Ayu (standing fourth from left) believes in the importance of passing the heritage Johor kuih recipes she has been entrusted with to her children so that they can one day take over the making of these kuih. From left: Alicia, Alia, Alfian Raoul, Ayu, husband Azry Fazamy and Ally. - ART CHEN/Te Star
Idah Ayu Natalia Ibrahim is huddled around a small table in her colourful, quirky kitchen. Watching her movements with rapt attention are her three daughters – Alia Nurcinta, 18, Alicia Nurcinta, 16, and Ally Nurcinta, 11.
Ayu deftly folds a piece of banana leaf into a nifty looking pocket, which she then begins filling with glutinous rice. Once this endeavour is complete, she folds the leaf again, shaping it into a triangle, before securing the finished parcel with string.