Midin Masak Belacan

Stir Fried Midin with Shrimp Paste
  

Midin (Stenochlaena palustris-source here ) is one type of jungle ferns that can be found in a tropical South East Asia countries. In  Sarawak, these can be found in abundance, and it has become a very familiar vegetable dish especially in restaurants. Locally it is also being called milin or bilin.

 Photo sourced from Local Vegetables of Thailand site

Before the commercialization of midin, the Dayak has been consuming midin for a very long time. However, they normally consumed the more leafy portion of midin which is also known as Paku Merah. It is identified by its red color, and it'll turn to green when it is fully mature and become inedible. Since only the leaves are used and it produced less bulk when it wilted, they normally will add-in a bit more water to this stir-fried dish, or added into simple 'one-dish' soup which consist of few types of protein and vegetables.

The recipe provided below is a simple daily home-cooked stir fried midin. The photos provided have the same recipe, with the leafy type is added with more water.

Ingredient:
2 bunch of Midin (cut to about 15cm from the curled head and washed)
2 cloves of Garlic
1 Shallot
Anchovies
2-3 Bird eye's chillies
2cm cube Shrimp paste (belacan)
Salt to taste
50ml Water

Method:
1. Pound anchovies, shallots, chillies and shrimp paste (medium coarse)
2. Smashed garlic. Saute with skin intact until golden brown.
3. Stir in the shrimp paste mixture until fragrant.
4. Stir in the midin for about a minute. Careful not to overcook.
5. Add in small amount of water. Add in salt to taste. Serve immediately. 

 

The younger shoot of midin.

The red leaves. This photo is contributed by the lovely Ms Lorna Ivy