Bebotok was one of our restaurant’s signature dishes. For many years, my mother Jessy’s recipe for these spicy stewed meatballs was a closely-guarded secret; many a fan would return time and again. It was one of Oma’s favorites, enjoyed with a side of sajur lodeh, white rice and krupuk. There were even some patrons who…
When it comes to cooking Indonesian food, one does not immediatley think of Trader Joe’s. Before I show you what you can find there to cook Indonesian inspired dishes, let me share this with you; my favorite grocery store is Trader Joe’s. There, I said it! TJ’s wins it over all the bigger super markets,…
Let’s talk about Indo Dutch. If you wonder what that means, listen to this podcast. I will share some insights from my life and talk about my food, my people and my book. Find out what led me to write the book Indo Dutch Kitchen secrets. Learn the difference between Indonesian, Dutch and Indo Dutch…
New generations of Americans with Indo European lineage, at some point in their lives, have a desire to rediscover or know more about their origins and (multi-) cultural background. For a long time I asked the questions: How do Indos in America identify themselves? What is their emotional relationship with the Dutch East Indies, the…
When you Google ‘rijsttafel’ you will see from the top results that the rijsttafel is an elaborate meal adapted by the Dutch following the hidang presentation of nasi Padang, an Indonesian dining ritual from the region of West Sumatra. It’s time to debunk this newly created myth. When it comes to the history of Indo-Dutch culinary traditions there are no…
When two cultures meet, beautiful things happen. Like the Indo Dutch cooking style, for example, derived from a blend of Western and Oriental cooking techniques and ingredients. A kitchen that is the heart of the hybrid culture that originated in the former Dutch East Indies (modern Indonesia). This cooking style came along with the Indo…
Celebrate the coming of summer with a tasty Indische Huzarensalade – as it is called in Dutch. A light purple colored dish with a fresh, lightly sweet ‘n sour taste. I have fond memories of this delicious salad, the way my dad Bill used to make it. A traditional Indo Dutch dish that made it into…
What do you get when you cross a bamboo stick with a banana? Or better yet, a banana threaded on a bamboo skewer? Meet deliciously sweet, soft, crispy banana slices, deep fried in a special batter with melted chocolate and sprinkled with a Dutch umami: ‘grated mature cheese.’ What? Yes, not so strange. Have you heard of Chocolate…
When I think of Bandung, I see a piece of Holland in the tropics. When I visited this beautiful city it felt like I was catapulted back in time. Bandung is renowned for its high number of Dutch colonial architecture; especially the tropical Art Deco architectural style. I would not mind living there. I can picture…
I can include quite a few comfort meals to my repertoire, one of which is Mie (Bami) Goreng, Indonesian fried noodles, also known as Mie Tek Tek and sold by street hawkers in Indonesia. Named after the sound of the spatula hitting the wok: ‘tek-tek’. Derived from the Chinese Low- Mein or Chow Mein but with an…
“Ke-to-praaaak, Ke-to-praaak!” That is what I would shout when pushing a cart selling this popular and delicious salad. I would want everyone to hear it and I would probably get arrested for disturbing the peace. This traveling chef made him self heard by hitting a spoon against a plate, while passing down the street in Jakarta where my…
I remember getting my sandwiches without the crust. This Indo Bento lunch box contains 3 sandwiches with egg salad, ham and cheese and tuna salad, without the crust. Of course I learned to eat spicy food at an early age. So, we add some chili sauce (yes, with garlic) as a dip for the sandwiches.…