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| BUTTERFLY PEA FLOWER RICE - NASI BUNGA TELANG |
I have always loved this flower - Butterfly Pea Flower or Bunga Telang in Malay and Sangu Pushpam in Tamil & Malayalam for its colour and unique shape. But until I started living in Malaysia, I never realized that this flower is used in cooking rather than some hearsay where it was used as herbal medicine & as a natural dye.
When I got some Butterfly Pea flower seeds, I planted them in a pot, and they grew. They grew so profoundly that the seeds got scattered around, and a few creepers were sprouting out from the concrete crevices in the front yard. Who am I to succumb to the power of nature. If it can grow from that little spot of its own, I made sure to water it well and nurture it. Gradually, it covered the whole fence and I had beautiful Blue flowers bloomed, pleasing my eyes every morning. There I got into the idea of making dishes out of it.
First trial went with Tea, the most trendy tea which swept the social media then. Most alluring were the pictures from Instagram in vivid blue, which changes colour according to the pH level of anything added to it. A squeeze of lemon or lime will turn it purple to pink. I got even a batch of flowers dried and saved for making tea or to dye the rice dishes.
Reading about the flower and its benefits, I found it astounding that it holds innumerable health benefits. A caffeine–free Butterfly Pea tea made by seeing the flowers in boiling water is believed to control diabetes and cholesterol, It also helps to relieve stress and anxiety. Ayurveda says that butterfly pea flower tea can enhance memory, and it also acts as an antidepressant.
Here, in this post we are going to see a Malay delicacy, a Rice Dish make with these Butterfly Pea Flowers. It is called Nasi Bunga Telang. A blue coloured rice with mild flavours which comes from Lemongrass, Kaffir Lime Leaves and Pandan Leaves. The recipe is as simple as that and the addition of Coconut Milk is purely optional, but it elevates the overall taste of this humble Rice Dish. The Butterfly Pea Flower is used as a dyeing agent, and it naturally colours the dish into Blue.
Nasi Bunga Telang can be served as such or can be served as Nasi Kerabu, a traditional Kelatan Rice Dish which comes along with a few accompaniments. And the same Rice can be substituted while making Nasi Lemak too. A variety of local side dishes like Ayam Masak Merah, Beef Rendang, Chicken Rendang, Prawn Sambal, Masak Lemak Udang Nenas etc., can be served along with it. Acar Timun Nenas(Jelatah), a quick salad cum pickle made with Onions, Cucumber, Pineapple, bird's eye-chillies combined with seasoning & Vinegar, is a great accompaniment when it comes to rice dishes like Nasi Bunga Telang.
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Cuisine - Malaysia (South East Asian)
Course - Main Course
Spice Level - Low
Difficulty - Easy
Serves - 3- 4
Author - SM
Preparation Time - 15 - 20 Minutes
Cooking Time - 25 - 30 Minutes
HOW TO COOK BUTTERFLY PEA FLOWER RICE - NASI BUNGA TELANG
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| BUTTERFLY PEA FLOWER RICE - NASI BUNGA TELANG |
INGREDIENTS:
For Butterfly Pea Flower Rice/Nasi Bunga Telang:
Fragrant Rice/Jasmine Rice - 11/2 Cups
Water - 11/2 Cups
Coconut Milk - - 11/2 Cups
Butterfly Pea Flower(Fresh/Dried) - 10-12 Flowers
Lemon Grass - 1 Stalk
Kaffir Lime Leaves - 2 Leaves
Pandan Leaf - 1 Leaf
Salt - To Taste
Vegetable Oil - 1 Tablespoon
METHOD:
For Butterfly Pea Flower Extract:
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- Boil 11/2 cups of water.
- Add a few fresh or dried Butterfly Pea Flower into the boiling water.
- Let it steep for a few minutes.
- Switch off the flame & let it sit for a few minutes.
- Then strain the Flower steeped water using a colander.
- Drain and discard the flowers.
- Retain the Blue colour water(flower steeped water).
- We are going to use the blue colour water to cook the rice.
HOW TO COOK NASI BUNGA TELANG:
For Nasi Bunga Telang:
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| BUTTERFLY PEA FLOWER RICE - NASI BUNGA TELANG |
Stove Top:
- Clean and wash the rice until water runs clear or for 2-3 times.
- Soak the Rice with ample of water for about 15-20 minutes, but it is purely optional.
- Boil the flower steeped water.
- Once it starts to boil, pour in the Coconut Milk and give a quick stir.
- Drain the soaked rice and add it to the above.
- Cut the Lemon Grass (just use the White part) & slightly crush it with a pestle.
- Add slightly crushed Lemon Grass stalks, Pandan/Screw pine leaves tied into a knot and Kaffir Lime Leaves to the Rice.
- Drizzle a tablespoon of Oil, add a dash of Salt & mix well.
