Of Holiday and Food

Today is a local National (Muslim) holiday. It is Hari Raya Haji as it's called locally. Overseas, it's often referred to as Aidil Adhar (different spellings elsewhere perhaps). So, to you who are celebrating this occasion, I wish you and your loved ones a Selamat Hari Raya Haji.

From as far ahead as a week ago, foodstalls have started selling delicacies synonymous with this holiday, i.e., lemang, a coconut-flavoured rice cooked in hollow bamboo tubes. Lemang is normally eaten with rendang, a dry meat dish cooked with coconut milk and spices (simmered for a number of hours). Beef and chicken are popularly used.


Here's how lemang looks like in its cooked state. The roll of rice is cut up into slices before they are served. This picture is courtesy of TourismPenang site. There's also a recipe if you would like to try cooking lemang, but let me warn you that the process is rather tedious.






Here's a picture of the yummy rendang. There is a recipe on the site too. Food-lovers may want to give it a shot though it's important to have the necessary ingredients. Happy cooking!