I'm back from a two-years break (totally did not expect that heh). There's so much changes in my life from being a fifteen high-school girl to a young intern office girl now. Certainly, I did not expect this three years ago. I've already completed my Sijil Peperiksaan Malaysia (SPM) which was a major exam before graduating from high school, unfortunately, my results was not up to my expectation, but there's no point dwelling on the past anymore. I am truly blessed and grateful that I could at least get scholarship for my college course which will be starting in July. Honestly speaking, I realised that I have changed so much in three years' time. My style, my writing, my way of thinking...... It was in a positive way so I am pretty glad for that. I just hope that my blog will spread the positivity and happiness to all my readers, and that everyone will stick around. So, I guess this is the end of my quick update on life.
Today, my boss from my internship company treated my colleagues and I one of the Malaysian's favourite dishes, Banana Leaf Rice. I've never had it before but was excited to try it because I've watched from a TV Programme 'Food Wars Asia'.
here's a picture of my incomplete Banana Leaf Rice (missing the Rasam, Tairu, Papadam dan Dried Chilli, which was served to me after I took this picture)
The traditional banana leaf rice is served on a piece of banana leaf with a few different components. The restaurant which I had mine at, sadly, served our meal on an artificial piece of banana leaf liked 'paper'. Firstly, a few waitress came and served us the main components of the dish which includes, raw cucumber and onion salad, curry potato, assorted vegetables and a piece of fried chicken. Then, they will proceed to serving us rice and papadam, a fried keropok for some crunch. There are three types of freshly cooked warm curry on the table, where you add all three different types of curries to your white rice for flavour. Later, the waitress served us Rasam, a sourish soup as an appetiser (also to aid digestion after this heavy meal) which you could pour some into your rice together with the curries. Lastly, Tairu, also known as fresh yoghurt is added to the curries to tone down the spiciness of the whole dish, not forgetting a fried dried chilli to elevate the spiciness of the dish and provide crunch. After everything is completely served, time to get your HANDS ON and devour that mouth-watering LEAF of rice.
the complete Banana Leaf Rice picture which I took from the Internet
1. Banana leaf 2. Curry 3. Assorted Vegetables 4. Side Dishes 5. Rasam 6. Tairu 7. Dried Chilis 8. Papadam
After we're done eating the Banana Leaf Rice, we are supposed to fold the leaf over to signify that we're done eating. The right way to fold over the banana leaf is the direction towards ourselves as a sign of gratitude to the host or to show our appreciation for the meal.
also taken from the Internet as I did not manage to take a picture of my folded banana leaf
Some tips on what you should NOT do when having Banana Leaf Rice:-
1. Rice should never be served on an empty leaf. This is because it is something served during a death ceremony or any funerary rite associated with the dead.
2. Never eat with your left hand. Do not use left hand because it's associated with going to the bathroom and disrespect.
3. Never fold your banana leaf outwards after you're done with your meal. This is because it is only done during funerals.
Overall, I am really grateful to be born in Malaysia, also well known as a food heaven and am able to try out delicious foods from different races. Banana Leaf rice is an exquisitely prepared dish by the Indians, which is complete in the sense that there is great aroma provided by the banana leaf that imparts a subtle sweet flavour and aroma to the dish (especially when eaten with Rasam), flavour from the different types of curries and lastly taste from the crisp of the papadam and dried chills. I truly recommend everyone to give Banana Leaf Rice a try, preferably the traditional style.
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