Chef’s favorites with Norman Musa: ‘Everything on their menu is amazing!’
Malaysian chef Norman Musa has happily lived in England for 21 years, but he still misses the food from his homeland. So he wrote a cookbook—or love letter, as he calls it himself—full of Malaysian classics and simple snacks. But as it turns out, he also appreciates Dutch cuisine.
Always in my fridge
“Chili paste.”
My favorite drink
“Coconut water.”
Favorite family recipe
“My mother’s sweet-and-sour chili pomfret. A firm white fish that is difficult to find here, so in my book I replaced it with sea bass.”
Favorite ingredient
“Lemongrass.”
Favorite hangover meal
“Roti canai with curry.”
Ultimate guilty pleasure
“Stefan Beeren’s award-winning ‘Guilty Pleasure’ ice cream (what’s in a name): a combination of white chocolate-based ice cream, orange, salted caramel and a pecan crunch. Stefan won the award for best ice cream maker in the Netherlands with his ice cream.” Available at Pavarotti Dolce in Leidschendam.
Favorite recipe from Magisch Maleisisch
“My mother’s spicy chicken rendang.”
Can’t live without this kitchen tool
“My giant wok, in which I can prepare up to ten kilos of meat.”
The strangest thing I’ve ever eaten (and is it worth repeating?)
“Hollandse nieuwe, I love it!”
Favorite restaurant
“Daalder in Amsterdam—everything Dennis Huawe makes is fantastic.”
Favorite bar
“Flying Dutchmen Cocktails in Amsterdam. I don’t have just one cocktail tip; everything on their menu is amazing!”
Never again
“Sorry to all my Filipino friends who do enjoy this, but: balut. For those who don’t know what it is: Google it and you’ll see for yourself, haha!”
When I don’t feel like cooking…
“I call my friends to go out for dinner. Most of them don’t dare cook for me because they find the pressure too high, haha!”
Favorite cookbook, film and series
“Everyone should have Francis Kuijk’s basic Indonesian cookbook on their shelf. My favorite film is The Hundred Foot Journey, and when it comes to food series, Anthony Bourdain remains my favorite.”
Photo: Stuart Ovenden
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