I am making... Home – made meatball

Making your own meatballs isn’t as difficult as it seems. I got this easy meatball recipe from some book long time ago and prefer them more than the processed ones when making spaghetti sauce and vegetable soup.


Ingredients:

1. 400g of minced meat
2. I large onion, chopped fine
3. Parsley, chopped fine
4. 1 egg, folded
5. Salt and black pepper


Preparation:

1. Combined everything together in a large bowl / basin and fold in.
2. Season adequately with salt and pepper
3. Mold them into whatever size you want. If you’re frying them, it’s advisable to mold it smaller.

Here I am… in Papar…

Papar is a compact town.

This is how I summarize Papar after a 6 weeks stay. The many round-a-bouts (which is actually a trademark of Sabah, I may put it that way on my own. I've never been to anywhere where there are so many of them, which can be both annoying and helpful), fresh market, a Giant hypermarket, a Super Store, a KFC, many small restaurants, a small district hospital, a Public Bank, a library, schools, furniture trades, plant nurseries etc basically just nice enough for you to live adequately. For more, you'll have to drive the extra 20km to Kota Kinabalu city.

But I like it. It’s almost quaint, but not so with the shop lots tampering the scene as you drove further. From KK you’ll catch a brief glimpse of beautiful beaches, greeneries, fields and hills, and on entering the town via a metal bridge hanging over the Sungai Papar / Papar river, you’ll meet a roundabout. Then, turning to the 2 o’clock direction, you’ll meet another one. Go straight then and you’ll meet another one. All in less than 1 km, much to my amusement. (By the way, I’m describing the route towards the district hospital, where I live nearby). Traffic moves at 40 – 60 km/hour on the tiny roads, seat – belt free being an unwritten exception here. Limited parking space in shop lots area, so park somewhere and walk around instead. Break a sweat here and there now, shall we ^_^

The fresh market sold fresh stocks updated almost daily. Here I bought almost all of fresh supplies especially tofu since super market tofu disagree with me with their gooey chunks appearance. I made an exception on eggs, after a vendor cheated me on by trying to charge me RM2 for 5 eggs (a normal egg usually costs roughly RM0.32. Call me stingy but why buy products of unknown quality when you can get better.), and carrots and tomatoes since I found supermarket price cheaper. Since I do make trips to the city from time to time, I made it a point to stop at the city Giant to stock up on young carrots and tomatoes, mushrooms (can’t find any here except canned ones) and potatoes. So what else do I usually buy in the market? Mostly green leaf vegetables and beans, regardless the price since the supermarket only sold these wilted and/or godawful looking vegetables. Once in a while I’d venture to the open market at an open space between shophouses for a change of scenery, not better bargain since the stuffs sold are nearly the same. The open market offers other stuffs like more fruits, local snacks and delicacies, clothes, fake brand names, with vendors of pirated VCDs and DVDs wedging in between.

Though I’d never venture in them before, I found myself walking into many restaurants which are extended branches from the city such as Juara Nasi Ayam and Taufiq 3, and making mental notes to visit their KK branch some other time soon. Some of my favourite stops for Malay food are Bestari (near KFC), KFC itself, Pandan and Restoran Pantai Manis. I’d say that the food selection here is pretty alright, given the variety of choice.

And so is accommodation. 10 – 20 km prior entering town, there are 3 resorts to choose from; the Beringgis Beach Resort (RM 220 - 400), Borneo Paradise (RM 200 - 400) and Langkah Syabas (RM 200 - 400). In both Beringgis and Langkah Syabas they have their own travel agents, but Langkah Syabas also provides a direct transportation from the airport and boating service to selected islands.

So basically that’s Papar for you. Of course, life gets monotonous after a while for us who are used to many life distractions and fillers such as the mall, cinema, recreational area and such. I’d admit to sporadic boredom from the daily classes and practical to the same selection of vegetables and fruits so the periodic return to Kota Kinabalu would be filled with grocery shopping for canned food, instant pastas, dry goods, mushrooms, herbs and fruits. I’m not exactly complaining but hey, I lived in the other world but it can still merge with my Papar world so why not?

Please don’t eat while driving…

Ok, this one may sound out of topic but still food related.

I was driving in KK at 80 – 90 km/hr when a Honda made me slow down to 40 km/hr on the slow lane.

