Recipe: Lovely "Laksa" Malaysian Noodle Soup with Freshly Chopped Herb Slaw

Lovely "Laksa" Malaysian Noodle Soup with Freshly Chopped Herb Slaw

Happy & Healthy Cooking,

Fun-Da-Mentals Kitchen Skills

• chop :

  to cut something into small, rough pieces using a blade.

• combine :

  to merge two or more ingredients into one mixture, like a batter of flour, eggs, and milk.

• drizzle :

  to trickle a thin stream of a liquid ingredient, like icing or sauce, over food.

• garnish :

  to decorate a dish or plate of food to enhance its flavor or appearance, using things like parsley, fruit slices, or edible flowers.

• juice :

  to extract or squeeze out the juice of a fruit or vegetable, like a lemon, orange, or carrot, often cutting open or peeling the fruit or veggie first to access its flesh.

• knife skills :

  Bear Claw (growl), Pinch, Plank, and Bridge (look out for trolls). 

• measure :

  to calculate the specific amount of an ingredient required using a measuring tool (like measuring cups or spoons).

• simmer :

  to cook a food gently, usually in a liquid, until softened.

• stir :

  to mix together two or more ingredients with a spoon or spatula, usually in a circle pattern, or figure eight, or in whatever direction you like!

• whisk :

  to beat or stir ingredients vigorously with a fork or whisk to mix, blend, or incorporate air.

What is Laksa?

• Laksa is a Southeast Asian spicy noodle soup that originated with the Peranakans, who were Southern Chinese settlers to maritime Southeast Asia. This area consists of the countries of Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. 
• There are various theories about how laksa first came about. One view is that the word "laksa" came from the word for "noodles" in ancient Persia. In Singapore, they believe that the dish was created after the Peranakans interacted with local Malays in Singapore. 
• Laksa is made with various kinds of noodles, especially rice noodles cooked in broth or coconut milk and topped with herbs and tamarind paste. Seafood, chicken, tofu, eggs, and beans can also be added. There are different varieties of laksa. In Malaysia, one type cooked in fish broth with mackerel added is "Penang asam laksa" from the Malaysian island of Penang. The "asam" in the name is the tamarind paste, which gives it a tangy flavor.

Let's Learn About Malaysia!

• Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia that occupies most of the Malay peninsula and shares a border on its north with Thailand. It is located west of Cambodia and Vietnam and north of Singapore. This part of Malaysia is known as Peninsular or West Malaysia. The country also shares a small part of the island of Borneo with Brunei and Indonesia. This area is called East Malaysia or the Borneo States. The South China Sea separates the two regions by about 400 miles. 
• Malaysia is multiethnic and multicultural. There are influences from Malaysian indigenous people, the "Orang Asal" ("Original People"). In addition, early settlers from India and China and the effects of British rule have contributed to the country's diversity. British control in Malaysia began in 1795 and ended in 1957. 
• The government in Malaysia is a federal constitutional elective monarchy, similar to the United Kingdom. The monarch is called the "Yang di-Pertuan Agong," literally "He Who is Made Chief Lord," and is known unofficially as the King of Malaysia. There is also a prime minister and a parliament. 
• The total land area of Malaysia is 127,724 square miles. That is a little larger than the US state of New Mexico. However, with nearly 34 million people, Malaysia has about 254 people per square mile compared with New Mexico's 2.1 million and 17 residents per square mile. 
• Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia's largest city and the ceremonial and legislative capital. Putrajaya is the administrative and judicial capital. The official language is Malaysian Malay or just Malay, and English is a recognized language; however, 137 languages are spoken in the country.
• Rainforests that are thought to be more than 130 million years old take up almost two-fifths of Peninsular Malaysia and two-thirds of East Malaysia. 
• The Malayan tiger is unique to Malaysia and is depicted on their coat of arms. In addition, several bird species are found only in the mountains of the Malay peninsula and on the island of Borneo. 
• Malaysia exports petroleum and other natural resources and is one of the biggest palm oil producers. Tourism is the third largest economic contributor. 
• Association football (soccer) is the most popular sport. Badminton and field hockey are also widely played. "Silat Melayu" is a traditional martial art native to Malaysia that is still practiced.
• The country's national dish is "nasi lemak," rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf. Its national drink is "teh tarik," made of strong black tea with condensed milk added that is poured back and forth from one container to another to arrive at the right temperature and blend.  

What's It Like to Be a Kid in Malaysia?

• Malaysian children often live with their extended family, especially if they live in more rural areas, and children are taught to respect their elders. 
• Kids are required to wear uniforms to school, with their school year beginning in January and ending in November.  
• Customs and foods vary depending on whether a child comes from a Malay, Indian, or Chinese family. For example, kids may celebrate Muslim holidays like Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Malay for Eid al-Fitr), Chinese holidays like Chinese New Year, or Hindu holidays like Diwali. 
• Families celebrate the Malaysian Independence Day, Hari Merdeka, on August 31, with fireworks and parades, similar to how the United States celebrates the Fourth of July. 
• Kids may go to the Perdana Botanical Garden with their families, where they can enjoy beautiful gardens and visit parks with deer, birds, and butterflies. 
• Other fun activities for kids and families are the theme parks of Sunway Lagoon, Legoland Malaysia, and Berjaya Times Square Theme Park. A combination waterpark and amusement park, the Lost World of Tambun, is also popular.
• Malaysian kids may enjoy having "ais kacang" (bean ice) as a refreshing treat. They may also like to eat "goreng pisang" (banana fritters). Popular snacks include "Haw Flakes," a Chinese candy made from the Chinese hawthorn fruit, and "Popo Fish Muruku," a fish cracker made from yellow split peas based on a South Indian fried snack.