Lesson 2: MALAYSIA
Introduction
Malaysia consists of Peninsular Malaysia, which sits on the peninsula south of Thailand, and East Malaysia, located on the island of Borneo, over 350 miles across the South China Sea. Both parts have densely forested interiors flanked by coastal plains. The population consists of a polyglot culture of ethnic Malays, Chinese, Indians, Eurasians, Punjabi, and Portuguese, all with a common language of English.
Although the British ruled Malaysia for more than a century, we can be thankful that the British style of cooking never took hold in the country. Malaysian cuisine combines the delicacy of Chinese food with Indian spices and regional herbs. No British traces remain.
In this lesson, students will learn the history of Malaysian foods and prepare several signature Malaysian dishes. No books are required. Many ingredients can be found at your local supermarket. A research trip to a local Asian market is recommended. Recipes are included for people who wish to sample Malaysian dishes and more complex recipes will satisfy the more adventurous folks who like to try new ingredients.
