Hari Raya Celebration

Visiting an aunt..

From left : sister in law, auntie, mother in law and me

Children are given token sums of money from adults during Eid. My nephew is getting the money from the grandma...

This post is specially dedicated to my Indonesian blogger friend, Dita. She asked me to upload photos of how we (Malaysians) celebrate Eid Ul Fitr or Hari Raya. I asked her to do the same thing and she had done her job well. I visited her blog yesterday and saw photos of how the Indonesians celebrate Eid Ul Fitr. Basically, the way we celebrate Eid Ul Fitr in Malaysia is very similar to Eid celebration in Indonesia. In the morning, we will perform Eid Ul Fitr prayers and then visit the graves of the departed ones. Next, the rest of the day is spent visiting relatives or friends and serving visitors.

The festive food during Eid in Malaysia is also almost the same as we also have Ketupat (rice wrapped in woven palm leaves), which are also served during Eid in Indonesia. To me, one the best things about Hari Raya is the FOOD!! During Eid celebration, the Malay traditional delicacies are prepared and served for everyone and I would like to share with all of you the menu that my family had during Eid.

This year, I spent my Eid Ul Fitr holidays with my husband's family in Kelantan which is in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Every year, my husband and I would take turn to celebrate Eid either with my husband's family or mine in Selangor (in the West coast of Peninsular Malaysia). In the West Coast where I am from, Ketupat, Peanut Sauce and Lodeh (vegetables in coconut gravy) are usually served during Eid. However, in the East coast, they usually have Nasi Dagang as the main dish . Nasi Dagang is rice steamed in coconut milk and served with chicken or fish curry and extra ingredients such as fried shaved coconut, hard boiled eggs and vegetable prickles. Nasi dagang is actually a well known breakfast food in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia particularly in Terengganu and Kelantan.

Kelantan Nasi Dagang

Next, my mother in law also prepared Ketupat Pulut. Ketupat Pulut is glutinous rice wrapped in a triangular shape using the leaves of the fan palm.

Ketupat Pulut

Tapai Pulut (fermented glutinous rice) are also served as desserts. Tapai Pulut are usually wrapped in banana leaves or rubber tree leaves. It tastes sweet and juicy. Not to forget we also have Chicken Satay which we usually buy because it's not easy to prepare Satay!!!!!.

Tapai Pulut

Chicken Satay which actually originated from Indonesia

Besides the traditional Malay food, we also have cookies and cakes during Eid Ul Fitri. I have been eating non-stop for the past few days and had gained back the kilos I had lost during the fasting month. Really have to be on a strict diet starting tomorrow!!