In
the Malay culture food and its preparation is an art by itself. Simple stuff
may in an instance turns into a snack for tea or dessert for after lunch or dinner.
Some of the basic are the Banana, Tapioca, boiled or fried with a few
ingredients added became a specialty of the day. The other day while in Kuantan
my brother had offer us some Ubi Kayu [Tapioca] that he had grown beside his
house. My nephew who live there went to get it for us and we brought it to
KL. Not knowing what to do with it as yet.
On our return to KL with my nephew driving
we decided to take it easy and arrange to have lunch with a relative at
Temerloh. I decided to call the relative just after we left Kuantan and
suggested that he and his spouse meet us for lunch at Temerloh; Ikan Patin the
river fish, a specialty in that part of the country was in my mind. He says on
Sunday the restaurant that I referred to is closed and suggested that we
go to another restaurant and give us the direction to get there. We drove on
and taking the old road to Temerloh we soon met at as restaurant near the old
bridge that span the Pahang River. We order lunch which includes the Ikan
Patin.and Baung, the river fish a specialty of the part of the country. We sat to enjoy
our lunch while chatting along. 
Then as we were about to finish our lunch a
woman helper came with a tray of dessert that we had not ordered. She says this
is a compliment from the house and we should try it. It turns out
to be the Pengat Pisang [Banana Porridge]. We thank her and dug into the bowl
and enjoy it. It tastes good and found it to be well done and soon I had another
helping. They had use Pisang Nangka and Gula Gabong, both combination that made
this Pengat Pisang so special. 
Back in KL my spouse had the Ubi Kayu boiled and
cook a Sambal Tumis Bilis, a good combination to enjoy the boiled Tapioca for
breakfast or at any time of the day. I bought freshly scraped Coconut and
enjoy the Ubi Kayu the traditional way. The Ubi Kayu that my brother had
planted turns out to be of good quality and taste as great. The whole family
did enjoy the special boiled Ubi Kayu which during the Japanese Occupation of
Malaya was just a poor folks diet. Now it is considered one of the luxury to be
enjoyed from time to time only. Well folks that was that, enjoying some simple
traditional foods that had been passed down for generations.
Have a nice day.
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