Pulut Hitam is a traditional Malay dessert that is often served at weddings and other festive occasions. It is a popular choice among Malaysians and is loved for its rich and creamy texture, as well as its sweet and aromatic flavor.
Pulut Hitam is made from black glutinous rice, which is cooked with a mixture of water, palm sugar, and pandan leaves. The rice is simmered until it becomes soft and sticky, and the pandan leaves add a fragrant aroma to the dish. Once the rice is cooked, it is served warm and topped with coconut cream.
This delicious dessert is often served as part of a larger Malay wedding menu, which typically includes a variety of dishes such as nasi minyak (fragrant rice cooked with spices and ghee), ayam masak merah (spicy tomato chicken), sambal sotong (spicy squid), and various types of kuih (traditional Malay cakes). The menu is usually served buffet style, allowing guests to choose their favorite dishes.
Overview of Malay Wedding Menu
One of the highlights of the Malay wedding menu is the selection of appetizers, which are usually served buffet-style. These appetizers include popular Malay dishes such as samosas, curry puffs, and satay. These bite-sized treats are perfect for starting off the meal and whetting the appetite of the guests.
The main courses in a Malay wedding menu are typically a combination of meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes. Some popular choices include rendang (a rich and spicy beef stew), sambal prawns (prawns cooked in a spicy chili paste), and ayam masak merah (chicken cooked in a tomato and chili sauce). These dishes are often accompanied by fragrant rice or traditional Malay bread, such as roti jala.
Side dishes in a Malay wedding menu often consist of various vegetable and salad options. These dishes add a refreshing and healthy element to the meal. Examples of side dishes include acar (pickled vegetables), kerabu mango (a tangy salad made with green mangoes), and sayur lodeh (a coconut-based vegetable stew).
Finally, no Malay wedding menu would be complete without a selection of delectable desserts. One popular dessert that is often served is pulut hitam, a sweet black glutinous rice pudding. Other desserts may include kuih (traditional Malay cakes), such as onde-onde (glutinous rice balls filled with palm sugar) and kuih lapis (layered rice cake).
Traditional Malay Wedding Recipes
1. Beef Rendang
Beef rendang is a rich and flavorful curry dish that is often served as a main course at Malay weddings. It is made by slow-cooking beef in a blend of spices, coconut milk, and other ingredients until the meat becomes tender and the flavors are well infused. The result is a deliciously tender and aromatic dish that pairs well with rice or bread.
2. Ayam Masak Merah
Ayam masak merah is a spicy and tangy chicken dish that is commonly served during Malay weddings. The chicken is marinated in a blend of spices, chili paste, and tomato sauce, then cooked until tender and the flavors are well absorbed. The dish is usually garnished with fried shallots and served with steamed rice.
3. Pulut Kuning
Pulut kuning is a traditional Malay dish that is often served as a dessert at weddings. It is made with glutinous rice that is cooked with coconut milk, turmeric, and pandan leaves, giving it a vibrant yellow color. The rice is then shaped into cones or balls and served with a variety of toppings such as grated coconut, palm sugar, and fried anchovies.
4. Serunding
Serunding is a type of spicy meat floss that is commonly served as a condiment at Malay weddings. It is made by slow-cooking meat, usually chicken or beef, until it becomes tender and easy to shred. The shredded meat is then fried with a blend of spices, coconut milk, and other ingredients until it becomes dry and flavorful. Serunding is often served as a topping for rice or as a filling for sandwiches.
5. Bubur Cha Cha
Bubur cha cha is a traditional Malay dessert that is often served at weddings. It is a sweet and creamy dessert made with a blend of coconut milk, sweet potatoes, yam, bananas, and sago pearls. The ingredients are cooked until tender and the dessert is served warm or chilled. Bubur cha cha is a comforting and satisfying dessert that is perfect for ending a wedding feast.
Pulut Hitam: A Classic Malay Wedding Dessert
One of the key ingredients in Pulut Hitam is black glutinous rice, which is cooked until it becomes soft and tender. The rice is then sweetened with palm sugar, giving it a rich and sweet flavor. Some recipes also call for the addition of pandan leaves, which add a refreshing aroma to the dessert.
To make Pulut Hitam, the black glutinous rice is first rinsed and soaked for several hours or overnight. It is then cooked in water until it becomes soft and tender. The palm sugar is added to the rice, along with pandan leaves if desired, and the mixture is simmered until the flavors are well combined.
Once the Pulut Hitam is cooked, it is usually served warm or at room temperature. It can be enjoyed on its own or with a dollop of coconut milk or cream. Some people also like to sprinkle roasted sesame seeds or grated coconut over the dessert for added texture and flavor.
Overall, Pulut Hitam is a delicious and comforting dessert that is often served at Malay weddings. Its rich and sweet flavor, along with its unique dark color, makes it a favorite among Malaysians. Whether enjoyed on its own or with additional toppings, Pulut Hitam is a must-try dessert for anyone looking to experience the flavors of Malay cuisine.
