Prawn fritters are favourite snacks for Malaysians across the cultural board. The Foochows have always known that a little batter and some prawns or even one and a bit of chopped onions or chives would make a savourite snack for any time of the day.
In the olden days when my grandmother would buy flour in a whole sack (we would use the flour sack for making good pyjamas) we made from scratch baos and fritters and any snacks the women could think of. Mah Wong was a favourite breakfast treat for example.
And when my third uncle Pang Sing came home with a bucket of river prawns (he could throw a jala like any Iban man) we could have several dishes made from them. First of all we would have a prawn soup or prawn hoong ngang. We would have a platter of stir fried prawns or steamed prawns. And what ever is left would be for snacks in the evenings and again the left overs would be taken to the school the next day. Those were the days when there was no refrigeration and everything had to be eaten up. Also my uncle would never "pa" or jala for more prawns than we required!!
These prawn fritters were made by two sweet Iban girls in Lachau nearSri Aman. Nice colouring added.
This was a striking find or discovery for me. The girl's father had put three ladles together so that she could fry three fritters at the same time. Innovative!!
There you are...three fritters floating in the hot oil at the same time!!
 |
| Happy girls....fast workers!! |
My aunt in Sibu would be very impressed because she is a very efficient worker. And she is one of those Foochow women who could make everything from scratch. Such elders are decreasing in number today. Grandma used to say that " never ask another person to make anything. The best person to make a cake or a dress is yourself!! Be skillful yourself and you will never regret it " By chiding us every day she encouraged all of us to be very handy with our hands. Being brought up by a grandmother like her most of us are skillful in one way or another. Hence we do not have to depend on others to help us with our work.
I think this is one very important spirit of the Foochows. Just do it yourself!!
11 comments:
Love cucur udang. My mouth is watering thinking about the superfresh prawns. So missed seafood straight out of the sea back in Brunei which we beli, masak and makan within hours from the pasar. This is something I cannot get anywhere over here in ulu kapit. Fish over here is generally dire and prawns are bought frozen.
Remember our primary school, those yummy HAIR BIAN with a big dollop of chilli sauce. Where can I get some like that?
these cucur udang looks a bit thin.i like the fried bread fruit.
Sunflower...thanks..I shared your tempe post with my friends in my FB. I hope you don't mind. Yes I understand how you feel about the seafood in Ulu K!! I love going to the Jerudong Fish Market after office hours and mingle with people from all races. We would swap news about how good the fish is and how the fishermen are doing!! Sometimes I catch sight of unusual fish and just snap away!! My husband always think that I am too attached to photography.
The primary school har bian will always taste good in our minds....we never realised that they were TOO oily for us...with our few cents the saltish fritters were heavenly in our hands...Remember how painful it was if someone pushed us and we dropped our har bian? No plastic bags then...And did we wash our hands before we ate? Can't remember...hahahahah. Now I wash my hands every time I see a tap.....some kind of disorder.
Ah Ngao...this is the thin type. Sibu sells a thicker type very much like the Japanese cucur.
By the way bread fruit is almost 7 ringgit each!! Too expensive ...
Hope you will try making tempe. It is easy. It is so hot in Miri/Brunei, you can ferment this in the sun. I think you can get tempe ragi from Malay stall in pasar.
Thanks....will be trying soon. I just bought a small kuali for penganan...So do research on its recipes....Would appreciate some help there from you!!
Hi Sarawakiana, I have always loved these....can eat a lot too.
I have eaten these Sarawak ones long time ago, and can still remember they were delicious!
Hope to experience them again, one day.
You keep well. Best regards. Lee.
Hi...thanks Uncle Lee...yes they are nice especially if they are cooked by your own loving wife...hehehe
Keep smiling! Have a wonderful April ahead! Hope the election does not dampen your cheerfulness.
Hi Sarawakiana, I'm a Mirian who has been living abroad as a student. Just wondering if you can tell me where is the best place for prawn fritters in Miri? I loved this as a teenager but can't seem to find any good ones around lately. Mind giving me some pointers? Thanks :)
Post a Comment