Putu Ayu Cake ^_^

what is this cake ? 

Putu Ayu is the other traditional Indonesian cake.Usually these cakes are small and green collored because it uses pandan. If you come to traditional Indonesia bakery, you will find this cake with a very cheap price. But, this time this cake is very hard to find, so it takes extra energy to look for it in the market. lol.

Taste of this cake is very delicious, which is sweet and slight salty from the grated coconut over the cake. I dont get a lot of information about this cake. So, let's buy this cake and feel the delicious cake.

Pict Source : 

http://www.resepgulaku.com/Index2v2_recipedetail.aspx?id=109

http://www.radiospfm.com/2011/09/18/putu-ayu/

http://uunwaluyo.blogspot.com/2009/04/putu-ayu-new-edisy.html

Nasi Goreng, National Dish of Indonesia

do you know the following foods? yea, this is fried rice... 

Fried Rice (Nasi Goreng in Bahasa Indonesia) is a typical indonesian dish, which is very simple. This food is fried rice and mixed with a little cooking oil, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), garlic, pepper, a little chili, sometimes pieces of meat, egg or chicken. 

Nasi goreng has been called the national dish of Indonesia, because nasi goreng is a food that can be enjoyed by all Indonesian people. In, Indonesia, you can find nasi goreng anywhere and anytime with different price, depending on where you buy it. You can find it from the roadside, wagon itinerant peddler, even a famous restaurant. If you dont have the money to buy it, you can just make it at home. 

Nasi Goreng Seller

In 2011 an online poll by 35,000 people held by CNN International chose Nasi Goreng as the number two of  their "World's 50 Most Delicious Foods" list after rendang

Pict Source :
http://steven-apen.blogspot.com/2012/10/kisah-sepiring-nasi-goreng.html
http://wisatakuliner-makan.blogspot.com/2011/12/sejarah-nasi-goreng.html
http://muhammadainulyaqin14.blogspot.com/2012/10/nasi-goreng.html
http://www.lezat.com/resep-masakan-lezat/resep-nasi-goreng-nugget-Resep-Masakan-Lezat-Makanan-Lezat-Resep-Kue-Lezat-Restoran-Lezat-Tempat-Makan-Lezat-Kuliner-Lezat.html

Bika Ambon !!

Bika Ambon is a kind of cake from Indonesia.  Made from ingredients such as sago flour, sugar, coconut milk, eggs and tapioca. 

According to this name, the Indonesian people will surely answer this cake comes from Ambon City, Maluku Province. But, uniquely these foods turned out to come from Medan, North Sumatera. This is because at the first time, the sellers of Bika Ambon mostly found in Ambon Streets of Medan cities. 

Bika Ambon is a modification of the traditional Malay cakes coupled with new materials to create a cavity on Bika Ambon. Taste of Bika Ambon is very tasty and sweet, it also coupled with new flavors such as pandan,  cheese, chocolate and more. 

Bika Ambon Green Tea

In Netherlands, you can find Bika Ambon at around 8,5 euro, but in Medan city you will get it only for Rp. 60.000,00 (1 euro = Rp. 13.000)

One Again, usually Bika Ambon generally can last for 3-4 days, after which this cake can be hardened.

Pict Source :
http://goexperience.gonla.com/2012/09/17/medan-surga-para-pecinta-kuliner/
http://fooduntilldie.blogspot.com/
http://hesti-myworkofart.blogspot.com/2010/10/bika-ambon.html
http://ynthee-lovescookingverymuch.blogspot.com/2011/05/bika-ambon-durian.html
http://kitchentigress.blogspot.com/2012/09/kuih-bingka-ambon-video.html
http://tarts-and-pies.blogspot.com/2011/02/today-i-was-privileged-to-receive.html

Sikuai Island, Excotic Island in West Sumatera

When you visit West Sumatra and wanted to experience natural beauty, visit this island. The island is named Sikuai which can be reached from Padang City on 20-40 minutes.When it came, you'd be surprised to see the beauty of this island. When you arrive, you'd be surprised to see the beauty of this island. The island of roughly 40 ha are comfortable and clean.



Many activities that you can do here, ranging from swimming, diving, snorkeling, banana boat, jetski or seawalker with down the beach to collect unique shells.

Here you can also enjoy the beauty of the island by cycling.



