Some time ago, I decided to make Kueh Salat.
I've always loved this Nonya Kueh. The top Kaya layer is especially yummy and as a kid, I always ate the top first, and tried to give away the bottom layer of glutinous rice.
So I found this recipe online, and thought, well, how hard could it be?
Turns out that this Kueh was supposedly quite difficult to make, according to my mom and my boss.
So one Thursday morning, I started out the day by soaking the glutinous rice.
I put the rice and water in the rice cooker, and placed a plastic cover over it. The plastic cover had small holes in it. The recipe called for the rice to be soaked for several hours or overnight, so I left it as it was.
Turned out to be quite a busy day for us.
The contractor came over to help us fix up some stuff in our bathrooms.
By the time everything was done, it was about 3 in the afternoon.
We decided to go for a movie, some shopping and dinner. And I made a mental note to make the Kueh when we came back that evening.
When we got back, Ewan went to shower and I went to check on the rice.
I lifted the cover, gave a squeek and RAN OUT OF THE KITCHEN.
OH MY GOSH THERE WAS A HUGE LIZARD IN THE POT!!
AND A LITTLE ONE ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER, PROBABLY WAITING FOR HIS MOM!
How long the big one had been soaking in the rice I had no idea. I couldn't believe it actually squeezed in through the holes of the cover.
And the little one... oh man I was feeling so sad for it waiting for its mom (I think the pregnancy hormones were playing a part here), but at the same time, it was a LIZARD. I couldn't believe I was feeling that way about a LIZARD.
No pics here cos there was no way I was going back to the kitchen, and Ewan said he thought a photo would traumatize me even more so he spared me that.
So in short, Ewan finished his shower, helped me clean up my pot of rice, saved the lizards and there was no Kueh Salat that evening.
He said the soaking lizard was visibly tired and was using his tail to prop himself up above the water. URGH.
I did try again a couple of days later (with a new batch of rice of course, doubly sealed when soaking) and am proud to report that the Kueh was a success and there were no more adventures with lizards.
Yes, the lizzies probably left you alone because I saved them and talked them out of trying to eat anything that's uncooked.
ReplyDeleteThe Lizard King also gave me a parade and the keys to his city. Nedless to say I was also made an honaray citizen. All this when you asleep, of course.
Oh and the Kueh Salat was delicious! (Not the liz soaked batch, of course.)