Nyonya cuisine at GFH

Following the success of the World Spice Food Festival since 2005, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has once again made arrangements to conduct the World Spice Food Festival 2012, with the aim of showcasing culinary expertise from around the world with added Sri Lankan flavour.

The public event – Hawker’s Street Food Promotion at Board Walk, Battaramulla from 5 to 7 October. Participating hotels and restaurants will be host to a culinary fiesta in dedicated outlet in their hotels and the stand along restaurants designated in Colombo.

This year’s event will showcase some of the unique culinary expertise of master chefs participating at the World Spice Food Festival2012, shouldering with their counterparts in the reputed hotels and restaurants in Colombo.

Food enthusiasts are welcome to try Nyonya or Peranakan cuisine at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo from 8 to 14 October at the Verandah Restaurant during dinner. Head Chef Aloysius and Pastry Chef Chong Yeong Khang will be flown in from Singapore and will showcase the authenticity of Nyonya or Peranakan cuisine during the festival.

Nyonya cooking is the result of blending Chinese ingredients and wok cooking techniques with spices used by the Malay/Indonesian community. The food is tangy, aromatic, spicy and herbal. Key ingredients include coconut milk, galangal (a subtle, mustard- rhizome similar to ginger) Candlenuts as both a flavouring and thickening agent, laksa leaf, pandan leaves, tamarind juice and egg noodles.

The main course includes Beef Rendang – a rich and spicy dish redolent with turmeric scent in a delicious sauce garnished with serondeng, Ayam Masak Lemak – a fragrant dish redolent with the scent of Kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass, Udang Goreng Assam – Prawns stir fried in high heat and sautéed in tamarind sauce, Sotong Panaggang – marinated squids, grilled and served with sambal and many more.

Salads includes Banana flower salad – Jantung pisang kerabu, Cucumber Salad –Sambal Timun and Pineapple and Prawn salad to name a few and not forgetting the authentic traditional Nyonya desserts will also be on the cards during the fiesta.