Ramadan is just around the corner! If you are looking for ideas for easy, classic Malay dishes to cook for your family, here are two that will surely capture their hearts and satisfy their appetite!

Read more: Easy 4-ingredient Cek Mek Molek Recipe

Recipe: Gulai Daging Daun Kesum & Acar Rampai

The following recipes for Gulai Daging Daun Kesum & Acar Rampai are inspired by a cooking class I took at the Tropical Spice Garden Cooking School located in Pulau Pinang. Known as the TSG Cooking School, it is the first cooking school in this state and it offers visitors the opportunity to learn Malay, Nyonya, Indian Muslim, Penang street food, Thai as well as Asian vegetarian cooking. The classes are a great and quick way to get a deeper insight into the use of herbs and spices not just to elevate the flavors of the dishes, but also for their healing and nutritional properties.

Classes at TSG Cooking School is limited to 10 people per session and run daily in the morning and afternoon from 9am to 6pm. For booking or inquiries, head over to www.tsgcookingschool.com or send an email to info@tropicalspicegarden.com.

Gulai Daging Daun Kesum & Acar Rampai recipe

Ingredients are prepared and cleaned prior to each cooking class at the Tropical Spice Garden Cooking School

Recipes are provided and printed for participants at the Tropical Spice Garden Cooking School of Penang

The ingredients required to make Gulai Daging Daun Kesum - so simple!

Gulai Daging Daun Kesum Recipe

This traditional beef curry is super simple to put together and it is made extra aromatic thanks to the addition of Vietnamese coriander known locally as daun kesum. The leaves of this fragrant herbaceous plant provide many health benefits and is traditionally used to treat flu, digestive problems, diarrhea and even Athlete's Foot. It also has anti-bacterial properties so incorporating it into your dish will make it both delicious and healing for the diners!

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients
▢ 150g beef
▢ 2 tablespoon oil
▢ ¼ teaspoon coriander powder
▢ 3 tablespoon chili paste
▢ 2 red onions
▢ 1 garlic
▢ ¼ inch galangal
▢ 1 cup beef stock
▢ ½ cup coconut cream
▢ 1 tablespoon toasted coconut
▢ Vietnamese coriander leaves
▢ Salt for seasoning

Cooking Method

1. Peel and chop galangal, onion and garlic into small pieces. Put them into a food processor or a pestle and mortar to turn them into a paste.
2. In a wok on a medium heat, add oil, blended paste, coriander powder and chili paste. Allow it to simmer for about 7 minutes to caramelise the onion.
3. Add beef stock, coconut cream and salt to taste. Stir occasionally for 15 minutes or until beef is cooked.
4. Add mint leaves and toasted coconut and continue stirring for about 5 minutes.
5. Serve hot.

Acar Rampai Recipe

This traditional pickled salad is a must-have during every Ramadan feast. Sweet, sour, salty and spicy - they’re both the perfect starter and last course for your meal. It can be served immediately but Acar Rampai is typically kept in the refrigerator overnight to allow it to develop deeper flavors.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

(A) 6 shallots 2 garlic 1/2 inch ginger 1/2 inch turmeric 3 tablespoon chili paste

(B) 1/c cucumber ½ carrot ½ daikin radish 1 red onion 4 garlic

(C) 2 teaspoon mustard seeds 3 tablespoon oil ½ cup white vinegar 2 tablespoon sugar Salt to taste

Cooking Method

1. Blend all the ingredients in (A) until you get a fine paste.
2. Peel and cut all the vegetables in (B) into very small pieces.
3. In a pot, heat up the oil and add mustard seeds until they pop. Add the blended paste in (A), vinegar, sugar and salt and saute until the oil separates.
4. Add in all the ingredients in (B) except for cucumber and continue stirring for 5 minutes.
5. Turn off the heat and add cucumber and season with salt.
6. Sprinkle some roasted sesame seeds and before serving at room temperature or after chilling.

Recipe: Gulai Daging Daun Kesum & Acar Rampai

Gulai Daging Daun Kesum & Acar Rampai recipe by Tropical Spice Garden Cooking School

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