• Home
  • About
  • Contact
Search for
Travel tips, advice and inspirations for your next adventure.
Menu
Travel tips, advice and inspirations for your next adventure.
  • Blog
  • Cart
  • Checkout
  • Demos
    • Business Demos
      • Corporate
      • Freelancer
      • Agency
      • Explore
      • Booking
      • Lifestyle
    • Shop Demos
      • Classic Shop
      • Cute Shop
      • Parallax Shop
      • Big Sale
      • Fullscreen Fashion
      • Grid Style 1
      • Grid Style 2
      • Grid Style 3
      • Mega Shop
      • Sale Countdown
      • Simple Slider
      • Slider Cover
      • Sport Shop
      • Vendor Shop
      • Video Cover
  • Elements
    • Sections
    • Rows / Columns
    • Sliders
    • Banners
    • Typography
    • Buttons
    • Titles / Dividers
    • Blog Posts
    • Images
    • Video
    • Galleries
    • Video Button
    • Banner Grids
    • Icon Box
    • Image Box
    • Lightbox
    • Scroll To
    • Pages
      • About
      • Contact
      • Left Sidebar
      • Maintenance
      • Size Chart
      • Portfolio
    • Map
    • Message box
    • Product Categories
    • Products
    • Share / follow icons
    • Tabs
    • Team Member
    • Testimonials
    • Countdown
    • Accordion
    • Flip Book
    • Forms
    • Hotspot
    • Instagram feed
    • Logo
    • Price table
    • Search box
  • My Account
    • Wishlist
  • Shop
  • test
  • Track your order
  • Logo
  • Logo
  • Logo
  • Logo
  • Logo

Category:Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur

Jalan Bellamy: Where the Locals Make Excellent Ikan Bakar

“Go to Jalan Bellamy and don’t forget to try the ikan bakar!” the taxi driver cheerfully suggested. He seemed pretty excited about suggesting the place, therefore I immediately had my hopes up. A quick Google search had confirmed that people do…

  • March 19, 2017
  • 4343
  • 9
  • 14
Airbnb Apartment in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur

Why Staying in an Airbnb Apartment in Kuala Lumpur is a Good Idea

Tourists in Kuala Lumpur would find it best to stay in the city center where famous landmarks, malls, restaurants, and hotels are nearby. The traffic situation in Kuala Lumpur during weekends and peak hours is really bad. Therefore, staying further…

  • March 5, 2017
  • 3127
  • 6
  • 12
Kuala Lumpur

Pancakes at Nanny’s Pavillon

It looks like a random furniture shop in one corner of Kuala Lumpur’s International Airport at first glimpse. It then looks like a luggage storage space at the back of a random furniture shop. Masood and I are the airport…

  • November 19, 2016
  • 1574
  • 6
  • 14
Kuala Lumpur

Hot Plate: Our First Meal in Malaysia

Delayed flights meant we were up all night traveling. We arrive in Kuala Lumpur a few hours ago, via Doha, exhausted and starving. While the estimated time of arrival was 2:30 pm, we landed at 4 pm and checked-in the hotel…

  • November 11, 2016
  • 1702
  • 4
  • 15

About

Tips, advice and inspirations to help you plan your next adventure.

Places

nadiamasood

Visual storytelling from India and beyond.
Moved to Hyderabad in 2020.
#ExpatInIndia

Nadia Masood
Is it wrong to enjoy the day when others are hurti Is it wrong to enjoy the day when others are hurting?

Eid is a celebration that I like to think of as a reward for fasting for an entire month of Ramadan. And all my memories of Eid are filled with joy, laughter, family gatherings, Eidi, and Sheer Khurma.

This year, Muslims around the world experienced a different kind of Eid. Given the current pandemic situation, we couldn’t go out to offer the mandatory congregational prayer, for example. We prayed at home instead.

There are so many COVID-19 related deaths worldwide. There are natural calamities. In India, we have a list of issues that leaves so many people hurt and frustrated. In Karachi, a plane which had 99 people aboard, crashed into a crowded residential district after twice trying to land at the airport.

Recently, I’ve taken a few days off social media because I felt overwhelmed with everything that’s going on.

Then comes Eid. To celebrate or not? Is it wrong to enjoy the day when others are hurting?

Then I look at my family, the people I love and cherish. There’s @masoodxb’s grandmother. She’s almost 90 and is bedridden.

