A plateful of Malay goodness


My dinner last night,
- sambal tumis telur, cut into halves
- nasi minyak serai (lemongrass oily rice) with crispy shallot
- keropok (prawn crackers)
- cucumber slices


Here is the recipe for the rice. I use 50:50 basmati and red rice. This red rice is Thai, bought from oriental supermarket.


Nasi Minyak Serai (Lemongrass Oily Rice)

Ingredients: (enough for 4), cup size 250ml

1 cup basmati rice
1 cup red rice or brown basmati rice or just plain basmati rice
water
5 - 6 lemongrass (serai)
1 thumb size chunk ginger
3 walnut size shallots
1.5 tsp cumin seeds (jintan putih)
2 star anise
2 tbsp ghee* or cooking oil
1.5 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar


* ghee gives a nicer flavour to the rice
Red rice or brown rice is more fibrous better pre-soaked before cooking or else can be a bit tough and longer to cook


Method:
  • Soak red rice or brown basmati for 1 - 2 hours. Drain. If using all plain basmati no need to soak.
  • Rinse plain basmati. Drain
  • Trim the lemongrass, remove the woodier leaves leaving a tender centre.
  • Take all the woodier part of lemongrass and 2 star anise, boil with 3.5 cups of water. When water is boiling. Turn heat off, let infuse for about 20 - 30 minutes. Remove lemongrass , leave star anise to be added to rice later.
  • Slice the tender part of lemongrass as thin as possible.
  • Finely chop shallots and ginger.
  • Heat ghee or oil in a medium size pan or pot enough to hold 6 - 7cups, fry the cumin seeds till they pop a bit.
  • Add shallot and fry till fragrant.
  • Add ginger and tender lemongrass. Stir a little while.
  • Add both rice and stir to coat with fragrant oil.
  • Add 3 cups of the spice infused water. Also add in the star anise too.
  • Season with enough salt and sugar.
  • Cover and let the liquid come to a boil. Do not let the water boiled over. Turn heat down and gently simmer till all moisture is absorbed and rice is cooked. Leave to rest for 10 minutes, loosen before serving.

Can add some roasted cashew nuts, toasted almonds or raisins to rice.

Comments

  1. Loving all your Malay food here...love you to take part at our MMM event.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MMM is short for Muhibbah Malaysia Monday , an event I started with another blogger to promote Malaysian food. More details here http://3hungrytummies.blogspot.com/2010/07/mee-rebus-malaysia-monday-2-and-blog.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. Don't mind taking part with fellow foodies.

    Mari bermain masak masak.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think I already tried this one when I was in Malay. It is good dish from that very amazing place. I can still remember that tasty taste of that unique dish.

    ReplyDelete

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