Tropical delights

Malaysia, a country with diverse geology, population and cultural tradition simultaneously has an intriguing culinary tale. A country that is known for the skyscrapping Petronas twin-towers, one of the world’s best ranked ropeways (at Langkawi), adventurous tourism activities and diverse wildlife has more to it, especially when it comes to food.  A section of people would also wish to believe that Malaysia is a food heaven and satisfy people with different tastes and cravings.

While a major food scene in the country resides in non-vegetarian dishes (mainly due to availability and eating majority’s eating habit), there are also a few vegetarian options available to those who are visiting the country and do not want to indulge into consumption of meat.

The simplest of the dishes taste equally satisfying. While I was wandering in the states of this country, I found some delicacies that are quite similar to the Indian taste palate and along with that, found a drink or two that would go along really well.

While the huge water-filled coconuts would literally go with any dish, a foodie's tongue is never happy so easily. So, I delved deeper, and happily so, found some of the hidden treasures (these are both in solid and liquid forms) from the country.

Langkawi Glow

Ingredients:

• Gin 45ml
• Crème peach 15ml
• Cucumber juice 30 ml
• Lime juice 30ml
• Fresh Basil 3-4

Method:

1. Pour all the ingredients and blend well. Serve in a long glass and top with basil leaves.

— Recipe by Westin, Langkawi

Roti Canai

Ingredients:

• Plain flour 500 gms
• Salt 1 tsp
• Sugar 1tsp
• Water 1 cup
• Condensed milk 2 tbsp
• Margarine/ Ghee (at room temperature) 2 tbsps
• Egg (lightly whisked) 1no.
• Extra margarine and extra vegetable oil for frying purposes

Method:

1. Combine flour, salt and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Make a well at the centre of the dry ingredients and add water, condensed milk, margarine/ghee and egg. Work in a circular motion with your hand, gradually gathering more and more of the flour into the wet ingredients until you more or less have a single mass.

2. Tip all the ingredients on to the kitchen table and knead until smooth and elastic. Roll into a cylinder and divide the dough into ten pieces.

3. Knead each piece a few times to achieve a smooth texture, and then shape into a ball. Gently cover each ball with margarine and rest in a bowl alongside but not on top of one another. Plastic wrap and allow to rest at room temperature, overnight.

4. After resting the dough overnight, you'll find the dough soft and stretchy.

5. Start by oiling a substantial area of the table liberally. Place one dough ball onto the table and press down with the palm of your hand while moving it in a circular motion. This is just to flatten and smoothen out the surface of the dough as much as possible before you stretch it. It takes a bit of practice to throw the roti in a professional way. While it's definitely quicker, an equally effective method is to work around the edges of the circle of the dough by gently stretching the edges outwards as far and as thinly as you can (so it is like tracing paper and about 60 to 70 centimetres in diameter), and before holes start to appear.

6. Fold one-third of the way in on either side of the circle, so you have three layers of roti on top of each other, then fold this elongated shape into thirds again, so you end up with a squarish-shaped roti.

7. Heat up your fry pan on high heat with a dash of vegetable oil and pan-fry the roti until golden blisters appear on both sides. When cooked, immediately slide the roti onto a chopping board, wrap your palms around the edges and smash your hands together so the roti bunches up and flakes. Rotate the roti and do this several times while it is still hot.

8. Now, it is ready to be served piping hot with your favourite curry.

— Recipe byFrangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa