'Ulam' Versus 'Salad'

Since I was a kid, my mom trained me to eat vegetables. She always said,"Eat vegetables so that you will have beautiful skins and good eyesight". That shows how mom really concerned about eating healthy food to get a healthy body and get beautiful<i am not beautiful but I know that I am Cute :p lalalala>

There are many ways to eat vegetables.Weather you want to eat them raw or cook them. But now I want to focus on eating raw vegetables.In Malay, eating raw vegetables is called 'ULAM' but Western said 'SALADS'.

What are the differences between "ULAM" and "SALADS'??

"ULAM" is a side dish to the plants that are eaten raw or simply dicelur (trice soaked in hot water) before being eaten with rice. Side dish is also usually eaten together with the high-strung as budu, cencaluk, or sambal belacan, before being eaten with rice. Side dish is famous as the main meal daily in the Malay community in the villages.

"SALAD" is a food made primarily of a mixture of raw or cold ingredients, typically vegetables, usually served with a dressing such as vinegar or mayonnaise.Green salads include leaf lettuce and leafy vegetables with a sauce or dressing.

Somes of 'ulam'

Ulam Raja 

Ulam Raja originated from Latin America but can be found growing wild around Malaysia. They can grow to a height of 2 meters from seeds found in the dried flowers. The part of the plant that is normally eaten is the young shoots. Which is usually eaten with sambal belacan, a spicy dip made from pounded chilli, raw onions, shrimp paste and lime juice.

Health Benefits 
The health benefits of eating ulam raja are that is said to clean the blood of toxic materials and can also strengthen bones.

ULAM PEGAGA (Pennywort leaves) 

Pegaga or as its called in English Indian Pennywort grows in relatively moist soil. Pegaga leaves are fragrant and Malaysian consume these leaves as an appetizer together with their meal as with all ulam with sambal belacan.
It originated from India but can easily be found anyway in South East Asia. Besides eating with rice, some people in Malaysia drink the juice as a brain tonic to increase the brain power.
To make it as a drink is easy. Just blend the leaves with a little water and strain out the juice in a glass. Add a little sugar if you like but I like mine without.
Health Benefits 
Elders have said that pegaga rebuilds the energy, helps to combat stress and increase mental power. Pegaga also is said to be able to reduce high blood pressure, slow down ageing process, and help the body protect itself against toxins.
World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized pegaga as a herb to generate intelligence to think, especially among children. Actually nutritional pegaga has long been recognized throughout Asia. As 'brain food generates intelligence', this ulam is very effective for improving mental functions such as improving memory and concentration of mind.
The practice of drinking juice pegaga very effective to help the troubled sleep, treat skin irritation and high blood pressure.

Petai

 

The petai tree is large and shady, and can grow as high as 30 meters. Petai fruits are long and thin in the head known as the "board". They look like large French beans. Each board has a total between 12 to 15 seeds arranged lengthwise. Petai seeds are peeled and eaten raw and can also be cooked in a sambal paste with shrimp or shellfish.
In traditional Malay medicine, petai beans are believed to be effective in treating heart disease and diabetes, cleaning the kidneys. Combined with fiber, petai gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proved that just two servings of petai provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. One of the major sides effect of eating petai is it gives bad breath and smelly stomach gases. It contains certain amino acids that give a strong smell to one's urine, an effect that can be noticed up to two days after consumption.

Health Benefits 
Petai contains extremely high potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the petai industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke. High in fiber, including petai in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

SO..instead of having your Salad,why not go for ULAM!!!!