Cool. Slow lane is for slow cars usually, no? But 40 km/hr? That’s my campus speed limit, which not many adhere to since, well, practical reasons. I’ve to trail behind for a while since many lucky fellas were on the fast lane but man it was a hell of 5 minutes…

And when I managed to switch lane and passed it, this slowpoke was leisurely enjoying his whatever food he’s munching on and sipping drinks in my review mirror.

Can I not curse him with every swearing word I know?

Crappy services and fast food… how can that be in the same line?

Fast food.

My impression from this phrase is food that is served fast, but still hot and hopefully, freshly cooked. Hygienic and proper handling. My ketchup packs (or tiny ketchup bowls), pepper, salt, sugar, creamer, tissues etc. Tidy - looking, smartly dressed, friendly, smiling cashier. Neat and clean kitchen. Clean tables, floor, washing basins and toilets. No flies buzzing in my face.

Ok, maybe I’m fussy. I mean, my description is nearly fit for a restaurant.

Ok, cool. The cashiers passed, though not with flying colours (too slow, poor food handling).

Kitchen, can’t see from the counter but the leaflet that accompanied my burger said they cook and store food at particular temperature, they sanitized with some hi – tech anti – bacterial stuffs etc so no comment.

Toilet. Gone case. With some exceptional ones, the rest I’m sorry to say, need improvement.

Flies? Interesting enough, I’ve encounter once. To add further insult, the cashier was so rude and acted like she owned the place. Or maybe she does or her daddy does since she’s not wearing uniform as the others were. So I cancelled my order and never since step a foot in there. Ha.

Missing my ketchup packs in takeaways are still fine, but to miss my hash browns and handing me plain hot water without the teabag while giggling with the other cashiers are simply…

Deliveries… due to their own delivery terms of losing cash if they can’t make it on time, they refused to deliver if it’s raining. Egad… somebody enlighten me of such terms please. I thank God for the creation of the person who invented cup noodles.

Ok, enough black sheep.

At least here in Sabah most cashiers are friendly and patient enough if you’re indecisive, they’ll give you huge bright smiles with chirpy “Please come again”, they apologized profusely for mistakes, offer replacement drinks with a smile if you slosh yours n the floor then hurryingly clean up the mess.

Ok, I’m sorry I couldn’t come up with much good points. All above does not apply to Sabah alone, mind you. They are EVERYWHERE.

Egad…

My Sabah fasting month

So the Syawal @ Raya month has bid us goodbye. Like way, way long time ago. But that has nothing to deter me from musing over my fasting month experience in Sabah.

OK, so this is the month where you take a break from eating, or so they say. Or technically, give your stomach a break from all the gobbling and shoveling. But when the supposed break during the fasting month becomes the other way round, what more can be said? I’m telling you, it’s amazing, the ferocity of hungry people when they shopped in the bazaar. I can bet dollars to doughnuts that the spending in fasting month could somewhat exceed that of other months, seeing how they spent and how mortifyingly expensive some food stuffs were priced during this time (as in the prices are inappropriate to the taste or meager amount of food packed). But anywhere is the same, so no big surprise.

By the way, among the famous bazaar are the ones in Asia City area, Gaya Street and Indah Permai. But traffic and parking were horrendous with the cars and people packing through and through the area soI skipped the Gaya Street one since it’s too bothersome to find a parking space or get out from one, and instead I usually frequented the Asia City area and Indah Permai ones. However, I wouldn’t dream of going to one at after 5 pm since the crowd was at its worst at this hour nearing fast breaking. Nevertheless, it’s worth the time if I was to come at 4 something since the stalls were just being set up and food still fresh (except “recycled ones”).

