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Rendang
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Most popularly served with beef, that has been slow cooked with lemongrass. This Malaysian dish is popular throughout Australia as it has a curry taste similar to those served in Thailand. Chicken Rendang is popular, but look for Rendang Daging, which is the beef version. Served with a poppadum style crisp and sliced fruit such as mango.
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Malaysian
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Nasi lemak
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Nasi is the word for rice, and lemak is Malay for \\\"rich\\\", referring to the star of the dish - rice soaked in rich coconut flavours. A small piece of fried fish or chicken, a few slices of cucumber, and a deliciously spicy chilli sauce.
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Malaysian, Singapore
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Grilled Vegetables with Dips
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A very easy but delicious dish of grilled or chargilled vegetables, cooked with herbs, spices and garlic are served with a selection of dips on a large platter, put in the centre of the table for everyone to enjoy. A selection of eggplant, zucchini, red onions and round squash and turnips would be a usual combination, but also grilled baby corn and capsicum. Plenty of different dips are included as well as yoghurt and sauces.
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Vegetarian
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Lasagne Primavera
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A delicious vegetarian lasagne usually made with spinach pasta and a selected of sliced vegetables such as eggplant, courgette, tomatoes, mushrooms and onions and covered in a béchamel sauce. Served with garlic bread and salad, this is a lovely dish for non-meat eaters.
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Vegetarian
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Noodles with Coconut Vegetable Curry
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A lovely dish even for meat eaters! Delicate soft cooked noodles are served with a mixture of vegetables steeped in a coconut curry sauce full of herbs and spices. A good selection of vegetables such as potatoes, squash, onions, carrots, peas and green beans all cooked to perfection. Served with flatbreads or chapattis and usually a side tray of dips and yoghurt with cucumber. Tofu can be added if required.
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Vegetarian
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Mushroom Burger
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No bread involved in this burger – the filling is full of vegetables and herbs, and the ‘bun’ is comprised of two large grilled Portobello mushrooms. Quite a lot of garlic is usually included in this dish to give it oodles of flavour. Can be served with chips or salad as an accompaniment, and a selection of dips and sauces.
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Vegetarian
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Pumpkin and Feta Ravioli
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A very popular pasta dish in vegetarian restaurants with delicate but lightly spiced pumpkin and rich feta cheese. The pasta is normally served with either a burnt butter sauce, including garlic, or with a spinach and finely chopped tomato sauce with herbs. A sprinkling of pine nuts usually completes the dish.
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Vegetarian
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Tomato Risotto
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A simple but effective dish of Arborio rice and tomatoes, garlic and basil as the accompanying herb. The rice is cooked in a pan with white wine, seasoning and garlic with the finely chopped tomatoes being added towards the end. A touch of cream and a scattering of basil completes the dish with some parmesan cheese also added towards the end. Plenty of French or Italian bread to wipe your bowl with is a good idea!
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Vegetarian
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Satays
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Satays and peanut sauces are served in every Malaysian restaurant with pork, beef or chicken. The meat is marinated and grilled and served with a spicy peanut dip or sometimes the peanut sauce is poured over the satays before serving. Normally served on bamboo skewers, but very traditional restaurants serve the pork satays on the actual grilled rib of the pork. Shredded chillis are often scattered over the satays so beware!
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Malaysian
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Laksa
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It comes however you want it, chicken, beef, fish or even prawn. It's hard to say which is popular as they are all fantastic and a must try. It is served as two different versions, one a sweet coconut curry base, and the other a hot and sour base, more frequently used with fish. If you've never had it, Laksa is a noodle soup, with the varieties of ingredients according to how you want your dish served. Again, this dish is a combination of Malaysian and Chinese influences. Bean curd, sambal paste and sometimes chopped coriander may also be used to flavour the dish.
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Malaysian
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Juices
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A large selection of fresh juices are normally available, being made at the counter. Varieties of vegetable and fruit, some with the addition of spices. A spicy carrot and tomato juice is fantastic as it will contain ginger and cumin but classics such as fresh berry juice with strawberries, blackberries and blueberries are also very popular
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Vegetarian
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Mango Lassi
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Served in most Asian restaurants, it is probably a ‘signature smoothie’ type of drink. Fresh mangoes with yoghurt and light spices poured over ice – absolutely delicious and refreshing to the palate and takes away any heat from spicy food still burning your tongue!
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Asian
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