Sunday, December 2, 2007

STILL RELATED TO SUSHI















Still related to Sushi.........., I remembered a funny story by a friend of mine.
He told me in his office where people always in rush, they often have to have their breakfast in the office.
But he said, "Never leave any food un-watched on your desk, it will disappear as soon as you turn your head back!"

So his story began, his sandwich was missing that day. He was unlucky. When he was about to eat his sandwich, the boss called. When he back, the sandwich including the plastic wrap gone........., just gone, without leaving any trails.

He said during that month he lost his breakfast 4 times. That morning, he bought a sandwich in the canteen at the basement. He saw a 'local sandwich' - a spread of coconut jelly (in green color) on bread. A naughty think popped up on his mind, he bought it and planned to make a 'mouse trap'.

Silently, on his desk he spread wasabi on top of the coconut jelly and then put bread back. Pretending need to go to the toilet, he left the trap on the desk.

And................, big smile! The mouse ate the trap. He waited patiently and looked around, a friend of him came out from the toilet with a red nose! That is the 'mouse' he..he..he....

You know, wasabi is a green paste that has a hot taste. If you take it too much, it will directly hit your nerve in your nose!

Sunday, November 25, 2007

A DATE IN A SUSHI RESTAURANT

Had a date with my love one last Saturday. Since early afternoon that day, I really wanted to eat sushi. Any kind of sushi has flied in front of my mind disturbing my day.........huh! Producing more saliva..........oh no!

After work, quickly I called my love one, ask him if he can go out for dinner together. Sometimes, he has already had arranged an agenda for us. Luckily, he did not!

Arriving there nearly 20.00, we ordered sushi & tempura. As an opening food we chose Gomae, kind of vegetables with sesame seed sauce. I had a hot ocha and my love one preferred to have a lemon tea.

Not long after we had our first bites of our sushi, a couple went in. Quiet young. They sat opposite of our table, a bit in a cross direction. I have a very clear view towards that young couple.

I noticed since entering the restaurant, the man kept on talking on his cell phone. After finish with one conversation, he continued with another new conversation.

He..he..he..., about half an hour, my love one started to pay attention, since the voice of the man of that young couple raised.

My love one turn his face back and for seconds observing the young couple. Then, he whispered........, "If I'm being the date.........., I will already leave him!"

I smiled at him, and explained if the girl seemed like dictating what to say to the man, so she is also involved indirectly in that looooooooooong conversation!

We hardly hold our laugh......since the man started to use idioms and wise words in his conversation, he had a dispute with the person he talked to, and tried to sort things out.

Oh man.........! If we really look our surroundings, we can find many things that actually can save us from bored.

Monday, November 19, 2007

TAMARILLO JAM
















Yesterday, was the first time I tasted tamarillo. I like it, sour and a bit sweet taste.
Cultivated a lot in the mountain area of Bali like Bedugul and Kintamani.
Costs Rp. 7.500 / kg, I got the feeling that it is a bit expensive the price we paid yesterday!
I should check next time when I have a chance going up again.

I bought 2 kgs of tamarillos. Stealing one to taste for the first time, the rests I peeled, took out the seeds and scoped the fruit. Chopped it roughly - I used hand blender. I added 600 grm of sugar + one stick of cinnamon, and started to simmer it.

After nearly 40 minutes, I got a beautiful thick tamarillos jam. It has a very beautiful red color, and taste yummy!

Friday, November 16, 2007

SANUR FISHERMEN
















Went to Sanur (a beach area east to Denpasar) quiet early morning 2 hours ago with my love one. Hope to get fresh fish from his fishermen friends.

Unfortunately, they came back with empty hands. Traditional fishermen's life is very hard. Taking the risk going down to the deep sea area when we are all having our nice sleep, trying to catch fish for continuing their family life, giving education to their kids, etc. Many times get good catch, but many times get nothing.

If you wish to get really fresh fish, go to Sanur early in the morning, wait for the fishermen who just come back from their night journey. Once you experienced having those fresh fish, the fish which claimed also fresh sold in the supermarket will become tasteless!

Monday, November 12, 2007

ARBEI















I took this picture on my latest journey up to the mountain, to a yet un-explored area. I was really surprised seeing this arbei (that is what we called the berries here) plant, it brought my memory back to my childhood time.

During my childhood time to my teenage period, it was being a routine for my family to spend our holiday season in the village where my dad originally from. Staying there for nearly a month. Going fishing, cycling and exploring many exotic places - mostly out of crowd.

On my grandma's yard there was arbei bushes carrying lots of fruits. After playing in a hot day we (myself and my cousins) used to take a rest, sitting near the bushes and busy picked up riped berries to cure our thirsty.

My cousin who elder than I am explained that the silkworm eats that kind of berries leaves.

The berries I found last week was not as sweet as the berries on my grandma's yard. But it gave me a pleasant feeling.

Friday, November 9, 2007

ENVIRONMENT CONCERN - Maya Ubud Resort & Spa

I visit regularly a beautiful resort located in Ubud, which I knew very well has always improving quality of service, facility and activity programs extended to their guests.

The latest program they have just launched is "TREE PLANTING"
Please find below the media release I have just had:

Plant a Tree and Enhance the Environment

Ubud, Bali – Since its inception six years ago Maya Ubud Resort & Spa (http://www.mayaubud.com)has been very concerned in preserving and protecting the environment surrounding the resort. To enhance these efforts the resort has introduced a program inviting guests to plant a tree along the resort’s riverside nature walk so they may be part of the environmental protection project of the resort. A small fee is charged with the proceeds being donated to an environmental protection agency in Bali.

Guests may choose from a variety of trees available from the resort’s nursery. These include mango, coconut, clove, guava, jackfruit, breadfruit, mangosteen, water apple and coffee to name but a few of the indigenous trees available for selection.

With more than three hectares of land are available along the riverside nature walk, guests may also choose the spot where they would like to plant their tree assisted by a Resort Guide. Each tree planted will then be tagged with the guest’s name and date of planting. They may also add a few special words to the tag as a memento of their visit to Bali.

Mr & Mrs Wolfgang Baermann from Germany on the occasion of their eighth visit to the resort commented while planting the first tree, “We have tried to grow tropical trees we have brought from Bali back in our home town, but have had no success. Now we will have our own mango tree here in Bali and will look forward to seeing how it develops on future visits”

”We are fortunate in having such an amazing site of over ten hectares of land surrounded by rice fields and tropical rainforest, with the resort buildings occupying only ten percent of this land area. The remainder is devoted to lush cultivated tropical gardens and the riverside walk, enabling guests to be at one with nature” commented Paul Blake, General Manager of the resort.


The Maya Ubud Resort & Spa, sits majestically high above the banks of the legendary Petanu River, across from charming historical villages of Bedulu and Pejeng and within walking distance of the vibrant artist centre of Ubud.

For further information please contact:

Ayu Martiasih
Marketing Communications Manager
Maya Ubud Resort & Spa
email :
marketing@mayaubud.com


It is good to know if somebody do something nice for the environment. Our world has already been 'screwed' by us. The paradise has faded leaving ruined forests, pollution, and poverty at the end.

Hope the program held by them will run successfully. So in my future visit to the property I can see many more fruits plantation there.

Monday, November 5, 2007

BALI - TRADITIONAL FOOD (3)

People said - Buleleng region (North Part of Bali) is a place where many traditional delicious food available. I went there yesterday and had a chance taste a traditional food called: SATE PLECING. It is a variety of satay (pork and or fish) with sweet or hot sauce.

The sweet sauce made of fermented bean paste, and the hot sauce made of red chillies. Some people like to combine both sauce sauce which give a nice sweet, salty and hot taste.













It is served with slices of cucumber + sambal.














For the soup you will have 2 options, vegetable soup (a clear soup) and SEMUR.
I won't explore further the vegetable soup, it is just a normal clear soup with carrot, diced potato, and green bean.
I like this SEMUR soup very much.
A very thick stock consisted of slices of pork and potatoes. Taste like tomato soup but it has a different smell due to spices they use to cook. There is cloves, nutmeg, pepper and salt all cooked in a perfect balance.
















