Have I Done Enough
This is a question many families like myself who live overseas would be familiar with and will ask themselves frequently: have I done enough? This is especially when it comes [...]
Simple and easy oven baked curry puffs
Simple oven baked curry puffs I hope you guys had a wonderful long weekend. Over the Easter long weekend, my children were busy preparing for gatherings with their friends and [...]
The Taboo subject with your parents and when is a good time to discuss it
I am not sure how your relationship with your parents may be and whether you are in a position to discuss or converse about anything and everything with them. If [...]
When the international borders are closed and your loved ones need you
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have witnessed a lot of changes worldwide. One of them in particular is the lock down of international boarders in most countries, which means [...]
Pungat and Bubur Cha cha, are they similar?
Photo courtesy of my cousin Gunn Kean Keat Pungat or Pengat is how we call this Nyonya dessert in Penang. It is usually eaten on the final day of Chinese [...]
Chap Goh Meh
Chinese New Year marks the beginning of spring and it is also to welcome the lunar-new year; the Chinese New Year celebration goes on for fifteen days. On the fifteen [...]
Our childhood dishes are one of most powerful connectors to our heritage
For the past many months, since the pandemic lock down, it is wonderful to see so many very good home cooks sharing their creations on social media. While going through [...]
How to communicate and connect with your loved ones during the pandemic
The new way of connecting during the pandemic It has been a while since I last wrote... I hope you are well. I was reading through some of the articles [...]
Happy Chinese New Year 2021 – The Year of the Ox!
Happy New Year - The Year of the Ox! Chinese New Year’s day, 農曆新年的第一天 or 初一 ) this year falls on Friday, 12th February 2021. I would like to wish [...]
Chinese New Year and the symbolism of the Steamboat
A steamboat dinner or reunion meal for my family is traditionally held on Chinese New Year's Eve. It is one of the most important meals for family members as they [...]
How to keep up the Chinese New Year traditions with your young family living in a new country?
Traditions travel with people, and as we are gearing up for the Chinese New Year 2020, as Chinese families living away from their own families, are we still keeping up [...]
New Year Update from Nyonyalicious
Once again, Happy New Year. I hope you had a wonderful break with your family and are now back to some routine and work . I know it has not [...]
Wishing you and family a safe and joyful new year 2021
What a year it has been... and with a blink of an eye, it is that time of year again. We are bidding year 2020 goodbye and welcoming in year [...]
Glutinous Rice Balls (Kuih Ee)
Glutinous Rice Balls Making Kuih Ee (Tang Yuan or 汤圆), or in English - Glutinous Rice Balls, was one of the highlights of the many festivities we celebrate [...]
Wishing you and family a safe Christmas
I hope you are keeping safe and well. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a blessed and safe Christmas. It has been a [...]
What is Gula Melaka?
Gula Melaka or Palm sugar is an integral ingredient in Asian cooking. The terms "palm sugar" or "coconut palm sugar", are often used interchangeably, even though each type of palm [...]
I would love to hear from you
I hope you and your family are well and safe. Just a heads up, if you are experiencing any disruption on the Nyonyalicious site, I am currently in the [...]
Malaysian Coffee
Malaysian coffee is known as "kopi" in Malaysia. The local "kopi" is normally served in the local coffee shop or known locally as Kopitiam. "Kopi" is local language for coffee [...]
Penang famous biscuits – Tau Sar Pniah and Tambun Pniah part 2
Photo credit @Soon Hiang Penang If you are from Malaysia or have travelled to Malaysia, you will know that Tau Sar and Tambun biscuits are popular biscuits in Malaysia, particularly [...]
Dried shrimp relish
Spicy dried shrimp relish If you love porridge, especially plain rice porridge, this is the dish that I would highly recommend you want to have with your porridge. This dish [...]
Happy Mid Autumn Festival
Moon cake is made with rich pastry and lotus seed paste, traditionally eaten during the mid autumn festival Wishing you and your family a happy Mid-Autumn Festival. The Mid-Autumn Festival [...]
Happy Father’s Day
Happy Father's Day Wishing all fathers, stepfathers, fathers-in-law, guardians (e.g. foster parents), and family friends who have been a father figure to any child on a very Happy Father's Day [...]
Our brand new kaffirlime leaf powder
Kaffir lime, or Citrus Hystrix (scientific name), is a citrus fruit native to tropical Southeast Asia. Both its fruit and leaves are used extensively in Asian cuisine, as well as [...]
Our childhood dishes – Nostalgia is the word!
What does food represent for you? If you have watched the most recent Masterchef Australia, you would have seen judge Melissa Leong was moved to tears with Poh's Malaysian Curry [...]
How can we remain connected and share our love with our family, friends and community during this time of social distancing?
I hope all of you are well and safe. It has been a very crazy few weeks, and today I can finally sit down to pen a note to all [...]
Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother's Day Mother’s day is a day to honour all the mums, step mum, grandmothers, all foster mums and the influences of mums all over the world. Will you [...]
