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My January had been a very colourful and eye opening month as I explored Negara Tumpah Darahku. One of the highlights during Railway Tourism Trip to Perak was Pesta Makanan Tradisional Lenggong 2014. A number of local food originating from Lenggong and nearby places were there for display and consumption by the locals. They are difficult to find and most importantly, free of charge!

Before  narrating about this event, let me warn you this post might be lengthy for I am going to share everything worth sharing about Pesta Makanan Tradisional Lenggong 2014.

Although it was a wet Saturday, Dataran Lenggong had gone all out with activities. By the time we reached Dataran Lenggong, we were ushered to the main stage where our Tourism Minister, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri was delivering his speech in conjunction with the launch of Alam dan Makanan, Budaya Warisan Lenggong book. I did not know why I was not given a copy of the book, but I wish I have a copy of the book.

From Dataran Lenggong, the mountain fronting the square was still enveloped by mist. A cool valley, it was.

Walking around Dataran Lenggong, I spotted tents where the locals where enjoying their lunch. Mind you, we arrived two hours late than expected. Some of the locals were too shy to have their pictures taken. Some were eager to have their pictures taken.

There are more than 10 types of condiments originated from Lenggong. Two of the condiments are known as Sambal Kelapa and Sambal Picit Ikan Kembung.

Sambal Kelapa

Recipe : Cili, belacan, garam, ikan bilis, bawang, asam

 

1. Masukkan semua bahan ke dalam lesong dan tumbuk sehingga lumat
2. Masukkan air asam jawa/limau
3.Siap untuk dihidangkan.

Sambal Picit Ikan Kembong

100g cili padi

20g belacan

1 biji limau nipis

5 ekor ikan kembong (rebus)

garam secukup rasa

 

Cara-cara:- 

1. Cili padi, belacan dan garam ditumbuk kasar.
2. Kemudian masukkan air limau nipis.
3. Ikan kembung direbus dan diasingkan tulang.
4. Ambil isinya dan digaul bersama sambal yang ditumbuk tadi.

Other condiments:-

Traditional Coconut Grating Competition

Next to the condiments display, a number of men and women were seating on the floor with each having a coconut grater. Pertandingan kukur kelapa, I was told. Their faces show excitement! I loved the vibe in Lenggong town. They were very friendly and approachable. The coconut graters used in the competition were the seat-on grater with spiked round-surface grater.

Out of excitement, I told the ladies I wanted to try my hand on the coconut grater. With encouraging words and tips from the ladies, I sat on the bar and started to grate the half-broken coconut. Holding the surface of coconut firmly in my palm, I grated the coconut from the edge. Shredded white coconut came off and fell on the plate. It was just a beginning. I am sure to complete the half-broken coconut is one tough job, atleast to a beginner like me.

I was later told by a local man that coconut grating competition is one of the practice done in Kg Batu Ring on the night before wedding reception takes place. Unlike the city dwellers who engage catering for weddings, the villagers gather and cook for food for wedding reception. A true kampung spirit.

Pesta Makanan Tradisional Lenggong : Food

Throughout the event, I was in a confused state of mind on what we were supposed to cover. I decided I would go for the food, after all it’s Pesta Makanan Tradisionl Lenggong. I am sure people would like to know the food heritage of Lenggong. During Pesta Makanan Tradisional Lenggong, about 13-17 villages were tasked to cook their traditional cuisines.

Daging Masak Besamah

 

Kerabu Buah Beko Perut

 

Kebebe

Gulai Petani

Rendang Lambuk dengan Udang by Kampung Changkat Berangan

Daging Gulai Kawah dengan Umbut Pisang by Kampung Gelok

Gulai Lemak Rebung by Kampung Banggol Batu

Daging Masak Hitam by Kampung Banggol Belimbing

Pecal

Gulai Lemak Pisang & Daging Salai by Kampung Bukit Nangka

Pindang Ikan Sungai by Kampung Luat

Pau Al Sufi by Kampung Lenggong

Siput Sedut Masak Labu

My favourite food is siput sedut masak labu,  Gulai kawah dengan umbut pisang and daging masak hitam. I was told by fellow media friends that there were many food sections in Dataran Lenggong. Their sections were complete with grilled venison. The locals prepared the food at Dataran Lenggong portraying the teamwork effort by each kampung. They also go to the extend of providing recipes for each food. Really interesting.

Oh yes, when in Lenggong, how could we forget about the ulams. The vegetable eaten raw by the locals usually coupled with condiments.

