All Recipes — Mama Ding's Kitchen

Welcome to Mama Ding’s kitchen

This is the place I like to share the recipes I adapt and create with love and care. I hope you find as much joy in trying these recipes out as I did preparing them. Cheers!

Posts in Main Dish

Baked Chicken Thighs

Baked Chicken Thighs

Today's RECIPE is Baked Chicken Thighs. This is an easy dish. You'll just need to marinade the meat for 4 hours or overnight then let the oven do the cooking.

Enjoy the tasty goodness of baked chicken thighs – flavorful and easy to make. They are tender and juicy, infused with herbs and spices, perfect for any occasion. Each bite has a rich taste that goes well with sides like roasted vegetables or creamy mashed potatoes. Baking keeps them moist and is a healthier choice than frying. These versatile chicken thighs are great for family gatherings, weeknight dinners, or meal prep. They also provide protein to keep you energized. Simplify your cooking and enhance your meals with our baked chicken thighs – a dish everyone will enjoy!

Main DishMama DingMarch 19, 2025Comment

Stewed Pork Ribs in Sticky Spicy Sauce

Stewed Pork Ribs in Sticky Spicy Sauce

This Stewed Pork Ribs in Sticky Spicy Sauce is easy to prepare but is very flavorful and goes well with steamed rice. You can also use this recipe for chicken, lamb or beef.

Enjoy tender pork ribs covered in a thick, spicy-sweet sauce. Slow-cooked and infused with spices, each rib bursts with flavor. The glossy sauce clings to the meat, making it even tastier. Pair with soft rice or crusty bread for a filling meal. Great for gatherings or cozy dinners, these ribs will delight all and have them wanting the recipe.

Main DishMama DingMarch 17, 2025Comment

Spiced Baked Chicken (Ayam Bakar Berempah)

Spiced Baked Chicken (Ayam Bakar Berempah)

Today's RECIPE is an easy one, Ayam Bakar Berempah/Spiced Baked Chicken. Just a quick marinade, then bake and voila! Lunch or dinner is ready.

Main Dish, ChickenMama DingJune 5, 2022Comment

Kuih Ketayap/Kuih Dadar Gulung/Sweet Coconut Pancake

Kuih Ketayap/Kuih Dadar Gulung/Sweet Coconut Pancake

Many names but they refer to the same thing - this sweet coconut pancake is fragrant and delicious as a teatime treat or a breakfast item. Today's RECIPE is Bluepea Kuih Ketayap/Kuih Dadar Gulung/Sweet Coconut Pancake.
For the regular version, replace the blue pea juice with pandan juice.

Main Dish, BeefMama DingJune 2, 2022Malay foodComment

Daging Masak Hitam/Stewed Meat in Sweet Soy Sauce

Daging Masak Hitam/Stewed Meat in Sweet Soy Sauce

Daging Masak Hitam/Stewed Meat in Sweet Soy Sauce is a Malaysian Ramadan bazaar favorite of our family. We used beef in this cook. You can replace with pork/lamb/chicken but do adjust cooking time accordingly. If you prefer a darker color, add more dark soy sauce.

Main Dish, MeatMama DingMay 27, 2022Comment

Shallot Oil Noodles

Shallot Oil Noodles

This RECIPE for noodles has been used in my family for ages. For me, eating this dish brings back nostalgic memories. The recipe for Shallot Oil Noodles was requested by my children who were in self-isolation in college during the 2020 pandemic. It's a simple and delicious noodle dish. The shallot oil can be swapped with garlic oil if preferred.

Main Dish, NoodlesMama DingMay 27, 2022Comment

Sambal Petai Hehbee (Dried Shrimp Stinkbean Sambal)

Sambal Petai Hehbee (Dried Shrimp Stinkbean Sambal)

Today's NYONYA RECIPE is SAMBAL PETAI HEHBEE/Dried Shrimp Stinkbean Sambal. Petai/Stinkbeans are an acquired taste, either you love them or you hate them. If you're from South East Asia, you'll be familiar with these stinky beans. They may stink to high heaven but lovers of this dish will swear they taste like heaven and can be quite addictive.

Main Dish, VegetablesMama DingMay 18, 2022Comment

Sweet Potato Leaves in Spicy Coconut Gravy

Sweet Potato Leaves in Spicy Coconut Gravy

Today's RECIPE is quintessential in a Peranakan household. Huan Chu Heok Masak Lemak/Sweet Potato Leaves in Spicy Coconut Gravy is a favorite of many. Cubed sweet potatoes may be added to this dish but we have added cubed pumpkin instead because of personal preference. Other vegetables (kangkung/french beans/long beans/cabbage) may be used to cook this dish as well.

Main Dish, VegetablesMama DingApril 24, 2021Comment

Tamarind Prawns

Tamarind Prawns

Tamarind Prawns or Assam Heh is a fast cooking appetizing dish. A little time to marinate then a quick stir fry and it’s ready. The tangy tamarind sauce makes for a perfect dish to eat with rice. Try the RECIPE, you will love it.