Refer a friend initiatives
I have an exciting news to share. First, I would like to thank all my amazing supporters of Nyonyalicious for loving and sharing our Flavours of Penang products. Truly from [...]
Introducing our new Little Nyonya range of Vegetarian Pastes
I am so excited!! Our new vegetarian range of pasteshave just arrived! Currently we have 4 flavours for this range - Curry Chicken, Rendang, Penang White Curry Mee and Nyonya [...]
Australia Day
The tradition of having Australia Day as a national holiday on 26 January is a recent one. Not until 1935 did all the Australian states and territories use that name [...]
Happy Chinese New Year 2020 – the year of the rat!
Chinese New Year 25th January 2020 The year of the rat Wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year. How are you celebrating Chinese New Year this year? As for my [...]
Dried anchovies and its many uses
Anchovies are also known as Ikan bilis in Malaysian. Anchovies are small, salt-water fish and are easily found is most parts of the world. They are [...]
Wishing you a Happy New Year 2020
Just a short message to wish all of you a Happy New Year 2020! I hope you are enjoying your end-of-year break and getting ready to welcome the New Year. [...]
Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas
It is that time of the year again... and the busiest time of the year as well. Busy with end of the year concerts to attend, family gatherings to plan, [...]
How to use pandan in your daily cooking?
A Pandan plant at my Aunty's house Pandan is also known as skrewpine or "fragrant leaves" in Asia. It can be seen growing abundantly, especially in South East Asia, and [...]
Must have Readymade ingredients for Nyonya Cooks of today!
For many of you, you may know that I started Nyonyalicious with these pastes all the way from Penang. I call it the MUST have for Nyonya cooks of today! [...]
LAUNCH – our new Dried Sliced Bunga Kantan / Torch Ginger Flower
Torch ginger flower is an everyday ingredient that you will find in any Nyonya kitchen. We use it in Assam Laksa, Nyonya Assam or any dishes that benefit from its [...]
Tok Panjang and its significance in the Peranakan household
Source: Lillian Tong @ Peranakan Museum Penang http://www.pinangperanakanmansion.com.my/ Growing up, I would sometimes hear the phrase “so and so is doing a Tok Panjang” or my grandmother would say, “kemai [...]
Penang famous biscuits – Tau Sar Pniah and Tambun Pniah
Tambun Biscuits If you have the chance to visit Malaysia, and Penang in particular, you will notice that are many shops that sell biscuits, like heong pniah, phong pniah, beh [...]
Char Koay Teow
Fried Koay Teow / Char Koay Teow Today we are going to talk about char koay teow. It is one of many top famous street foods in Penang. "Char" means [...]
The connection between your childhood food and your culture and heritage
“If you don’t know your roots, you are like a leaf that does not know you are part of a tree“. Source: The Little Nyonya drama series In the previous [...]
Nourishing your soul through your Childhood Food
The nostalgic food memory from through a bowl of porridge I woke up to one cold winter morning, and all I could think of was a warm bowl of porridge [...]
Nursing care facilities for the unwell and aged have come a long way in Penang
I am not very fond of the term ‘nursing homes’ as I had my fair share of fear of such facilities. When my dad had his leg amputated a few [...]
What I was reading on the plane… and bringing back memories
A book given to me by my Aunty, written by my grand uncle (Koo Kong) [...]
Torch Ginger Flower
Bunga Kantan / Torch Ginger Flower Torch ginger is a species of herbaceous perennial plant. The ginger flower’s botanical name is Etlingera elatior. It is also known as torch ginger, [...]
How to support your aging parents when you live far away from them – part 2
This is a topic that I know many migrant families will face, especially for those living far away from their loved ones. It is one that I myself am currently [...]
Let’s talk about five spices
A five spice mix is widely used in Asian cuisine, especially as a marinade for meat, such as pork. This mix is perfect as a dry rub for meat such [...]
A double boiler from my family home in Penang
A double boiler from my family home in Penang I inherited this boiler from my family in Penang. I can't actually remember whether I brought it over or my mum [...]
Happy Chinese New Year 2019
Chinese New Year 2019 5th February 209 The year of the PIG! February 5th 2019 is Chinese New Year; For Chinese, those in China and in ethnic communities around the [...]
Connections and Traditions
Re-posted from blog post dated 12th February 2013 Today is the third day of Chinese New Year. There were so many greetings being sent through Facebook, New Year cards, e-mails [...]
5 common Chinese New Year rituals that we still practice
Chinese New Year is commonly known a Spring Festival. For Chinese, those in China and in ethnic communities around the world, the lunar new year is the most important and [...]
The rituals of giving and receiving red packets during Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and everyone is gearing up for the most important celebration in the Chinese culture. In Australia, Chinese New Year is not a [...]
Barley Drink
Barley drink or water - Perfect antidote for the hot hot weather that we were experiencing the past few days in Sydney. In my household, when the weather is hot [...]
