Between classes, huiswerk, travels, countless visits, rugpijn and anxiety, I managed to spent some time to continue exploring my culinary skills in the kitchen. I tried making Asian foods as much as I can – not out of homesickness, but to re-create the flavors that are already familiar to me. And the fun part is I get to be my own food critic, comparing my creations to my food memories from Asia. After all, you can’t thoroughly and carefully review dishes you’ve never tasted before, right?
So here are my top 5 home-cooked dishes so far:
Malaysian Nasi Lemak
My first homemade nasi lemak in the Netherlands was a triumph. The sambal, which is the heart and soul of the dish, turned out perfectly. The whole dish tasted just like of those famous nasi lemak you can find in the street in Kuala Lumpur.
Rating: Definitely 5/5
p/s I’m incredibly proud of recreating this iconic Malaysian dish from scratch. I think I even shed a tear when I took the first bite.
Kedgeree with Mackerel
I followed a recipe from Koken met Karin [zonder pakjes & zakjes], Kedgeree met Makrel on page 90. Contrary to my initial believe, this classic Anglo-Indian dish was surprisingly easy to make. This delightful fusion somehow remind me of Indonesian/Malaysian nasi goreng.
Rating: 3.8/5
Shrimp and Spinach Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
With shrimp, baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, unsalted butter, herbs and of course, spaghetti, this dish was a breeze to whip up. Who can resist the charm of a little piece of Italy from their own kitchen anyway?
Rating: 5/5
Stir-fried Baby Spinach with Garlic
So what do you do with your baby spinach if you happen to have a lot of them in your fridge? You stir fried them good with fresh garlic (and adding mixed seafood for an extra twist). I promise you it’s a delicious, healthy and aromatic dish that’ll leave you craving more with every bite.
Rating: 4.2/5
Dry Thai Red Curry Chicken
Far from the authentic taste, but this dish was still quite satisfying. I swapped green beans for carrots and bell pepper (out of my sheer laziness to grocery shop) and used the Sum & Sam Thaise rode curry pasta. Then I enjoyed it like a true Asian – with steamed white rice topped with fried eggs.
Rating: 3.9/5
Reflecting on my culinary journey so far, I feel a sense of accomplishment. Rating my own dishes provided a validation I didn’t even realize I needed. The funny thing is, while doing this, I can almost hear my mother and sister critiquing my dishes for not using enough herbs and/or salt or for substituting ingredients. I actually wish they were here to rate my cooking – I’d love to hear their critical feedback.
Cooking familiar dishes is like a heartfelt conversation with home; each bite brings back cherished memories and a sense of belonging, no matter how far you are.
crossroadschronicles
![[2024] The Highs, Lows and Everything In Between – Crossroads Chronicles Avatar](https://crossroadschronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cropped-cropped-cc_logo_canva_editable.png?w=40){kind=logo}
CROSSROADS CHRONICLES 
Plaats een reactie