- Keeping the saucepan uncovered, bring the rice to a boil.
- Once it begins to boil, lower the flame.
- Cover the pot and cook the rice on a low flame for about 15-20 minutes.
- Cook the rice on a low flame until the water is totally absorbed, and the rice is well cooked.
- Leave this on a very low flame for a few more minutes.
- Once the rice is cooked, remove from fire and keep it aside for at least 10 minutes to cool down.
- Fluff up the Nasi Bunga Telang with a fork or a chopstick before serving.
- Serve Nasi Bunga Telang with Ayam Masak Merah, Beef Rendang, Chicken Rendang or Prawn Sambal.
- Acar Timun Nenas(Jelatah), a quick salad cum pickle made with Onions, Cucumber, Pineapple, bird's eye-chillies combined with seasoning & Vinegar, is a great accompaniment when it comes to rice dishes like Nasi Bunga Telang.
Rice Cooker Method:
- Clean and wash the rice until water runs clear or for 2-3 times.
- Soak the Rice with ample of water for about 15-20 minutes, but it is purely optional.
- Drain the soaked rice and add it into the Rice Cooker
- Pour in the Boiled Water along with the Coconut Milk and mix well.
- Cut the Lemon Grass (just use the White part) & slightly crush it with a pestle.
- Add slightly crushed Lemon Grass stalks, Pandan/Screw pine leaves tied into a knot and Kaffir Lime Leaves to the Rice.
- Transfer the above ingredients into a Rice Cooker.
- Drizzle a tablespoon of Oil, add a dash of Salt & mix well.
- Cover the Rice Cooker and turn it on.
- Cook until it automatically turns off.
- Leave the Rice Cooker in warm mode for another 5-10 minutes.
- Allow it to cool for a few minutes.
- Fluff up the Nasi Bunga Telang with a fork or a chopstick before serving.
- Serve Nasi Bunga Telang with Ayam Masak Merah, Beef Rendang, Chicken Rendang or Prawn Sambal.
- Acar Timun Nenas(Jelatah), a quick salad cum pickle made with Onions, Cucumber, Pineapple, bird's eye-chillies combined with seasoning & Vinegar, is a great accompaniment when it comes to rice dishes like Nasi Bunga Telang.
In Microwave:
- Clean and wash the rice until water runs clear or for 2-3 times.
- Soak the Rice with ample of water for about 15-20 Minutes but it is purely optional.
- Drain the soaked rice and add transfer it into a microwave safe bowl with cover.
- Pour in the Boiled Water along with the Evaporated Milk, salt and mix well.
- Cut the Lemon Grass (just use the White part) & slightly crush it with a pestle.
- Add slightly crushed Lemon Grass stalks, Pandan/Screw pine leaves tied into a knot and Kaffir Lime Leaves to the Rice.
- Drizzle a tablespoon of Oil, add a dash of Salt & mix well.
- Cover the bowl with a microwave safe lid.
- Cook this on Micropower high for another 5-7 minutes
- Stir the Rice once and cook again on Micropower high for another 5 minutes or until the rice is cooked.
- Remove the bowl from the Microwave, carefully open the lid and gently fluff it up once.
- Cook this again on Micropower high for a minute or two.
- Then remove the bowl from the Microwave and leave it aside for a few minutes to cool down.
- Fluff up the Nasi Bunga Telang with a fork or a chopstick before serving.
- Serve Nasi Bunga Telang with Ayam Masak Merah, Beef Rendang, Chicken Rendang or Prawn Sambal.
- Acar Timun Nenas(Jelatah), a quick salad cum
pickle made with Onions, Cucumber, Pineapple, bird's eye-chillies
combined with seasoning & Vinegar, is a great accompaniment when it comes to rice dishes like Nasi Bunga Telang.
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| BUTTERFLY PEA FLOWER RICE - NASI BUNGA TELANG |
NOTES:
- I have used fragrant Rice/Jasmine Rice for Nasi Bunga Telang. Can use any other long grained Raw Rice variety for the purpose.
- Soaking the Fragrant Rice for Nasi Bunga Telang Recipe is purely optional.
- I have used fresh homemade Coconut Milk along with Butterfly Pea flower steeped water to cook Nasi Bunga Telang. Rice Water Ratio 1:11/2 Cups.
- I have used about 12-15 fresh Butterfly Pea flowers to make the water. Adjust according to intensity of blue colour you prefer
- Can use dried Butterfly Pea Flowers too.
- I usually cook Nasi Bunga Telang in Rice Cooker, which is the easiest method.
- Mix the ingredients well before cooking, so that the colour is evenly spread through the Rice once cooked.
- If you cannot get hold of Pandan/Screw pine Leaves, add few drops of Pandan Essence to the Rice. But it is purely optional.
- Nasi Bunga Telang goes well with any type of spicy Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian Curries and Side dishes.