Main Dish, SeafoodMama DingApril 16, 2021 Comments

Tu Thor Th'ng/Peppery Pig Maw Soup

Tu Thor Th'ng/Peppery Pig Maw Soup

Tu Thor Th’ng/Peppery Pig Stomach Soup is a common dish in some Peranakan/Chinese homes during Chinese New Year. Cooking this dish requires some extensive preparation of the main ingredient, the pig stomach/pork maw.

Main Dish, SoupMama DingApril 1, 2021Comment

Foochow Spicy Sour Fish Maw Soup (Koh Lu)

Foochow Spicy Sour Fish Maw Soup (Koh Lu)

This is one of the legacy dishes I inherited from my mum-in-law. She was not fond of cooking like my own mother but this dish she cooked it well because she married a Foochow and lived among Foochows in Ayer Tawar for more than 70 years. I cook this Foochow Spicy Sour Fish Maw Soup (Koh Lu) in memory of her as she passed away in July 2020.

Main Dish, SoupMama DingFebruary 26, 2021 Comments

Jiu Hu Char (Stirfried Jicama with Shredded Dried Cuttlefish)

Jiu Hu Char (Stirfried Jicama with Shredded Dried Cuttlefish)

Today's RECIPE is a compulsory dish for our Lunar New Year Reunion dinner. This dish is usually eaten wrapped like a parcel with fresh Chinese lettuce leaves. Jiu Hu Char/Stirfried Jicama with Shredded Dried Cuttlefish is fragrant with the addition of the cuttlefish. Some Peranakan/Chinese households add their favorite ingredients to this dish (prawns/pork belly/dried shrimps etc). Here is the basic version.

Main Dish, VegetablesMama DingFebruary 19, 2021Comment

Braised Napa Cabbage with Shiitake Mushrooms, Dried Scallops and Fatt Choy

Braised Napa Cabbage with Shiitake Mushrooms, Dried Scallops and Fatt Choy

Braised Napa Cabbage with Shiitake Mushrooms, Dried Scallops and Fatt Choy is one of those Chinese New Year dishes that we love having second or even third helpings of. Our RECIPE of the day is pretty easy to cook and its a delicious dish full of umami flavors from the mushrooms and scallops. Try making this dish for the Lunar New Year meal.

Main Dish, VegetablesMama DingFebruary 4, 2021Comment

Teochew Law Ark (Braised Duck Teochew Style)

Teochew Law Ark (Braised Duck Teochew Style)

Today's RECIPE is Teochew Law Ark/Braised Duck Teochew Style. It's a time-consuming dish to cook but well worth the effort especially as a dish for the festivities.

Main Dish, DuckMama DingFebruary 1, 2021Comment

Ayam Kesum (Chicken with Vietnamese Mint)

Ayam Kesum (Chicken with Vietnamese Mint)

Today's RECIPE is Ayam Kesum (Chicken with Vietnamese Mint). This dish is great with toasted bread or buns to mop up the delicious gravy. The recipe is adapted from Syh Seet. Many thanks for a great dish.

Main Dish, ChickenMama DingJanuary 29, 2021 Comment

Ayam Pongteh (Nyonya Chicken Stew)

Ayam Pongteh (Nyonya Chicken Stew)

Today's RECIPE is a Malaccan Peranakan Chicken Stew called Ayam Pongteh. Every Baba/Nyonya has his/her own special way of preparing this dish. Some may omit mushrooms or potatoes and some add bamboo shoots. However you cook it...the essential ingredients are the shallots and garlic paste and the preserved bean paste/taucheo. It is a flavorful dish and when served with sambal belacan, it tastes awesome!

Main Dish, ChickenMama DingJanuary 23, 2021 Comments

Acar Nyonya/Acar Awak (Nyonya Pickles)

Acar Nyonya/Acar Awak (Nyonya Pickles)

Acar Nyonya/Acar Awak (Nyonya Pickles) is a family favorite among the Peranakans. Making acar nyonya is back-breaking work hence it's normally done with other family members. Working together in the kitchen to produce this delicious delicacy is also bonding time for the family members involved. Recruit your loved ones/children in the process...it's a fun activity for the long school holidays.

Main Dish, PicklesMama DingJanuary 20, 2021Comment

Crunchy and Tangy Lemon Pork

Crunchy and Tangy Lemon Pork

Today’s RECIPE is Lemon Pork. This crunchy and tangy version is a family favorite at Chinese restaurants. Cook it yourself at home and you can have as much lemon sauce as you like.

Main Dish, PorkMama DingJanuary 7, 2021Comment

Gulai Kay/Curry Chicken

Gulai Kay/Curry Chicken

Today's RECIPE is Gulai Kay/Curry Chicken. Most families have their own favorite recipe, here is one of ours.

Main Dish, ChickenMama DingJanuary 4, 2021Comment

Babi Chin/Braised Pork Belly in Fragrant Spices

Babi Chin/Braised Pork Belly in Fragrant Spices

This Penang Peranakan dish is almost similar to Babi Hong. The only differences are lesser galangal (cekur/sand ginger/sar keong) is not added to Babi Chin and mushrooms are not used in Babi Hong. It is a braised dish that goes well with rice, congee or noodles. Try the RECIPE and enjoy the dish!

Main Dish, PorkMama DingDecember 31, 2020 Comments