Nasi Lemak or Coconut Flavoured Rice Dish (Malaysian Recipe)

INGREDIENTS

2 cups rice
2 pandan leaves (tied in knot)
1 shallot - chopped
10 tsp thick coconut milk
1 small piece sliced ginger
Salt and sugar to taste
1/2 cup dried ikan bilis (anchovies)
* 4 shallots
* 1 small piece belacan (shrimp paste)
* 1 clove garlic
* 1 large onion - sliced
* 1/2 cup tamarind juice
* 8 dried chillies - soaked

* Items to be pounded together

To Prepare Rice:

Wash and clean rice
Add 2 cups of water and coconut milk
Add shallots, gigner and pandan leaves
Bring to boil, lower heat, simmer for about 10-15 minutes until water has been absorbed
Loosen rice grains with wooden ladle
Cover pot and leave rice to cook for 10-15 minutes

To Prepare Sambal:

Heat oil and fry ikan bilis until crisp
Keep aside
Heat oil in wok and fry pounded ingredients till fragrant
Add sliced onions, tamarind juice, salt and sugar
Cook till gravy thickens
Add ikan bilis and mix well
Remove from heat
Serve with sambal ikan bilis, garnished with cucumber slices, sliced hard-boiled egg and roasted peanuts