Hari Raya Puasa
Nasi Kunyit (Turmeric rice 黄姜饭)

Hari Raya Puasa is the most important festival for Muslims as it marks the end of Ramadan. Ramadan is the holy month of fasting. It is mandatory for Muslims to fast from dawn to dusk except the young, old or infirm. Many Muslims also abstain from pleasures such as smoking cigarettes and sexual activities during the daylight of the fasting month. The period of fasting ends when the new moon is sighted on the evening of the last day of Ramadan, then the celebration begin. The words ‘Hari Raya’ mean ‘day of celebration’.

On the morning of the festival, the Muslims would wear their new clothes and go to the mosque to pray. They offer their thanks to God and after that they would ask for forgiveness from their elders. This is an important custom followed by the Muslims. Muslims also will ‘open house’ and invite relatives and friends come to their house. Plenty of traditional Malay delicacies are served. Houses are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with the lighting of oil lamps to welcome the angels which is believed to be visiting the earth during the seven days preceding the festival.
 

Nasi Kunyit (Turmeric rice 黄姜饭)

Nasi Kunyit is a rice dish that transcends two cultures in Malaysia. Malays usually cook Nasi Kunyit during festive season, like during the month of Ramadan, weddings and etc. While Chinese cook nasi kunyit (turmeric rice) and share with relatives and friends to celebrate first month anniversary of their baby.
 

• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 450g glutinous rice
• ½ tbsp lemon juice
• 10-15 peppercorns
• 2 pandan leaves
• 1 cup thick coconut milk
• 1 tsp salt
• Deep fried cashew nut
• Deep fried shallots slices

• Wash the rice and soak in a bowl of water with the turmeric and lemon juice, leave it overnight.
• Drain the soaked rice.
• Place the rice in a steamer with peppercorns and pandan leaves, steam for 20-30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add salt into thick coconut milk. Stir till mix well.
• When the rice is cooked, dish it into a large bowl and mix it with the thick coconut milk so that the rice grains are loosened.
• Return the rice to the steamer and steam for another 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle cashew nut and deep fried shallot slices on top.
• Serve with your favorite curry or rendang.