We are midway into the month of spiritual reflection for Muslims all around the world. And with the current situation, many, including non-Muslims, are missing the Ramadan bazaars that unite Malaysians through one thing in common – the love for good food.
We all miss the crowd, the smoke and the smell of red chicken wings married with that lamb murtabak whiff through the air. Not to mention, the rush to get your favourite dishes before they are all sold out. As we continue our fight to flatten the curve together, Ramadan is admittedly a little different this time around. But, let’s not be in despair as we can still have a wholesome meal at home with our loved ones.
Here are some simple recipes that you can prepare at home be it for sahur or buka puasa.
Simple and Flavourful
Photo credit: tinyurbankitchen.com
1. Kangkung Belacan
This simple yet well-loved dish can be prepped, cooked and served in under 15 minutes. With the aromatics of the sautéed garlic, onions, chillies and belacan, you will definitely have your entire family salivating as they ask for a second serving of rice. All you need is:
Ingredients:
a) Fresh pounded red chilli
b) Two (2) cloves of pounded garlic
c) Two (2) red onions
d) Shrimp paste (What is belacan without this?)
e) Water spinach or kangkung
To Cook:
1. Begin by blending together the garlic, onion and chili with a little water until you get a smooth paste.
2. Add oil into a pan on high heat, then add in the shrimp paste to stir fry for a minute before including the blended paste. Keep stirring until the aroma hits the air.
3. Lastly, add in the water spinach and cook quickly till the vegetable starts to soften.
4. Plate it up with rice and add on an omelette for a complete meal with protein.
Photo credit: Happy Keto
2. Telur Kicap
Speaking of fried eggs, while many of you are used to drizzling it with some soy sauce, perhaps it is time to try something new? Hard boiled eggs soaked in kicap manis! It is perfect for those looking for an alternative and something not too heavy. This dish is simple, affordable and can be made in advance to be enjoyed later. Better yet, it can even be eaten cold! All you have to do is follow these steps:
Ingredients:
a) Five (5) eggs
b) Kicap manis
c) One (1) yellow onion
d) Two (2) cloves of garlic
e) Sugar and salt for taste
To Cook:
1. Boil the eggs for eight minutes, cool them down and remove the shell.
2. Slice the onion and garlic; add extra to your liking.
3. Mix half a cup of kicap manis together with three cups of boiled water. You can add more kicap and season it with a dash of sugar and salt to taste, before mixing in the sliced onions and garlic. Those who fancy a kick can also add in a few green chilies. Boil the mixture until the liquid starts extracting the flavours from the onion, garlic and chilli.
4. Once ready, cool the mixture before pouring it into your container of eggs. Enjoy immediately or leave it in the fridge overnight for the eggs to absorb the flavour for best results.
Sahur Recipes for the Lone Rangers
For those who are living alone at home, and have yet to make the kitchen a playground, here’s what you can do to make your meals interesting.
Photo credit: Bakeshop.com.au
1. Milk Ramen
If Korean instant noodles, famously known as ramen, have not made its way into your heart, then this leveled up version will. All you have to do is substitute water with milk when you boil the soup and it will immediately be a whole lot more flavourful than just adding cheese in your noodles!
Ingredients:
a) One (1) packet of Ramen (also works with Maggi mee curry or tomyam)
b) Milk
c) Cheese
d) Egg
e) Meat of choice (optional)
f) Chilli flakes and spring onion (optional)
To Cook:
1. Boil the noodles in water till half cooked. Avoid boiling directly in milk as it would result in the milk to overflow.
2. Strain the noodles and fill the pot with a bowl of milk. Include seasoning into the milk.
3. If you want to add meat into your dish, you may do so at this juncture or proceed to the next step.
4. Pour in the half boiled noodles into the milk. For that little extra kick, add in half a tablespoon of chilli flakes.
5. If you like eggs in your ramen, crack one in and lower down the heat to medium.
Sprinkle some spring onions and your Ramen is ready to be served. Carbs, protein, veggies and even calcium all in a single pot. Win! Pro tip: Don’t bother plating it in a bowl to have less dishes to do after your meal.