As usual, some would live up to expectations and some were just lame copycats without skills. I mean, come on, it’s just way too much when the famous Kelantanese Nasi Kerabu is presented to you as plain rice with taugeh, some cabbage strips, a pinch of maybe – sambal belacan, telur masin and an extra – charged puny piece of fried fish. Luckily this year I did not chance upon any and instead 2 or 3 stalls manned by Kelantanese fellas (or claimed that the dish is prepared by Kelantanese cooks) sold excellent Nasi Kerabu, much to my delight since I really missed it since my last stay in Kelantan. I’m happy to report that the rice was in the right shade of blue (though some bear a suspiciously bright secondary – school – uniform – blue, a tell – tale of food dye disaster, or another odd one is yellow but it tasted fine with the correct presentation format so I let the colour mishap slip), the sambal kelapa, budu, ulam and telur masin complete, along with extra – charged fried fish in flour, sliced roasted beef, ayam percik and some local dishes. I vote the best to be from Indah Permai, sold by a pair of Muslim Kelantanese couple, with many thumb ups for the clean stalls and overall presentation (utensils, pots & pans etc). Even their Nasi Tomato was nice with heaps of ayam masak merah ladled onto the mountain of rice. I really hope next year they’ll make a comeback. Too bad I can’t recall their names.

Murtabak is something I stay away from in Sabah since my last stint with it. I guess I simply can’t let go of Peninsular’s murtabak. Here they deep fry their murtabak in lots of oil on the hot plate or in the wok till it is crisp like the skin of fried popiah @ spring roll and calls it “Murtabak Jawa”. Not my cup of tea I guess (shrug T~T). You may have a try. An experience, a heck of it.

I found some nice roti jala with thick chicken curry in Asia City bazaar. Well, actually 3 stalls sold them but I’ve to say that they all tasted nearly the same, and all sold nearly miniature roti jala RM0.50 for 1. Egad… so not much to comment.

Either my taste buds had gone haywire or the vendors in Asia City area cheated me but pandan soya bean milk and normal soya bean milk tasted the same to me… Since they’re priced the same so not much loss here.

What else did I try? Hmm… ikan bakar. Pretty interesting, the way they marinated the fish in some sort of tangy sambal belacan and wrapped them in banana leaf prior cooking and then served it with asam limau and their prepared chili dip. Recommended would be ikan sebelah (or ikan kayu as they call it here) and ikan pari (sting ray). Good vendors would sell you a nicely done, juicy fish. Just try your luck by random and crowd size. Don’t forget hygiene too.

So far I’d suffer no stomach problem. So my tips when shopping in food bazaar are pretty simple; hygiene, good presentation, crowd size, friendly and tidy – looking vendors and the last one is survey all the vendors first for the best choice.

But nothing beats the bazaar in Jalan Hamzah, Kelantan, except maybe the ones in KL (I’m not a fan of KL by the way). OK, now I’m homesick… Bawl…

Masak - masak Melayu ~ Kangkung masak air

I'm nuts over kangkung recently.

And the recipe, literally, yeah. Because the kangkung is cooked in such a way that cannot be referred as soup but watery, so there.

Masak - masak Melayu ~ Kangkung Belacan.

In this easy recipe you can opt to use real belacan or the powder one by Maggi. I used powder belacan to save trouble of roasting the real one over the fire.

Ingredients:
1. 1 stack of kangkung, get rid of the hard stem. You might consider slitting open the soft stem too. Using a pair of kitchen scissors help make life easier.
2. Garlic, 5 cloves, chopped fine
3. A handful of udang kering /dried shrimp, soaked in warm water, pounded
4. Oil, 2 tbs
5. Maggi belacan powder, 2 tbs (in picture) / 1 cm2 belacan, roasted till “fragrant” (no, it’s the opposite actually. It stinks…) then grounded
6. 1 red chili, chopped or pounded
7. Pinch of salt

Preparation:
1. Heat oil in wok, toss in dried shrimp, chili and garlic. Stir till fragrant, careful not to burn the garlic.
2. Toss in the kangkung and add the belacan (depending on how much you want actually). Stir till the vege wilt slightly.
3. Add salt in accordance. Off gas.

Too much belacan powder will make the dish bitter and salty at the same time, what more with the peculiar smell.

Indian Food: Anjappar Chettinad Restaurant

Status: Serve no pork.

Venue/landmark: AsiaCity, ground floor (G49, Asia City Complex, Asia City, Kota Kinabalu).