The drink is also very unique, they named it ES BEER, es = ice; beer is beer.
But do not expect you will get a normal beer as the western world understanding.
This special beer is made of grated young coconut + coconut water + simple syrup and splash of
lemon. Normally it is served in a big bulky glass which can make your stomach really full if you finish it. In this Sate plecing stall it is served with a normal glass! :-D




















So............, next time if you have a chance wandering around Buleleng region, do not forget to find a SATE PLECING stall. The one that I had yesterday is located near Hardy's Supermarket at Jln. Ngurah Rai.

Friday, November 2, 2007

PICKLES........PICKLES
















When found this picture, I remembered my 'journey' during my teens period.
My friends and I are noodles lover. There was a small noodle stall in our town, selling Mie Ayam Jakarta. The noodle is made fresh everyday, which occurred a nice smell.

But.........best of the best.... is their pickles! Very thin slices of cucumber combined with vinegar, salt & sugar to taste, but in a very balance way. Really good!

So....., we were famous in 'cleaning' their pickles on those days. If we visited the place, the waiters will starring at us, watching their pickles being 'cleaned' to our stomach.

What....................... a wonderful memory!

Monday, October 29, 2007

RUM CAKE
















Seeing those ingredients on a rack hanged in a small bakery - especially the MYERS RUM bottle, reminded me of my childhood time.
My father who traveled regularly (Denpasar - Jakarta area - Denpasar) very often brought us Rum Cake made by a famous bakery in Bogor - West Java.

I still remembered there are 3 level of intensity of the rum cake. Soft, medium and strong Rum Cake. My father always bought the strong one. We like it very much. You know......., the strong Rum Cake giving a slightly dizzy feeling after having 2 big cuts to a kid (read: myself!) :-D

Last week, I really missed the cake, unfortunately I could not have it anymore since I am leaving 1.5 hours flying from the place ........ oh my!

"Why not making a rhum cake myself?" the idea just popped up on the way to my office.

And............, I purchased a bottle of MYERS RUM last Friday and made a rum cake straight away that night. The result.................. what a yummy rum cake, just like what I had on my childhood time (psssssssst..................., actually it is not good for kid eating a rum cake, isn't it?"

Here it is a recipe that I got from the internet, this one works well! Originally they said the recipe was developed by BACARDI, but as a substitution to Bacardi Dark Rum, Myers is OK! I could not get Bacardi as my first choice that Friday, out of stock said by the supplier.










RECIPE:

1 cup chopped, toasted pecans or walnuts (I don't have pecans nor walnuts, I substituted with pistachio)
1 18-1/2 ounce yellow cake mix
1 1-3/4 ounce (4-serving size) instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup cold milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup Barcardi dark rum (substituted by Myers Dark Rum)

Glaze:
1 stick butter
1/4 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup Barcardi dark rum (substituted by Myers Dark Rum)

Cake: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Sprinkle nuts on bottom of pan. Combine all cake ingredients. Beat for 2 minutes on high with electric mixer. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool in pan. Invert on serving plate. Prick top with fork. Drizzle glaze over top of cake. Use brush or spoon to put extra dripping back on cake.

Glaze: Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in water and sugar. Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in rum. Note: The rum will cause steam. Be careful not to burn yourself.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

'FOOD' FOR SOUL





















I was invited to see my friend new orchid garden. Yet, there is only a few orchid collection there, but I believe it will grow as she loves anything related to plantation.

I took a good lesson while seeing her collections, it is not merely a group of orchids. She really takes care of it. Do you believe when we put our attention or care to somebody, to plants or pets, it is good for our soul? Caring over something with sincere is a good food for our soul. If we feed our soul with a good food, we bring healthiness for our body too.

Caring over something with sincere, automatically also spreading generous love and caress, it sweeps away anger and hates from our heart, leaving a warm and pleasant feeling inside.

By caring over something with sincere meaning the person drops their ego too. I have a good example for this. When you have 2 apples with you. One is bigger to the other, and you want to share it with your friend. Which one will you extend? Naturally, people will give the smaller one . If you can extend the big one to your friend and keep the small one for yourself............that is the real caress!

Friday, October 26, 2007

PAMPERING MYSELF




















Yesterday, I left home too early, forgot that before start working I have to go to the bank.
It was 10 minutes before 08.00 in the morning when I passed Monkey Forest street, the bank will be opened at 08.30. And it takes only 5 minutes from Monkey Forest to the bank at the main road.

