Kuwaiti-style Masak Lemak

Ingredients

In the Kuwaiti-style Masak Lemak, we incorporate Kuwaiti spices such as baharat and loomi to give the dish a unique flavor profile. Additionally, we use Kuwaiti-style bread or basmati rice as accompaniments instead of the traditional Malaysian options. We alse have the original recipe for Masak lemak, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) chicken or beef, cut into bite-sized pieces 500g (1.1 lb) chicken or beef, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons Kuwaiti baharat spice blend 2 tablespoons Kuwaiti baharat spice blend
• 2 dried loomi (dried lime), pierced 2 dried loomi (dried lime), pierced
• 400ml (13.5 fl oz) coconut milk 400ml (13.5 fl oz) coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 18g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 5g, 2g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened.
2. 2.
   Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the chicken or beef to the pan and cook until browned on all sides.
4. 4.
   Sprinkle the Kuwaiti baharat spice blend over the meat and stir well to coat.
5. 5.
   Add the dried loomi, coconut milk, tomato paste, fish sauce, sugar, and salt to the pan. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
6. 6.
   Reduce the heat to low and simmer the curry for 20-25 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through and tender.
7. 7.
   Remove the dried loomi from the curry before serving.
8. 8.
   Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve the Kuwaiti-style Masak Lemak hot with basmati rice or Kuwaiti-style bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Baharat spice blend — If you can't find Kuwaiti baharat, you can make your own by combining equal parts ground cinnamon, coriander, cumin, black pepper, and cardamom.
• Loomi (dried lime) — If you can't find dried loomi, you can substitute with the juice and zest of a fresh lime.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier version, add a chopped chili pepper to the curry.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer the curry uncovered for the last 10 minutes of cooking.
• Adjust the salt and sugar according to your taste preferences.
• To make it more traditional, serve the Kuwaiti-style Masak Lemak with a side of pickles and yogurt.

Serving advice

Serve the Kuwaiti-style Masak Lemak hot with fragrant basmati rice or Kuwaiti-style bread. Garnish with fresh cilantro for added freshness and color.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some extra baharat spice blend on top of the curry before serving. Serve the dish in a traditional Kuwaiti-style bowl or plate for an authentic touch.