Food Review: MK Burger, Adelaide

 

I am always in search of places with a casual feel where I can fully enjoy my food. One place that has become a frequent spot to visit for us is @mkburgerjoint. A casual, well designed burger place that is ideal for hanging out with family and friends. It is not only our ‘Go to’ place but also our ‘Take to’ place whenever we need to treat someone. 

Food Talk: Smoothies and Shakes (3 Recipes)

Since we started a conscious effort to keep our weight in control, we replaced some of our regular meals with low calorie, filling and yet nutritious alternatives. Smoothies and shakes became one of our regular dinner options on days when we have had a fuller lunch or when we are lazy to cook something. On more productive days we'd make a salad and some of our favourite recipes of salads are on the blog. 

Here I am sharing three of my favourite smoothies or shakes that we have instead of our regular meal. 

Food Talk: Chickpea and Chicken Salad

This salad is our take on Moroccan Salad which is one of our favourites. It is more on the savoury side and leaves you feeling full.

Food Talk: Quinoa & Mango Salad Recipe

Salads got added in my life when I decided to make a conscious effort of making healthier choices for myself. 

Why salads? not only because I strongly advocate healthy eating but also contrary to the common belief, I think salads are NOT boring. I enjoy experimenting with what goes in my salad bowl. I love the mixed flavours and the convenience with which you add multi vitamins and essential minerals naturally with your food intake. 

I believe that eating healthy is an essential form of self-care. 

 

Sharing recipe of a salad that we often make... 

Review: Goat Karahi at Da Darbar

I am quite experimental when it comes to food and I never hesitate to different cuisines. I have got many favourites but, Pakistani food still remains the most favourite! ...And I have this special ‘kind of craving’ that can only be satisfied with naan and something very traditional. One such evening last week we decided to go to  Da Darbar to fix this craving. In South Australia the Covid-19 restrictions have eased considerably and restaurants are functioning within the eased guidelines. 

Introducing Foodie & Mrs.

“In a time of anger or despair, even if we feel overwhelmed, our love is still there.

Our capacity to communicate, to forgive, to be compassionate is still there.

You have to believe this.

We are more than our anger, we are more than our suffering.

We must recognize that we do have within us the capacity to love, to understand, to be compassionate, always.”

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

And there is also food... food made and shared with love... 

Please check out our new venture Foodie & Mrs.

Fitness Diary: Lunch Options

Taking lunch from home is one good thing about working in Australia. My normal lunch used to be leftover food from the night before or a quick sandwich. Since rice is easier to eat, I preferred taking fried rice. I also used to take fruit and sometimes salad too, but having a giant grocery store next to my workplace was where I ended up buying myself unhealthy snacks; pack of cookies, a big bag of sour jelly, a chocolate or two, sometimes a pack of crisps, etc. And, of course, chai was a must… sometimes coffee too …. 

Exploring South Australia - With Friends

Hiyaaaa!

One thing that I loved about Malaysia was that during the years I lived there, a lot of people came on their holiday trips and of course, we enjoyed hosting them. We met so many old friends and made fond memories. When I moved to Adelaide, I knew that I will for sure miss this and that for a long time I will not be hosting any friends! But, we just had our FIRST friends from Malaysia who visited us during the year-end holidays for 3 days and I cant get over the fact that we had so much fun!

Life in Adelaide - First Impressions!

Helloooooo world! 

Here comes my first post from south of Australia! I know I have neglected my blog for a long time but moving is not easy! I keep reminding myself that I moved a “whole continent” to feel less guilty for the procrastination! and it works like magic! I am here finally and I thought of giving you my first impressions of this totally new place that is now my home. 

I have been in Adelaide, South Australia for more than a month. It is known as a quiet, small, slow-paced city but I think most of us have it wrong - at least I had it really wrong.

Hubby's Birthday at Yellow Apron

This year my best friend, my hubby, turned 40 (MashAllah). We normally do not exchange gifts on birthday nor we believe in big celebrations. But, I thought 40 is a milestone - marking not only his birthday but also the fact that we have been married for 10 years now. So, I decided to a throw a little party with close friends as I don't have any family living in Malaysia just to break our own unspoken rules :D.I normally host dinners at home but his birthday, 25th Jan 2017, was right in the middle of week giving me really a tough schedule to cook and plan everything. I find it more fun to celebrate the birthday on the actual day, so, I decided to do it at a restaurant so that we both can also enjoy the party without having to worry about cooking and serving. 

