Reflective report (essay) – How to make “cucur bilis” by Mus Kitchen

One of the essentials for human survival is food. Even when we are not in our typical
setting, eating is one of our basic necessities (Tikkaen, 2007). Currently, food plays a crucial
role in the overall visitor experience at a location. It now plays a significant part in strategies
for promoting travel destinations, tourism goods, and visitor satisfaction (Henderson, 2009).
As a result, one of the contributions to the crucial resource in Malaysia's tourism industry is
food.

Most people either practise cooking often or at least try to. Some people do it for a
living, some do it for fun, and some do it out of necessity. Humans are turning to cooking
since some food is uncooked and unpalatable, thus people cannot consume it. I cook because
I find it to be really intriguing, and I also want to learn how to prepare every meal, especially
“kuih muih”, “cucur” or another traditional delicacies that we have in our country. There are
many different types of food available; some are healthy and some are not. Now, I want to
explain the details on how I make “cucur bilis”, to complete this assignment task. I also
demonstrate on how I prepare “cucur bilis”, as one of the tradisional classic delicacies.

For this semester, we were assigned to do the task for subject “English for Oral
Communication (OUMH1303). On the first day that I was assigned to do this assignment, I
gathered to choose another traditional delicacy, as to represent through my video. After
several discussions and brainstorming session to myself and also between classmates, I had
decided to make “Cucur Bilis” or we called as “Cekodok Ikan Bilis”. This urges me to do the
“cucur”, since it reminds me to my mother. I really loved her handmade cucur, as the taste
will never be same as another “cucur” or “handmade cucur”. Since my childhood, my mom
always prepared and served the “cucur” for my siblings and I, especially for our breakfast.

As introdcution, all of us are informed that Malaysia known as a “food heaven”

country. The delicious foods boost many local delicacies and it can help to act as a major role
in attracting both domestic and international tourists. So, there is another reason why I choose
“cucur bilis” to help me to score for my assignment since “cucur”. Thus, when I choose this
delicacy as my presentation subject, this “cucur” also represents as culinary tourism food
among Asian countries. By this assignment and presentation, I am proud to show my simple
recipe of “cucur bilis” to my classmates and my lecturers as well. Hence, the title of delicacy
for my assignment, as chosen is “How to Make Cucur Bilis”.
 During the process of making “cucur bilis”, I was actually forgot that some of the
ingredients are not available in the kitchen. I was a bit panic since I had fixed my intention to
do the “cucur bilis” as my video presentation of traditional delicacy. Once I rushed ask my
mom if she knows if there is still the ingredients and items I needed, are already in the
kitchen. I had been informed that the items and ingredients I needed are available. I feel
relieved after hearing to her explanation, since the last day she came to my house after she
did her groceries and gave me some basic items for my kitchen.

Few challenges while making the “cucur bilis” is I was unsure to estimate the amount
of plenty and boiled water needed to mix with all the ingredients while in the making of
“cucur bilis”. To get a crunchy and delicious “cucur bilis”, my mom advised me to add on the
soda bicarbonate so that it can help to rise the soften the “cucur” texture. I was confused
either I need only plenty water to pour to the mixed ingredients, without the boiled water. But
after I looked at the recipe that I found on google and my mom, the boiled water helped the
“cucur” become more textured and the mixtures were blended together. I had successfully
made my first ever “cucur”

Next, the after process was a bit challenging when I need to make a video presentation
for my “cucur” as well. Since I am not an IT person, it takes a bit time for me to at least learn
the basic knowledge while editing the videos and pictures I had recorded through my phone.
The challenges while recording in making video for my “cucur” are I had to retake for many
times since my home surrounding and lighting were a bit dark, when at night. Even though I
had turned on all lamps, the lighting is still showing unsatisfaction result, as in my phone.
Apart of that, I also used Iphone 8 plus for recording my videos. In order of that, may be the
Iphone 8 that I used is still not the latest technology as another latest Iphone 13 and so on.
However, I am satisfy towards efforts that I had put in order to complete this assignment. I
also struggled a lot to learn editing video, even though it is basic knowledge.

For me, editing video is not easy for someone for me since I am not into IT and
editing tasks. During the editing videos, I add few pictures as front cover to make the video
more interesting during my presentation. The “cucur” looked nice when I edit the lighting,
volume and also how to adapt the sounds of voiceover in the video making. I am blessed that
all the efforts I did helped me to make the “cucur” as a traditional delicacy on my assignment
and video. Finally, I hope that my assignment mark will hit the target to achieve success in
this course. (966 words)