Nasi Kerabu Recipe (Blue Rice with Herbs) – Traditional Kelantanese Dish

🥘 Introduction:

Nasi Kerabu is a stunning traditional Malay rice dish from Kelantan, known for its blue-tinted rice made with butterfly pea flowers. Served with a medley of fresh herbs, sambal, coconut floss, salted egg, fried fish or chicken, and keropok, it’s a colourful celebration of Malay flavors and textures. This recipe will guide you through recreating this iconic dish step by step.

🧾 Ingredients:

For the Blue Rice:

  • 2 cups jasmine rice

  • 1 cup butterfly pea flower water (10–15 petals steeped in hot water)

  • 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised

  • 1 pandan leaf, tied into a knot

  • ½ tsp salt

Ulam (Herb Salad):

  • Finely sliced daun kesum, daun selom, and turmeric leaves

  • Shredded cabbage

  • Bean sprouts

  • Long beans (thinly sliced)

Sambal Kelapa (Coconut Sambal):

  • 1 cup grated coconut (lightly toasted)

  • 5 dried chilies (soaked)

  • 1 shallot

  • 1 tsp belacan (shrimp paste)

  • Salt & sugar to taste

Accompaniments:

  • Fried mackerel or grilled chicken

  • Salted egg

  • Keropok (fish crackers)

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare Butterfly Pea Flower Water

  • Soak dried petals in hot water for 30 minutes. Strain and reserve the blue water.

2. Cook the Blue Rice

  • Rinse rice until water runs clear.

  • Add to rice cooker with blue water, lemongrass, pandan leaf, and salt. Cook as usual.

3. Make Coconut Sambal

  • Blend chilies, shallot, and belacan into a paste.

  • Mix paste into toasted grated coconut with seasoning. Set aside.

4. Prepare Ulam

  • Slice all herbs and vegetables thinly. Keep them fresh and raw.

5. Assemble Nasi Kerabu

  • On a plate, place blue rice in the center.

  • Arrange ulam, sambal kelapa, salted egg, fried fish, and keropok around it.

💡 Tips:

  • Use fresh herbs for maximum aroma.

  • Add budu (fermented anchovy sauce) for traditional flavor if available.

  • Grilled ayam percik is a delicious protein alternative.

❓ FAQs:

Q: Can I use food coloring instead of butterfly pea flowers?

A: You can, but butterfly pea flowers add natural colour and antioxidants.

Q: Is Nasi Kerabu spicy?

A: It depends on the sambal. You can adjust chili levels to taste.

Q: Can I prepare it in advance?

A: Yes. You can prep herbs, coconut sambal, and proteins separately, and just assemble before serving.

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