1,500 packets of bubur lambuk with a royal touch

KUALA LUMPUR: Every time during Ramadan, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, who is famed for her culinary prowess, will roll up her royal sleeves to prepare bubur lambuk, or savoury rice porridge, to be distributed to the people.

Tunku Azizah kept up the tradition by preparing the dish at the Istana Negara main surau compound using a Pahang recipe, aided by about 200 members of the Istana Negara Welfare and Sports Club (Keksin) and palace staff.

The porridge had an extra touch of royalty as Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah was on hand to assist the Queen in preparing the dish, Bernama reported.

Tunku Azizah said the Pahang version of bubur lambuk was special on its own with its use of red fern shoots.

“However, (red fern shoots) are really hard to find; I was only able to get a few earlier. But it’s okay, we can just put other vegetables.

“Coconut milk and dried shrimp are also used in bubur lambuk Pahang. I learnt how to make it from the locals in Pahang. It is also different from bubur lambuk Johor,” said the Johor-born Tunku Azizah.

Her Majesty began preparing the dish as early as 10am yesterday.

A total of 1,500 packets of bubur lambuk were distributed to the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters, the Brickfields police headquarters, the National Heart Institute, Kajang Prison and transit centres for the homeless.