Are card and letter writing still relevant in today’s society?
Are card and letter writing still relevant in today’s society? How often do you write letters to your friends and families? Do your children still use pen and paper to [...]
Reconnect to yourself – through food
I wrote about The Benefits of Connecting with Self, and today, I am sharing one of the many ways we can reconnect with yourself – through food. Food can play an [...]
Electronic gadgets in our modern day family environment
Since I wrote about social media and kids a few years ago, in addition to the electronic games, gadgets and computer, so many new things have evolved – tablets and smart phones [...]
Modern Day Electronic Gadgets and Your Children – Friends or Foe?
I have talked about the advantages of modern day electronic gadgets and their roles in family dynamics, so today let’s explore their roles in your children’s lives. When I was running [...]
The simple pleasures of life that are most powerful
My photo: I took this picture while on the plane heading back to Sydney from Penang. The sun was just rising; you could see thick layers of clouds just within [...]
With a blink of an eye
With a blink of an eye, my son celebrated his 21st birthday yesterday. I still remember the day he was born, the day he started preschool, primary school, high school and [...]
Adults and play – is it important?
In the last blog, we talked about play. PLAY is the language every child knows and is vital for children’s development. How about Adults? Is play just as important for adults as [...]
Don’t forget to have FUN!
Few weeks ago I attended yet another’s friend’s 50th birthday party. It was well planned, the food was delicious and most of all, everyone had a great time reconnecting with each [...]
Being in a new environment, and opportunity to grow?
What can you learn by being in a new environment? I can't help it; I know… I was planning to take some time off to blog about GoKids | GoParents [...]
Self Care is NOT selfish!
I was on the phone with a friend few mornings back, working out arrangements on how to pass some past exam papers to one of her sons. From our conversation, [...]
Gratitude Journal
Happy new year. I hope you had a wonderful break with your family. How about we do something really really simple today… reminding yourself how blessed we have been… how [...]
Be the example you want to see in your children
What values do you want to instill in your children? What beliefs and philosophies in life do you want to share and impart to your children? What about family traditions? Culture? What would you like your [...]
A gentle reminder of a daily ritual of mindfulness
It is 5.am… I am enjoying the quietness in my study, looking out at the trees and enjoying the sound of the rain. I’m sipping my coffee and listening to [...]
Connect and bond with your children through meaningful interactions – Involve them!
I still whole heartedly believe that children can learn so much from HOME, play and interacting with people they love and trust. They learn through being hands on, i.e. helping you [...]
Your House Is Your Home
Your house is your home I first heard this phrase 'Your house is your home' in an Australia comedy – The Castle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4EmJSjS-sY. If you have not seen this movie, I [...]
If you have not done grocery shopping with your children in a while, this may a good reason to start again
Connect, Learn and have FUN grocery shopping with your children. I was grocery shopping with my son on the weekend and he mentioned that the pricing on some items on [...]
How to parent without the help of extended families
Parenting is already hard enough, let alone if you have to do it on your own or without an extended family to support you. When my husband (Patrick) and I [...]
Connect and have fun with your extended family
Having some quality time with my aunty and mum When we talk about creating connections with children and family, it is about sharing experiences together. This means making time to [...]
Treat Parenting as a relationship
The parenting paradigm that I grew up in during the 1960s and 70s was the traditional parenting style, which was based on conditional love. It emphasised punishment, fear, control, criticism, [...]
How to connect with loved ones despite being busy
Make time for the people that you love! Just the other day I tried calling an elderly lady (Aunt Cathy) in Adelaide, and I was told that she had recently [...]
Don’t wait until special occasion before we connect again
Don't wait until another special occasion before we connect with family and friends again! A few years ago when we celebrated my grandmother's 100th birthday, we invited a few hundred [...]
Nyonya Curry Chicken
Authentic Malaysian dishes made simple with readymade pastes Curry Chicken is a unique “Nyonya” cuisine as developed using typical Malay spices. Besides the usual steamed white rice, this dish is [...]
Chicken Rendang
Rendang is traditionally prepared by the Malaysian and Indonesian community during festive occasions such as traditional ceremonies. Rendang is rich in spices. Along with the main meat ingredient, rendang uses [...]
Every dish has a story, what’s yours?
Have you ever tasted a dish and feel nostalgia and sentimental about it? Possibly remembering how you enjoyed this particular dish with your family or friends? Or when reading a recipe [...]
Wishing you a wonderful New Year 2019
Just a short message to wish all of you a Happy New Year 2019! Thank you for all your support throughout the year. I hope you are enjoying your end-of-year [...]
Wishing you and family a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year
Christmas time is a time to re-connect with your family and friends, re-evaluate your priorities and make time for what is important in your lives. I would like to take [...]
In loving memory of my beloved mah mah
My grandmother (Mah-Mah) on her 100th birthday tea ceremony celebration The one in red is me receiving a red packet from my grandmother. I was talking to my mum yesterday [...]