Pict Source :
https://picasaweb.google.com/102589312174864357082/SikuaiBeach

Saman Dance, Indonesia Culture has been Known in The Whole World

Indonesia has a lot of culture that spread out from the tip of Sumatera (Nangroe Aceh Darussalam Province) until the tip of New Guinea (Papua Province). If you watch the show of International Art and Culture that followed by Indonesia, usually you will see the Saman Dance as one of this country's culture. This dance is one of the traditional dances that are exist in Indonesia originating from Nangroe Aceh Darussalam Province and also has often performed at the  International pageant.

Saman dance is a dance from the gayo ethnic (one of the ethnic in Aceh) which is displayed on the celebration of important traditional event in Aceh. This dance is more often performed at religious ceremonies such as celebrating the birth of the prophet and others.

This dance has significance as one of the media message of islam, in addition this dance also reflects education, manners, religion, cohesiveness, togetherness. This dance is usually accompanied by the strains of poetry, music and the song combined with handclap, pats on chest or thigh.

This video shows the dance saman (at minute 0:02 to 5:15) in celebration of the Indonesian national awakening day -100 

Polesian Summer with Folklore 2010 - Поліське літо з фольклором 2010

This dance movement is harmonious. Usually this dance is played by 10 - 17 dancers dressed in bright colors. This dance was played by a sitting position.

Reference :
http://www.indonesia.travel/id/destination/494/banda-aceh/article/42/aceh-s-best-the-saman-dance

Pict Source :
http://iyohaa.blogspot.com/2011/01/tari-saman-tari-tradisional-aceh.html
http://iovindonesiayouth.blogspot.com/
http://galeryphotomulyadi.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/316/tari-2/
http://bebibluu.blogspot.com/2011/01/asal-usul-tarian-saman-yang-unik.html

Dodol Garut, Tasty Snack From Bandung

Dodol is a toffee-like, sweet food delicacy popular in Indonesia, and other part of southeast-asia. In this country Dodol Garut is the most popular of the others dodol. Dodol is already started to develop sice 1962 and until recently known by the people of Indonesia as Bandung typical food. 

Why you should choose dodol garut ?

there are severals reasons you chose this dodol. First, this dodol has a different taste from the other dodols of the other regions.

flavored dodol (Durian, Pandan and others)

  Second, the price is cheap and affordable by all people and be the preferred food.

Picnic, famous brand of Dodol Garut in Garut

  Third, it's easy to make and the ingredients are easy to find. Fourth, not using a preservative

Dodol Garut Maker

and Fifth, lasting for up three monts. 

Along the streets of Garut City, you can find the Dodol Garut seller's, but if you have not been to Garut, you can get dodol garut in Bandung Souvenirs central shop.

Dodol Garut in Shopping center

One of the uniqueness of this dodol garut is cooked for 6 hours! woww.. fantastic !!! :D

Pict Source :

http://annasorayaputri.blogspot.com/2011/04/dodol.html
http://ceritakepompong.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html
http://www.jakarta.go.id/web/foto/fotopick/2911/16444/0/2
http://www.efooddepot.com/products/images/Picnic/3960/Dodol_Garut_(Rice_Cake_Candy).html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dodol_Garut_Cihampelas_Bandung.JPG

Reference :
http://su.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodol_Garut
and others

Travelling to Bukittinggi Part 2

Let's go back to Bukittinggi, but to a different place. After a visit to the historic building, now is the time for us to go shopping.... :) So, prepare your wallet. 

In Bukittinggi there are 3 famous traditional market, Pasar Atas, Pasar Bawah and Pasar Aur Kuning. This place is economic center of Bukittinggi. If you visit this market, you will be happy and feel comfortable. In additio, the third of this markets is very close to the downtown area.

So, what can you buy here ?

Rumah Gadang Miniature

Many Minangkabau Knick Knacks

So, many Minangkabau knick knacks here (Minangkabau is ethnic western sumateran society) like Rumah Gadang miniature, Jam Gadang miniature, embroidered clothing typical minangkabau, and many others. 

Rangkiang Miniature

Sandals

 To get these items, you'll not need to pay expensive. Besides that, you can also visit the place of manufacture directly by asking the dealer.

