International Blog of Food

Glorious Cuisine From Around the World

Thursday, February 21, 2008
Street Food - Jakarta - Spicy Mixed Fruit



I dont have a picture of the end product. He made it by pounding in chilli all the fruits/vege there was in his container.
posted by Vims at 11:07 AM    1 comments
Street Food - Jakarta - Satays
posted by Vims at 11:04 AM    3 comments
Gula Melaka

This is what Gula Melaka looks like =)
posted by Vims at 11:01 AM    3 comments
Indonesian - Chinese Food



I cannot remember the name of the restaurant we went to ....oooops!
posted by Vims at 10:53 AM    0 comments
Ketupats in Jakarta



"Ketupat is a type of dumpling from Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines (where it is known by the name Patupat in Kapampangan Puso in Cebuano), made from rice that has been wrapped in a woven palm leaf pouch which is then boiled. As the rice cooks, the grains begin to expand to fill the pouch and the rice becomes compressed. This method of cooking gives the ketupat its characteristic form and texture of a rice dumpling. Ketupat is usually eaten with rendang (a type of dry beef curry) or served as an accompaniment to satay. Ketupat is also traditionally served by Indonesians and Malays at open houses on festive occasions such as Idul Fitri (Hari Raya Aidilfitri). During Idul Fitri in Indonesia, ketupat is often served with chicken curry, accompanied with spicy soy powder. Among Filipinos, puso is also traditionally used as a pabaon or a mobile meal, traditionally brought by workers as a type of packed lunch, served with any selection of stews."
- Wikipedia.org
posted by Vims at 10:50 AM    0 comments
Solyanka

It's hard to say whether Solyanka is Ukrainian, Russian, or Georgian. This particular version was sampled at a restaurant called Tbilisi in Baku.
posted by kent at 7:01 AM    1 comments
Sunday, February 17, 2008
How to: Braise
You're at home. All you can dig out of the freezer is a pork shoulder roast. It's one tough cut of meat, so what do you do?

1st Start by choosing a cut of meat. Lamb or beef shank, pork or beef shoulder roast, top blade steak, brisket, chuck roast, and short or back ribs are the most common beef, lamb and pork braising choices. Most are tougher cuts of meat with high levels of protein known as collagen. Collagen cooked at low temperatures for long period’s converts to gelatin in the braising process which in turn tenderizes the meat and creates a rich thick sauce. So don’t think you need to buy a tender cut of meat to end up with a good meal. In the end tougher cuts of meat are better for creating the richest flavor and thicker sauce. The secret is in the gentle slow cooking. Chicken and fish are also great choices, however, chicken should not be skinless and bone in is best, preferably legs and thighs, and for fish, shark and swordfish cuts will hold up better than others.

2nd Then brown in fat. Depending on your recipe, most meats are browned first in a small amount of fat for color and flavor enhancing. Using a Dutch Oven or large heavy pot with a tight fitting lid, add your fat, heat to a hot temperature, add the meat and brown on all sides. Usually browning takes 10-20 minutes and is a process that does not cook the meat all the way through, it’s a surface cooking called browning or searing to lock in flavor. Most commonly meat is left whole for braising, but if meats are cut, remember same size portions are the best for even cooking.

3rd Then add your liquid. Liquids can include, wine, apple juice, water, broth or etc. Liquids, however, should not cover the meat. Usually no more than a ¼ - 1 cup is needed and sometimes no liquid is added depending on the recipe. Also at this point other items can be added, onions, garlic, spices, vegetables and etc.

4th Cover and cook on a very low heat, over a stove top, in a slow cooker or in the oven usually for 1 to 4 or more hours, depending on the recipe. Oven cooking is most effective, due to even heat from all sides which offers the best flavor and tenderizing results, along with a less fussy project. ( braising temperatures are 145-300 degrees, inexperienced cooks, however, should not cook below 185-200 without proper equipment for temperature control, meat can spoil if improperly cooked on to low a heat, if there is a simmer (small bubbling) going on in the pot you know your temp is not to low)


Instructions graciously provided by Ezine Articles
posted by kent at 12:12 AM    0 comments