July 22, 2010

De-leafing of Cangkok Manis

I often pass by this corner shop on my way to work. This Foochow lady is very interesting and often cares to chat a little. I normally would stop longer if I were the only customer. It strikes me as very interesting as she pulls the leaves off the mani chai (sayur manis or changkok manis).
This is the only stall in Miri I think that sells cangkok manis leaves only and by weighing. She will sit down there diligently and pull away all the leaves from the stalks. In Foochow the verb is "lak" or pull the leaves off a stalk.



Here she is helping to de-leaf the mani chai or cangkok manis and place the nice leaves into a plastic bag for a customer. In other places the customer will buy all cangkok manis with stalks.




Cangkok manis is an unusual green which is very sweet when stir fried with eggs or some balacan. I like it in sup terjun (prepare a tasty soup base and when the soup is boiling throw in the leaves).

I have even replaced the spinach with cangkok manis when a made quiche years ago. Came out very nice ....

Years ago when I was young all my neighbours' kids would be beaten by their mothers using these cangkok manis stalks. It was really a painful business. I was lucky to come from a home where parents did not believe in beating of children.

Cangkok manis strangely is not popular in West Malaysia and apparently only a few families plant it according to a friend. To me it is a good ingredient for pan mien (hand made noodles) and mee sua......

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8 comments:

Bengbeng said...

strangely ah tuong's fav food is rice fried with egg n mani chai n it tasted sweet n nice too

Ensurai said...

Bengbeng
Is Ah Tuong West Malaysian? My children all love CM and never get tired of it...May be should also try frying rice with it...thanks.

Ketam said...

I think only East Malaysian know how to cook this sayur manis, planted some at my backyard and either fried with ikan bilis or made soup with eggs. The local cook it with the pan mee or hakka "luicha".

Ensurai said...

Hi Ketam
Nice of you to visit.I did not know that cangkuk manis is part of the luichar!!

Lui char is just so nice....

Ah Ngao said...

hi Sarawakiana, i hear from some wise old people,they said after you makan a dish of cankok manis in a public eateries,don't forget to smile and show your beautiful teeths while talking.... kekeke !

Ensurai said...

Hahahaha......just don't forget to use a toothpick as any other Chinese before you smile...

sarawaklens said...

this is my favorite local dish to order when eating out at any kopitiam or che-cha.

Ensurai said...

Sarawaklens
Usually the cangkok manis is sold with the stalks. But this little outlet gives you the extra mile. You get only the leaves. Proactive and creative.

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