13/08/2021
SXS | COCONUT RICE ON BANANA LEAF
Energy-giving yet at the same time food coma-inducing, rice to many Malaysians is that beautiful cuddle of carbs in a full meal that will be a sacrilege if skipped.
Sure, these days foodies everywhere are a lot more conscious about their dietary needs and daily consumption. And while true even here, our paddy-rich nation boasts a people devoted to their roots. One might even say that this heritage is so deeply "ingrained" into the fabric of our being.
Locals can often be quoted as saying: "I cannot go without my rice." Or "Not my rice. Take anything but not that." If this is you, then you're not alone. So, don't fret. We are all fans of the food from our soil.
A magnificently versatile ingredient, it should come as no surprise that some Malaysian, a pure genius in our book, a long time ago in some tiny kampung somewhere, slipped while walking with a bowl of santan and spilled this rich white liquid from nature's bounty into a pot of rice that sat on the stove cooking in front of her.
By then, it was too late. Unable to undo the "mishap," the poor 'makcik' let it be. However, before long, a most wonderful aroma began to kiss the air and wafted with notes of holy glee.
It was that very day that the humble Nasi Lemak (coconut milk-infused rice) was born and went on to become a hot and steamy must-have not just for the villagers of the place where this happy accident occurred but for all of the 'anak' of an entire country of 'nasi' aficionados.
Okay, we (at SXS) have not confirmed if in fact that is how the history of this truly spectacular delicacy goes (while tongue-in-cheek with this take, we will soon get to the bottom of it). Still, the wonder of its splendour never ceases.
At Santan X Sambal, we have met this fine thing of goodness at ground level (bare essentials) and raised its essence of grandeur by a more than just a bit. Putting our spin on this land's pride and joy, our rendition of Nasi Lemak, as a key condiment to the SXS offering, features a secret blend of eleven (yes, eleven!) elements to secure its place as a worthy complement emergent on the longstanding Nasi Lemak scene here in the Klang Valley.
We'll go as far as to confirm what's obvious: rice, filtered water, santan, and banana leaf. The rest we'll leave up to your imagination and palate to discover or try and figure out once the tasting is done.
Thank you for taking this journey with us and trusting us with your discriminating taste buds. Welcome to our little world, where we aim to please and feed your appetite with mad love for an age-old favourite. 💕
