In Malaysia we are spoilt with choice when it comes to restaurants, but let’s face it sometimes you don’t want to go out and you don’t want to cook! Well gone are the days when getting takeaway delivered meant just pizza. In Malaysia there are many food delivery services that deliver foods from all your favourite restaurants. The only real problem with these services is choosing what to order as the selection is quite large!
www.roomservicedeliveries.com/
I’m sure I am not alone in struggling at the weekend to find a relaxing family day out in KL which meets everyone’s requirements and won’t cost a small fortune. We seem to have endless debates of where’s best and of course an agreement can never be reached!
So, I was recently delighted to rediscover PJ Palms Sports Centre, in Petaling Jaya, which has so many options under one roof, I think it makes for a perfect family outing. For those of you who have been in KL a while, you will probably know it or heard it referred to as ‘Out Of Africa’, which is the name of the restaurant within the complex which has been there for some time. When I went a while back the whole complex was a very sad, unappealing and neglected place with just the restaurant (which was great) surrounded by an empty swimming pool and unused shop fronts. However, time and money has been invested and it’s been transformed to a high standard. Judging by the very small amount of people there when i visited, it’s still a bit of a hidden gem!
For those that are looking for some sports activities, there’s something here for everyone. The clean and well kept complex boasts a beautiful 50m pool, kids pool with slide, cricket lanes, futsal court, squash courts, gym and diving centre called Seamonkey Scuba, which offers diving lessons in the 50m pool. Each of these has its own costs which you can find through the website but even if you just fancy making use of the pool its only Rm6 for adults and Rm4 for kids.
The company that runs the gym is called Fitworx. It’s well equipped and they offer everything you’d expect from a larger commercial gym, including classes, use of the pool and personal training but at a fraction of the cost.You can contact them at http://www.fitworx.com.my/
Once you’ve worked up an appetite or are tired of lounging around the pool area, you have to do no more than stroll over to the restaurant and bar ‘Out Of Africa’. It serves a wide range of authentic African foods such as boerewers and bobotie, steaks and seafood and caters well For kids. All our meals were delicious and I can personally recommend the steak pie which was superb. You can choose to eat on the terrace, in the air-conditioned dining room or outside in the beer garden right next to the pool. The plus side to eating outside is you can easily watch the kids in the pool or while they play in the small playground. If you are looking for a child friendly restaurant in KL I think you’ll be hard pushed to beat this. Visit their website http://www.outofafrica.com.my/
For more information, costs, location and websites for all the activities visit http://www.pjpalms.com/index.php
I have been really going through a cooking phase at the moment, especially on the weekends. Today was no different so my eldest daughter and I decided to rock it old style and make kiss biscuits, just like my Nan used to make. So if your in the mood for something sweet and want a recipe the kids can help with, why not give these a try.
Ingredients
1 cup castor sugar
200g butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups plain flour
1 teaspoon bicarb soda
2 eggs
1/2 cup raspberry jam
sprinkles
Icing
2 cups icing suger
1-2 tablespoons water
Colouring or flavouring if you like (not required)
Method
Enjoy!!
Urbano E Fresco in Publika is fast becoming one of my new favorite eateries, they offer a simple menu of pizza, pastas, pannis and salads all made with fresh ingredients and cooked to perfection.
I rarely venture from my favorite “harvest pizza” which is thin crisp crust, a delicate tomato sauce topped with broccoli, red onion, green peppers, cherry tomatoes. olives and rocket – practically a salad in my book, but I sample enough of dining companions dishes to know that the Bruschetta, Aglio olio mushroom & arugula pasta, and the penang panni are also worth ordering.
Located directly across the street from the children’s playground in publika, if your kids are old enough to be across the street from you like mine are, it offers the perfect way for your kids to been see but not heard while you finish your meal and have uninterrupted conversation with any adults at the table.
Good News for local residents in Mount Kiara and Sri Hartamas Urbano E Fresco will deliver to your door and for me that is becoming most Friday nights. Leauges above greasy chains like “Domonino’s” and “Pizza hut” Urbano E Fresco is delivering pizza you can feel good about giving your kids (and yourself)!