I always dream to pamper myself early morning before my working hours in Ubud by having a cup of cappucinno or a glass of latte, sitting in a corner of a cafe, writing a post or taking pictures.

"I am going to do it now! I am not running out of time this time!" that was what I thought that day. Usually, it was only a dream in my mind. I always don't have time to make it realize.

So, I parked and walked to my favorite cafe. Ordering a glass of coffee latte and rye bagel with eggplant and garlic hummus.

I sat nicely waiting for my order, opening my laptop and start to edit several photos and write several posts.

I smiled and thought what a nice way to start a busy day!


Sometimes we need to have time JUST for ourselves. Get rid of our routine life and do what we want to do. It makes us feel better.

BELIEVE ME

Thursday, October 25, 2007

ORGANIC FARM

In these days, many people being awaken of having a better life. Everybody seems to be directed into “BACK TO NATURE” life style. Kind of way of life style is very instantly becoming popular amongst modern and busy people.

Yoga and meditation retreat started to be fulfilled with participants who look for a balance in their life. Organic food started becoming a primary choice which deliberately bringing a good opportunity for the organic farmers.

Exploring a mountain tourism spot in Bali last Sunday, I and my love ones ended at Danau Beratan, BUT in the side which has not been ‘contaminated’ by the crowd. There is a brand new organic farm developed on that side, completed with a big strawberry farm house. I guess they try to make a kind of organic farm tour, since I looked they put several tracking sign boards. Unfortunately when we wanted to explore more, nobody was there to be questioned. So we continued our tour by ourselves.

I must say not many organic vegetables I could see that time, it seems like they have already done the harvest time. Several yards were still being prepared for the next planting season.









I only saw cucumber, bananas and cabbage.










Next to their office which also their receptionist, I saw a yard full of colorful flowers. I recognized one from the lines they have is an infinity flower like edelweiss. But this one has thousands of tiny orange – red – yellow petals. Very beautiful!










The other line of their flower collection is this bright pink flower. It has a very soft thorn on its stem and leaves. I saw purple and white flowers which usually planted in a hanging pot there.










They are using this ‘automatic’ sprinkler in watering their plantation. When exploring more inside the area further, I saw traditional farmers were also using the same system

I did not know the source of water they were using; possibly it is the water that pumped out of the lake.

Actually there are 3 lakes in the area, unfortunately the biggest one has already experienced decreasing in its water debit since the last 4 years, leaving only half of the lake actual size. Hope the experts can solve this problem quickly. I will write about this lake called BUYAN, in my other post.












Well…….., if you were in Bali and wish to get your organic food supplies, it is very easy now! Several gourmet store in Sanur, Kuta & Ubud area specializing in selling organic food has been opened. You can find many restaurants & cafes which also concentrated of selling organic food easily too!

Monday, October 22, 2007

CHOCO CHIP















Went up to Bedugul last Sunday, ended at Roti Bedugul, my favorite bakery on the remote place. Besides their super quality croissant, they sell several lines of cookies too.
First time visiting Roti Bedugul, Pak Ketut - the chef, asked me to try their choco chips.

"This is an American style choco chips. American said that it has to be deep into coffee if you want to eat it! That is the best way to enjoy choco chip."

His explanation brought me to a documentary movie......., Mad Labs I think? On that movie was described the best way to deep your cookies into coffee or tea? What a weird subject! But still very interesting to know, since I also found difficult to get the just right deep. If you deep too long, you will easily lost a part of your cookies, if too short................, it will still hard! Oh my.......................














Promising good friends of mine in Ubud - Roti Bedugul's choco chips, reminded me of Mrs. Fields.

Mrs Fields? Who is she???

Ok...., ok...., let me tell you. Mrs. Fields was an ordinary housewife who finally becoming a famous business lady by selling her choco chips! And chocolate is the main ingredients in her bakings.

I can't even remember how did I get to know Mrs. Fields. I only remembered finally I put an order to Amazon for Mrs. Fields recipes book, and then be stunning when receiving the books and see the picture inside. So mouth watery! You don't believe me? No?? Just see the picture of Mrs. Fields website? Still don't believe me? Ok....., visit: http://www.mrsfields.com

Well......what about if I am living in her town? Oh no.........., maybe will be really difficult to maintain shapes!

