Biryani at its best, Indian and Johor style

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WHAT is most outstanding at Essence in Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur is the Nasi Biryani.

The Moghul dish is prepared with the special touch of Malay chef Mohd Zalizam Mohd Rasidi, who has been cooking up a feast every Ramadan since 1989.

Zalizam said his style of making the popular rice dish paid tribute to the Indian and Johor styles of preparing it.

Crowd-puller: The Nasi Biryani.

The Biryani is highly recommended at the hotel!

“I cook the rice first and then the chicken.

“A lot of tomatoes are used, as well as cumin powder, cardamom, cinnamon, fennel powder and evaporated milk.

“We use our own fried onions, which are fried till they are brown.

“The food for the Ramadan buffet leans more to the traditional, with dishes from Johor, Malacca and Kelantan. These include Assam Pedas, Ikan Senangin Daun Pegaga and Kari Kepala Ikan.

“Our Gulai Kawah is also specially prepared in the Kelantan style, but it is not sweet. I mix all the ingredients together and throw them into the pot.

Fish dish: Ikan Sembilang Salai Lemak Pucuk Paku.

“Most people will saute them first, but not all the items need this process,” he said.

Zalizam stressed that in making food, it was never about the style but the taste of the food.

He said the dishes were prepared in his own personalised way.

Start the meal with tantalising appetisers like Roasted Pumpkin with Arugula and Honey Mustard Dressing, Kerabu Suhun dengan Kupang and Kerabu Lautan, while sipping Sup Ekor Lembu, Sup Tom Yam Gai, Creamy Wild Mushroom Soup or Chinese Style Shark’s Fin Soup.

Spicy and succulent: The Pan Fried Tiger Prawns with Homemade Chilli Sauce.

Among the main courses are Pan Fried Tiger Prawns with Homemade Chilli Sauce, Sambal Udang Petai, Lamb Shank cooked with Cumin and Tomatoes, Ketam Berlado, Pecal Jawa dengan Telur Penyuh, Spicy Honey Glazed Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dressing, Pan Fried Freshwater Prawns with Portuguese Sauce, Kari Kepala Ikan, Ikan Senangin Masak Lemak Cili Api dan Daun Pegaga, Tandoori Chicken with condiments, Daging Masak Hitam ala Pulau Pinang and Udang Galah Masak Tempoyak Bersama Petai.

Other must-try items are the Roasted Whole Lamb with Garlic and Thyme, Grilled Vegetables, Roasted Potatoes and Hainanese Chicken Rice.

Seal the deal with some mouth-watering desserts like Pistachio Pave Cake, Mango Pudding, Chocolate Banana Cake, Chocolate Madagascar and Linzer Tart, to name a few.

The promotion is available until Sept 19 and is priced at RM98++ per person. Children aged four to 12 years old enjoy a 50% discount.