Life is uncertain. The current situation reminds us of this every day. This is why I celebrate Eid.

I celebrate Eid as a way to be grateful for what I’m blessed with, to bring the family together and create happy memories to cherish ... because problems will always exist and life is uncertain.

So we make Sheer Khurma on Eid day, a tradition that goes back several generations. This rich vermicelli milk pudding not only evokes so many happy memories, but also reassures me that everything is going to be alright Inshaa’Allah.

Lots of love and prayers, from my family to yours.
These pillowy, soft donuts filled with sweet vanil These pillowy, soft donuts filled with sweet vanilla custard are easy to make!

Store-bought donuts are mostly too sweet and I hardly buy them. But when you make your own, that’s when you can control the amount of sugar and the end result is so worth the effort.

I made these for the first time, following @emmafontanella’s recipe on YouTube. You guys, they turned out so good!

They’re obviously not the uniformly-sized, good looking donuts like the ones Emma made, but they turned out soft and delicious.

Do you have a favourite donut recipe?
Don’t leave Kashmir without experiencing a Shika Don’t leave Kashmir without experiencing a Shikara ride! It may look like a tiny, narrow wooden boat
But it can easily and quite comfortably fit 4 adults and the person rowing the boat.

Forget the crowded and polluted Dal Lake. Instead, head over to Manasbal.

Almost every tourist go to the famous Dal Lake. It gets crowded and the water is polluted. You can hardly enjoy the serenity of Kashmir’s scenic beauty.

Manasbal is 30km from Srinagar. The fresh water lake is the deepest in India at 43ft. And if you visit in August, there’s a large growth of lotus plants in bloom at the lake’s periphery.

#KashmirDiaries #ManasbalLake #Shikara
You no longer need to buy jams because it’s so e You no longer need to buy jams because it’s so easy to make them at home!

The mango season has come to an end, and I want to make something that would last a couple of months - mango jam.

You only really need 3 ingredients! It’s super easy to make but tastes so much better than store-bought ones.

It’s like having sunshine and happy memories sealed in a jar.

Swipe left for the recipe and some tips to help you make the perfect mango jam.
Mango, cream and a light pastry - perfect for the Mango, cream and a light pastry - perfect for the mango season.

The mango choux (pronounced ‘shoo’) is light and not too sweet. Plus points for how pretty this looks! It was a bit of a struggle to eat it with the wooden spoon that was provided (a fork would have been better).

But the struggle was worth it with this pastry!

📍 @feranoz_hyd
Zero carbon footprint because they’re picked fre Zero carbon footprint because they’re picked fresh from the backyard.

It’s a cold rainy morning. As we sit cross-legged on the carpeted floor of the warm kitchen, we can see our friend through the window. He positions an old wooden ladder next to the roof of the cow shed. There’s a rung missing but it doesn’t seem to bother him as he expertly climbs up the rickety thing.

The plum and apricot trees are laden with fruits. It’s easier to reach them from the roof of the cow shed. I watch as he picks the ripe ones. The rain gets heavy. He must hurry. A few children stand nearby waiting to get their share.

Moments later, the fruits are served for breakfast. There’s warm chapatis, stir-fried collard from their garden, and sunny-side up eggs laid by grandmother’s chickens. Tea is already simmering in a pot.

I’m sure I’m going to miss all these when I return home.
What’s your secret to making your favourite panc What’s your secret to making your favourite pancakes?

Did you know that the oldest pancake recipe comes from an English cookery book, 1954 edition? It’s quite richer than the recipe we use these days. They suggest adding 3 tbsp of ale, ‘copious’ amounts of sugar, cinnamon, and ginger.

Swipe left to see some of the steps I take to make fluffy, soft pancakes that the family loves.

Also, did you know mascarpone cheese on the side goes so well with pancakes?

I’d love to learn more from you!
Heidi Klum, a German supermodel, attributes her su Heidi Klum, a German supermodel, attributes her success to sauerkraut soup. She says it helps her stay slim and trim.

Sauerkraut (SOW-uhr-krowt) is made up of the German words sauer (sour) and kraut (cabbage).

It appears that fermented cabbage actually began back in the days of the building of the Great Wall of China, when the wall builders lived on cabbage and rice. In winter, rice wine was added to preserve the vegetable.

Genghis Khan carried this “sauerkraut” (as it is now called) to the eastern edge of Europe.

