Appetising bubur lambuk on the menu again

KEPALA BATAS: A senior citizen who had to forgo preparing bubur lambuk (rice porridge) last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic took the opportunity to continue the tradition of making the much sought-after delicacy this Ramadan.

Azhar Samsudin, 68, said just like dates, bubur lambuk was a special delicacy and a must-have for Muslims in the country during the fasting month.

“Last year, we stopped making bubur lambuk due to the pandemic.

“But this year, with some relaxation from the government, we are taking the opportunity to keep the tradition and spirit going, ” he said when met at his house in Bandar Putra Bertam here.

Azhar said he started making his own bubur lambuk in 2017 when he moved to Kepala Batas and used a recipe he learned at the Bayan Baru mosque in 2005.

“It’s not easy and it needs patience and focus.

“The porridge needs to be stirred continuously so the rice won’t turn hard at the bottom of the pot.

“We usually start as early as 7am to prepare the ingredients and to cook, ” he said.

Azhar said 400 portions of bubur lambuk required 3kg of beef bones, 5kg of beef meat, 1kg of dried shrimp, 15 pieces of ginger, an assortment of mixed vegetables, local parsley and spring onion to make it tasty and delicious.

He said his wife Rohani Manab, 64, would help him prepare the bubur lambuk together with their family friends Noor Rahim

Abdul Wahab, 58, and Nur Shazlyn Abdullah, 40.

“A friend of mine ordered our bubur lambuk as he wanted to contribute it to two religious schools in Kepala Batas twice a week.

“The bubur lambuk costs RM750 per pot and can be served to 400 students, ” he said, adding that giving out bubur lambuk to the needy and school children was a norm during Ramadan.