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Hari Raya is upon us once again! Hari Raya Aidilfitri is an annual celebration that marks the end of the Muslim fasting month, also known as Ramadhan. Typically, on the first day of Syawal (the tenth month of the Islamic calendar), this joyous celebration begins with the a feast of traditional delicacies
Despite not being able to “balik kampung” (returning to the home towns) this year, no Hari Raya is complete without the excellent cuisine typically offered up at “open houses”. So what are your Raya must-haves?
Ketupat
What is Raya without ketupat? Wrapped in a leafy, green pouch that is handmade from coconut leaves, these fragrant steamed rice cakes, also the iconic symbol of Hari Raya, complete this joyous celebration every year. It is usually enjoyed with the assortment of rendang, serunding or lontong available. There are many modern twists to this traditional dish, such as ketupat sotong!
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Kuah Lontong (also known as Kuah Lodeh)
Pairing ketupat with rendang is a Raya favourite, but if you’d like to have something different on your ketupat, kuah lontong is the perfect alternative! This rich, creamy, coconut milk curry dish is filled with all sorts of deliciously crunchy green ingredients such as long beans, carrots, cabbage, tempeh, tofu and glass noodles. If you feel like it, you can also jazz up this dish by adding sambal or peanut sauce for more bursts of flavour. Click here for the recipe!
Photo from Kuali.com
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Rendang
Rendang is a way of cooking meat in coconut milk, resulting in a rich and aromatic stew full of spice and flavours. There are different types of rendang, with some being dryer like Rendang Tok from Perak, or the more easily found wet rendang. Essentially, it varies depending on the period of cooking time and taste preferences.
The most common during Hari Raya is beef rendang but you could also find chicken rendang, or even duck rendang! The ideal accompaniment to this dish is anything rice-based, be it plain rice, ketupat or even white bread! Best served hot! Here is the recipe of this flavourful traditional dish.
Photo from Kuali.com
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Lemang
What do you get when you add banana leaves, hollowed bamboo and glutinous rice together? Lemang, of course! This humble combination of glutinous rice and coconut milk made its way into the heart of locals, effectively cementing its place as one one of Malaysia's signature heritage delicacies. Lemang is essentially coconut sticky rice wrapped in fragrant banana leaves, then stuffed into hollow bamboo sticks and roasted over an open flame, to give its distinct smoky flavour with the hint of a grilled effect – tender and creamy on the inside and slightly crispy and crusted on the outside, with the aroma of the banana leaves’ natural essence permeating the rice.
Much like the ketupat, lemang has seen some unique transformations over the recent years, as people are coming up with more creative ways to prepare this dish, like black beans lemang, corn lemang, and even durian lemang! Commonly served in cylindrical slices, lemang makes for a flavourful accompaniment to curry or rendang dishes. Drench your lemang in your stew of choice and munch away! Try this recipe today!
Photo from Kuali.com
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Serunding
Serunding is made of spicy beef or chicken floss, and sometimes, there’s even a little grated coconut thrown in. The thin, airy consistency of serunding lends a delicious savoury touch to any meal you put it on. Sprinkle it over ketupat, lontong or lemang, and enjoy the spicy and flavourful crunch! Click here to know more on how to make the best homemade serunding!
Photo from Kuali.com
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Kuih Bangkit
What’s hard on the outside but light as a feather on the inside? Kuih bangkit, of course! Every open house at Raya would most probably have a glass jar of this sweet, hard cookie that melts in your mouth. The secret is in its ingredients of tapioca flour, eggs and coconut milk. To achieve that signature toasty flavour, the tapioca flour has to first be pan-fried along with pandan leaves to ensure a fluffy texture that bakes to a crisp while retaining a brittle centre. Here is the recipe just for you!
Photo from Kuali.com
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Honey Cornflakes
Enticingly glazed with sweet honey, the Western-style honey cornflakes cookie has found an unassuming place during the holy Muslim month. Relatively easy to churn up, it utilises only three key ingredients - butter, honey and cornflakes. Sprinkle on some juicy cherry cubes for a pop of colour, or coat the top with a melted layer of chocolate for a special twist.
Dodol
The official candy of Hari Raya, this sticky confection has a toffee-like consistency. Made from coconut milk, palm sugar and rice flour, it could also come in different flavours like durian or chocolate.
While the base ingredients to make dodol – coconut milk, cane sugar and rice flour – appear unassuming enough, in truth this is one of the most challenging recipes on this list. The cooking process involves continuously stirring the sticky mixture in a hot wok for an astounding nine hours! The effort does pay off beautifully at the end when you bite into an incredibly rich and flavourful dessert that’s as popular with adults as it is with children. To know more on how to make this sticky goodness, click here!
Photo from Kuali.com
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Pineapple tarts
It’s easy to see why pineapple tarts are extremely popular during Hari Raya. With its perfect combination of decadent pineapple jam with a crisp yet crumbly pastry base, it’s a popular fixture across many festive occasions. Baked either wrapped in a blanket or presented on an open surface once you start munching, it’s hard to stop! These sweet treats range from pineapple tart rolls to flower-shaped tarts, and even pineapple-shaped tarts, which makes the snacking experience even more fun. Click here to see the recipe of this family favourite!
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Semperit
Kuih Semperit is Malaysia’s own Scottish butter cookie. It is usually shaped into either the dahlia flower pattern or round biscuits with a ridged, serrated surface, often topped with a cherry flake. Another name for this biscuit is Biskut Bunga Dahlia. This melt-in-your-mouth goodness has long since become a tradition during Hari Raya Aidilfitri. This classic cookie’s basic ingredients include flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. Click here for the recipe!
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This article is a collaboration between Perfect Livin and Kuali.com. Head on to Kuali.com for more recipes and tips and tricks on cooking!
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