Lumpia Goreng (Egg Rolls)

Filling:
1cup diced chicken
½ cup diced fresh shrimp
2 green onions, chopped
¼ cup slivered carrots
1tbsp. sweet soy sauce
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped fine
3 inside leaves cabbage, shredded
1 cup bean sprouts, cleaned
Wrapper (may be bought at asian supermarket)

Preparation:

Fry chicken in oil until light brown.
Add shrimp, garlic, green onions.
Saute until all looks light brown.
Add carrots, saute until crips.
Add cabbage, soy sauce, salt and bean sprouts.
Stir for a few minutes. Set aside.

Place 1 tablespoon filling on center of each wrapper.
Roll wrapper around filling, tucking in sides.
Deep-fry until golden brown. Do not fry too manya t a time as oil will cool and lumpa become soggy.
Drain on paper towels. Serve while hot.
Lumpia may be made and frozen before frying.

Street Food Vendors

Kaki lima, that’s how we called it. The traditional convenience foods in Indonesia which served from the colourful cart with two wheels and three legs. So it looks like the cart has five legs. This cart pushed in every town and kampung, usually by men to provide cheap foods.

Usually early in the morning you will hear they bang on the edge of the plate, Ting..Ting…Ting… The Bubur ayam (chicken porridge) or Bubur Kacang Hijau (mung bean porridge) is ready for breakfast! Later in the afternoon, the bakso men strolls down and beating on a small wooden gong. Tok! Tok! Bakso is small balls of pounded meat. Served with noodle and hot soup. At night, you might hear a high, sustained whistle of the putu man’s steamer. He sells a divine confection of steamed green rice flour, tapioca, melted sugar and shredded coconut. Yummy..! And don’t miss this sharp Tay! Tay! Satay! of sate man, he will grill shreds of seasoned meats right in front of you. Hmm smells good…

Each kali lima men has their own unique way to let people know that they are passing by. They provided memories of sights and sounds of life in Indonesia.

Ramadhan

This week is the third week of Ramadhan ~ the holy month of fasting observed all over the world by Muslims.

And so around 2:00am groups of young men will circle their neighborhoods! They are beating on drums, and banging spoons on a pan! It is time to wake up and begin your day! And just incase you have fallen back to sleep, the penjaga or neighborhood watchman makes his rounds banging a stick on the metal fence post to remind you it is time to get up!

The women are up and cooking, and the family is anxiously waiting so that everyone can a share a meal together before the first light of dawn breaks over the sky. From sun-up to sun-down men and women alike fast from eating, drinking, smoking and other earthly pleasures in an act of obedience and submission to Allah. They are learning to suppress these desires in order to increase their spiritual piety and find favor with Allah.

The fast is broken at sunset and usually begins by eating dates, if the family can afford to buy them. Cool drinks, and sweet snacks are served as well. Extended family members gather to break the fast together with specially cooked foods! And so it will go on like this, day after day until the month is complete 29 or 30 days later.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, and is an obligation for all devout Muslims. Every adult and youth (those who have reached the age of puberty) are expected to fast with exceptions given to children, women who are pregnant or nursing, travelers and those who are sick. For more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan

Three Great Place to Dine in Bali

When you’re in Bali, don’t forget to dine at
THREE GREAT RESTAURANTS

Heaven in the heart of Kuta
POPPIES
For thirty years the world has come to Poppies Restaurant,

where you can dine out beneath a canopy of flower,

amidst pool and waterfall,

savouring the delights of fresh seafood and

exquisite Indonesia and international cuisine.
Call (62-361) 751059 for reservation.
Location : Poppies Lane I, Kuta
Web: www.poppiesbali.com

Hillside haven
STRABERRY HILL
In the cool of the mountains,

a warm welcome awaits you visit the lake at Bedugul.
Stop for lunch or just drinks, beside Bali’s only real log fire.
Location : opposite Bedugul’s southermost turnoff to Lake Bratan

Streetside serendipity
KOPI POT Café & Bar
Watch the world go by from its garden terrace or

new Lone Palm Bar whilts enjoying continental or

Indonesian specialities and out outrageous homemade cakes and desserts.
Call (62-361) 752614 for a reservation.
Location : Jalan Legian, North Kuta

Appropriate Hand and Body Gesture

• Only the right hand is used for giving and receiving things. The left hand is considered unclean as it is used for private sanitary functions. It is rude and insulting to use your left hand to hand someone something, especially food and money.
• Don’t point the sole of your feet at someone, either by putting them on the table or crossing your legs. In social situations, it is best to keep both feet on the ground.
• Putting your hands on your hips is a sign of anger and considered an offensive or threatening gesture.
• Never touch an Indonesian of the opposite sex even if you think you are close friends. This act would be easily misconstrued by others.