Here it is a video from youtube.com on HOW TO MAKE A CHOCOLATE CAKE!


Friday, October 19, 2007

THANKS FOR THE MAGAZINE, PUTU!

My friend who knows exactly how I love culinary world - Putu Sekar - handed me the October edition of a food & entertainment magazine titled APPETITE JOURNEY.
(visit Putu's blog: http://putusekar.blogspot.com, she posted many interesting articles - in Indonesian- but I think she will expand her blog into an English edition as well!)

I found on the cover the magazine's website: http://www.appetitejourney.com, click on that if you wish to know more about the magazine, or if you miss your free edition.













As a lover to a culinary world, I would expect kind of culinary journals will be long lasting or don't be last please....! BUT.........., for sure the content should be also valuable.

I was very sad few years ago, when found a good culinary magazine titled "SANTAP" was discontinued their publishing. Each edition of Santap was beautifully done. Very educated and contained lots of information. An elegant magazine!

Thanks for sharing the journal, Putu! I will enjoy it for my weekend reading.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

DON'T EAT IT! TRUST ME!















"What would you like for your afternoon tea time? Chocolate Cake, Orange Pie, Strawberry Pie or Apple Pie?"
"Hmm..................., I like all of them, but just a small piece please..........."
"Certainly!"
"And what would you like, tea or coffee?"
"Do you have mint tea?"
"Certainly!"

Talking about mint tea, last night I watched Discovery Travel & Living Asia, there was a documentary movie about Morocco Culinary. It was said the best way to make a fresh mint tea, is by using fresh mint leaves (generously), sugar (I thought it must be rock sugar they used not the cube tea sugar), and tea. The man on the movie said, do not stir the tea, but pour the mixture (which already combined with hot water) to a glass, and then pour back the tea into the tea pot. Do it several times until the sugar dissolved. Higher you can pour the tea is better.

BUT........., let me tell you. The above Chocolate Cake and various pies are not real. They are all made of Polymer Clay. I made it last year. Looks good, doesn't it?
















Psssssssssst......................! These breakfast choices is also not real. It is all made of polymer clay.

Last year I was addicted to make any kind of food, fruits ......... anything from clay.
Now, I am very busy doing many things at work, and has to forget my hobby.

Have a great day!

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

RUNNING A RESTAURANT BUSINESS by HEART

I went to a bookstore near my house last Friday (Thanks God, finally a decent book shop opened on a walking distance from my house!), and found a book about Carnegie Deli on a NEW BOOK display table. (http://www.carnegiedeli.com)

Can not wait to reach home and start reading the book, that night. Anything about culinary or running a restaurant business always attracted me very strongly.

I am a believer of how happy a person can be, earning for living from doing what they love & like.

I have examined business that run by heart. It always shines more brightly. People who involved in running the business have more smiles, and indirectly influenced their customer to have a happier feelings too.

These people enter ordinary fields of business, which many people even more expert has already in there, but since they did it happily, the end result is different.

I want to get the book in its original version in English (the one I bought is in Indonesian). I found many mis-spelling words in it.

In this post, I also want to share a story about a small cafe which I am very sure are run by heart by the owner. I have written about this last time http://foodiecookie.blogspot.com/2007/09/taste-improved.html
But on my previous post, I did not highlight of the business, it was a story of my three 'musketeer' friends (GRIN).

The cafe named "CAFE TERAS LEMPUNA". Located in Bedugul, a hilly region of Bali Island. I knew it is owned by a Japanese lady.

It has a very cozy interior. A Japanese alike neat, with several cute ornaments inside. They also put several sets of dining table + chairs on its verandah. Giving a pleasant outdoor place to have your meals. But beware, do not eat outside during mango & jackfruit season! You will get crazy in getting rid of flies :-(

My latest visit to Cafe Teras when I took all pictures displayed here, was Saturday, 13th Oct 2007. The plantation planted on its yard, being one of the focal interest too! They changed it regularly. This time they have a beautiful white lily on the yard. It was still raining heavily when I arrived there. But soon after ordering our lunch, the rain stopped gradually, leaving a freshness on the white lily.

A bush of pink wild roses was planted near the right side wall if you are facing the road. Whilst, tomato planted in a row next to the front fence, carrying its fatty fruit. Yet, not ripe but it would be a lovely fresh tomato from the garden.











