Table salt, known as "garam meja" in Malay, is a staple ingredient found in every kitchen around the world.
Its versatility and ability to enhance flavors make it an essential item for cooking, baking, and seasoning food.
In Malay cuisine, table salt plays a crucial role in creating traditional dishes that are loved for their savory and flavorful taste.
table salt in malay
In Malay cooking, table salt is not just a seasoning but also a cultural symbol that represents the importance of bringing balance and harmony to a dish.
It is used in various ways to enhance the taste of different dishes, whether it's in marinades, sauces, or simply sprinkled on top of a finished dish.
The distinct flavor of table salt adds depth and richness to Malay cuisine, making it a key ingredient in many traditional recipes.
One of the most popular ways to use table salt in Malay cuisine is in making traditional dishes such as "nasi lemak" and "rendang."
Nasi lemak, a fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, is typically served with a spicy sambal, fried anchovies, peanuts, and a hard-boiled egg.
The use of table salt in this dish helps to season the rice and bring out the natural flavors of the other ingredients, creating a harmonious and well-balanced meal.
Rendang, a flavorful meat dish cooked with coconut milk and a mix of aromatic spices, is another classic Malay dish that relies on table salt for seasoning.
The salt helps to enhance the rich and complex flavors of the rendang, making it a dish that is loved for its depth of taste and tender texture.
Traditionally, rendang is slow-cooked for hours to allow the flavors to develop and intensify, with the addition of table salt adding the perfect touch of seasoning to bring out the best in this beloved dish.
Aside from savory dishes, table salt is also used in Malay desserts to balance out the sweetness and enhance the overall flavor profile.
Traditional Malay kuih (snacks and desserts) such as "kuih talam" and "kuih lapis" often call for a pinch of table salt to complement the sweetness of ingredients like coconut milk, palm sugar, and pandan leaves.
The addition of salt helps to bring out the natural flavors of these desserts, creating a well-rounded and satisfying treat that is enjoyed by many.
Table salt is not only used in cooking but also plays a role in preserving and fermenting various Malay foods.
In traditional Malay cuisine, salt is used in the preservation of seafood such as salted fish and salted eggs.
These preserved ingredients are staples in Malay cuisine and are used to add a salty and umami flavor to dishes like "asam pedas" (sour and spicy fish stew) and "nasi kerabu" (herbed rice).