Time open – close:

Reservation:Available

Contact no.: 60 88 227969 , 484969

Website: http://www.anjapparborneo.com (An excellent reference)

Basic RM per meal: RM 10.00 (w/o tax)

A great place that serves Northern and Southern Indian cuisine on banana leaf. Not too spicy mind you so have a go at it. The atmosphere is very Indian, thanks to the music and deco featuring all the Indian stuccos decking up the wall, with the fusion of sleek Western furnish. They have extremely friendly manager and waiters explaining the menu through and through and with the expertise to recommend you the best out of the spread to suit your taste. Service is pleasantly good and the waiting for the food is worth it. Much recommended that the cuisines are enjoyed by using your own hands bared from the fork and spoon or you can never truly enjoy Indian food through this metal barrier (When you go to India, do as the Indian, or so to speak to match this article).

1. Aloo Paratha

Wheat bread stuffed with potato (aloo=potato). Pretty nice though I wish they are more generous with the potato. A nice combination would be with Butter Chicken, Palak Paneer or Mushroom Manchurian. Small portion (or is it just me?).

2. Cheese Naan

I think, being high class or slightly higher class doesn’t make your food taste any better than mamak’s. I still preferred Scenario’s with the dripping cheese instead of a scanty layer. But I suppose this is a healthier option. The taste and texture passed well, the cheese ample enough to tease your taste bud. Not very filling, the portion is too small for me (shrug).

3. Naan

The naan is fluffy and soft, served hot in its basket. Tore off a piece to dip into the Butter Chicken gravy before popping it into your mouth (I’m a Butter Chicken nuts, shrug). The sides are done nicely without being over – browned to let you enjoy some crispiness within the softness. Small portion (again…).

4. Chetinnad Chicken/lamb biriyani

I took the chicken one for dinner, and man it’s quite filling. They give you the thali bowl overflowed with rice with succulent chicken pieces and an egg embedded within to be upturned on your plate (the waiter was kind enough to do this for me to prevent a mess on the floor). To enjoy it to the max, please abandon your fork and spoon and mess your fingers scrapping the last piece of onion in mayo they provide along with the set. The mayo onion kind of compliment the spiced meal with a cooling effect (or maybe because it itself is cold, ^_^) with each mouthful. (Drink plenty of plain water after you’re done by the way. It helps. Finish off with a glass of mango lassi. Then you’re cool.)

5. Butter Chicken

Oh, my favourite dish. Creamy butter – and – tomato based gravy with succulent chicken pieces, a wonderful accompaniment for your bread. I kinda not like it with rice since the combined textures and taste don’t seem to agree with my palate. Non – spicy and non – greasy as the name may imply.

6. Chicken Korma
”Chicken cooked in a mild sauce of cream, yoghurt and cashew nuts.”

That was how it was described on their website. I quote since I’m not very sure of the Indian version of korma. So they use yogurt. Ok. No wonder I feel like the gravy texture is heavier. But it’s still nice, taken to accompany the banana leaf meal. Like curry but without the yellow / orange colour, non – spicy, a hint of sweetness and spice.

7. Anjappar Banana Leaf Regular Meal
Rice served on banana leaf, acoompanied with assorted gravies and vegetables, and rasam. Standard basic meal in any Indian eatery. The rice will be presented to you in a steel bowl and you can scoop out the amount you want onto your banana leaf. Very practical since there’s not much space left from the vegetables and gravy miniature bowls.

8. Palak Paneer

This dish consists of cottage cheese chunks in creamy spinach gravy. The cheese gives off a salty taste to compliment the tangy spinach taste of the gravy. I usually polish it off with plain or garlic naan.

9. Gobi / Mushroom Manchurian

Well, the menu describe it as something like an Indian version of Chinese cooking. That time I ordered the mushroom version instead of potato, and was presented with mushroom cooked with various spice to produce tangy, non – spicy dish that burst with flavor in your mouth. At first I intended to have it with my rice but we ended up polishing it off on its own.

10. Mango lassi

Claimed to be one of the best in town, it did not disappoint me with the sweet – sour flavor from the blended tropical flavor and fresh yogurt, served chilled.

11. Papaya lassi

There were times when mangoes are out of season so to replace their mango lassi, another tropical concoction is produced. If you like papaya, you will like this. It really reminds me of papaya yogurt; the thick texture and papaya taste, more sour than sweet. A change.

Bakery: Strawberry Bakery

Venue/landmark: Damai. Located at a large area comprising of shop houses and eateries including Tong Hing, Desa Supermarket, Coffee Bean, Pizza Hut, Burger King and Uncle Biscuit bakery.

