Nasi Lemak: A Flavorful Malaysian Delight

Nasi Lemak is a delectable Malaysian dish known for its fragrant coconut rice paired with an anchovy and spicy chili sauce. It's then garnished with crispy fried anchovies, toasted peanuts, sliced cucumber, and halved hard-boiled eggs.

This dish perfectly captures the essence of Malaysian cuisine.

Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 1 hr
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Rice:

• 2 cups coconut milk
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups long grain rice, rinsed and drained
• 1 (1/2 inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 whole bay leaf
• Salt to taste

Garnish:

• 1 cup oil for frying
• 1 cup raw peanuts
• 1 (4 ounce) package white anchovies, washed
• 4 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled and halved
• 1 medium cucumber, sliced

Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 3 medium shallots, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons chile paste
• 1 tablespoon water, or more as needed (Optional)
• 1 (4 ounce) package white anchovies, washed
• ¼ cup tamarind juice
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• Salt to taste

Directions

1. Make the rice: In a medium saucepan, combine coconut milk, water, rice, fresh ginger, ground ginger, bay leaf, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer until tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Discard bay leaf and keep rice warm.
2. Prepare the garnish: Heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet. Add peanuts and cook until lightly browned. Remove peanuts and drain on paper towels.
3. Fry the anchovies: In the same skillet, cook anchovies until crisp, about 2-3 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Discard oil and clean the skillet.
4. Create the sauce: Heat oil in the skillet. Sauté onion, shallots, and garlic until fragrant. Stir in chile paste and cook for 10 minutes. If needed, add water to prevent drying. Stir in anchovies and cook for 5 more minutes. Add tamarind juice, sugar, and salt. Simmer until sauce thickens.
5. Serve: Place warm rice in bowls. Top with sauce, peanuts, fried anchovies, hard-boiled eggs, and cucumber slices.

Tips:

• If you lack tamarind juice, substitute with an equal amount of lemon juice.