I still remember the first time ever that I had pumpkin. My mom never cook anything using pumpkin so I never knew about it. I was 13 years old and it was my first year in boarding school. I think it was lunchtime and we all went to the dining hall and queueing to get our food. Then I saw this yellow thingy in yellowish gravy/soupy thingy. I asked my friends what they are and was told it is 'labu', a Malay word for pumpkin. Right there and then, I decided that I like pumpkin especially when it is cooked in coconut milk. But I never made it myself until recently.
Buying a pumpkin, I found out, is not an easy task for an amatuer like me. I feel almost obligated to share with you my first experience of buying a pumpkin. It was during the Halloween season recently. I suddenly had the crave for some Pumpkin in Coconut Milk so off we go to the supermarket and started looking for a pumpkin. Since the only pumpkin that I know of is those that are used for Halloween, I got myself 1 tiny one of the orange type. Got home and started to cut it only to find that it is too dry and definitely not the type used for cooking. I must have bought the ones for Halloween decoration purposes! *smack head* Thank god for my good friend Zue of ZueMurphy who told me to get the Kabocha pumpkin and I finally get to make these creamy Pumpkin and Spinach in Coconut Milk and share it with you. Thanks Zue!
Pumpkin and Spinach in Coconut Milk
Half Kabocha pumpkin, cleaned and cubed
Spinach
1 serrano chili, pounded (optional)
1in fresh turmeric, pounded
1 stick lemongrass, bruised
3/4 can coconut milk (400ml)
Water
1. Put the pumpkin in a pot and add water just enough to cover them. Add the pounded chili, turmeric and lemongrass. Stir and let it boil. Keep adding some water until the pumpkin is soft.
2. Once the pumpkin is soft (you will know this by the sticking a fork to it. If the fork goes all the way through, then it is ready), add in coconut milk, salt and sugar. Stir and taste. Let it boil.
3. Lastly, add in the spinach and give it a few stirs and turn off the heat.
4. Serves hot with white rice.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Pumpkin and Spinach in Coconut Milk
Salt and sugar to taste
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
23 comments:
You are welcome. I am glad you finally found the pumpkin that you like. Your lemak labu make me hungry. It look so delicious.
Farina,
it looks really really good! I remember my mak letak pounded udang kering too (and maybe belacan?). But since my husband doesn't eat udang kering, I will try this your way! Hey, kalau you puree the whole thing in the blender, can you call it pumpkin soup?
Almost anything is tasty in coconut milk! Especially a gourd or squash. It's such a great base for creamy, smooth goodness.
Wow awesome. How were the Eid celebrations there dear?
I don't really like labu sbb I rasa kekok sweet thing buat jd lauk utk mkn dgn nasi..hehehehe mmg I pelik ;)tapi pengat labu I like...
what did you cook on eidul adha?tak buat mkn2 lagi ke?share la..mana tau mcm ur honey chicken wing tu..the very best tau!tried and tested..heheheee
Labu is one of my fave things to eat!! I love it spicy but I will have to give this a try.
ooooohhh.... my alltime fav ni, labu masak lemak..... always have it with sambal ikan bilis and ikan kembung goreng and nasi panas-panas.....
nut never tried it with spinach...thanks for the idea....
Dear Farina
Hey, pumpkin reminds me of the dishes that they cooked at the boarding school I went to too. Usually sambal would blend well with it.
My grandma believes that everytime we cook gulai labu, it will definitely rains. Most times it did.
I love pumpkin! I will normally normally roast it or put it in my curry. Next recipe to try will be this :)Thanks for sharing.
Zue, at first tak sure jugak how to cut the labu but nasib baik lah ok. hehe.
Farizah, i sebenarnya sejak duduk sini tak pernah guna udang kering. Yelah, kalau di puree kan dah jadi pumpkin spinach soup kan? :)
DD, so true but not advisable to have it too often. ;)
Lubna, Eid was pretty quiet. Everybody was working as usual but me. lol.
Nat, yeke? so uv never had durian with sambal belacan makan w rice? lol. Raya i tak masak apa2 pun. Now too cold and gets dark early to do a bbq.
Maya, u can always add more cili padi or serrano chili to the recipe for a spicier one. I only used 1 serrano.
Anis, i pun not sure wht gave me the idea to add the spinach to the recipe but it works and i was a happy camper! lol.
TirelessMom, welcome! I think memang labu masak lemak ni menu wajib kat boarding school kot? Betul ke pasal labu and hujan? Maybe i shud try this petua in summer next year. ;)
Gert, for you, you'd have to add more chili padi baru puas. :)
This masak lemak looks so good. You're making drool!
Farina..yes!u are right...no durian with sambal belacan mkn dgn nasi!!tak leh nk telan..tp durian on its own or dessert..marvelous!Weird huh...
Looks simple and delicious. Love the color that the turmeric adds!
Marc, it is a very simple recipe and the best part is that the main ingredient is changeable. Do check out the other version using crab and fish in my earlier posts. :)
Argus, dont wait, make some for yourself! ;)
Nat, haha. Dah agak dah!
Sounds like pumpkin curry without the chili spice but with lemak punch.
waduh waduh sedapnya....tergoda....i have a kabocha sitting in the kitchen....thanks for the idea!.....maybe i'll make this dish at some point this weekend...
Farina, It will be more delicious if complimented with Sambal Belacan & Ikan Kering.... emmm that's my kampung taste lah, not sure how you think.
Roz
I don't believe I've tried this before but it sure does look sedap!
Tigerfish, lemak galore! lol.
Cyn, if ada kawan makan lagi sedap. :)
Roz, memang nak buat sambal belacan hari tu tapi takde cili merah. lol.
Jo, if you like masak lemak, you will like this. ;)
betul tu....ada kawan lagi sedap..
def want to try...and will prob add in some curry powder.
Gansie, welcome to my blog. ;) Adding curry powder? Well, if you feel that's gonna work, do it girl! Lemme know how that turns out ya?
Post a Comment