How to look for it? Coming from another traffic light junction then this one is easier as you can just go straight after entering the left traffic light junction, you will see Strawberry Bakery on your right after a few meters only. Or better, find someone familiar with the area.

They offer bread loaves of different types, buns, pastries and cakes. The bread tends to expire before time so check daily for molds or store in fridge 2 days before due date. If you are looking for loaves with thick slices (at least 2 cm), here is one option for you.

1. Mini Cheese Tarts

Available in chocolate, blueberry and plain cheesy flavor, this mouth – bite size delights are my excuse to stop by whenever I passed the area for errands. The best are the plain ones and blueberry, the choc ones just so – so (suprisingly). The dough simply crumbles in your mouth and the cheese is in generous dollop.

2. 500g cheesecakes (birthday cakes)

A cake consisting of 2.5 cm thick of cheese layer over the sponge cake layer (which is a tad dry) with icings and oatmeal + cereals(?) sprinkles on the side . Available are plain cheese and blueberry cheese, topped with glazed fruits.

But for me, I still prefer Uncle Biscuit's cakes and Secret Recipe's cheese cakes to theirs.

Refreshment: Yong

Venue/landmark: somewhere in the same row of shophouses with Tong Hing Superstore and Rasa Nyonya, next to Sri Melati restaurant. Uh, I hope you understand my so - basic map.

Time open – close: 9.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m.

This is a fruit store actually, selling from a variety of fresh cut fruits and juices, home made pudding and yogurt, to a selection of fruits at an acceptable range prices. Among the selection offered are plums, all sorts of apples, mango especially the sweet Filipino mango, all sorts of oranges, dragonfruit (white and red) and the usuals (guava, papaya, grapes etc.). Certain fruits are available on seasons (Fuji apple, pears, cherries, mostly imported ones).The usual selections of cut fruits are watermelon (red and yelloyw), guava (white & pink flesh), papaya, mango, dragonfruit and apple. The rest are based on availability: peeled mini tangerine (usually near Chinese New Year), pomelo, kiwi etc. Also, for a start price of RM 30.00, they will help you assemble a fruit hamper from assorted fruits of your choice.

There is a small selections of vegetable but the mushrooms they have look absolutely fresh and gorgeous, among them enoki, button mushroom, oyster mushroom, shiitake and portabello.

Bakery: MultiBake Bakery

Venue/landmark: they are everywhere. Seems to be one of Sabah prominent bakery, aside from Southern. Among them, Centre Point, basement floor; KingFisher, neighbouring Giant; Damai, neighbouring Burger King; within AsiaCity area; Wisma Merdeka; 1Borneo, basement.

They have a selection of cakes and buns, and also offered sandwiches and light munchies such as Soup of the Day with 2 slices of garlic bread and spaghetti (“light” as in small portion). I particularly prefer Multibake to Southern due to the freshness of taste and look of the bread. Their bread loaves are replenished daily, and mind you, to finish it a day before the expiry date or risk breeding “green flowers” (even better, sometimes it occurred 2 days before expiry date). Take it in another light, it shows that the bread contains little – to – none preservatives.

1. Tiramisu

Be delicate as you spoon it to get the full layer of indulgence. The creamy texture alternating soft sponge layers with the mingling of coffee and chocolate flavor, topped with the sprinkle of caffeine is a whole cup of delight.

2. Panini Chicken

A simple bun with a slice of chicken ham and cheese, ask for re – heat to enjoy the melting cheese sensation in you mouth.

3. Assorted sandwiches

Pick your filling from tuna in mayonnaise to crabstick filling. Served in croissant with fresh lettuce, tomato and cucumber, it comes in combo and ala carte.

4. Soup of the Day

I like the asparagus cream soup the most as compared to mushroom and chicken, but I find the accompanying 2 meager, dry slices of garlic bread as a slight off beat. Serving size is about Pizza Hut’s.

Refreshment: Secret Recipe

Venue/landmark: Warisan Square; Palm Square (level 4), CentrePoint; 1Borneo Hypermall, ground floor to the right of Dome

Time open – close

Contact no.:

Basic RM per meal: RM 7.00

For us who came from big cities in Peninsular, this is the name that brings back sweet delightful memories of creamy cheese cakes and lovely chocolate cakes enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea. But to few, you might find the following fact devastating; they no longer serve Raspberry Cheese and Amaricano!!! I was told by a sympathetic clerk these 2 are no longer flown over to Sabah with unknown reasons.