Contact details:
D2-G3-3A SOLARIS DUTAMAS (PUBLIKA),
NO 1, JALAN DUTAMAS 1,
50480 KUALA LUMPUR
This recipe is so delicious, and so quick and easy even the kids can make it!
Ingredients
1x400g can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
60ml lemon juice
2 tbs of water
2 tbs of tahini
1 tsp of ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon of ground corriander
1 small crushed garlic clove
Salt & pepper to taste
2 tbs olive oil (optional)
Method
Place all ingredients, except salt and pepper, into a food process and process until smooth. If needed added a little extra lemon juice or water if your hummus is too thick. Season with salt and pepper. Then transfer to a serving dish or storage container.
You can serve this immediately however I think it tastes better if it has been chilled for a little while first.
I had the pleasurable experience of eating at The Willow Tree a lovely new restaurant in Desa Sri Hartamas. Tucked away but well worth finding.
At Willow Tree, chef El Hadi sources the finest local and international produce in order to create his culinary delights. Growing up in Morocco and working in London, Hadi brings a wonderful Mediterranean feel to his British influenced menu.
The staff are friendly and efficient and the decor is simple and soothing, nice high back booths for relaxing, out door tables for the true cafe experience and a traditional long bar for those wanting a drink and a nibble on the way home.
During December and January The Willow tree is offering a 10% discount on all food to KL KIDS readers so mention us for your discount!
make your Christmas and New years booking now!
Contact The Willow Tree at: 03 6201 2330
Lot 22 Wisma Rapid, Jalan 30/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480
Here’s a recipe that’s not only delicious, but is great for kids to make. If you cannot have peanut butter either omit it or substitute with Nutella or another nut butter.
Ingredients
100g packet of plain fried noodles
2 Tablespoons of peanut butter
200g milk cooking chocolate
Method
Melt chocolate and peanut butter, stirring until you have a smooth consistency
Add in the noodles, then mix, making sure the noodles are well coated
Spoon the mixture onto a tray lined with baking paper and refrigerate until set
Here’s the chocolate spiders my 8 year old made and they were delicious!
My kids all travel on Canadian passports but they have never lived in Canada and actually know very little about being Canadian. We are currently on holiday in Canada and eating our way to their Canadian roots, a few of our favorite Canadian foods are:
Uncle J’s Slow cooked Ribs:
My brother hands down makes the best finger licking ribs ever! Here is his secret: rub ribs with a blend of paprika brown sugar, cumin, salt & pepper.
Cook in covered roasting pan on low heat (200 ) for 5 hrs. Remove from oven brush with BBQ sauce then transfer to Warmed BBQ and cook 5-10 mins. Serve melting off the bone!!!!
Cedar plank BC salmon
Another one of Our favorite dishes my brother makes when ever we visit. In Canadian grocery stores cedar wood planks are sold along side salmon and BC salmon is the best of the best but any nice salmon will do.
Soak cedar plank in water 1-2 hrs. Marinate salmon fillet for 30 mins in mixture of maple syrup, soya sauce, rice wine vinegar, ginger and garlic.
Place salmon On wet cedar plank on heated BBQ for about 10 minutes (depending on size of fillet) salmon should be cooked with the centre still rare or medium rare (over cooked salmon is too dry)
S’mores – campfire favorite
Graham crackers
Roasted marshmallows
Chocolate
How can you go wrong????
Generally these are a camp fire favorite roast marshmallow over fire place between two graham crackers and milk chocolate slices.
Should you not have a campfire at hand you could assemble s’mores wrap in foil and heat in oven – this would be a great sleep over or birthday party trip.
Happy eating!!!
New years Eve 2009 we spent in Perth with our dear friends Holly and Andy who are both amazing cooks and hosts. Andy made a frozen Chocolate mousse ice cream that was simply amazing. I did regret my large portion a few months later when I asked for the recipe and saw exactly why it tasted so good! I have been making it for dinner parties ever since.
Very simple to make and a great crowd pleaser. Perfect for dinner parties because you can make a few days ahead of time.
Ingredients:
You really can not go wrong with this recipe, I made this the other day and my mixer is broken so i used only a hand wisk and still turned out lovely and smooth. To serve turn frozen mousse out of loaf pan and slice. decorate with berries.
enjoy!
