A taste of Malay cuisine

Sate, Sayur Munir Goreng or Ayam Masak Lemak Cili Padi are among various gastronmical delights from Malaysia being offered at a festival of food from the Southeast Asian country.
"I am bringing mouth-watering Malay traditional dishes to this festival. These dishes are usually eaten during Malaysian festivals like Eid," says Chef Muhammad Lisarni from Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
The nine-day food festival is set to begin here tomorrow at Shangri-La's-Eros Hotel.
Lisrani has crafted gastronomical delights for the festival that he says will feature a wide variety of Malaysian specialties ranging from exquisite appetizers to traditional dishes.
"The unique nature of Malaysian food stems from the fact that it borrows and blends a range of cultural influences to create new and vibrant taste sensations. There are many spices of Indian origin which are extensively used in Malay cuisine," says the chef.

These include Kerabu Udang Dengen Soohoon (Prawns and Glass Noodle Salad), Serunding Ayam (Spicy Dried Chicken Floss), Sup Sayur Cendawan (Plain Oyster Mushroom Soup), Ayam Masak Lemak Cili Padi (Chicken in Spicy Coconut and Turmeric Gravy), Sayur Munir Goreng (Stir Fried Mix Vegetables with Coconut Gravy) and Terung Goreng Bersambal (Deep Fried Eggplant with Chili Paste).

"Malaysia is a melting pot in many respects and, like its multicultural population; its cuisine is all about fusion of flavours, ingredients and traditions," says the chef.
Lantern, dream catchers and hangings sets the tone of the festival, which is set to transport the diner to Malaysia.

Live carts stationed in the restaurant's halls will house authentic delicacies, such as Chicken Satay and other signature dishes to capture the essence of a Malaysian marketplace.
"Punchy and playful in the use of salty, sweet and sour, Malaysian cuisine can sometimes challenge Western palettes but are the perfect for the Indian taste. I am also bringing to the house our most famous sweet dish Bubur Kacang Hijau which is a Green Bean Sweet Porridge," says the chef.
The food festival has been organised by the Malaysian High Commission in association with Tourism Malaysia.