Anyway, putting that aside there are still other choices like their simply wonderful walnut brownie with vanilla ice cream, Blueberry Cheese, Oreo Cheese, Choc Cheese and Chocolate Mud, to name a few to soothe your sweet tooth. Also drop by during lunch hour or onwards and enjoy sumptuous meals of Asian fusion concept and Western menu. For the health – conscious ones, the latest to be offered are their healthy grain cheese cake and sugar free chocolate cake.

Cakes and pastries are available for take – away, and also for special occasions (birthday, anniversary etc) in 1 kg bulk, available usually on reservation.

1. Walnut brownie with vanilla ice cream

This lovely piece of chocolate – topped dessert may be ordered without the ice – cream, though it is not advisable to do so unless you prefer a less sweet option. It’s best to go with a tall, full glass of cold creamy milk for the heightened sensation.

2. Choc Cheese

This is a wonderful combination of chocolate and cheese topped with melted chocolate that melts in your mouth. Not to be taken after a heavy meal to enable full appreciation of its splendour. Lovely to the last bit of the adorning cream.

3. Oreo Cheese

This white piece with crunchy Oreo within creamy texture of cheese is a perfect delight for tea or finishing supper (not advisable for your waistline though). Have it with milk, it is just like having your favourite Oreo dunked in milk on a different texture plane.

Italian & Spanish: Tuscany

CAUTION: SERVES ALCOHOL / COOKING CONTAINS ALCOHOL

Status: Serve no pork / serve alcohol

Venue/landmark: Waterfront Explanade, opposite CentrePoint. Pay – parking.

Basic RM per meal: RM 20.00 (w/o tax)

Ah… another place that I found the interior delightfully classic. It is a small diner with the grayish brick walls, hanging plants, wood table tops with accompanying metal – back chairs, the open counter overlooking the kitchen, lively music and comfortable atmosphere. Above the kitchen is another eating area. Opt for sitting outside if you want to enjoy the night sea breeze and starry sky.

As usual, Muslims be weary and inquire in detail of your dish preparations since here without exception alcohol is included in the ingredients. Be specific about it and tell the waiter to note down to opt out the alcohol in the preparation.

Other Italian food posts:

• Little Italy
• Pizza Ria

Italian: Little Italy

CAUTION: SERVES ALCOHOL / COOKING CONTAINS ALCOHOL

Venue/landmark: Just below Capital Hotel, with Wisma Merdeka on the opposite side, and Esso petrol station nearby in Kota Kinabalu city.
Time open – close:
Reservation: available
Contact no.: 088 - 232231

Basic RM per meal: RM 20.00 (w/o tax)

As the name implies, this place serves superb Italian spread. With red brick wall, open pizza kitchen from where delicious smell wafted, low reddish lighting and light atmosphere, it feels classic; you will fall into relaxed mode and chat freely with your crowd. Smokers’ area is outside facing the street so I suppose you’ll have 2 sources of air pollution here…

Come especially near Christmas and the place will steep up the festive mood with decorations of Christmas tree and cotton snows and hanging socks etc. Just remember to call for reservation during festive seasons as the crowd can really overflow the place.

The waiters are friendly and courteous, you can inquire in detail for everything in the menu . Since some dishes are prepared with alcohol as one of the ingredients especially pastas with cream sauce, those who are Muslim better be weary and inquire on this. You can ask the waiter note down to exempt the alcohol from the preparations.


1. Bruschetta
This is one of my favourite appetizers. It consists of slices of French bread about 1.5 cm thick, topped with generous amount of diced tomato seasoned with olive oil, vinegar and herbs. Tantalizingly sour to wake your taste buds for the main course and just enough to not completely fill you up. Grind a dash of black pepper and a sprinkle of cheese for extra zest! Oh yeah, for extra RM 5.00, they will add slices of smoked salmon onto it which I personally like since I love sashimi ^_^

Price: RM 6.90 (+ RM 5.00 for smoked salmon)



2. Zuppa di mare
A savory, tomato based soup with generous amount of clams, mussels, prawns, calamari strips and fish served with 2 slices of crisp garlic bread, this makes an “umph!” starter. Opt for serving with spaghetti added in and you will have a filling main course.

