Friday, September 5, 2008

My Kitchen, My World - Indonesia

I was honored to be chosen to host this week over at My Kitchen, My World. The country I chose is Indonesia. I have been to Indonesia a couple of times. Once with my best friend Jody and the other with Sean on our honeymoon. Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 island so it saddens me I have seen so little of the county.

Jody and I went in 2000 to Bali. The day after we arrived we thought it would be great if we rented a Jeep and toured the island on our own. That day is one of the best days of my life. I don't think Jody and I will ever laugh that hard again. One of our first stops was the monkey sanctuary in Ubud. When we were getting out of the car I told Jody don't lock the keys in the car. Guess what? OMG. I think the entire village of Ubud tried to open our car with every tool available. Nothing was working. Then a very, very old man walked up, stuck his car key in the door, and unlocked our car door!!! I wish I had a picture of him but as soon as he unlocked the car, he turned, and walked away.

A few of our saviors.


There are so many beautiful things to see in Bali. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking.


This kind of scenery wasn't too bad to look at either! Oh, how I love those little blond surfer boys!


We did all the touristy things. Here we are at Ulu Watu. Seriously, so beautiful.

Jody and Michelle - 2000


Sean and Michelle - 2001


We went to a Kecak dance that totally blew us away. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. It puts you into a complete trance. But of all the things Jody and I and Sean and I did we ate good food. I mean really, really, really good food.

The places I preferred to eat at were the small family run warungs that you can find while wandering down a gang (alley). I crave the food I ate in Indonesia. The smell of the spice market, the beauty of the open kitchens, the smiling faces of the proprietors.

The owner of my favorite warung putting giving an offering. This woman made killer Nasi Goreng. I can't even think about it without drooling.


Tonight I made my dinner in honor of all of those fantastic meals I have eaten and all the wonderful people I have met on my travels in Indonesia.

We were lucky enough to be able to get a few of the ingredients out of our backyard.


We made Lumpia, Udang Goreng, Sambal Udang, Mie Goreng, and Chicken Satay with peanut sauce**. Since I have a broken arm Sean helped me out a lot!

Lumpia Semarang and Udang Goreng (Indonesian spring roll and fried shrimp)-


Sambal Udang (Prawns in chili sauce) -


Mie Goreng - (Fried Noodles)


Chicken Satay and peanut sauce -


The only things missing were some ice cold Bintangs and the sound of the ocean crashing to the shore. Dinner made me so happy tonight. It made me almost as happy as this...almost.


**I didn't post recipes this week because it was hard enough getting this all typed up with my arm. If there is a recipe you would like I would be more than happy to send it to you.

13 comments:

Dewi said...

Oh Michelle, I am so proud of you! I am glad that you've had such a fantastic time in Bali. LOL, lucky that the monkey didn't still your car key!

Bali has change tremendously for the past decade, I was actually disappointed when I saw rice field in my father's village getting disappear replace by mini market and houses. even worst, in the neighboring village, villas and luxury hotels are popping up like mushrooms! I am not sure anymore wether this is really bring a good thing for Balinese.

sefa firdaus said...

kudos to you Michele - thanks!
you make my eyes watery by reading your post - I feel so honored and home sick as well :)
I'm glad that you had such a great time in Bali.

I wish you lived nearby so I can drop by and taste all your tasty foods *drooling here* (even you have Indonesian chili sauce).

I hope your broken arm will recovery soon *hugs*

Andrea at Nummy Kitchen said...

Michelle, thank you so much for chosing Indonesia for MKMW this week, and sharing your wonderful Bali photos and stories! It looks like an amazing place with amazing people. I really want to try to make some lumpia and mie goreng after seeing your photos, they look so delicious.

So sorry about your broken arm, I hope you heal as quickly as possible!

Lidia Sianturi said...

your Indo foods look so yummy to me ....I am so honored and touched!Thx for sharing the beauty of Indonesia.

Oh how I miss my beloved country...

Anonymous said...

Great pictures and post :-D

I think anywhere you and Jody went would be fun though ... honestly!

NKP said...

Your photos are beautiful, and your dinner looks amazing. Can I come over? Great pick!

Megan said...

Oh my, everything looks so good. I love spring rolls - I had a co-worker way back in the early 90's whose mother would send in a tray every so often. They are yummy! And those shrimp - wow. When your arm heals, would you mind sending me the recipe for them? I think my husband would really like them!!

Anonymous said...

AWESOME...the Sembal Udang look to die for!!!
Oh, and aren't we so cute???

Thanks for bringing back some many great memories of the best trip of my life!!!
MUAH

Susie Homemaker said...

Wow Wow WOw! Look at all the food you made!
Wasn't Indonesia a fantastic place to visit?

Indonesia Eats said...

Thank you for choosing Indonesian food for the theme. I'm running behind on posting, and going to post in few minutes.

Andrea at Nummy Kitchen said...

Michelle, I just had to try Mie Goreng thanks to your post, I mentioned you in my blog, hope you don't mind. Take care, I hope your arm is feeling a little better :)

Anonymous said...

wow, the food looks amazing. i've been away from the MKMW for a little while, but can't wait to come back.

by the way, i passed an award on to you over at my blog. :)

ShopDownLite.com said...

Hard to diet with the yum food! I'll take the spicy pawns anytime!