Time-honoured recipes for 1,001 treats

Hasmady says diners want traditional flavours during the fasting month and Wyndham Acmar Klang’s buffet delivers this.

DURING Ramadan, the daily breaking of fast offers Muslims the chance to gather over a meal.

Themed “Ramadan 1,001 Juadah Rakyat”, the buffet at Wyndham Acmar Klang offers distinct Malay cuisine flavours.

Executive chef Hasmady Hassan, 46, who hails from Kedah, is known for his expertise in preparing traditional Malay dishes.

He said the buffet highlights include whole Kambing Golek (roast goat) and Rusa Golek (roast venison).

When asked about his culinary secret, Hasmady said the marinade, prepared with galangal, ginger, garlic, chillies, coconut milk and curry leaves, helped enrich the meat dishes.

“During Ramadan, it is common to find a whole goat or deer roasting over slow fire.

“Our meat dishes are marinated for 24 hours with a blend of spices and coconut milk.

“It is important to get the composition right to ensure maximum flavour.

“We make shallow cuts in the meat for the marinade to seep in.

“And I use a time-honoured Kedah recipe handed down from generation to generation,” said Hasmady, who has been a chef for 23 years.

He said the roasted meats went well with tomato rice and percik sauce.

“Our flavourful percik sauce, which is a combination of turmeric, cumin, coriander, lemongrass, coconut milk and tamarind, gives that ‘oomph’,” he said, adding that diners often went for second helpings.

Traditional dishes like bubur lambuk and Sup Ekor Lembu are also in the buffet line-up.

Chef Mohd Nizam Jasmani, 41, who has 14 years experience, said bubur lambuk was a savoury porridge cooked with coconut milk.

“Our version of bubur lambuk tastes richer because of the double-boil method and selection of spices,” said Nizam, who hails from Melaka.

Hasmady said the buffet also has timeless favourites such as Sambal Petai Udang, Daging Briyani, Pucuk Manis Masak Lemak Keladi and Ikan Patin Masak Tempoyak.

These dishes can be enjoyed with plain rice as well as sambal belacan and ulam on the side.

“We use fresh produce and this is what draws people to the Ramadan buffet.

“They want traditional flavours during the fasting month and we want them to enjoy a kampung-like experience,” Hasmady added.

A Ramadan spread is not complete without dessert.

The buffet has a hot dessert station were diners can enjoy banana, jackfruit and yam fritters as well as other deep-fried treats.

There are also pastries, fresh fruits and beverages to end the meal with.

The Ramadan buffet is available at T-Cafe until May 2, priced at RM138nett (adult), RM100nett (senior citizen) and RM75nett (child aged six to 12).

For group dining consisting of 10 persons or more, it is RM128nett per person.

A two-day advance reservation is required.

T-CAFE,

Wyndham Acmar Klang,

No.1-G-1, Persiaran Bukit Raja 2/KU1,

Bandar Baru Klang, Klang, Selangor.

(Tel: [phone] / 8831 / 8832 / 8833 / 8837).

Business hours: 6.30pm-10pm.

This is the writer’s personal observation and not an endorsement by StarMetro.