Nasi lemak

The Story
I've been in NYC for a long time now, and when I think of home, I think of nasi lemak and how it comforts your soul. When people ask me what I miss the most about home, it's most definitely the food. So I'm creating my own memories by creating Malaysia cuisine at home in NYC.

Nasi lemak

Nasi lemak is a popular Malaysian dish, fragrant fluffy rice cooked with coconut milk and pandan leaves (screwpine) offent paired with chicken rendang (chicken a spicy dry curry) or fried chicken served with fried anchovies/sambal, jammy eggs and sliced cucumber.
Servings 5
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 2 hrs

Ingredients

Coconut Rice

  • 3 cup Basmati rice
  • 2 1/2 cup Coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1-2 whole Pandan leaves

Fried Anchovies

  • 2 cup Dry small anchovies
  • 1 medium Red shallot
  • 6 clove Garlic (sliced)
  • 1/4 cup Peanuts
  • 2 whole Red chilli
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 3 tbs Vegetable oil
  • 1 or more cup Vegetable oil (for anchovies)

Jammy Eggs / Cucumber

  • 2-3 large Eggs
  • 1 half Cucumber (sliced)

Chicken Rendang (spicy dry curry chicken)

  • 10-15 handful Dry chili
  • 3 small Birds eye chili
  • 2 cm Galangal
  • 10 small Red shallot or red pearl onion
  • 1/4 tsp Turmeric
  • 1/2 half Yellow onion
  • 1-2 tbs Lemongrass
  • 2 cm Ginger
  • 1/4 cup Vegetable oil
  • 1 whole Chicken (cut into pieces)
  • 1 cup Fresh shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup Coconut milk
  • 1 handful Lime leaves
  • 1/2 tsp Salt

Instructions

  • Coconut Rice - Add the rice to the pot and give it a good rinse till the cloudy water turns clear - Drain the water, then add the coconut milk, water, salt, and pandan leaves - Bring the rice to boil and turn it down and let the rice cook until the water evaporates and rice is cooked through. (You can use a rice cooker)
  • Fried Anchovies - Add a good amount of oil in the pan and deep fry the small anchovies. Take it out and leave it aside to cool - Add the sliced garlic and shallots, chillies and oil to the pan. Fry till golden brown and leave it aside - Then roast the peanuts in the pan till fragrant - Now, add the fried anchovies, chillies, shallot, garlic peanuts and 1/2 tsp salt and give it a good toss. Taste for salt
  • Chicken Rendang - Add the spices to the blender and blend to a smooth paste - In a pan, dry roast the shredded coconut till golden brown and leave it aside to cool - Now, add the spice paste to the pan and fry till the oil splits and it's fragrant - Once the spice is cooked, it will be thick and dark red in color. This is where you will add your chicken and give it a good toss, cover with the lid and cooked on medium heat - About 20 mins, uncover and cooked down the juices of the chicken till it reduces slightly -Once it reduces, add 1/2 a cup of coconut milk and give it a good stir and let it thicken up -Lastly, add your roasted shredded coconut and give it a good toss, then add the shredded lime leaves to give it a nice fragrant smell
  • Jammy Eggs - Bring a pot of oil to boil, and cook for 6 mins. Once done, leave it aside to cool
  • Once everything is ready, start to assemble the dish. First add your coconut rice then your fried anchovies with the chicken reandang. Then add the eggs and sliced cucumber. Enjoy!!!