Sunday, September 27, 2009

Hari Raya Celebration




Visiting an aunt..

From left : sister in law, auntie, mother in law and me





Children are given token sums of money from adults during Eid. My nephew is getting the money from the grandma...


This post is specially dedicated to my Indonesian blogger friend, Dita. She asked me to upload photos of how we (Malaysians) celebrate Eid Ul Fitr or Hari Raya. I asked her to do the same thing and she had done her job well. I visited her blog yesterday and saw photos of how the Indonesians celebrate Eid Ul Fitr. Basically, the way we celebrate Eid Ul Fitr in Malaysia is very similar to Eid celebration in Indonesia. In the morning, we will perform Eid Ul Fitr prayers and then visit the graves of the departed ones. Next, the rest of the day is spent visiting relatives or friends and serving visitors.


The festive food during Eid in Malaysia is also almost the same as we also have Ketupat (rice wrapped in woven palm leaves), which are also served during Eid in Indonesia. To me, one the best things about Hari Raya is the FOOD!! During Eid celebration, the Malay traditional delicacies are prepared and served for everyone and I would like to share with all of you the menu that my family had during Eid.


This year, I spent my Eid Ul Fitr holidays with my husband's family in Kelantan which is in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Every year, my husband and I would take turn to celebrate Eid either with my husband's family or mine in Selangor (in the West coast of Peninsular Malaysia). In the West Coast where I am from, Ketupat, Peanut Sauce and Lodeh (vegetables in coconut gravy) are usually served during Eid. However, in the East coast, they usually have Nasi Dagang as the main dish . Nasi Dagang is rice steamed in coconut milk and served with chicken or fish curry and extra ingredients such as fried shaved coconut, hard boiled eggs and vegetable prickles. Nasi dagang is actually a well known breakfast food in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia particularly in Terengganu and Kelantan.




Kelantan Nasi Dagang


Next, my mother in law also prepared Ketupat Pulut. Ketupat Pulut is glutinous rice wrapped in a triangular shape using the leaves of the fan palm.




Ketupat Pulut


Tapai Pulut (fermented glutinous rice) are also served as desserts. Tapai Pulut are usually wrapped in banana leaves or rubber tree leaves. It tastes sweet and juicy. Not to forget we also have Chicken Satay which we usually buy because it's not easy to prepare Satay!!!!!.




Tapai Pulut



Chicken Satay which actually originated from Indonesia


Besides the traditional Malay food, we also have cookies and cakes during Eid Ul Fitri. I have been eating non-stop for the past few days and had gained back the kilos I had lost during the fasting month. Really have to be on a strict diet starting tomorrow!!




Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Selamat Hari Raya



How time flies...!!!Hari Raya is just a few days away.!!..Of course all of us would be sad as this holy month is coming to an end. Well, Hari Raya marks the end of the fasting month and we are now approaching the Islamic month of Syawal. "Hari Raya'' literally means "Day Of Celebration". It is the biggest holiday in Malaysia and the most awaited one. As usual, shopping malls and bazaars are filled with people days ahead of Hari Raya, causing a distinctive festive atmosphere throughout the country. I did my Hari raya shopping with my sisters last weekend. It was a fun day out..we rarely get the opportunity to go shopping together as we are living far apart. I managed to buy my children's traditional Hari Raya outfit at 'Dang Anum', my favourite boutique in Shah Alam.



'Baju Kurung' for my only daughter

Every year, during Ramadan I will be selling homemade cookies and Sarawak Layer cake. I don't really know how to make good cookies or bake cakes. Believe it or not..the last time I made cookies was 20 years ago! The homemade cookies that I am selling are made by a friend in Kota Bharu and the Sarawak layer cakes are made by a friend who owns a bakery in Kuala Lumpur. I love doing this business mainly because of my passion for cakes and cookies and of course I love to eat them as well.. Below are the pictures of the handmade cookies and Sarawak layer cakes that I sell. They are ready to be delivered to those who ordered. My friend made 20 different types of cookies every year. She herself designed the cookies and every year , I would be so excited to see the new designs that she came up with.





Chocolate Almond London ready to be delivered..



Sarawak layer cakes from Randau Cafe


'Selamat Hari Raya' (Happy Eids) I wish to all Muslims and 'Maaf Zahir dan Batin' (forgive my physical and emotional wrongdoings). Remember, Eid Ul Fitr is not only for celebrations but also the time for Muslim to cleanse their sins and strengthen their ties with relatives and friends. Hope this Hari Raya would be the most wonderful one to all of you!

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Flowers










For many of us, sight of a flower stirs our soul. A flower or a flower painting or a photograph is capable sometimes of causing utter awe and wonder. Flowers also provide vivid colours to our endless landscapes and also to our lifes!


I like flowers simply because they are beautiful. To me, flowers are the symbol of sincerity, love and care. The flower photos above were all snapped in Cactus Valley and Rose Valley, Cameron Highland. Meanwhile, the flower quotes are from 'The Quote Garden' a website with hundreds of interesting quotations about nature.

Selamat Hari Raya









How time flies...!!!Hari Raya is just a few days away.!!..Of course all of us would be sad as this holy month is coming to an end. Well, Hari Raya marks the end of the fasting month and we are now approaching the Islamic month of Syawal. "Hari Raya'' literally means "Day Of Celebration". It is the biggest holiday in Malaysia and the most awaited one. As usual, shopping malls and bazaars are filled with people days ahead of Hari Raya, causing a distinctive festive atmosphere throughout the country. I did my Hari raya shopping with my sisters last weekend. It was a fun day out..we rarely get the opportunity to go shopping together as we are living far apart. I managed to buy my children's traditional Hari Raya outfit at 'Dang Anum', my favourite boutique in Shah Alam.




'Baju Kurung' for my only daughter




Every year, during Ramadan I will be selling homemade cookies and Sarawak Layer cake. I don't really know how to make good cookies or bake cakes. Believe it or not..the last time I made cookies was 20 years ago! The homemade cookies that I am selling are made by a friend in Kota Bharu and the Sarawak layer cakes are made by a friend who owns a bakery in Kuala Lumpur. I love doing this business mainly because of my passion for cakes and cookies and of course I love to eat them as well.. Below are the pictures of the handmade cookies and Sarawak layer cakes that I sell. They are ready to be delivered to those who ordered. My friend made 20 different types of cookies every year. She herself designed the cookies and every year , I would be so excited to see the new designs that she came up with.





Chocolate Almond London ready to be delivered..





Sarawak layer cakes from Randau Cafe


'Selamat Hari Raya' (Happy Eids) I wish to all Muslims and 'Maaf Zahir dan Batin' (forgive my physical and emotional wrongdoings). Remember, Eid Ul Fitr is not only for celebrations but also the time for Muslim to cleanse their sins and strengthen their ties with relatives and friends. Hope this Hari Raya would be the most wonderful one to all of you!


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