Photo credit: Damn Delicious
3. Aglio Olio
How can this four ingredient dish taste so heavenly?
Ingredients:
1. Olive Oil
2. Two (2) cloves of garlic
3. Pasta
4. Chilli flakes or chopped cili padi
To Cook:
1. Boil the pasta according to the instructions on the packaging. Ensure not to undercook or overcook it. As any (home) chef would say, what you want is for your paste to be cooked al dente.
2. Slice the cloves of garlic.
3. Heat up a pan with olive oil before throwing in your garlic. When your garlic starts turning golden-brown, add in the chilli flakes or cili padi we Malaysians love.
4. When the timer is up, strain the pasta and add it into the pan. Stir it around and plate it. Make sure not to take too long in this process or your pasta will dry up.
5. If you find this version too plain, be creative and add in prawns or spinach to turn this dish into a scampi.
We know, we know – you may be excited in trying these recipes out but with home being the safest place, how do you get the ingredients you need? Worry not because you can get most of them on Shopee Mart as well as Shopee’s new Fresh & Frozen Food category without stepping out of the house. Just look for the ‘Shopee Mart’ icon in the app or look for the Fresh & Frozen Food category by clicking on ‘Groceries & Pets’ at the ‘Categories’ section on the App’s homepage.
Here are our top fresh produce store picks for those in Klang Valley and Johor where you can get your chicken, vegetables and fruits like cabbages, mangoes, melons, chillies and more; fresh frozen seafood like Kembong, Tongkol, Selar as well as processed products including finger food and nuggets.
1. Klang Valley:
● Agrobazaar Malaysia – https://shopee.com.my/agrobazaar_fama
● Persatuan Nelayan Kebangsaan (NEKMAT) Official Store – https://shopee.com.my/nekmat.os
● FreshTAP.my – https://shopee.com.my/freshtap.my
2. Johor:
Fish Club – https://shopee.com.my/fishclubmy
You can also get papaya, D24 and even Musang King on Shopee since it’s now musim durian.
On top of this, with the recently launched Selangor E-Bazar Raya, you have access to an assortment of Raya delicacies and snacks as well as ingredients needed to make your kuih Raya and more. Head over to https://shopee.com.my/m/selangor – just in time for Raya shopping!
Food & Services Vouchers
If you’ve made it this far and still decided that cooking is just too much of a hassle, Shopee’s ‘Food & Services Vouchers’ have you covered. Enjoy discounts and deals on popular food chains such as Pizza Hut, OLDTOWN White Coffee, Sushi King, Dunkin’ Donuts, Boran and more with your favourite boba stores like Black Whale and Daboba also available. As you enter the feature from the app’s homepage, you’ll find the ‘Food’, ‘Drinks’ and ‘Desserts’ options.
Just follow the instructions to enjoy irresistible deals including the following for a satisfying buka puasa:
Local
OLDTOWN Nasi Lemak Chicken Rendang + Lime Drink (2 Sets) for RM25.90
(RRP: RM49.20)
Western
Pizza Hut (Delivery) 50% off Large Favourite Pizza for RM18.95 (RRP: RM37.90)
Japanese
Sushi King Temaki Deal (California Temaki + one Pink, Red and Purple Plate Sushi) at RM15.00 (RRP: RM23.20)
Drinks
Black Whale Fiery Brown Sugar Black Whale Milk (M) for RM8.90 (RRP: RM12.90)
Dessert
Dunkin’ Combo Fiesta Shopee Promo Set (12 donuts + 3 Hershey’s Soyfresh 236ml + Free 3 Hershey’s Soyfresh 236ml) at RM39.80 (RRP: RM56.50)
These deals apply at selected outlets so make sure to check with the store before making your purchase. Most importantly, don’t forget to click on ‘Redeem’ only after presenting the voucher to the outlet staff!
P/s: The recipes were brought to you by a mom of one of Shopee’s employees. We’ve tasted her food.. so, so good!
Salam Ramadan Kareem!