Thursday, June 5, 2014

Nasi Ulam (Malaysian Mixed Herb Rice)

Nasi Ulam. Malaysian Mixed Herb Rice. Indeed, a popularity in our Northern states (Laksam Kelantan) and a trip to any of these states is not complete if you don't tuck into Nasi Ulam. I of course as you know, have a profound and tremendous love for rice. Whichever type, believe me, will make me happy and Malaysia and Malaysian proud me (Mee Goreng Udang, Malaysian Sambal Sandwich, Nyonya Acar Fish, Masak Lemak Ikan Masin Nenas & Malaysian Spicy Sour Fish Soup Noodles). Furthermore, rice dishes are not something new to me. I quite have it at the back of my hands and when you grow your own herbs in your garden, what should be confusing in coming up with your version of Nasi Ulam (Nasi Pudina & Nasi Dagang). Honestly, if you are asking me, any combination of local herbs will do instead of specific varieties. You can even coin a vegetarian version, but by far, fried and flaked fish possibly must be one of the it in Nasi Ulam,  and of course for spiciness, nothing can beat our Sambal Belacan or even Sambal Terasi and instead of cooking rice in the rice cooker (Tomato Rice Pilaf) like I usually do, rice must be steamed. Thereafter, all things nice Malaysian herbs - pegaga/pennywort, kacang botol/winged beans (Kerabu Kacang Botol), bunga kantan/ginger torch bud, daun kunyit/turmeric leaf, basil leaves, spring onion, and shallots and salt. Steamed Rice, flaked fish and herbs tossed and in one for a spectacular, Nava-K's version of Nasi Ulam. 

Ingredients
3 cups steamed white rice
3 sardine/mackerel fish - rub some salt, fry and flaked up, ensure that bones are totally discarded. 

Herbs/ulam
One handful of pegaga/Indian pennywort
3-4 kacang botol (winged beans)
1 lemongrass
1 bunga kantan/ginger torch bud
1 daun kunyit/turmeric leaf
One handful of Thai basil leaves
2-3 sprigs spring onion
4 shallots
Salt (if needed)
** All shredded/sliced thinly   

Method:
Add all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Season with salt (if needed).
Toss together and serve with sambal belacan

19 comments:

  1. YUM!!! This sounds like such a fragrant and delicious dish - and so wonderful that most of the herbs came from your garden!

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  2. i also love to cook with herbs, this is one flavorful herb rice dish.

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  3. i just loved all the herbs used... yummy flavorful dish......looks very inviting...

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  4. Ive never seen varieties in herbs so much in India!! Gud u grow them in ur own garden and that must be giving u ultimate pleasure while cooking as well :)

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  5. I did your pictures on FB. Quite a collection there and I like the fact that you use a lot of herbs mixed together. The dishes must be so fragrant! This one looks YUM!

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  6. Planting herbs and plucking them is such a good feeling, I can understand as my mum has planted corriander , mint, curry leaves a d some other herbs in out garden
    The dish looks yummy, love rice
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  7. Wow so many herbs.. That too from ur garden... It's amazing.. In India used to grow many plants, here not really... Can feel the flavor of rice... Btw, if you gave provided tamil name fir the plants, would be more helpful...

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  8. Dish looks very delicious, flavorful and healthy too :)

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  9. Flavorful rice. yummy nd delicious...

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  10. wow, you still pound your chilli! Seldom see people doing it this way. =)

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  11. looks yummy. i love rice :D

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  12. I LOVE growing my own herbs too. That way I don't have to worry about going to the shops everyday and as you mentioned, it's a different experience when you flavour food with herbs from your own garden.
    I am sure the dish tastes amazing because it is packed with fresh and herby-flavours. Looks lovely too!

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  13. I want that rice so bad, such a flavorful rice dish ,I love all the herbs from your garden !

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  14. I am just loving it very nice.. well played with spices.. and flavourful. liked the presentation and the pix. A different blog altogether to read and experience.... do try to visit my place when time permits love to have your feedback dear.following u glad if u follow me back.. Have a good day.. Happy Blogging
    Preetha
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  15. This looks super delicious and healthy ;)
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  16. gardening can be tiring but also can be rewarding

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  17. The dish is new to me, but it looks quite flavourful :) Lovely click too :)

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  18. Ther herbs mix in rice sound healthy and tasty

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