This particular sauerkraut is from our favourite local brand @bazzinga_brew.

Apart from being delicious, this sauerkraut is packed with vitamins and minerals!

Swipe left for a list of some of sauerkraut’s health benefits as well as some tips on how you can enjoy eating it!

How do you like to eat sauerkraut?
Have you tried Tepache De Piña? I’m a new Tepa Have you tried Tepache De Piña?

I’m a new Tepache De Piña fan. This is a vibrant and tart fermented drink with the flavour of pineapple, and infused with spices (I can taste cinnamon and star anise).

Tepache is native to pre-hispanic Mexico and was traditionally made with corn. It was not until the arrival of the Europeans that pineapple appears to be incorporated into the drink.

Tepache de Piña by @bazzinga_brew is a slightly fermented drink made from fresh pineapple peel, spices and brown sugar. It has such a refreshing taste!

This particular brand is vegan, halal, 100% natural and gluten free.

I’d like to know if you’ve tried this drink!
These bottles of carbonated drink were bought main These bottles of carbonated drink were bought mainly because I wanted to try the goli soda experience myself.

Not sure why I’d never seen these growing up...are they not available in Karachi? Anyway, so I’ve first heard about these drinks from Masood. Apparently, it’s pretty common here.

First of all, it’s the brilliant design of the bottle. It’s called the ‘Codd Neck Bottle’ and was invented by an Englishman named Hiram Codd in 1872.

The design of the bottle uses the effervescent pressure of the soda to force the marble against a rubber stopper in the neck of the bottle.

The pinched-neck design solves the problem of the marble getting in the way of drinking and pouring, so it never stops the drink when you pour it!

All you have to do is push the marble down with your finger or thumb. I’ve later learned that one can re-real the bottle by first shaking it vigorously and then turning it upside-down to force the marble back to its original position. I’ll have to buy some more to try this!

@thesparksoda has a few other flavours, like zeera, lemon and guava.

Have you tried these?
Almost 500 years old. These historical tombs are Almost 500 years old.

These historical tombs are finally undergoing the much-needed restoration works.

Once upon a time, these structures were adorned with intricately carved stonework and surrounded by beautifully-landscaped gardens.

Imagine these domes overlaid with blue and green tiles, golden spires rising over them to distinguish the Sultan’s tombs from those of other members of the royal family.

While I’m sure the team is doing the best it could, it’s a fact that returning these historical structures to their former glory is impossible.

What’s the oldest structure near you?
Do you love hummus? I feel like it’s one of the Do you love hummus? I feel like it’s one of the best dips in the world!

I am yet to find good hummus here in Hyderabad - the kind one finds in middle eastern restaurants.

Good thing hummus is super easy to make at home!

Please swipe left for the recipe, including how to make your own tahini paste with only 2 ingredients, and also for tips to help you make your own creamy hummus at home.

Don’t forget to bookmark or share this post ❤️
It was at a Syrian restaurant in Dubai, sitting ou It was at a Syrian restaurant in Dubai, sitting outside one evening under a canopy of fairy lights, where I first fell in love with falafel.

Later I discover, within walking distance of this restaurant in Al Muraqqabat, a little shop called Sultan Dubai Falafel that serves, in my opinion, the best falafels in the city.

And given how great-tasting falafel was readily available in Dubai, I never attempted to make them at home. Until I moved to Hyderabad.

Good thing is that delicious falafel can be made at home so easily! You can bake or shallow-fry them, but they won’t taste as good as when deep-fried.

I also prefer to shape them in cute little balls so I know they’ll be cooked through. Each ball is a tablespoon of falafel mixture.

Falafel is best served immediately after frying, with a drizzle of tahini sauce. Also, I experimented and added some plain mayonnaise to the tahini sauce and it tasted so good.

............

This crispy falafel with tahini sauce is my entry for the food collaboration that I’m participating in. The theme is: Eid 2020 Appetisers.

Do check out the following talented food bloggers who are part of this fun collaboration!

Warda @cocina_secreta (host)
Iqra @apprentice.chef_93 
Noor @noorlicious.food
Eram @eramkitchenette
Saher @untoldstoriesofafoodie
@blendedflavoursinstyle
Tips to make your hummus smooth, creamy and better Tips to make your hummus smooth, creamy and better than the store-bought ones.

✅ Soak dry chickpeas overnight.

