Masak lemak cili api (yellow curry)

Hanz provided the idea to cook gulai lemak cili api which is a native dish from Negeri Sembilan, a southern state in Malaysia. Since then, I had been cooking it very often because it tastes so yummy and easy to prepare (but a bit messy).

masaklemak

Photos of some of the raw ingredients can be found here.

RECIPE FOR MASAK LEMAK CILI API

50 grams cili padi (bird’s eye chillies), remove stems
150 grams fresh tumeric, peel off the skin

Blend or pound them.

Two tumeric leaves/daun kunyit, slice thinly
A small ball of tamarind pulp mixed with a little water
3 pieces dried tamarind
About 300 mls water

Put all the above paste, leaves, tamarind pulp and boil them. Add in ingredients** and boil until cooked.

Add 250 mls of coconut milk. I used the pre-packed santan from the carton box.) Or alternatively use the coconut milk from half coconut. Stir constantly after adding the coconut milk.

Season with sugar, salt and some pepper till you get the right taste.

**Ingredients can be anything such as:
1. Fish head (pre-boiled in separate pot in hot water before adding in, to remove fishy smell)
2. Young jackfruit (nangka muda)
3. Squids (pre-boiled in separate pot in hot water before adding in, to remove excess water)
4. Fresh mushroom like those oysters mushrooms
5. Cow’s stomach (pre-boiled till very soft)
6. Eggs (just knock the eggs into the boiling masak lemak, without breaking the yolk)

An estimated weight of about 500 grams of meat/fish/squid.

Hanz also gave some tips from her mom:

Mom is innovative. Try prawn with pineapple, meat/chicken with potato, fish with asam gelugur/brinjal/’terung pipit’/.

**Tips to get rid of the yellow, sticky sap from the tumeric.
Usually, using fresh tumeric will leave a stubborn stain on the knives, chopping board and other utensils. To remove them, use undiluted dish washing liquid. Spread a thick layer on them and leave for a while. If still cannot be removed, I had resorted to liquid laundry detergent. However, make sure you rinse well.

Post Author: lilian

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