragedy in the true sense of the word. Nobody wins, everyone loses, everyone is hurt. The fact that eighteen die in the consequent rioting only underscores the tragedy.”

In fact, the judge in Singapore gave judgment in favour of Nadra’s Dutch parents and so the girl was taken away from her Malay foster mother to live in Holland with her biological parents.

As a grown up Nadra said that her happiest times was when she was growing up in Malaysia. The case became a political and religious one, but for me it is the human one that is the most touching. I understand that her life story is being made into a movie. I hope it’s a good one.

History has a lot to teach us. It certainly repeats itself.

But are we willing to learn?