Last weekend (may 4,5,6) we were promoting Nutracleanse ( www.nutracleanseontario.com )at the Good Food Festival in Mississauga Ont. As the name says there was a ton of good food that you could sample and buy. Now because I was working the show I regretfully didn’t have the time to go around and taste everybody’s food that they were handing out to the masses. Going to these shows is great way to try things that you may never really think about trying or just aren’t available in your area. For some of the items you do have to pay, however if you ask nicely and not treat the vendors as carnies then they are more than willing to let you sample it before purchasing.
Our booth was located near the entrance of the show and we were set up beside a great couple named Ron and Adrienne and their booth that has their own brand of hot sauces originating from Costa Rica. Their brand is called Jungle heat and you can find their locations at www.jungleheat.net . Now I’m not one for overly hot spicy food but I must say they have a great range of products from mild to super mind blowing hot. I actually witnessed people cry from their hottest sauces and as well they have a spicy chocolate that people absolutely loved. It was great entertainment hahaha. If you’re looking for a great hot sauce you should look these guys up. They have two store locations as well as selling online and wholesale.
So what I want to share with you is the one thing that blew my mind at the show. There was a Malaysian booth selling Murtabak.
If you have never heard of this before don’t worry because I hadn’t either. It’s something you may find at a local street vendor or restaurant but I’m sure at this point is not widely available everywhere. Murtabak originated in Yemen and Hijaz region of Saudi Arabia the word Mutabbaq in Arabic means folded, through traders it has spread to India and southeast of Asia. The dish referred to as Murtabak is a multilayered pancake that originated in the state of Kerala where the people referred to disparagingly as “mamak’s” (or uncle) hail from. The word Mutabar is the correct name for the particular dish referred to incorrectly as Murtabaq. Mutabar is an amalgum of two words, Muta (being the Kerelite word for egg. a significant component of the dish) and “bar” an abbreviated form of the word Barota, or “Bratha roti” (the bread the egg is added on to to make the dish). The bread base or pancake on which it is then spread over is referred to in Hindi as Pratha roti or Pratha.
This dish is amazing and watching them prepare it was even more exciting. Ya know when you’re in a good pizza place and they throw the pizza up in the air, how cool that looks. Well these guys did kind of the same thing to stretch out the dough and add some air into it. The gentleman that was preparing mine was wicked. He tossed that thing around, slapped it off the table, twisted it, re stretched it and then spread it out a bit more while on the table.
He then added some butter to the griddle and the dough and gentley spread it out. He let it fry for a minute or so and then added my toppings or fillings – whatever you want to call it. I ordered the Beef Murtabak. Once he added the topping he folded two of the sides in to the middle added a bit more butter and then flipped it over to finish cooking. He flipped it once more so he could fold the rest in and then sliced it in to 4 pieces for easy consumption.
In my serving there was: Ground beef, Oyster sauce, Onion, Garlic, Salt, Turmeric powder and Potato. This was absolutely amazing.
The texture and the savory flavor of the Murtabak was something I did not expect. I am one for trying almost anything once and yes admittedly I walked past this stand a couple of times before Ron from Jungle Heat gave me a taste. After that little taste I was hooked.
So anyways, if you ever happen to see these delicious little stuffed pancakes anywhere that you maybe then please drop by and order one, you will not be disappointed.
Take care and keep the fire hot.
{ 0 comments }
