Hari - Sedap! - Raya

One of the best things about Singapore is the multi-racial hodgepodge that makes up our 5 million population.

Yep, you read that right. 5-freaking-million people on this little island of a little over 600 sq km. Although at the rate we're reclaiming land from the sea at every possible coastline, one day we might find our north coast adjoined to Malaysia in the same way we merged 7 little islands into one big Jurong Island.

Anyway, back to the point of this entry -- multi-racialism. And all the public holidays that come along with recgonising a myriad of races and religions. Who can complain? :)

Well, Hari Raya Puasa happens to be a new favourite of mine.

A - because it's like Chinese New Year but I don't have to be slaving at home cutting vegetables or cleaning the house or hosting visitors; B- because I get to be the visitor and eat and sit and shake my legs.

Ha. Lest I sound like a bigot, it's really because of the amazing food that the Muslims churn out on their big feast day.

Thanks to my colleague Joh, this is my second year savouring his wife's homecooked delicacies in the comfort of their beautiful home.

Hari Raya Puasa (also known as Eid in the Western hemisphere) marks the end of the Ramadan month of fasting. Ramadan is actually the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, believed to be the month that the Qu'ran was revealed. As one of the 5 Pillars of Islam, the period of fasting is supposed to burn away all sins.

Joh said he lost 5kg after fasting for a month!! That's a lot of sins! :)

So in celebration of that, his wife cooked up a storm for all their guests.

And boy, was I spoiled. Beef rendang, lontong, curry chicken, mutton curry, udang....mmm.....

One of the yummiest snacks on the table was this ikan bilis and peanut keropok (anchovy and peanut cracker). Excellently fried to a perfect thin crispiness, the whiff of fragrant ikan bilis and peanuts catches your breath when you bite into one...

But a celebration is only as sweet as its sweetest offerings, and there were definitely enough sweet goodies to go around at Hari Raya.

My favourite at Joh's house is the kueh kukus which literally means steamed cake. It looks a bit like the traditional English fruit cake but without the alcohol and the heaviness usually associated with the British invention. 

Kueh Kukos (centre focus) and other delectable goodies

I'm pretty sure that the first thing I ate when I entered the house was a slice of kueh kukos, as was the last thing I munched on before taking my leave. Lost count of the number in between :)

And of course, as with all festivals, the most important thing is to visit your friends and relatives to celebrate life together. What's the meaning of happiness if there's no one to share it with??

Here's one of my favourite photos of that afternoon. Featuring Jimmy's adorable (and photo-happy) daughters, Jacelyn and Danielle. That's what a good party does for people - puts a smile on their face! :)

Now I'll have to wait another year before I get to have another helping of beef rendang and kueh kukos....