Week 4 : Cooking content for Tiktok

 My First Time Cooking Kelantan-Style Stuffed Squid (Ketupat Sotong)

Being from Kelantan, traditional food holds a special place in my heart. One of my all-time favorites is Ketupat Sotong, a classic dish that combines the rich, creamy sweetness of coconut milk with the chewy texture of squid. This week, I decided to try cooking it for the first time using my grandmother’s recipe. I grew up with her cooking, and every bite always brings back memories. I love Kelantan and I miss you, Grandma!

Ingredients for Ketupat Sotong

Before getting started, I prepared all the necessary ingredients:

For the stuffed squid:

✔️ 10 medium-sized squids (cleaned, ink removed)

✔️ 1 cup glutinous rice (soaked for 2 hours and drained)

✔️ 1 pandan leaf (tied into a knot)

✔️ ½ teaspoon salt

For the creamy coconut sauce:

✔️ 500 ml thick coconut milk (from 1 coconut)

✔️ ½ block of palm sugar (or more if you like it sweeter)

✔️ 3 tablespoons white sugar (adjust to taste)

✔️ 1 teaspoon salt

✔️ 2 pandan leaves (tied into a knot)

✔️ 1 cinnamon stick (optional)

How to Cook Ketupat Sotong

1. Stuffing the Squid with Glutinous Rice

- Mix the drained glutinous rice with salt and a knotted pandan leaf.

- Stuff the rice into the squid, filling about ¾ of the way (leave some space as the rice will expand).

- Secure the top by placing the squid’s head back and pinning it with a toothpick to prevent the rice from spilling out while cooking.

2. Preparing the Creamy Coconut Sauce

- In a pot, combine the coconut milk, palm sugar, white sugar, salt, pandan leaves, and cinnamon stick.

- Stir well and cook over medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves.

3. Cooking the Stuffed Squid

- Arrange the stuffed squid into the pot with the coconut sauce.

- Cook over low heat for about 30-40 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and the squid turns tender.

- Occasionally turn the squid gently so it absorbs the rich, flavorful sauce evenly.

4. Ready to Serve!

- Once the squid is cooked and the sauce thickens slightly, turn off the heat.

- Serve the Ketupat Sotong on a plate with a generous amount of the sauce.

The Fun Part: Filming a Cooking Video for TikTok!

What made this experience even more exciting was that my friend, Hazreen, helped me record the entire cooking process! I plan to upload the video to TikTok as my first-ever cooking content. Hopefully, more people will be inspired to try this dish too!

Final Thoughts: Cooking with Love

Even though this was my first time making Ketupat Sotong on my own, it was such a meaningful experience. Every step of the process reminded me of my grandmother and the home-cooked meals filled with love. Food isn’t just about satisfying hunger—it’s also about connecting with our memories and the people we love.

If you haven’t tried Kelantan-style Ketupat Sotong, I highly recommend it! Have you ever cooked something that reminded you of home? Share your experience in the comments!