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Writing retreat, talks on copyright law and contracts during WAK2019

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Writing retreat, talks on copyright law and contracts during WAK2019
(Clockwise from top left) Lawyer and author Tina Isaacs, MYWriters president Gina Yap Lai Yoong and MYWriters Sarawak representative Georgette Tan.

KUCHING: Malaysian Writers Society (MYWriters) is bringing three events to this year’s What About Kuching (WAK) 2019, which also falls in conjunction with #MYWritersFest2019.

MYWritersFest, which began in 2015, is a month-long festival celebrating Malaysian writers and their writing.

The first of their three events include ‘Write Now, Kuching’, a four-day three-night writing retreat taking place from Oct 1 to 4 at Singgahsana Lodge, Kuching. This is one of the two writing retreats under #MYWritersFest2019, with the other one happening in Ipoh.

According to MYWriters president and retreat leader Gina Yap Lai Yoong, the idea is to take a few days off from normal routine and concentrate on your personal writing project.

“Writers are encouraged to work on their writing with minimal distraction from others. They can also communicate with other writers in the premises to discuss about their writings,” she said.

The daily group session, facilitated by Yap, is compulsory for every participant as it is to keep everyone accountable in their writing progress.

“You will get some leisure time but do not treat this as a cheap holiday. Our venue Singgahsana Lodge and its owners are offering us their venue because they believe in supporting the arts. So set your writing goals and expect to work hard,” she added, who will be assisted by MYWriters Sarawak representative Georgette Tan.

Yap has written 6 books and co-written many more. Her trilogy ‘Ngeri’ is a bestseller with more than 10 reprints since 2012. Known as a Story Doctor, Gina is a book consultant and has been mentoring writers since 2014 in their writing journey.

Retreat fees are RM210 per participant, which includes accommodations and meals. For more information, visit http://tiny.cc/kchretreat.

The other two events are talks by Tina Isaacs, a litigation lawyer specialising in copyright law. She is also a MYWriters committee member and a fiction writer. Taking place in the afternoon of Oct 5, Tina will cover an ‘Introduction to Copyright Law for Creatives’ and ‘Contract and Payment Terms for Freelance Creatives’.

Speaking on the talks, MYWriters Sarawak representative Georgette Tan said that while Kuching has no shortage of artistic talent, the lack of knowledge on matters of copyright and contracts often leave unwitting creative freelancers wide open for exploitation.

“As creative people, we usually don’t even think about matters of copyright or contracts until something happens to us. Alternately, we also don’t think about how our casual usage of other people’s intellectual property can hurt them,” Tan said, who is a former journalist.

In ‘Introduction to Copyright Law for Creatives’, participants will learn how to protect their work and control how it is used commercially while ensuring that they don’t infringe the work of others.

In ‘Contract and Payment Terms for Freelance Creatives’, Tina will walk participants through the legalese of contracts and how to protect their rights as an independent creative contractor.

Both these talks are not limited to writers. Tan added that these topics are relevant to all members of the creative community whether they are painters, dancers, photographers, designers, publishers, scriptwriters, or whether they make music, movies or handicrafts.

“With more and more Sarawakians embracing their artistic side as their primary or alternative income stream, it is worth understanding the legal side of the creative industry so you know where you stand and where you can go,” Tan said.

Ticket price for the talks is RM100 each. Attend both and pay only RM160. MYWriters members get 50% off the ticket price. Come in a group of five and pay RM400 (RM80/person) for one talk or RM700 (RM140/person) for both. To sign up, visit http://tiny.cc/kchtalks.

This event is part of What About Kuching 2019. For more information or to download our calendar, visit aboutkuching.com.  Programme booklets are also available for free across Kuching. For updates, find WAK on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter under @aboutkuching. Join the buzz by hashtagging #WAK2019, #WAK and #aboutkuching.

Pusas, tapas, sakana, anju: food that goes well with alcohol

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Pusas is commonly known in Sabah as any food that accompanies your alcoholic drinks.

Personally, my favourite pusas are cheesy tofu and fried chicken wings when it comes to light beers. If it is dark beer like Guinness or Kilkenny, I prefer something salty and light like salted peanuts or potato chips.

Meanwhile other cultures such as Spain, South Korea and Japan, also have their own terms referring to food or tidbits served as an accompaniment to alcohol.