Kebebe

Kebebe is not a type of condiment but belongs to a family of rojak. Kebebe is hard to find for it is made of exotic fruits like buah cermai, buah cedong etc.

I slipped through the area where the ladies were preparing for Kebebe. There was a strong smell of belacan, but I managed to seat through during the process to make kebebe. According to the locals, kebebe is only served during a festive like Pesta Makanan Tradisional.

Not long before I left the stall, two male teenagers were eager to make kebebe. They squeezed to the huge lesung while saying, “mai rasa kebebe buatan tangan anak muda pulok”. They were given the ingredients and off they went hitting the pestle over the ingredients in the mortar.

Kebebe tasted really good although it was a tad bit too spicy for me.

Here’s a recipe for Kebebe:-

Bahan-bahan:-

Cili Padi

Belacan

Garam & Gula

Belimbing Buloh

Buah Cermai

Buah Kelempong

Buah Cedong

Jantung Pisang/dipotong kecil

Nangka Muda/dipotong kecil

Jambu Batu/dipotong kecil

Buah Nanas/dibelah dan dipotong kecil

Kelapa Muda/dibelah dan dipotong kecil

 

Cara-cara menyediakan:-

1. Masukkan cili padi, garam dan belacan kepada lesung. Tumbuk hingga lumat.
2. Kemudian, masukkan nangka muda, jambu batu, belimbing buloh, buah cermai, buah kelempong, buah cedong, jantung pisang, buah nanas, kelapa dan gula secukup rasa.
3. Sedia terhidang. Dimakan seperti rojak.

Pindang Ikan Sungai

One unique freshwater fish cuisine of Lenggong is pindang ikan sungai. The freshwater fish is steamed for two days before it is served. When I was at pindang ikan sungai stall,  a man with a child in his arm asked for a permission to taste the fish on display. It was the only prepared pindang ikan sungai available since it was already 1.30p.m. He said he came all the way to Lenggong just for a taste of pindang ikan sungai. Wow. There’s a demand for pindang ikan sungai.

1kg Ikan Sungai

15 biji cili kering

6 batang serai

1 sudu kecil serbuk kunyit

1/2 kg bawang kecil

2 genggam asam keping (asam gelugor)

sedikit daun kesom

1 biji kelapa

garam secukup rasa

sedikit buah belimbing buloh

lengkuas

belacan

daun semian

 

1. Ikan disiang dan dicuci sehingga bersih dan ditoskan

2. Serai diracik dan ditumbuk bersama-sama cili kering dan belacan.

3. Bawang kecil, daun kesom dan asam keping serta belimbing buloh diracik halus.

4. Kelapa diperah dan diambil pati santannya.

5. Semua bahan-bahan diatas digaul bersama-sama ikan hingga sebati dan dibalut dengan daun semian dengan kemas dan direbus selama 2 hari.

ByRoadToMalaysia at Pesta Makanan Tradisional Lenggong

Towards the end of the stall row, I spotted a motor vehicle which is used by ByRoadToMalaysia who travelled from Manchester  to Malaysia. Remember a family of six who travelled who resided in UK who travelled overland to Malaysia last year via 39 countries? Yes, we bumped into the famous campervan. I read about them on the internet and followed their journey on facebook. Boy, I was really excited.

My sister and I were greeted by En. Jamal and his wife, Pn. Sofinee. Very humble and down to earth couple. Inspiring throughout our 30 minutes chat for which they shared their experiences throughout the journey.

You may have dreams, but never allow anything to stop you from realizing your dreams.

You should not be thinking much, just do it.

You are still young. You should seize this opportunity. Take the first step. Take sabbatical leave and go see the world.

At one point, I was very inspired that I thought I would tender a resignation letter the next day I walked into the office. No, it did not happen that way. I am still working. I still need to save up for that to happen, at least for a couple months to sustain my life along the road. I like meeting people whose lives are inspirational. Thank you, Pn. Sofinee for reminding me of what I have been wanting to do.

Sief, the youngest of them all posing with the motorhome.

Pesta Makanan Tradisional Lenggong is one of the best food events I have attended so far. It is interesting not only to the international visitors, but local visitors alike. Tourism player is trying to ensure that this successful event to be included as an annual event, which I hope would materialize. But I am not going to hesitate to recommend this event to anyone. I wish I had more time to explore. If I were to come again next time, I would make sure I arrive early in the morning so as not to miss many activities.