Nasi Kerabu - Malaysian Herbs Rice

An array of herbs, including crunchy green herbs and the butterfly pea flower, make Nasi Kerabu, or Malaysian herbs rice, a healthy and colorful dish. The types of herbs are not fixed. They depend on what is available and what is preferred. Therefore, no two plates of Malaysian herbs rice may be exactly the same.

These herbs are also staples in Southeast Asian cooking, with bunga telang/ butterfly pea flower (GROWING BUTTERFLY PEA FLOWER) giving the rice its vibrant blue hue.

Nasi Kerabu can be paired with countless dishes. It may come with salads, different kinds of curries, or fried specialties. Common accompaniments include boiled salted eggs, fried salted fish (PINEAPPLE SALTED FISH CURRY) and Kelapa Udang Kering Kerisik (coconut dried prawn flakes).

 

In Kelantan, there is also a version known as Nasi Kerabu Kelantan. It can be served simply or with an elaborate spread, depending on the number of side dishes.

For a homemade version, Malaysian herbs rice (HOW TO MAKE HERBS RICE) by itself is truly captivating - purple-blue hue, crunchy herbs, and their fresh aroma make it unforgettable Malaysian rice dish. 

Ingredients 
For Herbs Rice
3 cups warm cooked white rice 
1/2 cup butterfly blue pea flower extract 

Herbs (as preferred, all sliced thinly) 
Sawtooth coriander/ketumbar jawa 
Cekur/sand ginger
Galangal/lengkuas
Lemongrass/serai
Water pennywort/pegaga
Thai betel leaves/daun kaduk
Turmeric leaf/daun kunyit
Kaffir lime leaves/ limau purut

How to Make Malaysian Herbs Rice

Pour the butterfly blue pea flower extract into the cooked rice. 
Gently stir with a chopstick.  
Add all the thinly sliced herbs to the rice. 
Give it a couple of swirls or stir in to combine. 

For Kelapa Udang Kering Kerisik (Coconut Dried Prawn Flakes) 

1/4 cup dried prawns - soaked and rinsed 
1/4 cup fresh grated coconut 
1/2 tsp turmeric powder 
Chilli flakes -  to taste 
Palm sugar - to taste 
Salt - to taste 
2 tbsp oil

How to Make Coconut Prawn Flakes
Lightly pound coconut and dried prawns. 
Heat oil, add all the ingredients. 
Stir constantly until  crispy and flaky.
Dish out.

For Sambal Fried Fish 
Ingredients 
2 pieces of white pomfret - score on both sides  
1 tsp ginger paste 
1 tsp garlic paste 
1 tbsp dried chilli paste 
1 turmeric leaf - shredded 
1 tsp corn flour 
1 tsp rice flour 
Oil for frying 
Salt - to taste

How to Make Sambal Fried Fish
Marinate with all the ingredients except oil. 
Set aside until frying time.  
Heat oil, fry fish on other sides. 
Remove and drain off excess oil.

For Spicy Anchovies  
Ingredients 
1/2 cup anchovies - soaked, rinsed, and crispy fried 
1 red chili - sliced 
1 green chili - sliced
3 shallots - sliced
Palm sugar - to taste
Calamansi lime juice - to taste
Salt - to taste

How to Make Spicy Anchovies

Lightly pound fried anchovies, chilies and shallots together.

Season with palm sugar, lime juice and set.

To Serve 

Add rice on a plate, and pair with with the side dishes.
Also some fried salted fish, and boiled salted egg.