✅ Use a good food processor.

✅ Use freshly-squeezed lemon juice.

Check out the rest of the tips + recipe in the post.

Are you a fan of classic hummus or is there a hummus variation that you particularly enjoy?
This is what’s commonly called murukku or murkul This is what’s commonly called murukku or murkul in South India.

The reason why @masoodxb bought them is because they’re colourful, and thought I’d find them pretty.

These are to be fried (they double in size!) and are often eaten as a snack or to munch on with meals.

I don’t see a complete list of ingredients on the packet, but I’m told these are primarily made of white lentils and rice flour.

I haven’t fried them yet. They seem prettier sitting in my glass bowl for now.
This is a super easy way to make delicious kimchi This is a super easy way to make delicious kimchi bokkeum bap!

My current obsession is kimchi, and I just love adding it to fried nice and noodles.

For those who haven’t tried yet, kimchi is made of fermented vegetables (napa cabbage, radish, scallion, and cucumber are used) and it’s a staple in the Korean diet. It tastes spicy and sour and has a slight pungent smell.

Chopped kimchi adds a little crunch and a lot of flavour to the rice, and kimchi juice finishes off the dish for a jolt of tangy-spicy goodness!

You can add meat, fish or vegetables, like carrots. But I prefer to keep it simple.

Also, I’ve used @bazzinga_brew kimchi which already has carrots, radish and Napa cabbage so I don’t need to add additional vegetables.

For those in Hyderabad, @bazzinga_brew kimchi is honestly the best.
Satisfy your sweet tooth & impress your family & f Satisfy your sweet tooth & impress your family & friends with this dessert!

I took inspiration from the traditional doodh peda (milk fudge) and added fresh mango purée and saffron for added flavour and taste.

You guys, these taste so good! Obviously, it’s rich and sweet, and that’s how most South Asian desserts are supposed to be.

It took me less than 30 minutes to make these.

Don’t forget to share or save this recipe!
Beyond that patch of lupins (thanks for identifyin Beyond that patch of lupins (thanks for identifying this plant @malikwaseem_) and the little hut lies the highest green golf course in the world.

The 18-hole golf course is at an elevation of 8,690 ft above sea level, and it’s open from April to November.

It’s 30C (86F). It catches me by surprise because I never thought it could get this warm in Kashmir.

We have to walk a lot in Gulmarg, and I’m using an umbrella to protect myself. People here are walking miles under the bright, burning heat of the sun. It seems to me that almost everyone here use umbrellas only when it rains.
How do you incorporate pomegranate into your cooki How do you incorporate pomegranate into your cooking?

As a little girl, I’d been fascinated with pomegranates. I imagined them as leather-bound gifts with a bow on top. If I was lucky, I’d open my gift to reveal bright red rubies.

Pomegranate has inspired legends, tales and poems throughout history. In Ancient Egypt, kings were buried with pomegranates so that they could take them into the afterlife. Hades tricked Zeus’ daughter with a pomegranate.

Now talking about food, pomegranate seeds are generally sprinkled on dishes and desserts or made into syrup, molasses or pomegranate vinegar. Pomegranate is commonly used in dishes and sauces in Iran, its biggest producer.

In India, its second-biggest producer, pomegranate seeds are dried and crushed to create a spice called anardana, which is used to add tartness to various dishes.

The pomegranate is also used extensively in many Middle Eastern cuisines. Pomegranate juice is reduced and this is used to add a sweet-tart flavor to many dishes.

I’m planning to make some pomegranate molasses (for the first time!). What’s your favorite dish that uses pomegranate as an ingredient? Let me know in the comment section!
Mango season is here! Did you know that mangoes we Mango season is here! Did you know that mangoes were first grown in India over 5000 years ago?

The first few mangoes of the season aren’t always sweet, so we end up making shakes with them.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Enter your email address to subscribe to new posts:

Travel tips, advice and inspirations for your next adventure.
  • About
  • Contact
© 2022 nadiamasood.com

Thank you for visiting, but before you go...

Stay in touch! Subscribe to receive posts & updates in your inbox.

{"cookieName":"wBounce","isAggressive":false,"isSitewide":true,"hesitation":"","openAnimation":false,"exitAnimation":false,"timer":"","sensitivity":"","cookieExpire":"4","cookieDomain":"","autoFire":"","isAnalyticsEnabled":false}