Wednesday, December 12, 2012

FOOD: MALAYSIAN INDIAN CUISINE


HELLO READERS!!!


Malaysian Indian cuisine of the ethnic Indians in Malaysiais similar to its roots in India, especially South India although there are many notable foods with influences from North India too. Before the meal it is customary to wash hands as cutlery is often not used while eating, with the exception of a serving spoon for each respective dish. This cuisine consists of curries which uses a lot of spices, coconut milk, and curry leaves. Some of the most popular curries include chicken curry, fish curry, and squid curry.




  







  






In banana leaf rice, white rice (or parboiled rice in authentic South Indian restaurants) is served on a banana leaf with an assortment of vegetables,curried meat or fish, pickles, and/or papadum. To show your appreciation after a satisfying meal, fold the banana leaf towards you (i.e. inwards) to signify that the meal was good. Folding the opposite direction (i.e. upwards/away from you) signifies that the meal was not satisfying and Chapati is a type of bread originated from Punjab. It is made from a dough of
atta flour (whole grain durum wheat), water and salt by rolling the dough out into discs of approximately twelve centimeters in diameter and browning the discs on both sides on a very hot, dry tava or frying pan (preferably not one coated with Teflon or other nonstick material). Chapatis are usually eaten with vegetable curry dishes, and pieces of the chapati are used to wrap around and pick up each bite of the cooked dish.

Indian influence in Malaysian cuisine started in the 19th century when large arrivals of Indian migrants were brought into the country as contract laborers to work in rubber estates and on the railways. Some did take the opportunity to set up trade in the textile and
food industry. Indian cuisine can be divided into two mainstreams, Northern and Southern Indian cuisine.North Indian cuisine boasts of a diet rich in meat and uses spices and ingredients such as yogurt and ghee in dishes that are elaborate without being overly
spicy. Here, bread and chapati (wheat-flour pancakes) replaces rice, which is the center of most South Indian meals. Coconut milk, mustard seeds, and chilies are also widely used in the Southern province.Spices are the heart and soul of Indian cooking. But the
quantity and proportions vary with the geographical boundaries. Curry powder is almost never used. Spices are freshly grounded and added in many different combinations. Spices commonly used are coriander, turmeric, cumin, chilies, fennel, and fenugreek
. Other fragrant spices added are cardamom, clove, cinnamon and star aniseed.In Malaysia, there is an abundant of Indian restaurants and food stalls to wet your appetite. They are traditionally served on a thali, a circular metal tray on which a number of small
bowls called katori, also made from metal, are placed. Eaten with fingers, rice or bread are placed directly on the thali while curries and other dishes are served in the bowls. For South Indian cuisine, banana leaves are often used as plates where rice is served in
the center, followed by various curries and accompaniments around it. These include dried fish, pappadams (lentil wafers), fresh chutneys made from herbs, coconut, and acid fruits among others.Local Indian hawkers have created unique versions of local dishes, which are not found in India. For example, "mee goreng" is a combination of fresh Chinese yellow noodles, tofu, bean-sprouts, and dried shrimp paste. Malaysia also abounds with shops offering "Nasi Kandar", which is basically a combination of Malay and
Indian cuisine - hence very Malaysian - although the taste is
most meals in North Indian cuisine. Therefore, a wide variety of bread is offered at these restaurants. Nann (leavened bread with poppy seeds) is a popular choice. The bread dough is rolled out and then slapped on the inside of the tandoori, near the top where it
cooks very quickly in the fierce heat. It is then flavored with onion or garlic. Paratha or it's localized version of Roti Canai, meanwhile, is rich, flaky, and flavored with ghee. It can be eaten as an accompaniment or by itself, filled with potatoes and peas. Chapati is
another leavened bread. It resembles flat discs and has a delightful flavor and chewy texture. Murtabak is stuffed Paratha based dough, which has a Meat, vegetables and egg in it. Tandoori dishes are the most popular main courses in North Indian restaurants.
Tandoori chicken is always a favorite, where a whole baby chicken or chicken quarters are roasted in the clay oven for several hours in advance and then finished off on the barbecue.








Regards,
Surendran R






ARTICLE: INDIAN TALENT DANCER COME TO MALAYSIA


HELLO READERS!!!





Kalaignar TV’s Manada Mayilada which is well known reality show which is spotted with unique sets is all set to entertain the viewers with a grand finale. This show is directed by Kala master. Manada Mayilada season 7 grand finals will be held on 8th September at Malaysia Melawati Arangam.
As per the sources, Tapsee Pannu and comedy king Vivek will be the special guests of Manada Mayilada season 7 in Malaysia. The two stars are going to rock the show in Malaysia and it will be a great day for the Malaysian peoples.
The show has now the top four contestants performing in the finals of
Manada Mayilada. Several noted actors and actresses will be a part of

this finale. Khushboo, dance master Kala and Namitha are the judges of this popular dance show. Bobby and Swarna are the title winners of Manada Mayilada.Gokul and Tamilarasan, who always surprise the viewers, were too performing in the live show of Maanada Mayilada Season 7.Bobby and Swarna adopted a folk and western hip hop dance style incorporating a new idea by making a performance with an overhead projection in Maanada Mayilada Season 7 (MM7).Bobby was co-ordinated with 7 other dancers and his spontaneous costume change during his dance was commendable.



Regards,
Surendran R

ARTICLE: WHY DON'T CAMELS HAVE DIABETES OR BLOOD PRESSURE?


HELLO READERS!!!





Camels are known for their humps, which store fat and allow camels to survive long periods of time without food or water. But camels have also developed other traits like insulin resistance and salt tolerance to help them feel more at home in extreme environments. Scientists are now working to determine what these adaptations look like on the genetic level, and they hope their result published in Nature Communications this week, may eventually shed some light on metabolism-related diseases in humans, too.


The dwindling global population of wild bactrian camels, which now number between 730 and 880 individuals, resides in the Gobi desert of northwestern China and southwestern Mongolia. The domestic relatives of this critically endangered species have long been used as a reliable form of transportation in the region.


In order to deal with the dramatic swings in temperature in desert environments, bactrian camels have developed some unique adaptations. Bactrian camels have blood sugar levels twice as high as other cud-chewing creatures, and their daily salt intake is eight times greater than that of a typical cow or sheep. The really impressive part is that the camels don’t develop high blood pressure or diabetes in the process.


These adaptations have been studied for decades, but what made this particular study unique was that researchers were looking at the adaptations on a genetic rather than physiological level. Researchers mapped the genomes of both wild and domestic bactrian camels, and analyzed the divergence of the two genomes over time. According to their results, many of the camels’ genetic adaptations have occurred rapidly, as far as evolutionary adaptations go.


The researchers also identified the genes and pathways associated with the camel’s unique ability to store and produce energy, the first step to better understanding the genetic mechanisms that have allowed the camels to thrive in the desert. By studying the genetic pathways that allow camels to avoid metabolism-related diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, the researchers hope their findings will also provide some cross0ver into the realm of human medicine by improving their genetic understanding of these conditions in people.

Regards,
Surendran R