MELAKA, Oct 14 (Bernama) — Kuih bakar pandan, which is a traditional dessert of the state of Melaka, was one of the special dishes served to visitors at the Kenduri Rakyat (people’s feast) held in conjunction with the Keluarga Malaysia Aspirations (AKM) Tour at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) here today.

 

Two local entrepreneurs prepared a batch of 1,400 pieces of kuih bakar pandan (baked pandan cakes) using the modern way of baking in the oven and also the distinctive traditional charcoal fire.

 

Kuih Bakar Pandan MJ entrepreneur Asrul Effendi Abd Aziz, 45, of Kampung Pulau in Masjid Tanah, said he had to bake 1,000 pieces of the cakes in stages at the MITC location from about 7.30 am.

 

 

 

He said he has been producing kuih bakar pandan for the past 11 years using a recipe inherited from his late mother Zainon Tamby.

 

“The kuih bakar pandan that we produce was chosen as the ‘signature’ product of Malacca for this year by the state government and the speciality is that we use the natural green colour from pandan leaves without any artificial colouring.

 

“However, this cake does not last long, it only lasts about one day. That’s why for us the quantity is made to order according to the customer’s demand, to maintain its quality,” he told Bernama here.

 

 

In contrast, Kuih Bakar Arang Cik Seri entrepreneur Rohayah Hussin, 60, of Sungai Putat, said she prepared 400 pieces of the delicacy for the Kenduri Rakyat programme by maintaining the traditional way of using the charcoal stove for a more fragrant aroma.

 

She added that her kuih bakar pandan also used natural ingredients and some cumin seeds, in addition to being able to last for a week.

 

“I have been in business for over two years and I was invited to prepare the baked cakes today to be served to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for afternoon tea at the Kenduri Rakyat.

 

“Feeling happy and excited to be able to prepare this kuih bakar pandan for the distinguished visitors. I actually made preparations last night,” she disclosed.

 

Another food that became an instant hit at the AKM was ‘mi goreng lambak’ which was stir-fried in a huge pan and served ‘piping-hot’ to visitors.

 

Fried noodle entrepreneur Razali Md Esa, 51, from Alai said he had to cook 320 kilogrammes (kg) of yellow noodles (mee kuning) to be served to about 3,000 guests at the programme starting from 2 pm.

 

“I was always given the opportunity of preparing food in bulk for big programmes though I do sell noodles and fried kway teow at the night market.

 

“I feel excited because this is the first time I can participate in a programme attended by the prime minister. I hope the food provided will give satisfaction to the visitors,” he said.

 

At the feast, more than 10 food items and drink menu were served to visitors, including lempeng, ubi rebus, asam pedas tetel, kuih serabai, capati, mutton curry, cekodok, apam balik and teh tarik, besides the popular Melaka ‘coconut shake’ and ‘mango float’.

 

Kenduri Rakyat is one of the main programmes held in conjunction with the Melaka AKM Tour which is 11th in the AKM series and various interesting activities have also been organised for three days starting from today.

 

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency