I was thinking on the way to the wet market just now, how much we account ourselves for being ’smart’ and ‘intellectual’, self-proclaiming godliness even when we do it unconsciously and how infertile we are as compared to the Divine Order {irrespective whether we believe in the One, Alone or the many effigies} as we vomit to the reflectives of the hidden within the microcosmic idea of what being-ness is all about. The hidden aspect that are in many ways shrouded to the very being-ness of humanity - isn’t it amazing to note that those who are awaken rarely involve themselves in the massacre of godliness, or the idea of wanting to save the Universe instead hide away in contemplation away from the retrace?
“One who worships The Lord and despises man worships in vain”.
I got into his cab, as he scrutinized me from head to toe. It has been almost two weeks since I went out in the open air - I’ve been tucked in my little cubicle - {sometimes culling in bed listening to my thoughts}, working on projects hoping that one day, I’ll not end up like Leonardo da Vinci or Einstein. I cannot imagine the stress I’ve to deal with being celebrated after they bury me. I’d rather take advantage of the popularity to do something concrete, and die smiling without them knowing the Hand toiling and making their worlds a safer place - as it is it is.
“The more you make of your gifts, the less becomes the value of something which is priceless”.
The cab driver dropped me at Taman Tun Dr. Ismail Pasar Besar {Wet Market}. I hurried in, taking giant steps all eager to get the freshest of seafood, and vegetables but I only had €40 for the week. That’s a lot of money when converted to Ringgit Malaysia but I can do with more - mum says when you don’t have much, you learn to be more appreciative of what you have. I can’t imagine at the rate how things escalate in prices in Malaysia, that I’d have anything by end month. As it is, beggars they say can’t be choosers - but aren’t beggars humans too?
I refrained from looking at my favorite - the nice juicy green leaves, carrots, capsicums, Bok Choys, Tofu, Tomatoes… and the plethora which I normally would buy. Instead I looked around and found vegetables I’ve never seen or heard before. According to the vegetable seller, these greens are not often found in urban areas - they are normally eaten in rural estates, so I indulged. I hope it’s not too bitter, sweet or tasteless. Someone used to call me a rabbit for eating salads until he was hospitalized for eating too much protein and had to go on a diet. I wonder if he was around reading my blog {I’m sure he does!} he would cringe at the idea of eating these new leafy vegetables the names of which I have easily forgotten.
I ended buying the common fish we find here - they’re small, but sweet. Sometimes, I’d just broil or bake them, and serve with basmati rice. I couldn’t find Tuna - I wanted to indulge but now would have to call Karen from Onsen, to order those when I’m wealthier {there’s hope in costly Malaysia to live like the common people!}. Although I rarely eat rice, the cheapest way to fill a tummy these days would be to indulge like the common people. The only sad thing about rice is that when you take a bowl for lunch, you’ll end up with two for dinner - and the bowls get larger by the end of the week, and hence the scale springing a coil or two. I was about to leave, when I spotted something which looked interesting.
“What are those?” I asked Helen, the vegetable seller. Her name is some unpronounceable Chinese name, so I called her Helen instead. She agreed that Helen is such a beautiful and easier name to remember. I smiled.
“These are sea coconuts” she answered. I’m ignorant in that area although I’ve heard of them being sold at China Town. I scrutinized the ample soft but not mushy things, and asked Helen how best it is to prepare.
“Sea coconuts are good in this heat - you buy one packet of that, and this” she said as she shoved me what looked like overgrown dried Chinese dates.
“Oh?” I said almost looking as clueless as the next dumb blond in stilettos.
Helen nodded. As you can see in the images, these sea coconuts look quite easy to peel - I used a teaspoon, and the flesh is translucent. Washed, the meat looks like peeled Lidah Buaya {Aloe Vera}. In a casserole, mix sea coconut meat, dried Chinese dates, and 5 liters of water, and cook over medium to small flame for at least 2 hours.
“No added sugar?” I asked.
“No… no need sugar - these dried fruits are sweet, you just boil, and when it’s done, just throw in some pandan leaves” she added.
“That’s all? - you mean it’s that simple to prepare?”
“Yes, but you know Madam, they sell these very expensive in China Town” Helen added.
Yes they do - a glass of those would cost anything between 2€ to 4€ {still cheap for European standards really!}.
Enjoy!
