City Eating

Hungry? Try Puji Puji’s recipe for Malaysian chicken satay

If you can’t wait for the Malaysian night market in London this September, give this simple but delicious recipe a try at home. It’s a traditional recipe for one of Malaysia’s most popular dishes and was sent in by Azi Duxbury-Campbell, owner of the excellent Puji Puji in Dalston. At the busy night markets in Malaysia, you’ll find hawkers selling hot skewers of beef, goat, chicken and pork, all marinated in intense spice pastes and grilled to smoky perfection. Puji Puji’s chicken satay is perfect on the barbeque or grilled in the oven for a quick and healthy meal. The peanut sauce is sweet and not too spicy so even kids unused to chilli heat can enjoy it.

Malaysian chicken satay with peanut sauce

Ingredients: 1.5 kg chicken (deboned breast or thigh meat),  1 tsp  ground cumin, 100g  garlic, 100g  shallot, 1 tsp ground coriander, 3 tbs turmeric powder, 400g sugar, 500g lemongrass, salt to taste.

For the sauce: 50g shallots, 50g garlic, 50g lemongrass, 500g roasted peanuts (crushed), 1 tsp chilli powder, 4 tbsp cooking oil, 900ml water, 100g sugar (use palm sugar if you can), 2 tsp salt.

1) Thinly slice the chicken meat and set aside. Next, blend the shallots, coriander, cumin, garlic, and lemongrass. Mix in the sugar, tumeric powder and salt to taste. Marinate the chicken in the mixture for at least two hours, or overnight in the fridge for maximum flavour if you have time.

2) Soak some wooden skewers in water to prevent them from burning, then thread the chicken on to them. If you are using bitesize pieces, rather than strips, for kid-friendly eating - be  careful not to overload the skewers.

3) Grill on the barbeque, constantly sprinkling cooking oil over the meat using a stalk of crushed lemongrass. When the chicken is a smoky golden brown colour on the outside cooked all the way through, they are done. (Alternatively, grill on a tinfoil-lined baking tray in the oven).

4) To make the sauce, blend the shallots, garlic and lemongrass. Heat a little groundnut oil in a shallow saucepan and fry the mixture until fragrant. Add the chilli powder, sugar, salt, water and crushed peanuts. Simmer for 30 minutes until the sauce is thick enough for dipping.

You can serve the satay skewers as a starter or with a fried rice dish like nasi goreng, but we like them on their own with some slices of red onion and cucumber.

You can try more authentic Malaysian dishes at Puji Puji or at one of the other Malaysian restaurants in London.

Trafalgar Square To Host Malaysian Night Market

On Friday 24th September, London’s Trafalgar Square will be transformed into a bustling night market to celebrate the vibrant food and culture of Malaysia. The free event is one of the highlights of the year long Malaysia Kitchen campaign which aims to educate British consumers about the world of Malaysian cuisine.

For one night only, foodies can feast on Malaysian specialties like slow-cooked beef rendang, nasi goreng, spicy laksa and freshly grilled satay skewers. As many as 20 Malaysian restaurants will operate their  own individual stalls showcasing signature street food inspired dishes, just like the busy night stalls in Penang. Visitors will be able to buy traditional Malaysian drinks and cakes as well as authentic herbs, spices, pastes and sauces to help recreate Malay dishes at home.

The market will also include fresh juice and ‘teh tarik’ (sweet Malaysian tea) stands, as well as traditional art and craft stalls. A central stage will host music and dance performances and would-be globe-trotters can pick up travel info at the Tourism Malaysia booth.

Can’t wait until September? Check out our list of Malaysian restaurants in London and sign up for the Malaysia Kitchen dining card - it’s free and guarantees some impressive discounts when you dine at participating restaurants like Satay House, Matahari, and Melur. They’ve also got some great recipes on site from celeb chefs like Atul Kochhar and Rick Stein and restaurants like 54 and Awana.

If you fancy a free feast next Thursday (26th August), book a table for lunch or dinner at 54 in Farringdon where Malaysia Kitchen will be hosting a free curry tasting. Diners will be invited to sample delicious curries from four top Malaysian restaurants and then score each dish so Malaysia Kitchen can crown a curry champion. To make a reservation, call 07500 272 734 or email reservations@54farringdon.com.

Now Open: Shaka Zulu - Bling And Bobotie In Camden Town

THE LOWDOWN: After two months of false starts and delays, Shaka Zulu has finally opened its doors at the Stables Market in Camden. The £5.5m project includes a Cape Town inspired seafood and oyster bar, a huge African themed dining room and a cocktail lounge-bar. It has been blessed by King Goodwill Zwelithini, ruler of the Zulu nation, and promises to put its neighbour – Gilgamesh – in the shade for quite some time. If the bling interior feels a bit decadent, you might be pleased to know that the 750-seater restaurant has pledged £1 from every meal to Education Africa – a charity that helps to provide schooling and healthcare.

THE LOOK: Spread over two floors and covering 27,000 square feet, this is a monster of a restaurant. In a similar style to Gilgamesh, there are 60ft carved wooden murals covering every inch of the walls and ceiling, alongside curved banquettes, patterned fabrics and tribal artworks. A 30ft bronze statue stands guard at the entrance and in the restaurant there are Swarovski crystal leopards, open flame grills and live floor shows scheduled throughout the evening. It might not be subtle but it is visually impressive.

 

THE FOOD: At the seafood bar, diners can stick to classics like oysters and dressed crab or try the more interesting options like Rooibos tea smoked salmon and seared ostrich carpaccio. From the braai – a traditional Saffa grill – carnivores can tuck into game meats such as kudu and Springbok from Namibia, as well as authentic South African specialties like bobotie, sosaties and Boerewors. One of executive chef Barry Vera’s signature dishes will be the 7-hour spit roast dorper lamb with cumin salt, new season garlic and chakalaka – a fiery vegetable relish that originated in the townships of Johannesburg. There are no prices on the online menus at this stage but we’re willing to bet that dinner at Shaka Zulu won’t come cheap.

THE DRINKS: The Saffa theme extends to the bar offerings with an impressive list of zulu-themed cocktails and the UK’s largest South African wine list. ‘Drinking’ tables can be reserved but priority is given to diners and King’s Club members (lifetime membership £300). We like the sound of the £9 ‘Sufrica’ – a blend of Absolut Citron vodka, kumquats, natural honey and lemon, served long over crushed ice. There are shared cocktails too but at £25 for two and £50 for four people, these are strictly for high rollers only.

THE VERDICT: Time will tell. The full-on décor, pricey drinks and meaty menu might not be to everyone’s taste but there is definitely room in Camden for something a little different. We’ll be paying a visit soon but until then, keep your eye on London’s food bloggers who will be attending the launch party for a sneak preview. Don’t forget to write a review if you get there before we do!