So, let us explore the different kinds of pusas, tapas, sakana or anju:
Pusas, tapas, sakana, anju: food that goes well with alcohol
Do you like a full meal with your beer or just some snacks?
Pusas (East Malaysian state of Sabah)

First of all, can we all agree that different kinds of alcohol need different types of pusas or food to go with?

For something light or a local favourite during celebrations, there is fried anchovies with salted peanuts.

The easiest way to make this snack is to fry the anchovies and peanuts separately till they are both equally crunchy. Then mix them together while seasoning them with salt.

Another favourite pusas found in Sabah is none other than sinalau bakas. It is basically smoked wild boar cut into strips and washes down easily with beer.

Basically, there are plenty of pusas out there to choose from. But in the Malaysian regions of Borneo, pork dishes are usually nominated as the representative of all pusas.

Tapas (Spain)

Tapas actually refer to appetisers or snacks in Spanish cuisine. From food meant to be served in small sizes, tapas has evolved and become known as food that goes with alcohol as they are often served in bars.

Some of the common Spanish tapas are olives, meatballs, salted cod loin, slow-cooked beef and fried tiny squid.

Pusas, tapas, sakana, anju: food that goes well with alcohol
How about some olives to go with your dark beer?
Sakana (Japan)

Just like pusas, sakana is a Japanese term referring to food eaten as an accompaniment to alcohol.

The common sakana are yakitori (grilled skewers of chicken meat and parts), kushiage (deep-fried skewers of meat or vegetables) and sashimi (raw fish).

As for sakana, the most popular that goes with sake are any roe fish and shiokara (fermented and salted squid innards).

Meanwhile, edamame (salted and boiled soybean pods) and nankotsu (chicken cartilage) make the perfect pairings with beer.

Pusas, tapas, sakana, anju: food that goes well with alcohol
Choose your sake to go with your meal.
Anju (South Korea)
Pusas, tapas, sakana, anju: food that goes well with alcohol
Korean soju and the different kinds of anju.

If you’ve watched enough Korean dramas, then you might notice the different parings of anju to different kinds of alcohol.

For soju, it goes best with samgyeopsal or grilled pork belly. The clear and neat taste of soju somehow cuts down the greasiness of the pork belly taste in your mouth.

Since South Korea is home for all kinds of seasoned chicken, there are plenty of choices of which one to accompany your alcohol. These flavourful fried chicken make the perfect pair with beer.

Another common pairing of anju and alcoholic drink you might see in Korean dramas is pajeon (Korean pancake) and makgeolli (Korean white-coloured rice wine).

Share with us in the comment box what are your favourite food or snacks to go with your alcoholic drinks.

All photos credit to Unsplash.com

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Remember these 20 quotes on why a sense of urgency is important in business

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If you have a great sense of urgency, working with people without one can be frustrating.

While all you can think about is making progress in the things that you do, it is discouraging to have teammates or business partners with an “It is okay, the time will come” attitude.

People often misunderstand the sense of urgency with the sense of emergency. In the case of emergency, some people will run around like a chicken with its head cut off.

This kind of attitude will lead you nowhere and it is just being unproductive.

On the other hand, to have a sense of urgency is to know the value of time and planning while focusing your eyes in the prize.

It is not about doing the same thing everyday without care if you are making any progress and at the same time hoping success just going to fall into your lap.

Remember these 20 quotes on why a sense of urgency is important in business
Eyeing for more progress is always good for your business or startups.
Here are 20 quotes to remind you why sense of urgency is important:

Progressive improvement beats delayed perfection.

Mark Twain

Identify the important and act with a sense of urgency.

Anonymous

The trouble is you think you have time.

Buddha

I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough. We must apply. Being willing is not enough. We must do.

Leonardo da Vinci

Everyone should have a sense of urgency- it is getting a lot done in a short period of time in a calm, confident manner.

Bob Proctor

A higher rate of urgency does not imply ever-present panic, anxiety or fear. It means a state in which complacency is virtually absent.

John P. Kotter

Time to improve is limited. The clock is always on and doesn’t care if you don’t feel like it. Someone else does and they’re passing you by.

William James Moore

We have to live life with a sense or urgency, so not a minute is wasted.

Les Brown

Urgency means paying the details the attention they deserve, with the respect they deserve, without delay.

Richie Norton

Where there is no sense of urgency, there is usually a strong habit of procrastination.

Edmond Mbiaka

Urgency makes the difference between practitioners, proclaimers and procrastinators.

