Nasi Lemak, which literally means "creamy rice," is a popular Malaysian dish that is enjoyed by many people around the world. It is a fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, served with a variety of side dishes such as fried chicken, spicy sambal, crispy anchovies, sliced cucumber, and boiled egg. In this article, we will show you how to make this delicious nasi lemak recipe at home, step-by-step.
Ingredients
For the rice, you will need:
2 cups of jasmine rice
2 cups of coconut milk
2 cups of water
2 pandan leaves, tied into a knot
1 teaspoon of salt
For the sambal, you will need:
10 dried red chilies, soaked in hot water
5 shallots
3 cloves of garlic
1 teaspoon of belacan (shrimp paste)
2 tablespoons of oil
1 teaspoon of sugar
1 teaspoon of tamarind paste
1 teaspoon of salt
For the side dishes, you will need:
4 pieces of fried chicken
1 cup of crispy fried anchovies
2 cucumbers, sliced
4 boiled eggs, halved
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Rice
1. Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear. 2. In a pot, combine the rice, coconut milk, water, pandan leaves, and salt. 3. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. 4. Cook the rice for 15-20 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. 5. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes before fluffing the rice with a fork.
Step 2: Make the Sambal
1. Drain the soaked chilies and blend them with the shallots, garlic, and belacan until smooth. 2. In a pan, heat the oil over medium heat and fry the chili paste until fragrant. 3. Add the sugar, tamarind paste, and salt to the pan and stir well. 4. Cook the sambal for 5-10 minutes, or until the oil separates from the mixture. 5. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool.
Step 3: Prepare the Side Dishes
1. Fry the chicken until golden brown and crispy. 2. Fry the anchovies until crispy and set aside. 3. Slice the cucumbers and halve the boiled eggs.
Step 4: Serve the Nasi Lemak
1. Scoop the rice onto a plate and top it with the chicken, sambal, anchovies, cucumber slices, and boiled eggs. 2. Serve the nasi lemak hot and enjoy!
Nutrition
Here is the nutrition information for one serving of nasi lemak (not including the side dishes):
Calories: 491
Carbohydrates: 67g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 19g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 491mg
Potassium: 250mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 1g
Vitamin A: 3%
Vitamin C: 11%
Calcium: 3%
Iron: 23%
Conclusion
Nasi Lemak is a delicious and fragrant rice dish that is easy to make at home. By following these simple instructions, you can enjoy this popular Malaysian dish anytime you want. Don't forget to serve it with your favorite side dishes, such as fried chicken, sambal, anchovies, sliced cucumber, and boiled egg. Enjoy!
