Malaysians Down Under

The past couple of weeks were hectic with activities among the small Malaysian community in Sydney. We live quite far from everyone and thus try to join the events as much as we can. What I like most is that although we are....hmmm...more than 7,000km from home, there's one custom that the Malaysians never forget - their love for food. Rich, cholesterol-laden home made Malaysian food. Lucky for us Sydney is now a melting pot of cultures that it's easy to get supplies of spices and herbs usually used in Malaysian cooking. Let me prove my point in this pictorial essay.

1. Eid-ul Adha

The morning started off with prayers and sermons at the Malaysia Hall in Randwick. Unfortunately, we left the camera in the car so no pictures off the food served for breakfast. From memory, there were roti canai (a type of unleavened fried bread), nasi himpit (rice cubes), peanut sauce (similar to satay sauce) and kuah dhal (a type of curry with meat and lentils). 

Then we went ziarah (house hopping) and feasting!  

Aunty J must have worked hard to prepare all these yummy goodies. Score 1 for the Malaysian love for food.

First stop was Uncle Z's (standing on the left) house in Kensington. It's a small world - long lost university mates and neighbours met in Sydney after losing touch for decades.

Uncle R and Aunty A were visiting from Malaysia and didn't plan to be here for Eid. But they sure appreciated these yummy desserts. Me too!!!!  

Then we went to Aunty N's house in Maroubra that has this divine view. Mama, can I come here for a sleep over?

Oh yes....more food! That laksa Johor was simply delicious, Aunty N!

2. Cukur Jambul (errr...not really sure how to translate this...literally Shaving of the Crown)

Aunty N and Uncle Mat invited us to their grandson's cukur jambul ceremony. There were the usual prayers, recital of holy verses, lecture by the imam and then....food glorious food. 

I don't know his name but the bloke in the centre led the prayers, recital etc. Notice the blue crib behind him?

That blue crib was where baby Akram sat...errr....lie...while all those activities and cacophony of sounds were happening. Good boy! He didn't squeak at all.

Then his parents took him around for his baby hair to be snipped by those who attended. Hmm...I hope they gave him a good shave lest he suffered bad hair do. I wanted to snip his hair too but Mama said no as my paw/claw may hurt him.

Nope, no caterer. Aunty N cooked everything herself. There were Gulai Nangka (young jackfruit curry), lamb, chicken and vegetables. There was spaghetti bolognese for those whose tongue can't tolerate chili. Score 2 for the Malaysian love for food.

Some of the men found time for a cuppa in the den...errr....garage.

Akram's eldest sister also get to celebrate her birthday with a Barbie icecream cake.

While second sister get to enjoy a green and gold icecream cake. We start them really young, eh? So, Score 3 for the Malaysian love for food.

As well as a jumping castle lest the kids get bored.

 3. Farewell Party
And when we heard news that some of our friends will leave Australia for good (end of tenure etc), words get around that there'll be a farewell party. It was a potluck and so Mama cooked some lamb and rice to feed her friends. We had Mama's cousin to entertain at home so Mama went alone to Aunty S's home in Matraville.

Those who'll be leaving, from left, Aunty N, Aunty O and Aunty H. There's supposed to be a fourth person, Aunty R but she was ill on that day and couldn't attend.

Score 4 for the Malaysian love for food. These are the mains. Yummy....

Score 5 for the Malaysian love for food. Some of the desserts brought by everyone.

All who attended. See the happy faces? Coz everyone had eaten. 

Maybe I should write a thesis on eating habits of Malaysians overseas. Plenty of samples around, many people to interview, gazillion recipes to test and taste. purrrr.....meow!