Wedding delights for break of fast

Dishes typically reserved for nuptial events highlights in Putrajaya

Special dishes typically served at a wedding are not easy to find on any given day.

But if one is looking to get a taste of the food found at Malay, Chinese and Indian weddings during Ramadan, give the break-of-fast buffet at Latest Recipe in Le Meridien Putrajaya a try.

Over 100 dishes are available at its buffet themed “Santapan Raja Sehari”.

Malay wedding staples include nasi minyak, ayam masak merah and daging dendeng.

Hotel sous chef Chee Siong Chan highlighted the daging dendeng as a must-try.

It was served at the restaurant every year and always a hit, he said.

“Another star dish is the kambing golek.

“We steam-bake the meat for five hours, so the flesh falls off the bone and is easily pulled apart with our hands,” said Chee.

Other favourites on the buffet line-up include the soups.

“Our sup tulang (bone soup) and sup kambing (mutton soup) with Benggali bread get many compliments,” he said.

Aside from these recommended dishes, there are the fragrant Udang Masak Ros and kari kambing (mutton curry).

The dish that caught my attention was Ikan Goreng Berempah, as it is usually spiced fried chicken and not fish cooked in that style.

This was the first time I tried a fish version and it did not disappoint – it was crispy on the outside and succulent on the inside.

There are also popular Malay selections from the grill such as ayam percik, ikan bakar, satay, satar (spiced fish meat wrapped in banana leaves) and otak-otak (parcels of ground fish mixed with spices).

In the line-up too are festive staples, including ketupat, lemang and serunding.

Those looking for greens to complete their meal can choose from a selection of kerabu and ulam.

Dessert lovers will find a variety of traditional Malay kuih, including tapai, sago gula melaka, keria, bahulu, pulut panggang, crispy apam, and talam.

The serawa durian was my favourite as it was thick and creamy, with the durian flesh adding texture to it.

Drinks are aplenty too, from a selection of colourful air balang to hot beverages like teh tarik.

On the Chinese menu, roasted chicken, steamed fish, sweet-and-sour fish and Prawn Marmite stand out with their distinct flavours.

Malaysian favourite char kuey teow is also available, freshly prepared at a live action station and served with a side of pickled green chillies.

Chee said there had been many requests for lok-lok, a steamboat-style dish.

“We did not have it last year, so we have added it to the menu this year.

“There will be three types of soup flavours to choose from, namely tom yam, curry and chicken,” he said.

Also worth trying are highlights from the Indian wedding menu, including briyani rice, chilli chicken, lamb varuval and chicken tandoori.

The buffet, available until April 9, is priced at RM188nett per adult and RM94nett per child aged five to 12.

LATEST RECIPE, Le Meridien Putrajaya, Lebuh IRC IOI Resort City, Putrajaya, Selangor. (Tel: 012-407 3101). Business hours: 6.30pm-10pm. Email: [email protected].