Inside, you will find a nice little bar, where the waiter prepare drinks for the customer. Many kind of glasses and cups displayed on its bluish rack.

Next to liquor & wine displayed rack, you will find a door - the entrance to the kitchen. What I missed is only a good music. It must be lovely if they have a nice easy listening jazz selections as a background music.

If you decided to visit this place, don't think that you will get a 5 stars categorized meals. The food is good but not so special! You can get similar lines of foods any else where easily. What you won't get is the nice ambient of the place.

Cleanliness of the place included the toilet is two thumbs up! Except one thing, I never agreed when people liquefying the density of liquid hand-soap usually for saving reason by pouring water into its container. You must be thinking I'm weird now :-D!

Last but not least, I found this unique wind chimes hung below the verandah roof.

What else to be shared? I don't have anymore, but just experienced yourself. I think you will be agreed with me, that CAFE TERAS LEMPUNA is one of the business which is run by heart.

HAPPY EXPLORING!



BALI - TRADITIONAL FOOD (2)

You might have known a famous traditional Balinese food restaurant located in Lukluk, a village not far from Denpasar.
The place is very famous for its dishes called "LAWAR LUKLUK".

Lawar is a kind of traditional balinese food, which made from shredded steamed pork or beef skin combined with shredded coconut, fried onion, slices chilly, shrimp paste, and other spices.

But lawar is not the only main dishes, it should be accompanied with "KUAH" a kind of spicy soup with several small cut of meat (either beef or pork - you can choose which one do you want, or mix). Besides that on the plate you will also find sweet jerked meat (again either beef or pork), fried skin crackers and fried innards.















Again, if having kinda Balinese traditional food, best........ if you have it at the place it sold. Otherwise, it tastes different. One more of this LAWAR LUKLUK speciality is their sambal (hot chilly sauce), which made of shrimp paste. It tastes really good, who can resist a plate of warm rice with shrimp paste sambal + lawar + kuah.........??

Interested to try? Drive along main road to Tabanan, it is located in Lukluk - Sempidi, on the right side just after a traffic light. It opens early in the morning around 07.00 - 07.30 Bali local time to about 15.00 - 15.30 only.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

NASI GORENG














The most popular choice amongst Indonesian culinary besides Satay is Nasi Goreng. I try to find from where originally nasi goreng is, but could not find any information related to it.
Below is the information I got from wikipedia about nasi goreng:

Nasi goreng is an Indonesian and Malaysian version of fried rice - that is what it means in both languages. The dish has hundreds of variations, but it is often accompanied by additional items such as a fried egg, fried chicken, satay, or krupuk (fried crackers / chips made of shrimp or vegetables). In many restaurants, when accompanied by a fried egg, it is sometimes called as nasi goreng spesial.

Although nasi goreng can be eaten at any time of day, most Indonesian people often eat nasi goreng during breakfast, and mostly ingredients are given from the leftovers from the dinner the previous day. The rice should be cooked ahead and let it to go cold to make, and this is why the leftover dinner is used because the rice is preferably taken from day before. Nasi goreng is a complete meal but sometimes it is also part of a banquet.

The main ingredients for the plain nasi goreng include pre-cooked (and preferably cold) rice, soy sauce, garlic, shallot and some spring onions for garnishing. For the special one, add fried egg, a cracker, some slice of raw tomatoes and cucumbers. When the main ingredient (rice) is replaced by noodle, the dish becomes mee goreng (fried noodle).

Nasi goreng can also be found in restaurants in western countries, mostly in Chinese and Indian ones, but with local adaptation. For instances, by adding some curry seasoning. In the Netherlands, several Indonesian-Chinese restaurants offer nasi goreng with selected original spices to suit the Dutch taste.

