1. Clean turmeric and pound till fine. Wrap in a piece of muslin and tie it up firmly.
2. Wash the rice and soak in a bowl of water with the turmeric and tamarind for at least 3 hours, preferably, overnight.
3. Drain the soaked rice.
4. Place the rice in a steamer with peppercorns and screwpine (pandan) leaves and steam over boiling water for 20-30 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, extract 1 - 1 1/2 cups thick coconut milk. Add in salt.
6. When the rice is cooked, dish it into a large bowl and mix it with the thick coconut milk so that the rice grains are loosened.
7. Return the rice to the steamer and steam for another 10 minutes.
8. Serve with chicken curry, beef curry or rendang.