From The Straits Times    |


PHOTO 123rf.com

Sambal Belachan
By Yusnita Yusoff, chef de partie at Mamanda

Blend together 15 red chillies, 5 chilli padi, tsp toasted belacan, 50ml calamansi juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp sugar.
Makes 1 cup. Keep chilled for up to two weeks.

BEST WITH: Meats (chicken, beef or mutton), stir-fries, keropok, raw cherry tomatoes, cabbage or cucumber, and boiled long beans or carrots.

Ginger Dip
By Pang Yit Lan, food-stall owner

Blend together 300g ginger and 5 tbsp water. Makes 350ml. Keep chilled for up to 10 days.

BEST WITH: Steamed chicken, fish and prawns

Sambal Tumis
By Yusnita Yusoff

Blend together 10 dried chillies, 2 red onions, 2 cloves garlic, tsp toasted belacan, 1 tsp salt, 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp assam juice. Fry over medium heat until the oil surfaces.
Makes 1 cup. Keep chilled for up to 2 weeks.

BEST WITH: Nasi Lemak, bee hoon, and grilled seafood.

Mayonnaise
By Tan Yn Shu, real estate agent

Whisk 3 egg yolks, 20ml white vinegar and 2 tsp mustard. Add 500ml vegetable oil slowly, whisking constantly until it’s well mixed and starts to thicken. Whisk in 40ml hot water. Add salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste. Makes 500ml. Keep chilled for up to four days.

BEST WITH: French fries, salads, sandwich fillings

Spicy Soya Sauce
By Sazzuria Hashim, editorial coordinator

Pound or blend 5 chilli padi and 1 clove garlic. Add cup sweet soya sauce (such as Habhal’s Cap Kipas Udang, available at major supermarkets), 2 chopped shallots and juice of 1 calamansi. Makes a small bowl that serves four. BEST WITH: Grilled seafood

Chicken-rice Chilli
By Pang Yit Lan

Blend 12 red chillies, 20 chilli padi, 50g ginger, 1 torch ginger bud, 10 cloves garlic, 8 shallots, 1 tomato, 5 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp salt, 3 tsp sugar and 1 cup water.
Makes 500ml. Keep chilled for up to 10 days.

BEST WITH: Chicken rice and steamed chicken, prawns and squid