7 October 2023
By ~ Padmini Pillai

How To Cook Tempeh – With Lots Of Love, Of Course!

Three IWC AS members embarked on a culinary journey by attending a cooking demonstration organised by the Tzu Chi Association of Alor Setar. The star ingredient was tempeh, a soybean product, and a much-used replacement for meaty proteins.

The three members watched as the cooks from the Association created a variety of dishes, from ‘lontong’ with tempeh and vegetables, and then a spicy sambal tempeh, ‘pad phat’ tempeh, a Thai-inspired stir-fry, and other vegetarian dishes with tempeh.

Guests were then invited to savour the fruits of the chefs’ labour. From the “oohs” and “aahs” that could be heard, it was apparent everyone had a lip-smacking time, some even deciding they would really like to become vegetarians if they could churn out dishes like this every day.

In a moment of reflection, the organizer of the event and chef, Helen, shared a profound lesson. “Cooking with love,” she said, “is the secret ingredient that transforms a meal into a cherished memory. It is not just about the ingredients; it is about the intention and care you put into every step of the process”.

Members left the Tzu Chi Association with the realisation that the act of cooking, when done with love and shared with others, can create lasting bonds and satisfaction, much like the dishes they had enjoyed earlier in the day.