WAN ZAINAL

July is usually the time of year when we visit our favourite holiday destinations, and the most memorable part of these holidays would always be eating my way through each destination, savouring local flavours and constantly telling myself to recreate these delicious meals when I’m back home.

Sadly, 2020 has rewritten our holiday plans, and I found myself with more time on my hands to improve my cooking skills and do what I’ve always wanted: bring my food holiday memories to the table.

I engaged in pleasurable cooking battles with IG foodie friends across the globe. I explored cooking Malay meals – a cuisine I’ve always been daunted by – and have since conquered my fear of cooking assam pedas, chicken curry and Nasi Lemak with all the trimmings. One weekend, together with friends from Singapore and London, we explored the rich dishes from the Indian subcontinent when we prepared a threecourse meal comprising dhal, slow roasted vegetable masala and grilled beef tikka complete with homemade roti which we all made from scratch! I also learned the difference between gulai, kalio and rendang, by experimenting with the traditional Minang recipe for rendang.

And of course, no holiday food is as joyful as the simple pasta dishes from Italy. From Orecchiette limone e tonno from Puglia to Venetian Anchovy Spaghetti and Trofie con Pesto from Liguria to Roman Cacio e Peppe; I made them all. I literally ate my way around the world without leaving my doorstep!