Anis Nabilah, who hosts Icip Icip, makes cooking a delightful experience.
MALAYSIA is a gastronomic food haven offering a wide range of cuisines. Its multi-ethnic society has created a melting pot of culinary delights encompassing Malay, Chinese, Indian, Nyonya, Portuguese and international cuisines. the mere description of its dishes is enough to make anyones stomach growl.
As testimony to the countrys rich culinary diversity, the Asian Food Channel (Astro channel 703) is airing a new programme, Icip Icip, which highlights the countrys delectable treats. the programmes name is derived from an old Malay expression which means a taste or sample, according to its host, Anis Nabilah Umaruddin.
Malaysian food has a certain charm to it. what I really love about Malaysian cuisine is that we use different spices to bring out the best of food. I also like how spices blend really well with each other.
Throughout my travels overseas, I have tasted dishes of other cultures but at the end of it, I am all for Malaysian food.
I grew up eating Malaysian food so the sight, smell and taste of local dishes remind me of my childhood. And as we know, childhood memories strike a happy cord in us, said Anis during the shows launch in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, recently.
On Icip Icip, Anis prepares a few traditional dishes and shares new recipes. Her mantra is cooking is fuss-free, fun and easy. She also simplifies methods so that cooking can be completed in a shorter time.
I cut short methods to save time. these days, women have limited time. the programme teaches you how to prepare dishes (with the same ingredients) but within a shorter time.
Traditional recipes have been simplified so that its easy for viewers to try out. I also made a few simple French-fusion dishes and Japanese dishes that can be prepared without much hassle, said the 24-year-old lass who hails from Subang Jaya, Selangor.
On the show, Anis travels to different parts of Malaysia and Bali, Indonesia, to inspire viewers that anyone can transform ordinary ingredients into delicious dishes.
In Kuching, she prepares Sarawak laksa, tumis pedas ikan terubok masin (fried salted toli shad cooked with chilli paste) and umai (spicy raw fish salad).
In Perak, she cooks prawns with coconut milk and birds eye chillies and gulai tempoyak ikan patin (pangasius cooked with fermented durian).
In Pahang, she prepares venison with herb sauce, yoghurt-coated chicken with pasta and goes Japanese with okonomiyaki (a savoury pancake) and sushi.
In Bali, she cooks popular Balinese dishes such as dendeng Bali jegeg (pounded beef cooked with spices), chicken satay and sayur lodeh (vegetables cooked in coconut milk).
Petite Anis, who is of Pakistani and Malay parentage, graduated with a diploma from the Food Institute of Malaysia (FIM) in Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya, in 2008.
She developed a passion for cooking at a young age, inspired as a child growing up in the kitchen, where her mother and seven siblings (six sisters and one brother) prepared meals.
I learnt how to prepare an omelette when I was 10 years old. As a teen, I frequented the kitchen and spent hours baking and cooking. I started off preparing pastas and quick meals and eventually graduated to Malay cooking, said Anis, citing asam pedas and nasi kandar as some of her favourite dishes.
In 2006, Anis represented FIM and won second prize at the Junior College Culinaire contest of the Maggi-New Straits Times Culinaire competition. the following year, she won a bronze medal at the International Malaysian Culinaire 2007 under the main course category.
The attractive lady has added another feather to her cap by being the youngest cook show host on AFC. Despite being excited, Anis feels the pressure of having to represent Malaysia alongside world-renowned chefs like award-winning French food specialist Daniel Boulud, grill king Robert Rainford, pastry pro Anna Olsen and Oriental cooking guru Martin Yan.
Its definitely a lot of pressure being the youngest cook on AFC. however, I have lots to offer and believe Icip Icip is my stepping stone to greater heights, said Anis, who will host two cooking programmes, Sesedap Rasa (RTM1) and Enak Tradisi (RTM2) this month.
Icip Icip airs on Thursdays (9pm) on the Asian Food Channel (Astro channel 703).