Price: RM 18.90 (+ RM 2.00 with spaghetti)



3. Pasta:

• Ravioli with mushroom served in salmone sauce I am a huge fan of mushroom so this is my favourite. Like the name implies, it’s pasta with mushroom filling (like mini curry – puff I guess). The sauce is based of salmon strips, artichoke and dill paste, very creamy and non – spicy. Artichoke is something like onion – looking but taste like tofu skin with texture of mushroom. A note on this: eat while served hot since the sauce become curd - like when cold so toss it with some black pepper when it gets cold to make it less sickening and dash some Tabasco if you want extra zest.
  

Price: RM 19.90



4. Pizza: their pizza crust is really nice, crisp edges and well – browned by the stone oven. Watch them prepare it with jest; I just couldn’t take my eyes off it (or maybe it was the cute chef). But they probably think you’re nuts anyway if you hang at the counter overlooking the pizza kitchen too long. Aside from what I had below there are others. You can also opt to create your own toppings.

a. Margherita: a simple tomato and cheese topped pizza for vegetarian.

b. ai Quattro formaggi: 3 types of cheese as toppings. There are mixed taste to this; salty, slightly sour – ish and sweet, all combined together but distinct in a bite. Warning; do not take with cream – based stuff unless you’re a cheese freak because I guarantee that you’ll feel sick later unless you’re having lemonade as your drink.

c. pollo e funghi: ah, this one is fresh mushroom and chicken and cheese, lovely with a dash of black pepper and Tabasco.


Price: RM 17.90


5. Lemonade
Oh I love their lemonade! Sour and refreshing, to be taken especially when having the cheese – based sauce. I dunno why but I find that too much cheese gives me a bad after – taste even though I love cheese. They have large and regular glass, the large ones especially served in bottle – like glasses. I think they serve about 500 ml for large ones.

Other Italian food posts:

• Tuscany
• Pizza Ria

Bakery: Uncle Biscuit Bakery

Venue/landmark: Damai. Located at a large area comprising of shop houses and eateries including Tong Hing, Desa Supermarket, Coffee Bean, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Pizza Ria and Strawberry Bakery.

How to look for it? Depends from which side are your entering the area. If you happen to enter at a junction facing Coffee Bean and Burger King, then just go straight pass the MultiBake bakery on your left until you reach Uncle Biscuit Bakery on your left side, at the end of the shop lot. If you are coming from another traffic light junction then this one is easier as you can just go straight after entering the left traffic light junction, pass Strawberry Bakery on your right and straight towards the same small roundabout where you can see Pizza Ria just on the northwest of it, then take the right roundabout junction to go slightly further. The bakery is easily identified by its purple paint.

Parking is a bit difficult here especially during peak hours. Going at lunch time, especially through Lintas – For Sang rout is not advisable if you’re dropping by just for a cake.

They offer lovely cakes available in single piece, or a whole of 500 g and 1 kg. Aside from cakes, they also have assorted fresh bread and buns and also plain, baked cheese cakes.

Reservation is available but not by phone since upon ordering you’ll have to pay the deposit.

Time open – close:

Contact no.: 088 – 272952

E – mail: unclebiscuit@hotmail.com

My favourites:

1. Chocolate Mousse

I fell in love after my first time sampling. It has a wonderful pudding – like texture, topped with melted chocolate and strawberry. Recommended for birthday and celebration; the whole cake will be elaborately decorated with lovely chocolate swirls and strawberries.

Price: RM 4.50 per piece; RM 28.00 (500 g)

2. Mango Mousse

Mild sweet mango flavor, recommended if you are having a heavy main course as the texture and flavor are less overwhelming. The mousse portion is layered with soft chiffon cake, topped with gelatin and assorted fruits or cut mango. You may request your topping of choice upon ordering (cut mango/assorted fruits, I personally recommend the assorted fruits as a much appealing choice).

Price: RM 4.50 per piece, RM 29.00 (500g)

3. Strawberry Tart

This is light cream sponge cake with strawberry and yogurt filling, topped with glazed fresh strawberry. The cream is light and edible and does not taste like the cheap tacky cream used by some bakery, with chopped nuts coating the side surface. A very pretty cake, sweet for anniversaries and romantic occasions.