Richie Norton
Having a sense of urgency is usually related with achieving your goals.
Remember these 20 quotes on why a sense of urgency is important in business
It is better to start now rather than waiting for the ‘right time’ because the right time will never come.

Only those who dream with a sense of urgency get to wake up from their dreams.

Edmond Mbiaka

Without a sense of urgency, desire loses its value.

Jim Rohn

You must take action now that will move you towards your goals. Develop a sense of urgency in your life.

H Jack Brown Jr

Sense of urgency is the impetus to winning while false sense of urgency is the pebble in the shoe.

Dr V V Rao

Success requires both urgency and patience. Be urgent about making the effort, and patient about seeing the results.

Ralph Marston

The secret of success. Stop wishing, start doing.

Anonymous.

Move fast. A sense of urgency is the one thing you can develop that will separate you from everyone else. When you get a good idea, do it now.

Brian Tracy

Whatever your goal in life, unless you develop a great urgency, what could be near will be far away.

Jaggi Vasudev

If you do not answer the noice and urgency of your gifts, they will turn on you. Or drag you down with their immense sadness at being abandoned.

Kevin Brady
Remember these 20 quotes on why a sense of urgency is important in business
Always plan ahead and never procrastinate.

All photos are from Pexels.

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10 Malaysian wedding guest etiquette rules you should remember

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So, you’ve just received an invitation to a wedding. You may find yourself excited, especially if it is a union for someone (or a couple of people) you care about in your life.

It is also a chance to enjoy good food, catch up with relatives, meet old friends and make new ones.

Since it is a joyous celebration for two people, you should be honoured to be invited, so remember your etiquette as a wedding guest.

10 Malaysian wedding guest etiquette rules you should remember
A wedding celebration is a joyous ceremony for two people who decided to spend the rest of their lives together.
Here at KajoMag, we want to remind you 10 wedding guest etiquette rules you ought to know before and during the celebration.
10 Malaysian wedding guest etiquette rules you should remember
Keep your etiquette as a wedding guest in check.
1.For goodness sake, do RSVP on time.

This is the number one wedding guest etiquette rule, do RSVP.

Let the couple know once you have confirmed your attendance before their due date.

By doing this, you are helping the couple in their wedding preparation.

But what if something came up in the last minute and you cannot make it? Let the couple know, even if it is only a few days away. If the wedding reception takes place in a seated arrangement, the couple could find somebody to replace you.

2.Do not make too many requests.

Preparing for a wedding could be a stressful thing for a couple, the least you could do as a wedding guest is not make unnecessary requests.

If you are a vegan or on a restricted diet due to religious or health reasons, it is understandable to make certain requests before the wedding.

Before making any request for the wedding as a guest, ask these questions first; is it really important? Can you deal with it without bothering the couple? If the answer is no and yes, in that order, then do not make the request.

On top of the wedding preparation, the couple might also be going through a hundred other things in their lives. So be considerate of them. In the end of the day, it is their wedding not yours.

3.Do not complain to the couple, especially on the wedding day.

Remember the saying, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”? Someone’s wedding day is the best day to practice this saying.

Before the wedding, there are plenty of things not to complain about as a wedding guest. Not happy with the dress code or the dress theme? Improvise and bear with it.

Not happy with the seating arrangement at the wedding reception? Bear with it because it is just for a few hours.

The food or drinks not to your liking? A helpful cheat, especially useful if the event runs late, is to eat a little meal before you go, that way you aren’t starving at the event. It also helps when the food isn’t to your taste, then you can nibble here and there.

If you are not happy with anything or there is something that needs to be fixed right away, be that person who helps to deal with it. The couple will really appreciate your gesture.

The worst thing you could do as a guest is to go up to the couple on the day of their nuptials and complain about their wedding.

10 Malaysian wedding guest etiquette rules you should remember
Whatever you do, do not make it a stressful day for wedding couple.
4.Again for goodness sake, do be on time.

Here in Malaysia, we have seen too many cases of guests arriving late, be it for the wedding ceremony or reception.

It is just rude. Of course, it is also rude for couples to keep their wedding guests waiting.

(For couples that do invite VIPs, especially active ministers or assemblymen, come up with a backup plan if their duties will make them late for your event. Don’t let your guests starve while waiting for them to arrive. Similarly, you have to remember that it’s your wedding, not a government function.)

So for a wedding, let us all be on time whether you are getting married or not.

