Sarawakian Local Delights : River Prawns and braised noodles

Very often you can catch a few prawns when you cast a net into a river or stream in Ulu Sarawak. A good Iban fisherman who may be already in his 70's can still be very good that casting a good net or jala.

That is a skill that both men and women must need to practise a lot if they want to get fish or prawns. line fishing is a lonely and often unfruitful in the middle and upper reaches of rivers in Sarawak.



Today many longhouse women have learned to make use of noodles which are packed and easy to use.

One of the dishes they can cook is to boil or braise the quick cooking noodles in a large kuali. Once the noodles are cooked, they are set aside. In another pot, quickly cook halved river prawns with garlic, onions and ginger,soy sauce, and even tomato sauce,  spices and some greens of your choice. Add water to the prawns and cook for a few minutes. Once this is done, add to the braised noodles,mix and cook for a few more minutes until all the sauce is well mixed.

This is a good way of preparing a large amount of noodles for more than 10 people, without having to burn noodles in a kuali.

Prawns,and  vegetables provide an excellent sauce for any noodles.