Cook With Love:Nasi Himpit With Peanut Sauce

Nasi himpit (compressed rice)is a Malay tradition delicacy, also known as ketupat if woven in palm leaf. Ketupat or nasi himpit usually prepared during Hari Raya (Ramzan) .Nasi himpit almost similar to ketupat except for a few reasons. The rice cooked and compressed for nasi himpit whereas the rice cooked with coconut milk and salt in a woven palm leaf. It could be difficult for the beginners to try ketupat hence they may try on nasi himpit first. Both nasi himpit and ketupat can be enjoyed with peanut sauce.


Recipes for Nasi Himpit(Compressed Rice):

Ingredients:
2 cups of rice
5 cups of water

Steps:

1. Wash the rice till clean, maybe about 3 rounds.
2. Add the rice with 5 cups of water in the cooker.
3. Once the rice cooked, mash them well.
4. Line a square baking pan with aluminium foil and spread the mashed rice evenly.
5. Cover with an aluminium foil and place a heavy object on top.
6. Ideally, leave it compressed for about 2 hours or maybe store in fridge.
7. Lift the rice with the aluminium foil and slice in a square, size as per your preference.
8. Relish with peanut sauce, sliced cucumber and onions.

Peanut Sauce :

Ingredients:

2 cups roasted peanuts

2 chopped onions

6 nos dry chillies

2 nos cili padi(bird eye)

6 garlic cloves

1 spoon of dry prawn or belacan

5 spoons of oil

5 spoons of brown sugar

3 cups of water(may adjust according to the consistency)

Salt according to taste

Steps:

1. Refine 1 1/2 cup of roasted peanuts in blender whereas grinding the remaining 1/2 cup coarsely and keep them separately.
2. Grind onions, dry chillies,cili padi, garlic and dry prawn/belacan in a blender.
3. Heat oil in the pan for few seconds before pouring (2) and cook for few minutes till the oil surface.
4. Then add the finely ground peanuts and water.
5. Add in salt and sugar while mixing gently for about 10-15minutes.
6. Ensure not too watery, make sure to get a thick consistency.
7. Finally.addy the coarsely ground peanut.
8. Serve hot with nasi himpit, sliced cucumber and onions.

Tips:

1. Nasi himpit can be cooked overnight and kept compressed. May steam in the following day after slicing them.
2. Mash the rice well while hot to achieve the correct consistency.
3. The spiciness may be adjusted with the dry chillies and cili padi.
4. Belacan is a Malaysian condiment made of dry chillies, lime juice, dry prawns, salt and sugar. Usually can be obtained in Malays shops or supermarket.
5. The peanut sauce can be kept in an airtight container up to 1week.

May you enjoy with your family and friends!