Pasembur is a popular Malaysian salad that is enjoyed throughout the country. This dish is a mix of various vegetables and seafood, tossed together in a spicy peanut sauce. Pasembur is a unique salad that reflects Malaysia’s diverse culture and cuisine. In this article, we will explore the history and ingredients of Pasembur, as well as how to make this delicious salad at home.
History of Pasembur
Pasembur has its origins in Penang, Malaysia. This salad is also known as Rojak Mamak, which means “mixed salad” in Malay. Pasembur was first created by the Indian Muslim community in Penang, who were known as Mamak. They combined various ingredients to create a tasty snack that was affordable and filling. The salad was originally sold by street vendors and is now a popular dish in Malaysian restaurants.
Ingredients in Pasembur
The ingredients used in Pasembur vary depending on the region and the personal preference of the cook. The salad typically includes shredded vegetables such as cucumber, carrot, turnip, and bean sprouts. It also includes various seafood such as prawns, squid, and crab meat. The dish is topped with crispy fried dough fritters known as “keropok”, as well as boiled eggs and tofu. Pasembur’s unique taste comes from the spicy peanut sauce, which is made from ground peanuts, chillies, and tamarind.
How to Make Pasembur
Pasembur is a relatively easy dish to make at home. Here is a recipe for Pasembur that serves four people:
Ingredients:
1 cucumber, shredded
1 carrot, shredded
1 turnip, shredded
1 cup of bean sprouts
8 prawns, boiled and sliced
1 squid, boiled and sliced
1 cup of crab meat
2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
1 block of tofu, sliced
1 cup of fried dough fritters
1 cup of ground peanuts
2 red chillies, chopped
1 tablespoon of tamarind paste
1 tablespoon of brown sugar
1 tablespoon of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of vinegar
1 tablespoon of sesame oil
1 tablespoon of water
Instructions:
Arrange the shredded vegetables, seafood, boiled eggs, and tofu on a plate.
Top the plate with fried dough fritters.
In a separate bowl, mix the ground peanuts, chopped chillies, tamarind paste, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and water to make the peanut sauce.
Drizzle the peanut sauce over the salad and serve immediately.
Conclusion
Pasembur is a delicious and unique salad that is enjoyed by many Malaysians. This dish is a reflection of the diverse culture and cuisine of Malaysia. The salad’s combination of vegetables, seafood, and spicy peanut sauce makes it a filling and satisfying meal. With the above recipe, you can easily make Pasembur at home and enjoy this delicious salad anytime.
Article curated by Lavanyah Magenthiran