I was just a kid (about 8 or 9 years old), when my father often played a song titled "Gief Meej Maar Nasi Goreng". Somehow, that song sticked on my memory up to now, maybe as many Indonesian food mentioned on the lyric like, nasi goreng, onde-onde, krupuk, sambal etc. When writing this post, I tried to find who is the singer of that song, and YIPPEEEEEE! I found it. The name of the singer is Wieteke van Dort (http://www.wietekevandort.nl/ - unfortunately it is in Dutch) If you wish to hear to that unique song, please visit http://urno.multiply.com/music/item/56 Back to nasi goreng. Near my house there is a busy hawker food stall which specialized in Nasi Goreng Petai (Parkia Speciosa) - a kind of bean with stinky smell but taste good to its lover (I am one of them LOL!). They also have Nasi Goreng Jawa (Jawa = Java), which using shrimp paste as one of the ingredients and slices of big chilly. It is not hot but has a very special smell. Kind of sambal smell very tempting. One varian of nasi goreng which categorized unique, I found in Jogjakarta last year. It was cooked over a traditional brazier which caused it has a smoky smell. Besides that, they also have a dish, a combination of Mee Goreng and Nasi Goreng which named "Magelangan" style. Magelang is a name of a small city in Mid Java - near Jogjakarta. Which varian of nasi goreng is your favorite?

A PLACE in UBUD

When taking this picture, I remembered a place in Ubud. It is a restaurant but I would not mention the name as I noticed the quality of the food served, decreased recently. Up to now, I have decided for not visiting the place for dining again, I only will drop by whenever I miss the atmosphere. But to get the same feeling I have to wait until the rainy season comes.

Surely, it is a lovely place! Especially its open air area which located next to a big lotus pond.

Many frangipani trees planted near the edge of the pond. They put several sets of outdoor furniture on the grass lawn next to it.

What made me stunned that day: I was there, the rain was just stopped. Plenty of frangipani flowers fell and laid at the grass lawn. Combination of the grass, the yellowish of frangipani flowers and drops of rain that still attached and rolling slowly at the frangipanis' leaves and flowers, the fresh smell of the earth and the smell of the grass after the rain pouring..................., really unforgettable.

After reading this...., close your eyes and imagine what I have written above! Believe me, you will get that atmosphere too (wink!)

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

BALI - TRADITIONAL FOOD (1)

Lately, I was tickled to write about Balinese Traditional Food.

Balinese Traditional Food has its own character which able 'hypnotizing' their devotees. If you have Balinese friends who have been away from Bali for sometimes or have been settled foreigners somewhere else, you may ask them, whenever they return or happen to have a chance visiting Bali, I bet first thing appears at a very first glance on their mind is Balinese Traditional Food........, Babi Guling (suckling pig), nasi campur (rice with various kind of meats, egg & vegetables), jaje bali (balinese style cakes) and many more.

Few days ago I had a chance to have my lunch at Pesinggahan that well known of its fish dishes.

Pesinggahan is a small village located at the eastern part of Bali. Very close to the famous Tourism Object - Gua Lawah (Balinese Temple located in front of a big bat cave). The fish that they use as the main ingredients is Tuna Fish; caught by local fishermen which guarantee the freshness of the fish used. I never had any experience got not fresh fish during my time having my meals there. If you are sensitive you can feel a bit itchy on your tongue when having a fresh fish which already not fresh.

Mainly there are 3 types of main dishes served there.
First is the Fish Soup. They will serve this automatically
accompanied with a plate of rice as soon as you take your seat and order your drinks. The soup consists of several pieces of fish in a clear broth but if you stir it, the sediment off all spices that set at the bottom of the bowl will mix and make the broth not clean anymore. A pinch of fried onion spread on top of the soup give a nice blended smell between the soup and the fried onion itself.

Then they will serve the second and third main dishes,
Sate Lilit Languan and Pepes Ikan Tuna (Roasted tuna fish wrapped with banana leaves).


Sate Lilit Languan or Tuna Fish Satay, is satay that is sticked on a young bamboo skewer - bigger than normal satay skewer, seasoned with traditional Balinese all spices seasoning and baked.








The Pepes Ikan Tuna tastes a bit hot for me. But it is really delicious. The smell of the burnt banana leaves covered the tuna fish gave an additional sensational smell to the fish.

But I should remind you, these dishes only taste good when you eat it while it is still hot. Otherwise, it won't be as good as it should be.



As accompaniment they will also serve a plate of fried nuts and steamed water spinach mixed with hot chilly sauce. And the most important accompaniment is the SAMBAL MATAH, a sauce is a combination of onion which is sliced thinly, hot chilly - also sliced thinly, baked fermented fish (smell really strong!), coconut oil, salt and a squeeze of fresh citrus lime.