10 Malaysian wedding guest etiquette rules you should remember
Always on time for a wedding especially if it takes place in a church or any religious houses.
5.Do not assume you can bring a date.

Never assume who you can bring for a wedding reception.

Check your invitation card. If the invitation doesn’t state a plus-one, then do not bring one. Do not assume your children are welcome too. If you really need to bring a date or you do not have anyone to babysit your children, let the couple know beforehand so that they can make arrangements.

And please do not assume all your mutual friends are invited as well. It is possible that you are one of the few in your group of friends or colleagues who are invited due to plenty of reasons.

It could be because the venue is small or there is a budget issue. Do not make things awkward for the couple by bringing in the whole gang but in the end some of them are not on the invitation list.

6.Do turn off your phone.

Always remember to turn off your phone especially if the wedding ceremony takes place in religious houses. Even during the wedding reception, do not be a party pooper by looking at your phone all the time. You have plenty of time to do that at home.

7.Watch where you point your camera.

In this era of smartphones, this is perhaps the wedding guest etiquette some people do not practice.

Just because you have a camera on your phone, do not feel entitled to take photos everywhere and anytime during wedding celebrations.

If the wedding ceremony takes place in a religious house, take note of the do’s and don’ts of that place.

For example, do not rush right up to the altar in a church and stand next to the priest just to take a photo for your Facebook friends. (Yes, we have seen this type of wedding guests.)

Above all, never ever stand in the way of the couple’s official photographer. As a wedding guest you should not ruin the couple’s only chance to capture their special moments.

10 Malaysian wedding guest etiquette rules you should remember
Never block the official photographer during a wedding.
8.Do not get wasted.

If you are in East Malaysia, raise your hand if you have seen fights break out during the wedding celebration, all thanks to alcohol.

In most kampungs (villages) and longhouses, there are strict rules against fighting during any celebration. You could be fined for breaking these rules.

Even if you are not the type to get into fights when intoxicated, wedding celebrations are just not the place to get wasted.

It doesn’t matter if you saw your former flame come with a hotter or better looking version of you as a date, or you have an ongoing court case over ancestral land with a relative who came for the wedding, there is no valid reason to get inebriated.

If you are drinking, know your limits and stick to them.

If you see an unfinished or unopened bottle of alcohol, leave it for the families or other wedding guests. Unless you have requested it from the newlyweds or families, do not do the Malaysian style of tapao.

10 Malaysian wedding guest etiquette rules you should remember
Keep your alcohol level in check as a wedding guest.
9.Do not leave too early.

If it is an emergency, you are free to excuse yourself but let the couple or their families know.

Different cultures have different timing as when it is considered appropriate to leave a wedding celebration.

During some Malaysian weddings, there are guests who have left even before the couple have come over to the table to make a toast (usually to beat the traffic jam in the parking lot). So imagine how disappointed the newlyweds are to see a half-empty table halfway through the reception.

10.Do bring home your wedding favour.

No matter how small the wedding favour is, do not forget to bring them home.

Do not have that mindset, “It is just a small bag of sweets,” or “it doesn’t cost much.”

Every piece of wedding favour is a sign of appreciation from the couple for their wedding guests. They could have opted to forego the whole thing and let you leave empty-handed. Yet, they chose not to do so, so appreciate them.

Remember that a wedding celebration should be a joyous one. Add on the joy and happiness of the celebration by enjoying yourself as a wedding guest.

10 Malaysian wedding guest etiquette rules you should remember
Eat, drink and be merry!

All photos from unsplash.com

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5 things you might not know about torch ginger or bunga kantan

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Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) is widely known as bunga kantan in Malaysia. It is also known as ginger flower, torch lily, Philippine wax flower, Indonesian tall ginger, rose de porcelaine and porcelain rose.

Here in Malaysia, the bud of the torch ginger makes an important ingredient in dishes such as laksa and nasi kerabu.

But did you know Malaysians are not the only ones who love this plant?

Here are 5 things you might not know about torch ginger or bunga kantan:
5 things you might not know about torch ginger or bunga kantan
Torch ginger’s flower.
1.The plant is used in different kind of cuisines throughout Southeast Asia.

In North Sumatra, Indonesia, the locals used the flower buds for a stewed fish dish called Arsik ikan mas.

Meanwhile in Bali, people use the white part of the bottom of the trunk for cooking chilli sauce called “Sambal Bongkot” and the flower buds to make chilli sauce “Sambal Kecicang.”

