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The Star
07-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Fit for the special occasion
DURING Hari Raya Aidiladha, try this Malaysian interpretation of mandi rice of Yemen. You'll know what Yemeni mandi and kabsa rice are if you've ever had Nasi Arab. These are ancient rice dishes where the meat – often lamb or chicken – is first poached in a spiced broth, then marinated in an intensely flavoured spice paste, and finally grilled or roasted until glossy and caramelised. The rice is cooked in the same broth with additional herbs and spices, and sometimes even fruits and nuts are tossed in for extra aroma and texture. As is traditional in many Arab and Malay cultures, a feast like this for Aidiladha and other festivals is usually served on a large communal tray with chicken nestled atop the rice, salad and salsa on the side, and a bowl of warm, clear broth for sipping or spooning over. Nasi Arab is the Malaysian interpretation of Arabian rice in the style of Yemeni Mandi and Kabsa, and has become a popular dish for Aidiladha. — Photos: Low Lay Phon/The Star However, it's also common to see single portions served neatly in segmented platters at Middle Eastern restaurants. Although the cooking method of Nasi Arab closely follows the mandi and kabsa styles, its ingredients are more aligned with Indian and Malay flavours. This localised recipe gives it a spice profile that is generally milder than the original, which often includes cardamom, saffron, black lime, bay leaves, and nutmeg. Traditional cooking methods involve roasting the meat in a tandoor oven or an underground pit. The Arabian salad, called salata, is also crucial – it provides a fresh contrast to the rich meat and rice and is usually dressed simply with lemon juice and chopped coriander. The Arabian salsa known as daqqus is a homemade tomato-based hot sauce served as a dipping sauce for the chicken or, for chilli lovers, to drizzle over the rice. To prepare the Arabian salad, dice cucumber, tomato and onion, then add roughly chopped coriander and season with lemon zest, lemon juice and salt to taste. For those celebrating, Selamat Hari Raya Haji. May your home be filled with warmth, blessings and beautiful aromas. Nasi Arab Ingredients Poached chicken 2 tbsp cooking oil 1 red onion 1kg chicken leg quarters 1 tsp ground fennel 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp kurma spice mix ½ tsp salt to taste 1½ litres cold water ¼ cup lemon juice Chicken marinade 1 tbsp paprika 1 tbsp curry powder 1 tsp salt to taste 1 tbsp honey 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Arabian rice 2 cups basmati rice, soaked in cold water for 30 minutes 28g unsalted butter 1 stick cinnamon 3 buds cloves 1 pod star anise 1 red onion, sliced 30g ginger, julienned 3 cloves garlic, smashed 4 cups chicken broth, reserved from poaching chicken 2 tsp salt to taste 1 sprig coriander leaves Arabian salad 1 tomato, diced 1 cucumber, diced 1 red onion, diced 1 sprig coriander leaves, chopped ½ tsp salt to taste ½ tsp sugar to taste 1 tbsp lemon juice to taste Arabian salsa 10 bird's eye chilies 5 red chilies 1 tomato 1 clove garlic 1 sprig coriander leaves ½ tsp salt to taste 1 tsp lemon juice to taste Directions Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the red onion until softened and fragrant. Add chicken leg quarters along with all spices and salt. Pour in cold water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes until chicken is tender. Alternatively, pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. Remove chicken and reserve 4 cups of the broth for cooking rice. The remaining broth can be served as soup. Mix all marinade ingredients into a paste. While still warm, coat the poached chicken evenly in the marinade. Let sit for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 150°C. Arrange chicken on a baking tray. Roast for 15 minutes, then baste with pan juices and roast for another 15 minutes or until glossy and caramelised. In a large sauté pan, heat the butter to saute whole spices until fragrant. Add onion, ginger and garlic. Cook until wilted and slightly golden. Add drained rice and stir to coat, lightly toasting for 1-2 minutes. Transfer mixture to a rice cooker. Add broth and salt. Cook according to rice cooker instructions. Once cooked, let rice sit covered for 10 minutes, then fluff together with chopped coriander. Garnish with coriander leaves before serving with chicken, Arabian salad, Arabian salsa, and broth. For the Arabian salad, mix all ingredients in a bowl. Adjust salt, sugar and lemon juice to taste. Chill until ready to serve. For the Arabian salsa, blend all ingredients until smooth. Adjust salt and lemon juice to taste.
The Star
29-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Women's retreat builds resilience
The two-day retreat includes a mindfulness walk at Taman Tasik Permaisuri with a focus on the five senses. — Low Lay Phon/The Star A retreat in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 brought together nearly 100 women from various backgrounds to recharge and inspire one another. Held in Komune Living and Wellness in Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, 'Enliven Women 2025' was organised by online-based programme Yoga for Mums. Among the women who benefitted from the overnight retreat was Maisarah Hanum Abd Latib, 40, from Flat PKNS AU2, Taman Keramat in Ampang, Selangor. 'During the mindfulness walk, I walked in silence, observing only what was around me,' the home-based tailor and single mother of five told StarMetro. 'As a busy mother, this gave me space to breathe and reflect, bringing calmness to my mind.' Her fellow participants included B40 mothers, homemakers, working professionals and young corporate employees. Through mindfulness and self-discovery in an emotionally safe space, the women were able to connect, recharge and support one another. For Maisarah and her fellow B40 mums, the retreat was a form of support by social enterprise Thrive Well that seeks to provide trauma-informed mental health services to underserved groups. Chua: Retreat aims to encourage all women to live the best life they can. Thrive Well clinical coordinator Hani Adriana Azman said retreat participants included nine B40 women from Flat PKNS AU2 and PPR Seri Semarak in Kampung Baru Air Panas, Kuala Lumpur. 'These women have completed our basic, advanced and ambassador-level programmes. 'At the ambassador stage, they are able to support mental health peers within their own communities,' she said. Certified mindfulness coach and Yoga for Mums founder Caleen Chua Yen Keng said the retreat was aimed at encouraging women to live the best life they could. Chua also guided participants during a 10-minute silent mindfulness walk at nearby Taman Tasik Permaisuri where they focused on their five senses and let go of judgement. 'In that silence, we uncover our own strength, resilience and calm,' she said. The retreat featured structured sessions including the life wheel workshop, lunch, a mindful eating session, a personal vision workshop, and group reflection and sharing. The initiative was endorsed by Women, Family and Community Development Ministry alongside Malaysia Retail Chain Association's (MRCA) women division. MRCA women division chief Aiveen Wong said the division's tagline 'Empower women, build nation' reflected the movement towards women's empowerment nationwide. 'Today, more women are stepping into the workforce with confidence and ambition,' she said. 'This retreat is about discovering that inner strength and helping each other grow. 'In 2023, women made up nearly half or 15.9 million of Malaysia's population of 33 million. 'That's more than a number, it is a sign of strength, resilience and potential,' she added. Wong said 219,000 females were born that year, representing the country's future women leaders. The event was supported by corporate and brand sponsors.
