By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, July 19: Ayam Masak Merah is a popular traditional Malay dish usually served during Malay weddings, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and other festive occasions.
The reddish chicken dish and other traditional dishes are often eaten together with savoury rice like Nasi Minyak (rice cooked in fat or butter with selected spices) or Nasi Tomato (rice cooked with spices and tomato paste)
Such is Ayam Masak Merah’s popularity that it is not uncommon for guests to ask a host whether the dish would be served at the function.
It is also not uncommon for guests to be warned earlier by the host to come early as there would be none left to eat if they came too late.
So what makes this chicken dish so delectable and irresistible to food lovers?
The answer lies in the ingredients used to marinate the chicken meat and to make the savoury sauce.
Fresh chicken meat is marinated with turmeric powder and salt, before being coated with flour for the next stage.
These pieces of chicken are then deep-fried and put aside to cool down. They are then coated with a thick, spicy, sweet and sour tomato-based sauce to make Ayam Masak Merah.
The tasty sauce uses a mixture of fresh garlic, shallots, ginger, galangal, chilli paste, sugar and various seasonings.
More flavour is added when this mixture is fried with spices like cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and star anise. Some people added lemongrass and a little coconut milk. The coconut milk adds creaminess with a nutty and woody flavour.
These days, Ayam Masak Merah is a permanent menu fixture at many Malay eateries and Muslim fast food stalls.
If you can’t wait for the next special occasion or festivity for your Ayam Masak Merah fix, do drop by the ever-friendly Zaaba Royati Catering, a Muslim fast food stall in the city.
The stall belongs to Zahida Zaaba, a trained food operator with 12 years of cooking experience under her belt.
Recently, she revealed to the writer that Ayam Masak Merah is a popular dish at her Fastfood stall.
“Yes. It is a popular dish that we prepare daily. It has a unique flavour that is tantalising to the taste buds.
“Ayam Masak Merah is a one-of-a-kind Malay dish that has the combination of sweet, sour and a little spicy. I believe that is why this dish is popular,” she said.
“This flavour combination entices local food lovers. Our patrons like it as it probably reminds them of auspicious moments or festivities,” she said in jest.
Zahida revealed that she learned to make her family’s version of Ayam Masak Merah from her mother.
She disclosed that her mother, who operated a different stall in the city, is her cooking idol and mentor.
“I have learned and seen my mother prepare and cook this dish since young. She reminded me that my customers are multiracial, so their tastebuds are different and we have to make our food less spicy.
“So, a dish like Ayam Masak Merah despite its simplicity, must suit the customer’s palate. Thanks to my mother, Ayam Masak Merah is one of the bestsellers at my stall,” she added.
Zahida not only serves Ayam Masak Merah at her stall but also other Malay specialties, including Curry Chicken, Beef Rendang, Daging Masak Hitam (Beef in Sweet Soy Sauce) and Ikan Assam Pedas Sarawak (Sarawak-style sour and spicy fish).
“These dishes are among the 20 choices we have daily. We do change the menu daily, but most of the time, we have a popular specialty like Masak Ayam Merah. Like other food operators, we don’t want to disappoint our patrons,” she said.
In addition, Zahida said that her fast food stall also served typical Malay fare such as ulam (salad), cold dishes like fish and prawn umai, as well as other side dishes and relishes.
Apart from that, her stall also offers ala carte dishes such as Kueh Teow Goreng, Mee Jawa, Beef Noodles, Beef broth, Indian Rojak, Bakso, Lok-Lok, and Ayam Penyet.
“All these are popular dishes and, we try our best to present the best food to all our customers. We can prepare food that suits their needs and wants. A shy customer will be a hungry customer,” she said.
Zaada Royati Catering is at Gala Food Court, Jalan Tun Jugah. It also offers catering services for all occasions. The stall operates from 6am to 5pm daily. For further inquiries, call 010-825 2275. — DayakDaily