In Thailand, young shoots and flowers of the plants are served raw with nam phrik phao (a type of Thai spicy chilli sauce).

2.The leaves of the bunga kantan is commonly used as post-partum home treatment.

In Malaysia, the leaves of the bunga kantan is mixed with other traditional herbs such as ginger leaves, turmeric leaves and betel leaves in water. Then post-partum women would use it as bathwater to get rid any body odour.

5 things you might not know about torch ginger or bunga kantan
Thanks to its pretty and bright pink appearance, this plant is also used as decorative plant.
3.It is used to cure the symptoms of typhoid fever and other diseases.

A community in Porehu district of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia use the plant to cure symptoms of typhoid fever.

Apart from that, they also believe that consuming the plant could cure various kinds of diseases such as diarrhea, canker sores, cough and heartburn.

This traditional knowledge has been passed down for generations.

4.Essential oil from torch ginger could be used as an ingredient for sunscreen.

There have been a few studies done on the phytochemistry of this plant. For example, a study done by Royal College of Medicine Perak which was published in Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science in 2017 had proven that there were two benefits of torch ginger’s essential oil.

The researchers found that the torch ginger essential oil provided phytochemical screening, photo-protective as well as anti-oxidant properties.

Hence, the study suggested to use torch ginger as a new source of natural anti-oxidant ingredients that can be incorporated into sunscreen cosmetic products.

5 things you might not know about torch ginger or bunga kantan
Torch ginger tree.
5.The inflorescence of torch ginger is potentially used as a preservative.

Meanwhile, another research study done by Universiti Sains Malaysia had found the benefits of oil and extracts derived from the inflorescence of torch ginger.

They found that the oil and extracts had rich antibacterial activity and possessed great potential to be used as a preservative in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

5 things you might not know about torch ginger or bunga kantan
The essential oil of this plant is potentially be used as sunscreen.

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KajoAsks: Erpha Ahdayani on selling Barbie gowns internationally from her Bintulu home

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Erpha Ahdayani Othman, 42, might look like any stay-at-home mother in Bintulu. However, most people would not know that she actually creates gowns for Silkstone Barbie dolls, selling them to customers all over the world.

Unlike the everyday Barbie doll, Silkstone Barbie dolls are collectible items made of harder plastic (called Silkstone) to mimic porcelain, and they are specifically fashion model toys.

So far this mother of two has produced hundreds of gowns for Silkstone Barbie dolls with the largest order received from the United States.

Sewing a small gown is completely different from sewing a human-sized dress. According to Erpha, a difference in one millimetre can make a huge difference. Additionally, the stitching pattern should be correct in order for the quality of the gowns to be maintained.

Recently, KajoMag had the opportunity to ask Erpha few questions about her craft.
KajoAsks: Erpha Ahdayani on selling Barbie gowns internationally from her Bintulu home
Erpha and her barbie doll gowns.
KajoMag: How long have you been sewing? 

Erpha Ahdayani: I started sewing when I was 8. Even back then my early sewing was for dolls. Later, I learned sewing from an aunt and since then I had been sewing for my siblings and my mom. 

Years passed and after I finished my studies in UiTM in 1997, I worked for a while.

When my baby was born in 2004, I decided to take care of my baby boy at home. That was when I picked up my sewing skills again and took orders for making baju kurungs.

After many years, I learned a new hobby, which is smocking and decided to focus on sewing for children. At the same time I kept on sewing Barbie dresses, only this time sewing for doll collectors.

KajoAsks: Erpha Ahdayani on selling Barbie gowns internationally from her Bintulu home
A close-up of one Erpha’s Barbie gowns, which is a sheath dress with a sweetheart neckline in Chinese brocade.
KajoMag: What was the most difficult part of starting your own business? 

Erpha Ahdayani: The most difficult part of starting my own business was when nobody believed in me. For example, when I tried to register my own company, the staff at the business registration office wouldn’t let me, asking me to just quietly sew at home. 

Luckily, my husband and my family believe in what I do. So I am so happy and passionate in what I do best – sewing!  

KajoMag: How do you balance your business and motherhood? 

Erpha Ahdayani: With self-discipline and punctuality. I never sew in my pyjamas and I will make sure that my kids are bathed and fed before I start work. Plus, my husband and I have our own duties when it comes to cooking and cleaning.

