For the past several weeks, I have been feeling unmotivated. For most of the part, this is due to the prolonged lockdown here in Malaysia — specifically, Klang Valley area (Selangor and Kuala Lumpur are the two long-time runners of the highest cases on daily basis ?)
However, things are picking up. The vaccination rate in Malaysia is really high on daily basis (400,000 – 500,000 per day) and we are looking at the possibility of 80% of the whole population to be fully vaccinated late September.
Recently I have been watching “Delicious Rendezvous” in VIU (a streaming service app — they mainly provide asian dramas and variety shows.) Chef Baek Jong-won is the host of this Korean show; the idea of the show is to raise awareness and interest on Korean local produces that need publicity boost to help the farmers. It also helps to reduce food waste (on episode 1 and 2, they covered “ugly potatoes” — potatoes that, actually still edible and completely safe, don’t look “good” (not round) so the farmers have to throw the potatoes away because the potatoes didn’t pass supermarket suppliers’ quality control) and introduce wider variety of food to the public, specifically to Korean.
I. am. hooked.
This is a beautiful show. I love how Chef Baek introduces new ways of cooking to make the cooking process easier and simpler — and at the same time, retain the tasty and delicious taste. The show also supported by supermarkets to sell the produces to the masses (to increase the produce’s demand.)
This show also helps me to regain my motivation back. It seems like learning and having interests in something new makes you feel hopeful again.
Since I just finished episode 4, I made sambal goreng kentang — we have quite a lot of potato in the kitchen, so I decided to cook it to something that we can keep for a long time (also, sambal goreng kentang and a plate filled with warm jasmine rice are super nice!) You can check the recipe below:
You can adjust the number of chili you want. For me, I didn’t really count the chili. It’s basically you put the chili into the pot until your ancestors said, “that’s enough.”
I’m not super sure if “Delicious Rendezvous” is streaming on Netflix or not; but if you can find the service that does, do watch it!
You can also watch Chef Baek Jon-won’s “Korean Pork Belly Rhapsody” on Netflix.
(Featured image is taken from Rakuten Viki)