Acar Rebung

"Kak, I like the acar rebung that you made the other time ....," I was telling my colleague, N. Super easy to make, she replied. We were talking about Hari Raya (already!) ... and how we urged her to have an open house this year because this would be the last year we were going to be colleagues. N was retiring at the end of the year ...

We were talking about it casually yesterday, standing in front of the notice board in the staff room, and while looking at the notices, conversation somehow shifted to Chinese New Year and then Hari Raya ... and then acar rebung. Heh.

Today. early in the morning, N came with a huge container of acar rebung for the staffroom! How generous of her! Bring your container, she told me. And proceeded to scoop a huge portion into my container.

Acar Rebung 

Acar Rebung 

I've not eaten bamboo shoots cooked in such a way before. But once I had it, I was intrigued.  The crunchy bamboo shoots were infused with the heavy flavours of the spices (may be too strong for some people!). But it was really nice to eat with plain and steaming hot white rice.

She briefly shared with us her recipe yesterday while we were talking .... blanch the fresh bamboo shoots; blend and saute the aromatics and curry powder till fragrant; mix in the bamboo shoots and stir-fry till dry; and then garnish with "anything you want". She meant prunes, dates, raisins, roasted peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, and even freshly-washed dried prawns.

I searched online, and there isn't much information about Acar Rebung. The closest recipe would be from this website called Dapurku Berasap :

BAHAN-BAHAN ACAR REBUNG: Rebung(telah direbus)..kadang2 dipanggil juga rebung jeruk..(Rm2.00) Udang kering(dalam rm3)..Separuh ditumbuk, separuh dibiar mcm tu je Serbuk kari (ayam/daging)..saya biasa guna Adabi dalam 5 sudu besar Sedikit halia (diketuk) serai (diketuk) 2 biji Cili hidup(di belah dua) Sedikit Rempah tiga jenis iaitu 2 biji bunga cengkih, 2 biji bunga lawang, setengah batang kulit kayu manis 5 Ulas bawang merah(dikisar) 4 Ulas bawang putih (dikisar) Minyak utk menumis secukupnya Gula secukupnya Garam secukupnya Cuka atau  (air asam jawa) secukupnya

CARA-CARA MEMBUAT: Panaskan minyak di dalam kuali dan tumis bahan-bahan yang telah dikisar dan juga serai serta halia  tadi sehingga naik baunya. Masukkan bunga cengkih, bunga lawang, kulit kayu manis dan kacau. Masukkan pula rempah kari dan kacau hingga sebati. Setelah rempah kari naik baunya, masukkan pula air asam jawa dan biarkan seketika. Masukkan Udang kering tadi Selepas itu, masukkan rebung, kacau dan biarkan sehingga mendidih. Apabila telah mendidih, masukkan gula dan garam. Kemudian kacau sehingga sebati. Masak api perlahan dan biarkan seketika sehingga kuah acar rebung pekat. Angkat setelah masak dan hidangkan.

N is really a good cook. She is able to cook for the entire staffroom on occasions - especially during festive seasons like Hari Raya. I remember when we celebrated the late Mr. R's retirement at school, we too, got her to cook.  At 60, she's always jolly and dresses herself flamboyantly. I am full of admiration for her sense of style, her colourful backpacks and glamorous jewellery pieces. Our own diva in the staffroom, thank you for your love and your generosity. :))