KajoMag: What advice would you give someone who wants to try their hand at sewing or smocking, but think they are not creative enough? 

Erpha Ahdayani: Just continue to learn and find your passion. Be patient and there is no shortcut to become a skilled needle-worker. Remember, practice makes perfect. Always.

KajoAsks: Erpha Ahdayani on selling Barbie gowns internationally from her Bintulu home
One of Erpha’s barbie dresses.
KajoMag: Your items have been sold all over the world. Care to share your most memorable customer feedback you’ve received so far? 

Erpha Ahdayani: I have had quite alot of positive reviews from them, Alhamdulillah. I am so happy when they mentioned the high quality of my workmanship and the material I choose to make each dress. 

All photos are courtesy of Erpha Ahdayani. Check out more of her work on her Etsy’s shop here and follow her on Instagram.

Read more about our KajoAsks stories here.

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Remember these 20 quotes when you have copycats in your business

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Have you heard of an internet slang word called ‘stalkcat’? It refers to those who are both an internet stalker and copycat.

So a stalkcat will stalk you and whatever you are doing and then copies you. While you might know your stalkcats, you can always figure out who your copycats are, especially in business.

No matter what, you should never be worried about copycats. Don’t be scared of going big with your ideas for fear of others copying it. This is because copycats can always copy all they want but they will always be one step behind.

If you encounter copycats in your business or even arts, bear these 20 quotes to keep yourself moving:

Strong brands are not built through shortcuts and copycats.

Bernard Kelvin Clive

Anybody who is imitating somebody else, no matter who it is, is heading in the wrong direction. It is impossible to become like somebody else. Your only hope is to become more fully yourself.

Jon Kabat-Zinn

People are going to copy your product if you build great stuff. Just because Yahoo has a search box doesn’t make it Google.

Evan Spiegel

People copy people they look up to, and good products inspire copycats.

Innocent Mwatsikesimbe

When a company creates a blue ocean and its powerful performance consequence are known, sooner or later imitators appear on the horizon.

W. Chan Kim

The imitator dooms himself to hopeless mediocrity. The inventor did it, because it was natural to him, and so in him it has a charm. In the imitator, something else is natural, and he bereaves himself of his own beauty, to come short of another man’s.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

You know you’re winning when you see you’re being copied.

Robin Sharma

Generally, you are held to a sound and that becomes your sound. That gets branded as your sound, and all the copycats start with it because the labels are looking for that sound.

Randy Bachman

The great idea is the one that is either saleable or is worthy of imitation.

Amit Kalantri

Stay true to yourself. An original is worth more than a copy.

Suzy Kassem
Remember these 20 quotes when you have copycats in your business
But here is why you should never be copycats yourself:

You should learn from your competitor, but never copy. Copy and you die.

Jack Ma

If you copy then it is not self-expression.

Michael Schenker

As long as you’re being a copycat, you will never be the best copycat.

Eric Thomas

If you choose to be fearless, then be fearlessly authentic not an imitation of someone you envy.

Shannon L. Alder

When you are gunning to be like other people, you are foolishly repeating their mistakes, and the worst of it all is that you can’t even correct yours.

Michael Bassey Johnson

It is only by imitating the vices of others that I have earned my misfortunes.

Marquis de Sade

The desired shape of your dreams is different from the supposed shape of another person’s dream. When shaping your own, you may watch the process of another person’s dreams, but keep eyes away from the destination.
-Israelmore Ayivor

Do your own thing. Others own their own thing. If you copy too much, you’ll find yourself in late night cocktail lounge cover band limbo.

Kurt Cobain

Creativity versus inspiration: inspiration makes a copy, creativity makes something completely new.

Hannah Garrison

Without authenticity, we are only a poor imitation of someone else.

Tom Hayes

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10 ways to cook your canned tuna besides making a sandwich

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Canned tuna has been the subject of many debates. Some argue it is high in mercury and not safe for consumption while others believe tuna canning is not an environmentally sustainable industry.

Other concerns about bycatch (like dolphins and whales getting caught in the fishing nets) and overfishing have also been an issue with the tuna industry.

You can check the source of your tuna with websites like Seafood Watch set up by Monterey Bay Aquarium, and even checking for information on the brand website itself for the type of tuna being fished and where.

Watch out for food producers like Ayam Brand where they even state what kind of tuna they are using (small yellowfish and skipjack) and even outline their tuna purchasing specifications on a page titled, “Is My Ayam Brand Tuna Sustainable?”.

