May 7, 2012

Sambal Kangkong

stir-fried kangkong with sambal belacan spice paste
Lenggang lenggang kangkung 
Kangkung tepi telaga 
Lenggang lenggang kangkung 
Kangkung tepi telaga 

You are meandering with the river, strolling along its bank.  A gentle breeze lifts your spirits and sways the leaves of the kangkong plants that float peacefully at the river’s edge. 

Balik dari menyabung 
Makanlah nasi sahaja 
Balik dari menyabung 
Makanlah nasi sahaja 

A song of village life; of a river that flows calmly in its own wandering way; of a leafy plant that grows wild in the water, softly guided by the wind and by the current.

A folk song we learn in school in Malaysia and Indonesia about the meaning of a much loved vegetable – kangkong.
water spinach or chinese spinach or kangkung
Known as kangkong throughout Southeast Asia, the leafy vegetable may go by a myriad of other names such as water spinach, river spinach, water convolvulus, Chinese spinach or water morning glory.
kangkung leaves
The thin, hollow stems and succulent leaves of the kangkong plant make it a popular choice for a healthy green on dinner tables through the region.  The young, fresh leaves and stems have a mild nutty flavor.  Sweet even.  And when cooked for just a flash on high fire, the veggie retains its vibrant green color and refreshing crunch.
how to cook spicy sambal kangkong recipe
The abundance of kangkong in Southeast Asia has made it a favorite veggie for cooks to toss into curries with coconut milk, or into soups like Penang Hokkien Mee (prawn noodles), or into the fryer like crispy kangkong in the Philippines, or the most likely choice, into the wok to be stir-fried with garlic and chili peppers.

In Malaysia, kangkong is matched with sambal belacan, and stir-fried into a famous dish called Sambal Kangkong.
sambal belacan for stir fry kangkong with spices
Sambal kangkong – a dish so admired by the Malaysian-Chinese community that they refer to it as “The Beauty of Malay Scenery” 马来风光.  The spicy, pungent dish is a staple at Chinese and Malay restaurants in Malaysia.  And if a home cook doesn’t mind smelling up the kitchen with fermented shrimp paste (belacan), sambal kangkong is a common dish at home too. 
spicy malaysian sambal kangkong recipe

Categories: ,

Related Posts:

  • Thai Squid Salad with Spicy Lime Dressing A salad should be fun to eat. Light & fresh with fruits & veggies and spices & herbs, and a zesty, citrus dressing.  The kind of salad you can find in Thailand or Vietnam, along the beach on a lazy, humid… Read More
  • Popiah (Spring Rolls) Popiah is the king of spring rolls. Originating from Fujian province in southern China, popish 薄饼 was brought to the Malay Peninsula by Hokkien/Teochew laborers during the British colonial period, and is now a famous str… Read More
  • Malaysian Fish Curry In Malaysia, curries can be loosely categorized into three styles - Malay, Straits Chinese, and Indian. Loosely because there are endless varieties from the fusion of spices and flavors in our multicultural country. No m… Read More
  • Malaysian Nyonya Kerabu Bee Hoon Nyonya Kerabu Bee Hoon.  Maybe it’s best to translate first:Nyonya = A culture, and cooking style, which arose from the fusion of Chinese and Malay cultures in areas of what is now Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.K… Read More
  • Mee Jawa Yellow egg noodles drenched in thick, sweet spicy gravy,  Mee Jawa 爪哇面 is one of the many popular noodle dishes sold by hawkers on the streets of Penang. Replicating it at home, thankfully, is manageable. Thick fro… Read More
Pages (13)12345 Next

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Copyright © 2025 JommJalan | Powered by Blogger