To my friends from Malaysia, I have a question for you, putu bambu means bamboo cake...right?
I discovered these treats while visiting the night market in Chow Kit. Funny story, apparently Chow Kit is the redlight district of Kuala Lumpur, but I had no idea. I actually didn’t find this out until the day before my scheduled return to Vietnam. Earlier that day, I took the train to Subang Jaya to buy baking supplies and then waved down a taxi afterwards to take me to the train station to go back to KL. The taxi driver, who at first thought I was a native, but later found out I wasn’t because of my “American” accent; asked where I was staying. I told him Chow Kit, and his reactions were, what? You? I asked him why he’s so surprised. It was then that he told me to be careful as Chow Kit is the hub for drugs, violence, and prostitution. He told me I was very brave. Heheheeh In Chow Kit’s defense, I stayed there for 3 days, walked around its streets at night by myself and never once did I not feel safe.
Back to the main story. I was walking around the night market which is just a few blocks from my hotel. The cakes are so unique I had to stop for a taste even though I already stuffed from eating Satay earlier (more on that later).
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_s4ymaFp_Bii1MS91q83Kdl98dv261orNXdAenUO72ZJ6XmIUwuXrhnOAuVDI3KEsuWWgaOlDjZpfnJb8_tQKsrWMG4GRvZBfKTdfrUQh66DeNQOqK8GXqV3SoVyjJ2GA=s0-d)
The cakes are made from what looks to be coarsely ground rice. Bamboo molds are stuffed half full with the rice. Palm sugar is added and then more rice.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v6j983R5ebCa2cxcB6I0Hmo6mY3QiY5lvQU2Tcq8l5rXZOP7psAnXAUzlD3-fNdSd6s9kU2a1k4LxiBpmBadWvACB60Tpj6lxHk-Jtfb694az03hv629CcTks8lB0qNE0=s0-d)
The Cakes are steamed for a few mins.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uIheKYZrSY1ydoxLppAu6dlIC0ZSa0C0O5bm50zc_-TJiC1xqw_tLx0NOuo7gu14s5O8DzRrFe3wM75oA8YmjMGWuKDXHTsBFCRCYPaFSxGBqrWU8WnxnksQEaRSPG6g=s0-d)
The finished product is a soft, tender, slightly spongy cake. It’s served with grated coconut, and a spoon full of palm sugar.
It goes to show, sometimes the simplest ingredients can become the tastiest creations. So forget the dough improvers, dough softeners, and sponge gel/stabilizers, stick with tradition!...It's yummy! :p
1:06 AM |
Category: |
Malaysia, Malaysia, Malaysia.....wow, what a country! This year happens to be Malaysia's 50th independence anniversary, and there's so much celebrating on. Eye on Malaysia being a year long party is my first stop while visiting. They have a pretty impressive light show at night...see for yourself.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5l41UPPO4vcCCJdGeh9dVIiSeA9gXF0qbEcFQEMV1VKunUzFsf_tr1kZeMOkSYkt-FdFUV4Ip2FUw_r5NtDll45ZQ_xeVItyyXmuLK1rzy_Hp90XJeUrqXITVqvqNeU08sDwlw/s320/eye.JPG)
Not sure what these are called but they're sooo good. Can't resist must have a taste and snap a picture.
My most favorite are the green mangoes and the chayote. The perfect balance of sweet and sour with a crunchy texture. They're perfect to much on while watching the show.
12:47 AM |
Category: |