Price: RM 4.50 per piece, RM 29.00 (500g)

4. Opera Cake

Chocolate with hints of coffee flavor, with elaborate presentation and square in shape, a twist of difference compared to others. The cake comes in layers of sponge and rich cream. A tad too heavy if you are having it after a big meal.

Price: RM 4.50 per piece, RM 29.00 (500g)

Sabah: Traveling preparation

Here in Sabah, with its warm climate, temperature can reach 30 degree at times, plus the humidity will add up furthermore to your discomfort. While some people will tan up nice and brown, some unfortunate ones will end up with sunburns and peeled skin. So here are some stuff that you should keep in check prior going to any tropical areas with lots of sun.

• Sun – block lotion
• Loose, light – coloured cotton garments. Set aside one extra pair
• Garments that do not need ironing, pressing or dry – cleaning
• Enough underwear to cover at least 3 days (if you wash) plus extra pairs for rainy seasons
• Sanitary pads to last 3 / traveling days, the rest can be bought in the area (unless you are going somewhere unbelievably rural or jungle deep)
• Toiletries: basic like tooth brush, small bottle of liquid soap, shampoo and facial cleanser, toner and moisturizer, deodorant
• Small towel just nice for toweling after shower, but hotels usually would provide one.
• Prescriptions of malarial and diarrhea prophylaxis, or anything relevant to the area you are visiting. Consult your GP.
• Vaccination. Again, consult your GP
• Do a quick research on the area: climate, diseases, customs, maps, cuisine etc
  
  

Have a nice trip!

What to do when you have diarrhea during travel…

When you go to places you’re not used to, especially due to their food and your own lack of hygiene practice, diarrhea (or traveler’s diarrhea, the way your doctor refers to it. Or you might be having food poisoning too, which is even worse) is likely to occur. So when it hits you, there are a few simple things that can be done here.

**Note: diarrhea is defined as when you have frequent passage of loose watery stool. Sometimes there might be mucus (slimy stuffs) and blood in the stool, cramped feeling or discomfort in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, and fever (seldom to rare).

First, while you still have not gone to the nearest local clinic, between the times of toilet visit,

• Drink plenty of fluid, preferably clean water, or fruit juice. Avoid caffeine.
  
• Soft and watery diet: porridge, bread, soup. Go lean on vegetable, protein and dairy products.
  
• Avoid spicy, oily food.
  
• Rest
  
• Wash hands properly with soap after using the toilet.
  
• Keep stock of toilet paper in your traveling kit
  
• Trace back what and where you’ve eaten prior to the onset, since the doctor may find this useful (there are certain endemic strain which is localized in certain area)
  
• Any swimming or contacts with river?
  
• Trace who else is having the same problem since it can be contagious.
  

When you see your GP / doctor, they will likely give the same advice as above plus medication of course. Do not delay seeing one as diarrhea, simple as it may seems, can cause (severe) dehydration without proper attention especially in children.

Signs of dehydration may include:

• Dry lips, tongue and skin
• Feeling thirsty
• Palpitation (rapid heart beat)
• Dizziness (and sometimes, fainting)
• Cold, clammy skin (moderate to severe)
• Rapid, weak pulse (severe)
• Disoriented (severe)
• In young children: crying without tears, sunken eyes
  

So whenever you reach a new town find out the nearest GP clinic t your accommodation. There are some foreign GPs in Kota Kinabalu city but most local doctors too are proficient in English so language should not be a problem. It’s not necessarily for attacks of “the runs”, you may have other problems too like malaria or dengue. If you have your own prescription, looking out for a pharmacy or stocking up prior travel is another option.

Others;

• Hygiene: hand washing with soap
• Check the hygiene of the eatery, try to take a peek at their kitchen if you can (usually this can be an appetite killer too). The city council grades cleanliness of a premise by the grade A,B and C so check for it in any place you choose to eat.
• Be cautious when picking up a place for eating seafood
• Eat hot, freshly prepared food.
• Drink boiled water or bottled ones.
• Canned food and drinks are safer options when you are stranded in a remote area.
• Fruits that need to be peeled off is better option than the readily chopped up ones exposed to the air
• Some vaccines are available for certain disease so check up with your GP prior traveling to tropical areas
  

Have a nice trip!