Tanghulu, a traditional Chinese snack, has a rich history tracing back to the Song Dynasty. Originally made from hawthorn berries, it was known as “bingtanghulu” and was popular for its sweet and sour taste. Over time, the recipe evolved to include various fruits such as strawberries, grapes, and kiwi, coated in a crispy layer of hardened sugar syrup.
The name “tanghulu” is derived from the Chinese words “tang” meaning sugar and “hulu” meaning bottle gourd, due to the traditional use of long sticks resembling bottle gourds for skewering the fruit. This beloved treat has become an iconic part of Chinese culture, often enjoyed during festive occasions like the Lantern Festival. Its enduring popularity has also led to modern variations, including savoury tanghulu with ingredients like cherry tomatoes and meatballs, ensuring its continuing relevance in today’s culinary landscape.
Perhaps toffee apples are the western version of candied fruits as I first knew about them from the Peter and Jane books.
My daughter requested tanghulu today. So I went on Instagram to find tips on how to make them. The recipe was simple. You need a 2 to 1 ratio of white sugar to water. Then heat it up to a certain temperature but if you don’t have the fancy kitchen thermometer, one Instagrammer suggested dipping a stick into the melted sugar, then put the stick into iced water and see if it creates a nice crust. The boiled sugar should also turn into a beautiful brown. I made a few sticks of mini Tanghulu because they are sweet and my kids would have no self control if I made them too big and too much. My Tanghulu was a success and I plan to bring it to our farewell party this Friday.
Cromboloni is a fusion of a croissant and the bombolini doughnut. It went viral around the world through the power of TikTok. I love croissants but am not a fan of bombolini because of the stuffed cream.
Last Thursday, I took leave. I know, it was too early for a leave as we stepped into the new year. I applied for it because I needed to sort out my mess from the end of 2023. In the final weeks of 2023, the medical officers received news that we will have another Family Medicine specialist on board. So, naturally, some of us had to clear our rooms. That meant me and my colleague who shared one.
I cleared my desk. Took out the things I pinned onto my soft board. Took out my files and folders from the drawers. Everything. I did not have the mental stamina to sort it out straight after that week because I was going on an anniversary holiday and had been putting off the sorting process for a while. Hence, I did just that during my recent leave.
Before doing that, I needed a good breakfast. So, I headed to Richiamo Coffee at Ayer Keroh. I used to get the salted egg croissant for my husband here. He loves it. For this visit, I got myself a chicken lasagna, a rolled Danish pastry and iced chocolate. To my dismay, the coffee machine was broken. I was so disappointed but I didn’t want to wait for GIGI coffee to open at Mydin because it would take me another hour. I initially wanted to go to Kopi Mesin, another coffee house at Ayer Keroh but contrary to its opening time at 9am as mentioned on Instagram – they actually start at 0930am. Urghh.. why can’t these cafes open early? So I settled with Richiamo Coffee.
As I was staring at my meal, I realized that I had ordered a potential crombolini. It is after all rolled Danish pastry. Only the one I had did not have a filling and topping. But if I took it home and did all that on my own – I would actually have a cromboloni. I’ll even make it stand. I was amused at the thought and wondered if I started telling my friends about this – what would their take be. But let’s not do that and make Richiamo suffer. Let the cafe patrons figure it out themselves.
Rainbow bread is a vibrant and colourful type of bread created by adding food colouring to the dough. It features a swirl of bright hues, resembling a rainbow. Popular for celebrations, it can be made with different bread types and enjoyed as a novelty treat or for making sandwiches. Rainbow bread has gained popularity through social media for its visually appealing and playful nature.
I bought my rainbow bread from the Family Store because my daughter loves the colours. I finished the whole loaf before it expired because she just wanted two slices for the week. I had it with pistachio cashew spread I bought from Shopee - it is a brand called Love Earth Organic. This is ahem, a Malaysian brand. I also got a bottle of mushroom seasoning and coconut sugar from the online store. I use the seasoning in my fried rice and dishes with soup. More often in Chinese inspired recipes. As for the coconut sugar, I would use it in my coffee.
Coconut sugar is said to have a lower glycaemic index compared to refined sugar. This means that there will be a slow and more gradual rise in blood sugar levels making it a favourable option for people with diabetes or wanting to go on a calorie deficit diet. It also has nutrients like iron, zinc and calcium. I personally love the rich, caramel-like flavour with a hint of coconut to it. This adds on the unique taste to my coffee.
I am glad I did not give in to the whispers of Shaytan that week. I almost cancelled my hotel room booking because I was tired, feeling melancholic and not in the mood to celebrate. In short, I just hated everybody that week. However, wise men say, never to make rash decisions when angry or feeling under the weather. Just go through the storm and hold on to the decision of going for that mini staycation regardless of how you feel. That was what I did and boy, the experience was rewarding.
