One of the famous street foods in Malaysia is “Nasi Lemak.”. It’s considered the national dish and is beloved by many for its fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk, accompanied by a variety of flavorful sides.
Nasi Lemak Recipe
Ingredients:
For the coconut rice:
2 cups of rice (traditionally jasmine or long-grain)
1 cup coconut milk
2 cups water
2 pandan leaves (knotted)
1 piece of ginger (about 1-inch, sliced)
1/2 tablespoon salt
For the Sambal (Spicy Sauce):
3 tablespoons of olive oil
1 large onion (chopped)
1/2 cup dried anchovies (ikan bilis), rinsed
1/2 cup dried chilies, soaked and blended into a paste
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tablespoon tamarind paste mixed with 1/2 cup water (strained to remove seeds)
1 teaspoon sugar
Salt to taste
For the Sides of Nasi Lemak:
4 boiled eggs (halved)
1 cucumber (sliced)
1/2 cup roasted peanuts
1/2 cup fried anchovies (ikan bilis)
Optional: fried chicken, beef rendang, or other proteins
Instructions:
1. Cooking the Coconut Rice:
- Rinse the rice until the water runs clear.
- In a pot, add the rinsed rice, coconut milk, water, pandan leaves, ginger, and salt.
- Stir well and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the rice is cooked and all the liquid is absorbed (about 15-20 minutes).
- Fluff the rice with a fork and keep it warm.
2. Preparing the Sambal:
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
- Add the dried anchovies and fry until they turn slightly crispy.
- Add the blended chili paste and cook until the oil separates from the paste.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute.
- Pour in the tamarind juice and bring to a simmer.
- Add sugar and salt to taste. Cook until the salsa thickens and turns red.
- Adjust seasoning if necessary and set aside.
3. Assembling the Nasi Lemak:
- On a plate, place a serving of coconut rice.
- Add a spoonful of salsa on the side.
- Arrange the boiled egg halves, cucumber slices, roasted peanuts, and fried anchovies around the rice.
- Optionally, add a piece of fried chicken, beef rendang, or other proteins.
Serving:
Serve the Nasi Lemak warm and enjoy this flavorful Malaysian dish Nasi Lemak is a versatile dish and can be customized with various side dishes according to personal preference. Enjoy your cooking