Pakistan Travel Stories (Part 1)

I did a trip to Pakistan in July 2016. Though, Pakistan is my home but this was a very touristy trip as I had gone back after a long a time. I did my light emotional outburst here! (in case you missed it).

I visited three different cities; Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. But I spent most of my time in the world's second most beautiful capital, Islamabad. 

Islamabad was always known as a boring and slow city with people going to bed early and nothing much to shout about but greenery, clean roads and government buildings. Compared to Karachi, the city of lights, Islamabad had less to offer. But, now Islamabad has become a really happening city with tons of things to offer for sightseeing, food and shopping. I had the pleasure of trying some really great eateries and different cuisines including Chinese, Thai, Arabic and Italian! The best thing about Pakistan is that most restaurants offer continental dishes and not just local food. I have listed in this post some of my recommended places (in no particular order).

Fasting Month - 8 Day Prep Plan

Yes, Ramazan (the fasting month) is a month away (InshaAllah) but how I look at it, it is only 8 days as I just have 4 two-day-weekends before my favourite month starts! (leaving this weekend) I need to do some preps and having a full time job leaves me with only weekends to do extra chores around the house.  

Sugar & Cakes .. Whatever it takes!

If you follow my Instagram feed here it will take you just one glance to see how much I love food. I think I have written more posts about food than anything else. And the only love story that I like to narrate is also my passionate love affair with food. If you haven't read it, I posted it here :)

And of course desserts, I think, are the most important part of meal. In my younger weight-gain-damn-care days, at every party I would check the dessert and then decide how much I needed to eat the starters and main course. Every dessert was my favourite! Now that I have crossed thirty :(, whatever I eat is visible not only my Instagram and Facebook newsfeed but also on my waist and the increasing number on the weighing machine. I have to play a bit more smart and try not to 'waste' calories and eat only what I love the most!

Paying homage to my list of current favourites!

Airfryer - Frying but no frying

Airfryer, if you still haven't heard about it, is this magical fryer that uses rapid air technology to fry whatever you desire with little or no oil at all! Air becomes the new oil! I own a PhilipsAirfryer as it is the best airfryer in market as Philips patented this technology.

We know that all good things in life are illegal, married to someone else, fattening or fried ;). With an airfyer you don't have to give up your favourite fried foods at least! What else do you want in life? Nowadays when you don't have time and energy to cook, an airfryer is one of the best ways to get healthy food with less hassle.

I always say that what you can do with an airfryer depends on how creative you are in your kitchen. But, if you are not a cooking genius like me, you can still fry, cook, bake, grill .... all with this one gadget. With airfryer in my house, oil consumption has really reduced but my snacking is still going really strong .... ;)

Samad Al Iraqi Restaurant

Friday Night Out...  We went to Samad Al Iraqi Restaurant with our friends on Friday. It is situated at Menara Prestige, Jalan Pinang; walking distance from Petronas Twin Towers. It was a last minute plan but I am really glad that we chose this place because we all had a good time.

I love Arabic food and once in a while, hubby and I go to our pet places to satisfy the cravings. I have tried Arabic, Syrian, Iranian and Yemenese food but this was my first Iraqi experience!

I was going through their website and I found that only the location of Dubai branches has been updated. I will leave the complete address in the end of the blog for you to locate it easily.

Here is what I think of the place and food ... 

Because First We Eat …..

My Top-5-Must-Try Malaysian Foods

After spending some seven years in Malaysia, it is impossible not to develop a taste for Malaysian food. Though I did develop it in the very beginning but for some, it takes some time. Malaysian food has a huge variety influenced by the different cultures, religions and races living together. And every dish has a different flavour depending on the location where it is served. I like Malaysian food to the point that while on vacation in Australia, I located a Malaysian restaurant and was pleasantly surprised how homely it felt.

At Mamak (China Town, Sydney)