Heritage Recipes Passed Down Generations

Ahmad Razif Bin Mohd Sidek, a lawyer with a passion for cooking, on sharing his family recipe.

By Mohd Darwish Bin Ahmad Razif — October 25, 2024 @ 12.00 am

Ahmah Razif at a family function - Mohd Darwish

IN the pristine kitchen of his home, Razif Sidek, 52, is immersed in a daily ritual that has defined much of his life—cooking traditional Malay dishes passed down through generations. 

The aroma of spices fills the air as he skillfully prepares a meal, each step steeped in memories of his childhood and the teachings of his mother and grandmother. For Razif, cooking is not just about feeding his family; it’s about preserving a cultural legacy, one that he is deeply committed to continuing. 

"I grew up in a household with seven siblings, and the kitchen was always the heart of our home," Razif recalls. "It wasn’t just a place to prepare food; it was where we bonded as a family.”

Ahmad Razif’s Gulai Ayam - Mohd Darwish

“My grandmother was very strict about how things were done. She was the quality controller, making sure everything was perfect. My mother, on the other hand, was practical—she didn’t care whether you were a boy or a girl, you had to help out in the kitchen. There were no excuses." 

Razif was greatly influenced by these early teachings. He soon discovered that cooking was a life skill that everyone needed to acquire and that it was not a task that was restricted by age or gender. 

His mother, who worked long hours as a hospital attendant, supplemented her income by cooking and selling Malay food. 

"Because my mother was always busy, she often relied on us to help her in the kitchen," Razif said. "We’d chop ingredients, grind spices, and package the food for sale. It was hard work, but it was also how I learned about Malay cuisine.”

The hustle and bustle of the kitchen soon became second nature to Razif. As a child, he marveled at how his mother and grandmother turned simple ingredients into complex, flavorful dishes. 

Ingredients for Gulai Ayam - Mohd Darwish

"I was fascinated by the way they could take something as basic as coconut milk and chilies and create a dish that was so rich in flavor," he said. "It was like watching magic happen in front of me." 

However, Razif’s culinary journey truly began when he was just 13 years old. His grandmother fell ill and could no longer cook, and the responsibility of preparing meals for the family fell on his shoulders. 

"That’s when I really started to cook seriously," he recalls. "It wasn’t just about helping out anymore—it became my job. I had to make sure the family was fed, and that’s when I started to realize how much I enjoyed cooking."

 This experience laid the foundation for what would become a lifelong passion. Even as Razif pursued a career in law, he never abandoned his love for cooking. 

"No matter how busy I was, I always made time to cook," he says. "Even after I got married and had children, I was still the one in the kitchen, preparing meals for the family. When my kids were babies, I was the one making their solid food and freezing it for them." 

Razif's cooking style today is heavily influenced by his mother's Minangkabau and Pahang heritage. These are dishes that have been passed down through generations, each one carrying a piece of his family’s history.

"I’ve always felt a deep connection to my roots through food," he says. "Cooking these traditional dishes is my way of honoring the past, of keeping my family’s story alive." 

One of the signature dishes in Razif’s repertoire is Rendang Minang, a fragrant beef dish that has been a staple in his family for decades.

 "This recipe has been in my family for as long as I can remember," he says. "It’s one of those dishes that everyone in the family knows how to make. My grandmother passed it down to my mother, and she passed it down to me." 

Over time, Razif has adapted some of the traditional cooking methods to suit modern conveniences. "The thing about traditional food is that it can be very time-consuming," he explains.

"Rendang, for example, usually takes about three hours to cook. But my grandmother, being the practical woman she was, found a way to cut down the cooking time. She boiled the meat first before adding it to the spices, which made it more tender and shortened the process. Now, with modern appliances like the rice cooker, I’ve been able to simplify it even further." 

Razif’s modern take on Gulai Ayam still retains all the richness of the original recipe, but it’s more accessible for today’s busy lifestyle. 

"The essence of the dish is still there," he says. "The flavors, the textures—it’s all the same. The only difference is that it doesn’t take all day to make." 

Ahmad Razif cooking with his family - Mohd Darwish

For Razif, the key to preserving these traditional recipes lies in adaptation. While he stays true to the essence of each dish, he isn’t afraid to make adjustments to suit modern tastes and conveniences. 

"Cooking is about evolution," he says. "You have to adapt to the times without losing the soul of the dish. My grandmother used a batu giling (grinding stone) to make her sambal, but today, I used a blender. It saves time, but the sambal still tastes the same." 

Despite his modern approach, Razif is deeply committed to ensuring that the traditional flavors and techniques are not lost. 

"These recipes are a part of who I am," he says. "They connect me to my past, to my ancestors. When I cook, I’m not just making food—I’m keeping my heritage alive." 

Looking back on his journey, Razif reflects on the importance of passing down these traditions. "I want to make sure that the dishes my mother and grandmother made don’t get lost in time," he says.

"I want the next generation to understand where we come from, to appreciate the effort and love that goes into making these meals. Food is more than just sustenance—it’s a way of preserving our culture, our history." 

 "I carry my family’s history in every dish I make," he says. "And as long as I’m in the kitchen, that history will never be forgotten."

For Razif, cooking is a deeply personal experience, one that transcends the simple act of preparing a meal. It’s a way of connecting with his past, of honoring the generations that came before him, and ensuring that their legacy lives on.