Bubur Lambuk (Spiced Congee with Minced Beef and Peanuts)
A Ramadan must-have in Malaysia. The bubur lambuk is both tasty and satisfying, especially after a long day of fasting. Chock full of carbs, spices like cumin, fenugreek and anise star, mince beef, peanuts and a dash of coconut milk, this traditional Malay dish is taste of home. Don't let the long list of ingredients intimidate you because preparing this dish is simpler than it looks. There may be numerous steps but the effort pays off when you're enjoying a nice, warm bowl of spiced congee in the end.
Spices B (bought whole and fried without oil and then ground in a food processor, or bought in ground form and then fried without oil separately before adding into the congee)
1tspfennel or cumin
1tspcoriander
1tspwhite pepper
1tspblack pepper
4clovesgarlic, minced
4shallots, chopped
2pandan (screwpine) leaves, washed and tied into a knot
1/2cupdried shrimp, soaked in warm water and blended
1.1lbsmince beef or 1 cm beef stir-fry pieces(equivalent to 1 kg)
1inchginger, peeled and sliced into matchsticks
2cupswhite rice, rinsed (I used Jasmine)
1cupwater, or more as needed
Condiments (optional)
1/2cupcoriander, chopped
1/2cupfried shallots
salts and sugar to taste
Instructions
Heat up ghee and vegetable oil on medium-high. Stir-fry Spices A and Spices B with garlic, pandan leaves and onions until it becomes fragrant.
Add dried shrimp and continue to stir-fry.
Add beef and stir-fry all the ingredients (including the ginger) until the beef browns and mixes well in the other ingredients.
Add water and boil until the beef becomes slightly tender, especially if using stir-fry beef.
Add rice to the mix. Add more water if the mixture is drying up. Simmer until the rice softens and the beef becomes completely tender. Add more water, if needed, and boil the rice. Once the water starts to boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until rice breaks down.
Once the rice breaks down and looks like a congee, stir in the coconut milk. Then, season with salt (and a little sugar, if you like) according to your preference.
Spoon into separate bowls and add condiments before serving.