For those who enjoy this flaky fish meat, here are 10 ways to cook your canned tuna besides making the usual sandwich:
1.Make an easy tuna penne pasta

Chef John from Food Wishes was one of the earliest cooking gurus on YouTube. He shared this fast and easy recipe to make penne pasta with basic ingredients of tuna in olive oil, cream of tomato soup and penne.

The rest of ingredients are seasonings which are up to you. You can make it creamy by adding Parmigiano Reggiano cheese or ‘herby’ by adding herbs such as oregano and tarragon.

Do not forget to add salt and pepper to taste!

Watch how to make it here.

2.Healthy tuna patties

If you are looking for high protein and high fiber foods to snack on, here is a recipe that you should try.

The main ingredients are two cans of tuna, one cup of rolled oats, two eggs, onions, black pepper and salt to taste.

You can have it for breakfast, lunch or as after workout snacks.

Watch how to make it here.

3.Gordan Ramsay’s spiced tuna fishcakes
10 ways to cook your canned tuna besides making a sandwich
Spiced tuna fishcakes. Credits: Youtube

Guess what? Even famous celebrity chef Gordan Ramsay uses canned tuna. Similar with the previous recipe, Ramsay made fishcake out of canned tuna.

For this, he adds in Asian ingredients such as chilli, spring onion, coriander and fish sauce.

4.Tuna salad

Skip the usual thousand island or vinaigrette and make your own dressing using olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Once you get the dressing done, there are plenty of ways to make canned tuna salad.

Watch how to make it here.

5.Stir-fried tuna

Here is a recipe to turn your canned tuna into a stir-fried dish to eat with rice. Stir fry these ingredients; onion, garlic, green chilies, tomato together with canned tuna.

On top of salt for seasoning, you can also add in turmeric powder and chili powder.

Watch how to make it here.

6.Tuna rolls for snacks

To make these canned tuna rolls, you need to have egg or spring roll wrappers which are very easy to get from the supermarket.

Then for its filling, combine tuna together with chopped vegetables like celery, carrots, cabbage and spring onions.

Bind it with mayo and maybe a little bit of dijon mustard before rolling it. Do not forget your salt and pepper to taste.

Once the rolls are all wrapped up nicely, you can either fry or bake it.

Watch how to make it here.

7.Tuna kimchi jjigae

We listed kimchi jjigae as one of easy Korean dinner recipes that you can try at home. By adding in some canned tuna into your kimchi stew, then you have one whole new dish to try.

Watch how to make it here.

8.Korean tuna rice balls

Tuna kimchi jjigae is not the only Korean dish you can make from canned tuna. You can also make some rice balls with it.

Just mix tuna (drained from oil or water) with leftover rice, some seaweed, salt to taste and maybe a little bit of mayonnaise to taste.

Once the mixture is done, roll the rice into small balls.

Watch how to make it here.

9.Filipino tuna sisig

Sisig is a Filipino dish originally made from parts of pig head and chicken liver. Usually it is seasoned with calamansi, onions and chilli peppers.

Instead of pig head and chicken liver, make sisig out of canned tuna. It is pretty easy to make as long as you have the basic ingredients such as onion, ginger, chilli, black pepper, sugar, calamansi, mayonnaise and cooking oil to fry.

Watch how to make it here.

10.Tuna curry

Imagine craving for curry but do not have the proteins beside canned tuna in your pantry. Then it is time to give tuna curry a try!

Different Asian cultures seem to have different interpretation of curry. Just cook the curry according to your preference but put in canned tuna instead.

Watch how to make it here.

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3 things you might not know about Osborne crackers

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Some Malaysians might not know the name Osborne cracker, but most would definitely recognise the shape and flavour of it.

This oval-shaped cracker is generally made from wheat flour, vegetable oil, sugar, corn starch, salt and glucose syrup.

Here are three facts you might not know about Osborne cracker:
3 things you might not know about Osborne crackers
Cap Ayam is one of the famous brands producing this cracker.
1.It has a royal origin, of sorts.

This humble piece of cracker has a history dating back to 1860.

According to The Huntley and Palmers Collection, the crackers were intended to be named after Queen Victoria.

Her Majesty declined to be associated with a commercial product but gracefully suggested that they could name the biscuit after her favourite home, Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.

The cracker was one of the first semi-sweet varieties of biscuit to find mass favour in the 19th century.

