GUIDE TO NASI LEMAK

Nasi Lemak or known as coconut milk rice is Malaysia national food that is a must in the menu of people in this country. Every Malaysian no matter the background or religion have already taste the flavor of this dish at least once in their lifetime. A good nasi lemak should be having right quality, texture, flavors, and the right ingredients.

Firstly, prepare the entire needed ingredient. For example, 2 pieces of banana leaf (30 cm long), 1 Lebanese cucumber (sliced), 2 tbsp. whole roasted peanuts (skin on), 2 hard-boiled eggs (halved), and coriander sprigs, for extra to serve. Next, for the coconut rice, we need 400 g (2 cups), jasmine rice, 3 pandan leaves (knotted), 1 lemongrass stalk  (white part only), 160 ml (coconut milk), 160 ml water, and pinch of salt.

For the preparation, don’t forget to wash the rice three times. Then drain it and place the rice in a medium saucepan with all the remaining ingredients. Level the rice using your finger, and then rest the tip of your thumb finger on the surface of the rice. Add more water if you feel insufficient. Bring to the boil over medium-high temperature.

As soon as the liquid comes out from the top, reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cover it and cook for 15 minutes. Move it from the heat and stand, without removing the lid for another 10 minutes. Move to the next step while waiting for it.

Rinse the dried anchovies while drain and pat dry to prepare for the sambal. Heat the oil over medium-high heat and then add the anchovies before stir-fry until light color. Pour the anchovies on paper towel placed over a bowl, and then set it aside for moments. Pour the oil used to fry the anchovies back into medium temperature.

 Cook the garlic and shallot paste for 2 minutes or until you deem satisfy. Add the red onion and half the fried anchovies and mix it well. Don’t forget to add the tamarind water, salt with sugar. After that, reduce the heat to low setting for appropriate 10 minutes or until you can see the sambal has slightly thickened. Stop the heat and then set it aside. From this point we shall prepare to serve the dish in appropriate way.

Use the banana leaves we prepared earlier then place the banana leaves on 2 plates. Spoon the coconut rice into two rice bowls, then invert them onto the banana leaves to make it look nice. Put the perimeter surrounding the rice with the sliced cucumber, peanuts, boiled eggs and remaining fried anchovies. Lastly, place large spoon of sambal over the rice.

Yummy! That is how we make nasi lemak with proper method and recipe. It takes appropriate 30 minute to prepare this entire step not to include the ingredients. For this timing, you can make a serve for two people. If it doesn’t come out well at the end, try again next time. This time try to control the water level and put extra attention on temperature and so on. Now, have a  good time cooking and have a good meal everyone!

Author: Mohd Imran Tashiron