The ground temperature in the garden is warming up gradually but the critical days of the Ice Saints must be awaited before the tropical plants could really develop properly in the garden, thus the garden logbook will be shelved temporarily.
The Indians play an important role in the cultural heritage of the Malaysians. The food is enriched by the large variety of curries and bread brought into the country by the first immigrants from Southen India, mainly Kerala. The Malay language assimilated Tamil/Malayalam/Sanskrit words e.g kakak (sister) from akka, bumi (earth) from bhoomi, putra (prince), dewi (goddess), negara (country) from nagaram…
You may be interested to know that Malayalam is the second biggest group of Indians living in Malaysia preceded by the Tamil and followed by the Telegu and that the Malayalam New Year, Vishu, had taken place on 15th April 2014.
The Malayalam emigrated from Kerala. They celebrate this festival with decorative lights and fire crackers, new clothes, gifts of money from the older generation to the younger in the family and from the employer to the employees (like the Chinese on their New Year) and a feast consisting of all these tastes sweet and sour, salty and bitter. These similarities are enhanced through their mutual believe in the significance of propitious articles. The Malayalam arranged farm products like rice, fruits and vegetables, areca nuts and betel leaves, the blossoms of the golden shower tree and holy texts and coins in the prayer room on the eve as lucky omens to greet the member of the household at dawn on Vishu day. This greeting forms the most important part of the day. Offerings at the temples is part of the program of the day.
While in May Wesak Day takes place. Instead of repeating the description, Nenek will cook without meat or fish in honour of this important Buddhist Festival. Here is a couple of photos of what could be on the table.
Brinjal mash spiced spiced with soya sauce
Home made bouillon with green chicory and carrots
A sample vegetarian buffet
4th Event in the Year of the Horse
When: Friday
Time: 19.30
Where: Oerlikon, 5 minutes’ walk from Oerlikon Railway Station
Aperitif
Starter – 3 squash variations
Salad – Belgien endive in Chinese balsamic vinegar sauce
Main course: vegetarian rice buffet, various vegetables, peanuts, soyasauce, fermented tofu and soyabeans
G’s dessert
Tea or Coffee
CHF 100 per person (incl. 1/2 bottle of wine)
go to make-your-reservation