Malaysians have many names for this cracker, including roti tawar, roti kapal and biskut kering.

In Sarawak specifically, the locals call it roti sebayan, biskut mayat, biskut pending and many more.

2.In the Krayan Highlands of North Kalimantan, they call it roti tasu and there is a historical reason behind it.

In the Krayan Highlands of North Kalimantan, Indonesia, the Lundayeh community call it roti tasu or dog crackers.

The reason behind this interesting name can be traced back during Indonesian-Malaysian confrontation in early 1960s.

Located near the border of Sarawak-Indonesia, the highlands was one of the hot spots for military operations such as Operation Claret.

British and Australian troops were carrying out secret missions while hiding out in the jungle.

Nonetheless, some local Indonesians knew about this and secretly helped the Commonwealth forces during the confrontation.

According to tour guide Alex Ballang, some of the locals even helped in sending rations to the forces.

“The troops had a pet dog and the locals noticed the soldiers were feeding the dog with Osborne crackers.”

Since then, the local Krayan residents started to called it roti tasu or dog crackers.

3.There are recipes using Osborne crackers for you to try at home.

Most would agree that the best way to enjoy Osborne crackers is to dip it in a hot drink. Some even eat it just like cereal or porridge, mixing it in their beverage before eating it with a spoon.

But did you know that there are a few recipes out there using Osborne crackers as its main ingredient?

The most common recipe is bubur roti Osborne or Osborne cracker porridge.

It is made from Osborne crackers, coconut milk, sago, pandan leaves, water and sugar.

But when it comes to the weirdest recipe found online, it is none other than Osborne goreng.

The crackers are stir-fried together with garlic, onion, egg and vegetables such as bean sprouts.

3 things you might not know about Osborne crackers
Osborne crackers

Do you have interesting names, recipes or stories behind the Osborne cracker? Let us know in the comment box.

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5 things about tarap fruit of Borneo you wouldn’t learn in the classroom

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Tarap is always on the list when comes to types of fruits you should try in Borneo.

Sometimes known as the cempedak of Borneo, this fruit usually shares the same fate with durian. It is commonly being banned from entering most hotels for its strong smell.

If you are not familiar with this fruit, here are five things you should know about tarap:
5 things about tarap fruit of Borneo you wouldn't learn in the classroom
It is also known as marang in the Philippines.
1.It is also known by many names.

Does the tarap fruit seem familiar but you’re not sure if you’ve tried it before? You may have heard it called by any of these other names: terap, marang, johey oak, green pedalai, madang or timadang.

The scientific name of tarap is Actocarpus odoratissimus, and it is actually a tree in the mulberry and fig family Moraceae.

2.It is found in Borneo, Palawan and Mindanao islands.

While it is famously found on the island of Borneo, this fruit is also native to the Palawan and Mindanao islands.

In the Philippines, the locals call it marang.

3.There are two other species of fruit similar to tarap.

The first fruit species that is similar to Actocarpus odoratissimus is Artocarpus sericarpus. It is also known as pedalai, gumihan or terap bulu.

Terap bulu does not have strong odour like tarap. As for its outer appearance, terap bulu is hairy and looks like a giant rambutan.

The second one is Artocarpus sarawakensis (pingan or mountain tarap). It is the same shape as the Artocarpus odoratissimus but it is orange in colour and has smaller kernel sections.

4.Once you open it, you need to eat the fruit really fast

Unlike durian, it does not fall to the ground when it is overripe. So farmers can harvest tarap when they are deemed a mature size and leave it to ripen.

The flesh is sweet and has a creamy texture.

Once opened, you need to eat the fruit immediately because it oxidizes fast and loses its flavour quickly.

This is also the reason why the commercialisation of this tropical fruit is limited. It has a very low shelf life.

5.The many uses of tarap fruit.

If you have the chance to visit Tarakan in North Kalimantan, Indonesia, give the city’s signature tarap juice and tarap layered cake a try.

The tarap layered cake is one of the city’s own original products. As for tarap juice, it is one of the must-try drinks in Tarakan.

You can actually make it at home using tarap, sugar, ice, water and condensed milk.

Besides the fruit, the peels were reported to be useful material for the removal of colouring agents.

Even the seeds are edible; just like jackfruit seeds they can be boiled or roasted and then eaten as snacks. Just like Actocarpus odoratissimus, terap bulu’s seeds are edible after boiling or roasting.

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