Malasysia- Iron Chef!!!

MALAYSIA

Malasysia. is a country in  South East Asia (near Indonesia) whose strategic sea-lane position brought trade and foreign influences that fundamentally influenced its history. Malaysia is on the Malay Peninsula in southeast Asia. The nation also includes Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo to the east. Most of Malaysia is covered by forest, with a mountain range running the length of the peninsula. Extensive forests provide ebony, sandalwood, teak, and other wood.

The History ...Forming the Independent State of Malaysia 

 The Japanese occupation of Malaysia during World War II, a growing nationalist movement prompted the British to establish the semiautonomous Federtion of Malaya in 1948. But Communist gurrillas took to the jungles to begin a was of national liberation against the British, who declared a state of emergency to quell the insurgency, which lasted until 1960.

  The independent state of Malaysia came into existence on September 16, 1963, as a federation of Malaya, Singapor, Sabah ( North Borneo), and Sarawak. In 1965, Singapor withdrew from the federation to become a separate nation. Since 1966, the 11 states of former Malaya have been know as West Malaysia, and Sabah and Sarawak as East Malaysia.

  In our group, we decided to cook  Malaysian chicken curry as a main dish and for the dessert is a  Burbur Cha Cha!!

  If you do not knwo what is Burbur cha cha...  then I will tell you what is it... A popular Nyonya dessert called 'Bubur Cha-Cha'.

Nyonya are the descendents of Chinese-Malay marriages, the male being known as Baba and the female as Nyonya, pronounced nyoh-nyah and sometimes spelt Nonya. Although the first communities first proliferated in Malacca, many Babas and Nyonyas settled in Penang and Singapore - and therefore - were also called Straits Chinese.

This unique marriage of cultures also resulted in a novel marriage of cuisines, both Chinese and Malay, and is what is now known in Malaysia as Nyonya food.  While Nyonya food contains many of the traditional ingredients of Chinese food and Malay spices and herbs, Nyonya cuisine is eclectically seasoned and different than either Chinese or Malay food. Nyonya food originating from the North of Malaysia - Penang, and Nyonya food originating from the South - Malacca and Singapore, have distinct differences. Nyonya cooking in the South have an Indonesian influence. The food is generally sweeter and richer with the addition of coconut milk and more traditional Malay spices. Meanwhile, Nyonya food in the North drew inspiration from neighboring Thailand. Nyonya food in the North, specifically Penang, has a preference for tangy or sour food, using tamarind paste and green mangoes.

Nyonya cuisine is also famous for it's Kuih [cake or dessert]. Nyonya desserts are varied and extraordinary. They are strongly Malay influenced and made from ingredients like sweet potato, yams, glutinous rice, gula Melaka [palm sugar], agar agar, coconut milk and even beans like red bean and green or mung beans. Just as the ubiquitous vanilla bean is used in desserts, Pandan are used, giving Nyonya desserts it's signature quintessence!

Bubur Cha Cha - Sweet Potato And Yam Pudding

 Ingredients

* 2 Small (450 g) Sweet Potatoes, diced

* 1 /2 (120 g) Yam, diced

* 1 ½ Tbsp Sago Pearls, rinsed

* 1 Tin (400 ml) Coconut Milk

* 150 ml Water

* 2 Pandan Leaves

* 3 Tbsp Sugar or more to taste

*A Pinch of Salt

Method

* Steam the sweet potato and yam on a high heat for about 8 to 10 minutes or until cooked.

* In a medium saucepan, combine coconut milk, pandan leaves, and water and bring it to a boil. Then add Sago pearls and cook for about 5 minutes.

* Mix in the sweet potato and yam and continue to simmer and season with sugar and salt. Serve immediately. W

 

Chicken Curry Malaysian Style

 Ingredients:

* 3 lb Whole chicken, cut into serving size pieces

* Malaysian meat cutty power

* 1/2 cup cooking oil

* 1 can coconut milk

* salt

* sugar

* cooking wine

* 1 onions, sliced

**** we combind the curry chicken with humburger to make like american style and for the dessert Bubur Cha Cha, we add some 7up in the dessert to make like american drink.


BY: ANGELA LONG