Brahim's & Ketupat Nona - my best friends during Raya.

Let me introduce to you my best friends at every Raya :D

As you can see in the picture above, I got 2 variations - a sauce that serves 4 pax and an instant pack that serves 2 pax. We'd usually have small groups of friends drop by for 'beraya' sessions and I find that I would always turn to pakcik Brahim's for a successful do. For one, you would be sure that your rendang tastes delicious but most importantly, it makes food preparation an easy-peasy task.

In the previous years, I would just get those instant packs - just put the pack in boiling water for 3 minutes, and it is ready to be served. This time, however, I think there must be so many other smart women like me (haha!) who went and finished up the stocks of beef and chicken rendang instant packs that I only managed to get the last pack of chicken rendang. But, all is not lost as there were tonnes of rendang sauce packs still available and all I needed to do was to buy sufficient supply of beef :)

This was how it looked like after awhile in the pot. I almost thought it looked like curry until I cooked it for around 40 minutes... once I turn off the fire, the sauce became drier, just how it should be for a rendang. Unfortunately, I was so hungry after cooking it and so were my guests that I realised I didn't take any photos of it once cooked ;P

All I can tell you, is that it is so delicious... you know, every one needs help every once in awhile. Some women have their maids to help them in the kitchen, some get their moms or sisters to help them cook while others probably just do it from scratch all on their own, with the help of recipes and such. For me, it is Brahim's, definitely and I am not afraid to admit it :D

Of course, this may only apply if you're hosting a makan-makan for less than 10-15 people. If I have more than that in my home, I would definitely just order from the caterers because as much as I like to cook for friends and families, there would be the festive season where all I want to do is take a good break, enjoy the holidays and serve guaranteed quality dishes without sweating it out in the kitchen. Yes.

And the experience wouldn't be complete without my other best friend, the Ketupat Nona.

Without them, life would be a little more cumbersome, I think. Thank you, both, for sticking by me through all the last 4 Raya festivities :)

To friends who've requested that I serve my signature homemade burgers, why don't you try 'my' beef rendang for a change and you'll love me even more hehe...

How was your Raya feast? I think I've piled up the pounds I've lost during the fasting month ;P