Pict Sources : 
http://www.antarafoto.com/bisnis/v1340017201/miniatur-rumah-gadang
http://uniqueminangshop.blogspot.com/2010/01/miniatur-rumah-gadang.html
http://mangtrithuc.net/game/20409-Jual-All-abaout-minangkabau-:-Produk-pilihan-sumatera-barat.html
http://bjorngrotting.photoshelter.com/image/I0000DhhA1jRcmmw

Klepon, A Tasty Snack !

Klepon is a traditional rice cake, popular in Indonesia and Malaysia. This snack very popular in Java as "Klepon", but if you visit Sumatera Island, the people here going to call that Onde-onde. This food is boiled rice cake, stuffed with liquid palm sugar (gula jawa in Bahasa Indonesia) and rollated in grated coconut. The color of klepon is green because it's flavored with a paste made from pandan.

Palm Sugar in Klepon

Hm... Yummy..

Klepon sellers usually put it on a banana leaf 

RainPon ( Rainbow Klepon ) haha

When you eat this klepon, you must be careful, if you enter an incorrect bite, the liquid sugar from palm sugar in klepon will be out and could have been soiling your clothes :)

This snacks are easy to find throughout the Indonesian traditional markets, besides it tastes good, the price is very cheap.

Pict Source :
http://mamatamy.blogspot.com/2011/03/klepon.html
http://keencakes.blogspot.com/2012/09/kelepon-pelangi.html
http://marzzz89.blogspot.com/2012/05/klepon-recipe.html
http://catatan-nina.blogspot.com/2011/11/klepon-ubi.html
http://situkangmasak.blogspot.com/2010/09/klepon.html

Traditional Food Wrapping : Banana Leaves ?

Indonesia Traditional Food

When you buy wrapped food everywhere, most sellers wrap it with wrapping paper, plastic or steroform box. However, if you buy a Indonesian traditional food, maybe you will rarely find it. The traders here use banana leaves as a subtitute for plastic or wrapping the food.

Why do they use leaves ? 

I think these traders used the leaves to make it practical. 

Banana Leaves

Then Why do they use banana leaves ? 

In Indonesia, banana leaves are also an easy thing to find because this area is in the tropics. If they dont have banana plantation, these traders will buy it at a very cheap price. Moreover, this method can also reduce the risk of global warming with the replacement of the plastic as a food wrappers that difficult to disentangle. Chemically, banana leaves contain polyphenols in significant amounts. Polyphenols are chemical compounds that are found in tea leaves. With the presence of these compounds, the tea leaves give off a distinctive aroma, as well as what happens in banana leaves (I think).

Lemper

Nasi Bakar

Nagasari

It's use is quite easy, banana leaves are still good is taken from the tree, slightly warmed over a fire to limber up the leaves, once it leaves cut into pieces and is ready to use as a food wrapper. 

Pict Source :

http://wolovefreesia.multiply.com/journal/item/6/MENU-PONDOKAN-Love-Freesia

http://galerikuliner.blogspot.com/2010/07/lemper-ayam.html

http://thebaker-forcakes.netai.net/Rnagasari.php

http://www.ncc-indonesia.com/imgncc/nasi%20bakar5.jpg
http://toko-indonesia.org/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=216

Pisang Goreng, Tasty Snacks In The Morning

Cofee and a newspaper, maybe that's what you guys are enjoying in the morning. However, try complete with delicious snacks namely, Pisang Goreng. 

What is Pisang Goreng ? 

Pisang Goreng are foods made from fried banana with a thick batter of flour, eggs, and little water. This food very tasty if it is eaten in hot condition. Hm... Yummy.,.. :)

Picture of Pisang Goreng 
Check this out --> 

Pisang Goreng Kipas

Pisang Goreng

This food can be found anywhere in Indonesia, even in Malaysia and Singapore. In Indonesia, you can find this food at a roadside vendor, Warung tegal ( similiar restaurant with typical Javanese food) or in traditional market. The price is not too expensive to make anyone can enjoy it.
  So, let's try it ! 






Pict Source :
http://waetuo.wordpress.com/2012/06/17/aku-pencuri-pisang-goreng-2/
http://diajar-masak.blogspot.com/2010/07/pisang-goreng-kremes.html
http://cupubanget.deviantart.com/art/Pisang-Goreng-Kipas-303396415
http://www.goodfon.com/wallpaper/329951.html