Saturday 9 June 2012

Nasi Hujan Panas (Rainbow Rice)


Nasi Hujan Panas is the colorful cousin of the more well known Nasi Minyak.  I don't know why it is called Nasi Hujan Panas but if I remember correctly it refers to the rainbow that forms after a short spell of rain on a sunny day.  

Before I begin, I would like to credit Chef Hanieliza whose "Senangnya Memasak..." (So easy to Cook...) series has given me much inspiration and guidance.  Her mini cookbooks also come with DVD of her demonstrating selected recipes from the books.  
What I love is her tagline "Gerenti Jadi!" (Guranteed Success!).  Now that is certainly what we want when we try out a recipe for the first time.  I highly recommend her books to anyone interested in Malay cooking as her recipes are simple and easy to follow.  And of course, guaranteed to succeed.
This rice dish is very flavorful and is usually served on special occasions like weddings and complements dishes such as Ayam Golek, Ayam Masak Merah or Kuzi Daging to name a few.
 
It is a simple rice dish to prepare and these are the ingredients I adapted from Chef Hanieliza's recipe :

For the rice :
1. 4 cups basmati rice (soak for 10 minutes, wash and drain)
2. 4 cups water
3. 1/2 cup milk
4. 2 stalks lemongrass (bruised)
5. 4 pandan leaves knotted
6. 1 cube chicken stock
7. Some red, green and yellow food coloring

Spices :
1. 3 cloves
2. 3 cardamom
3. 2 star anise
4. 1 inch cinnamon stick
5. 1 inch ginger (pounded)
6. 5 shallots (pounded)
7. 2 cloves garlic (pounded)

Oil to Saute Spices :
1. Enough oil to saute spices (I used grapeseed oil)
2. 1 tablespoon of ghee

Now, ghee gives the rice a distinct aroma, however if you do not like the smell of ghee, just leave it out or substitute with butter or margarine.

Method :
1. Heat oil and ghee in frying pan.
2. Throw in all your spice ingredients together with lemongrass and pandan.  Saute on medium heat until fragrant (about 5 minutes).
3. Put in the basmathi rice, chicken stock  and stir to ensure that the rice is properly mixed with the spices and coated with oil.
4. Transfer to rice pot and add water and milk.
5. Cook rice as normal.
6. When the rice is cooked, immediately pour in the coloring onto 3 spots and cover for another 15 minutes.
7. After 15 minutes, stir the rice to get an even mix of colours.

Spice ingredients
Pound ginger, shallots and garlic.
Bruised lemongrass and knotted pandan.

Basmati rice drained after soaking and washing.  I used Jasmine Pusa 1121 extra long grain basmati.

Transfer to rice pot after rice is mixed with sauteed spices.  I did this because I don't know how to cook rice on the stove.

The three stooges, Green, Red and Yellow, all waiting for the rice to cook.

Pour in the coloring on three spots.  Do not, I repeat, do not stir at this point.  Cover the rice pot for about 15 minutes.

Stir after 15 minutes to even out the colors.

A colorful dish to whet your appetite.


26 comments:

  1. Ya ya, I saw this nasi hujan recipe in an old Flavours magazine, look very colourful and beautiful ..Now see your rice, I feel like want to cook it immediately ..

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    1. Sonia, you can cook so many types of food and I guarantee you will make a success of this!

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  2. this is really colorful, pity that we don't have fresh lemon grass here, I use canned


    Blog about life and travelling
    Blog about cooking

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    1. That's interesting, Ola. I did not know there is such thing as canned lemongrass. Hmmmm.....

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  3. Wow! so colourfull yaa lho.. it name because of the colurs... :)) wahhhhh sedapnya.... cantik leyyy... :))

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    1. Thank you....I still can't find you cookbook la...Next week will cari some more.

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  4. That is indeed a rainbow! Anyone would be happy just looking at it. Sure brightens up a grey day. I'll go look for her books ... I also like the tagline :)

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    1. Yah, she also has recipes on kerabu, sambal and lots more.

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  5. Phong Hong, very colourful rice and definitely fragrant with all the spices. I like this kind of rice especially when serve with curry or ulam. Will try. Where can I get this kind of rice?

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    1. Kimmy, you can get this rice at most supermarkets.

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  6. I will put on a smiley face if someone serves me this rainbow rice! Very colourful!

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    1. Yes, your smile would be as beautiful as the rainbow!

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  7. good morning phong hong, thanks for dropping by blog earlier. I've never heard of this nasi hujan panas..such a cute name, the colours make it very festive looking too! I'm sure this will get one excited seeing this! I've never cooked basmathi rice before and am glad to learn another one here!

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    1. Hi Lena, thanks for dropping by. We have lots to learn from each other!

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  8. Hi Phong Hong, your nasi hujan panas look so delicious and love the rainbow color. I haven't try in my own kitchen but used to tah pau from restaurant.

    Thanks for sharing the recipe. I'm following you.

    Have a nice day.

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  9. That's really very pretty.

    Btw, thanks for dropping by my blog and for your nice comment. Welcome and do drop by again.

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    1. Thank you and thanks for dropping by. Hopefully my food here can make the tua pui more pui and more sui :)

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    2. Hi Phong Hong...I love your rainbow rice, and especially would go so nice with chicken, or fish. So colorful, and inviting, and absolutely delicious!

      Thanks for commenting, and following my blog...will follow you back later today, when I get to my computer. Can't seem to do it on my daughter's right now!

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    3. Hi Elisabeth, welcome aboard!

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  10. Hi Chef, I wanted you cook book . how can i buy from online cause i live in Austrlia . Thank you.

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  11. Hi alah! Try MPH Online. Good luck!

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  12. Hi! Can I ask, milk is it fresh milk? Pasteurized? Also, can I blend instead of pound? Thanks in advance!

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    1. Hi Ida! I used evaporated milk. Yes, of course you can blend. So much easier :)

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  13. I made this to have with Chef Wan’s Kerutup Daging recipe too and it turned out so well! Thank you for sharing :)

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    1. I'm glad to hear that! You are most welcome :)

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