I actually made the booking on Agoda.com in October. I had no idea that my husband was due for a work transfer back to his hometown. He didn’t know as well. This explains why I opted to check out before New Year’s Day because Johor is not on holiday on January 1st. Turns out his transfer was confirmed in November and he could now enjoy an extra day off on the 1st of Jan.
Riviera Suites is located at Pulau Besar. I booked a Deluxe King Suite for 3D2N at a total of RM 572.07 tax and service fee. The rate includes breakfast for two, Free WIFI and parking. Kids eat at RM12 per pax for breakfast with a reasonable option of food. The hotel requires an additional RM100 for the deposit and RM4 for the tourist tax. Later I noted that there is another hotel just opposite ours called Kaizen Hotel & Suites. I will consider staying there in the future.
A mini room tour – muted
Our room was huge. My husband slept on the sofa whilst me and the kids used the king-sized bed. The hallway was a good stretch and according to my husband, was quite eerie at night because he thought someone was standing in the shadows. He decided to switch on the hallway lights later on because he felt uneasy. The air conditioning was cooling. The bathroom interestingly was a bit small in comparison to the size of the whole room. The shower gel is provided. If only they had a water dispenser - that would be great because the boiled water tasted funny. There is a mini fridge in the cabinet area that is good for our icy drinks. We played movies on the projector my husband brought along for this trip and displayed it on the very big wall. This hotel has an indoor pool but due to hygiene concerns, we didn’t bring the kids there to swim. Apparently, there is also a fitness centre but I did not go to explore it.
Even the lift is pretty
Breakfast was at Riviera Cafe situated just beside the hotel. It sported a dainty look and the breakfast spread was acceptable for the price we paid for. There was a queue for the eggs and waffles. The kuetiow, fried noodles and chicken curry were exceptional. They should keep the chef and give the chef a raise. I missed my own coffee though because the ones they served tasted different.
It is easy to find food at night because Selat Avenue is just down the lane. It transforms into a really beautiful, vibrant place at night. Almost like being in a European country like Italy with beautiful lights, external decor, flowers and a general setting. On our first night there, we had the shawarma at Damascus Gate. On the second night, we enjoyed pizza and ice cream at Gelato Cabana. We don’t have a big gastro capacity so we just strolled along the food stalls at the avenue while soaking in the hipster vibe of the area.
Pretty flowers outside the hotel lobby
Kids posing with the dad
Dinner at Gelato Cabana Riviera
A delicious selection of gelato
All in all, it was a great 13th wedding anniversary getaway and I look forward to visiting Pulau Besar more often this year.
Shawarma is made by layering marinated meat, such as chicken or beef, on a vertical rotisserie. As the meat slowly cooks and rotates, it absorbs the flavours of the marinade and becomes tender and juicy. The layers of meat are then thinly sliced and served in a variety of ways, often wrapped in a flatbread and accompanied by a range of condiments and toppings. It is a dish that combines various elements harmoniously.
In life, finding balance and practising moderation is crucial for overall well-being and success. Just as shawarma incorporates a variety of ingredients in appropriate proportions, we need to strive for balance in different areas of our lives. By practising moderation, we can avoid burnout, maintain healthy boundaries, and ensure that our actions align with our values and priorities. Of course, this is not easy when it comes to intrusion from external parties and other surrounding factors. Thus, this is when one needs to learn to say NO and put themselves first before others.
Apply for that work leave. Treasure the weekend. Spend more time with the family at any chance you get.
We discovered a great Shawarma place recently and we don’t even have to go to Bukit Bintang for it. The place is called Damascus Gate Melaka. It is located at Pulau Besar near the beautiful and colourful setup of Selat Avenue. This place is so lively and out of the world at night. You really need to be there to know what I mean. If only the local council could make the nearby areas equally vibrant so that it could churn more economic opportunities in Pulau Besar. There were so many abandoned projects that I felt could have been repurposed for something else. Surely, someone could make a pitch to money-laden investors.
This is the Shawarma Beef Meal
Shawarma Beef Rice
Lamb Cheesy Kebab
We ordered a shawarma beef rice (RM22), a shawarma beef meal(RM20), lamb cheesy kebab(RM37) and a kunafa(RM15). Alongside 3 fruit juices at RM11 each- watermelon, orange and apple. The total was RM139.70 including a 10% service charge. The portion was adequate. The beef was juicy and well-marinated. I loved the rice and yoghurt dip a lot. They were so flavourful. The restaurant also has a great song playlist. The kind of song that makes you want to just shake the hips and belly dance like Shakira.
We went there at 630pm and by the time we finished our meal – the day had gotten dark and the surrounding place looked so beautiful and cute. It’s definitely an astounding place to go for a photography session as the place looked foreign and chic.
Minci Moss 