Next time if you have a chance driving to eastern part of Bali, do not forget to try this traditional food. Actually along Kusamba village up to Pesinggahan village you will find many stalls selling Sate Lilit Ikan, Pepes Ikan and Soup Fish, but the most famous is the one that I cover at the beginning.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

TASTE IMPROVED!

Couple of friends having a same interest as I am. What is it? Culinary!
Yesterday, one of them popped up in my office. Brought me several photographs he took. What about.........guess! Food!
So we had a discussion about food.

Actually there are 4 of us. But only him and myself who are living in a same town, the two others are staying thousand miles away. But in several occasion we can get together.

I should admit, the three 'musketeers' are very expert in making ordinary meals becoming extra-ordinary meals (read: in a positive way!). HOW? They are the experts in telling stories, their gesture while do the story telling also improve the quality of the story they tell!

Let's review. One day, they went up to the high part of Bali and had dinner in my favorite restaurant. I must say the quality of the food served is just fine, but the atmosphere of the place and the way the owner running the business is a big deal for me. Cozy place, nice weather, what else? That time it was only me that left in town. I could not join them due to a bunch of tasks that I had to do still.

The next day, the three of them showed up in my office brought a video cam and asked me to transfer the content to my laptop. I was laughing in tears seeing they act like a culinary traveler!

The one who is a photographer, explained the vegetables soup he had.
"Please see the freshhhhnesssssss of this vegetables! Hmmmm..............., the smell of the broth..........., hmmmmmmmm!" Something like that! Believe me! Seeing them talking about food made you mouth watery!

They know many places to get best food! They even know perfectly what time they should be on a Balinese style suckling pig stall just to get the best part out of a whole suckling pig!

Ask them the culinary program on Discovery Travel and Living! They can tell you fluently whose who, what, how, when in each program!

And................... last but not least! Their favorite celebrity chef! Guess who!
NIGELLA LAWSON! Why her?? Why not Jaime Oliver or Anthony Bourdain or Ferran Adria - the Bio Chef like myself??

BECAUSE..........................................

THEY ARE ALL MALE!


That is all for today, Folks!

Sunday, September 23, 2007

TRUE STORY - STOP.................Don't Drink It! (LOL)

This is a true story! I could not stop laughing that day.
I don't know who should be blamed on that case.

It was a bit gloomy late afternoon in Jogjakarta.
I went out with two other friends visiting a gudeg (traditional jogjanese food) stall.

I ordered a glass of hot tea. My other friend ordered his favorite softdrink, while the other one ordered Cendol (kind of pearl in bubble tea, but instead made of tapioca flour it is made of rice flour combined with dissolved palm sugar in coconut milk). While for the dishes it is already standard. Gudeg is consisted of rice, chicken cooked in thick coconut milk, eggs and young jackfruit which cooked for hours.

Having a chit-chat while waiting for our order, a waiter came bringing my hot tea and my other friend's softdrink. The waiter also brought 3 'glass' of water (I put 'glass' in bracket, as it was not looked like glass but it was not looked like bowl either).

In Indonesia, it is very common for people eating using their fingers instead of using spoon and fork. But using left hand for eating is a big NO! Left hand is preserved for 'dirty assignment' (GRIN). Restaurant that specialized in selling Indonesian food usually gave water that put in a slightly large bowl for their guests to wash their hands before start eating (See next picture). I knew the water served by the waiter at the Gudeg Stall was for that purpose too.

Somehow, I guess it was because the form of the water container which was not usual that made my friend thought it was an extra water to drink). He hold and took a close look to the glass and slurrrrrp..... drank the water. I was in the middle of sipping my hot tea, but my eyes immediately opened very wide try to stop him from drinking it. My other friend only starred at him without saying a thing.

I was about to squirt the hot tea, then we laughed out loud! My friend who drank the water for washing hand starred at us without knowing for what reason I and the other friend laughed wildly.

Then, we explained to him.............., and continued our laughs.

"I don't know if you are going to drink that water, I thought you are just looking at the container!" I said.

"Yes......, I thought so too!" my other friend said.

We were laughing on and on, my poor friend could say nothing but embraced.

So..........., next time please be careful!