Tuesday, 12 July 2016

Fried & Crispy

"The devil could not be everywhere so he invented the frying pan."
G. Hauser

As all greatmatters we may do, taking care of our body and health is a duty, for our body is the home to our soul.

This would perfectly open the post, if only this post is a warning to stay away from the frying pan.

But my oh my, how delicious it is to have my food fried and crispy.

Yes, I do realize we need to keep ourselves healthy... yet sometimes we have a tendency to spoil the tastebuds and tip our diet to a more unwholesome choices of food.
When this urge hits you,
Know that I'm here,  I understand what you're facing,  and share these recipes I found devilishly delicious.
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Fried Green Tomatoes

You'll need:
- 6 large green tomatoes
- 1 cup / 150 g plain flour
- 4 eggs, beaten to a foam
- 4 tbsp beer
- 2 cups / 250 g dry bread crumbs
- 2 cups / 500 ml oil, for frying
- salt to taste

Directions:
- Cut tomatoes into 1cm thicj slices. Discard the firat and last slices with skin on side.
- Place four bowls side by side and fill the first with the flour, the second with the eggs and beer, and the last two with the bread crumbs.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet (frying pan) until very hot.
- Dip the tomato slices into the flour; make sure they are well-coated and shake off any excess. Flour all the slices and set them on paper towels. Be sure not to lay the floured slices on top of each other.
- Immerse the slices in the egg, turn a couple of times, drain and pass to the first bowl of bread crumbs. Turn a several times until well-coated.
- Repeat with the second bowl of bread crumbs.
- Place 4 or 5 slices in the hot oil and fry until golden brown. Turn carefully at least twice using tongs or two forks.
- Continue to fry until all the tomatoes are cooked.
- Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.
- Serve hot.

The dish comes from Italy, where it is served often throughout the summer months.

*I like to use eggplants and oyster mushroom as well... also you can sprinkle the salt in the flour to add more taste.
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One more recipe, this one is baked but with the same crisps :)

Chicken Maryland

You'll need:
- 2 lb / 1 kg chicken pieces
- 1/2 cup / 75 g plain flour
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 egg, beaten with 2 tbsp water
- 3 cups / 180 g fine dry bread crumbs

Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350˚C / 180˚F / gas 4.
- Season the flour with salt and pepper. Roll the chicken in the flour.
- Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten egg mixture, then coat with bread crumbs.
- If preparing ahead of time, the pieces can be left in the refrigerator until cooking.
- Place the coated chicken pieces on a rack over a baking dish.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, until the chicken is tender and golden brown.
- Serve hot or room temperature.

*I honestly believe this recipe would also be great if fried ;)

-These recipes are from The Little Big Cook Book by McRae Books.-

Have fun and selamat makan!

Naomi

Thursday, 16 June 2016

Indonesian Geometrical Ornament: Tumpal

Welcome to the first post of Indonesian Ornamental Design series.


As we know, previously stated: I will bring a series of posts honouring and celebrating Indonesian geometrical ornaments.


This is a post of an ornament called Tumpal. A beautiful design that never fails to catch my eyes especially the ones in batik.

The best known application of the tumpal is perhaps in the textile and batik art. Both in the woven sarung and in batiked cloth one may find a broad strip across the cloth. This is called "kepala" ("head") and is ornamented with two rows of tumpals whose tips approach each other.

In the batik work tumpals usually occur in the shapes of isosceles triangles. But sometimes the triangle itself is omitted, so that only the tendril ornamentation remains, although its outline is still more or less triangular. This is the case with the mesmerising cloth originating from North Bali: whilst the ornament itself has assumed the form of a tree, the tree of life. The cloth is multicoloured, the tumpals being woven in with green, purple, yellow and blue silk threads, and partly also with gold thread.

Also in the kain songket the tumpal motif is generally found. In these cloths the ornament is not batiked on, but is woven in with gold thread. We may see an example of gold woven tumpal on kain songket from Palembang, Sumatera.

Here shown a pic of sarung from Lasem, East Java, with tumpal design in the kepala (head). The tumpals in this case are filled in with designs that strongly indicate Chinese influence.

Wether is woven or batiked, tumpal is a marvelous design handed to us in ways of beauty.

...
One night as the stars scattered upon the  dark sky, I rose and pick up my brush... my mind filled with glee for a pattern I'm starting to see. A token of my admiration towards tumpal, in shades of light blues.

Cheers to tumpal..!

Kind regards,
Naomi

Wednesday, 15 June 2016

Indonesian Ornamental Design

The significance of an ornamental design cannot easily be explained in a few words... One who uses a certain design sometimes does so simply because that is the way one learns. May as well uses a design that enchant ones eye in a state of define.

Do tell either a design exist to teach philosophy of life, or to enchant every eyes whoever wonder upon it... or perhaps the foremost important any design shall ever be is to breath culture?

To feel the existence of they who have lived before is to really be in a special bond of everlasting love.
Let us keep this bond, to honour the past and celebrate the present.

Hereby I declare, will bring a series of posts honouring and celebrating Indonesian cultural ornamental designs.
-Most materials are historic wonders from the great old book of "Indonesische Siermotieven" by A.N.J Th. a Th. VAN DER HOOP.
--Also with cultural knowledge and great support from my Mama. *thank you* --

Each post will bring a piece of the past for us to keep in our mind and cherish in our heart,  as well a personal interpretation as a token of love from yours truly...

For learning is the first step of loving,
and loving is the best way of life.

Best regards,
Naomi

Tuesday, 12 April 2016

Christmas or Not

Hi!

I know it's April but I couldn't be less excited for Christmas.

The  most wonderful time of the year!

Love's in the air...
The fresh scent of pinecones...
Cookies in the oven...
The heavenly smell of sizzling german steak...
Christmas songs blasting up high...

*last Christmas there are a few songs I love to hear the most, they are:
1. Winter Wonderland
2. I'll Be Home For Christmas
3. Happy holiday
4. Last Christmas

Every Christmas is special.
Every Christmas we may look different, munching different sweet treats, giving different gifts, using different decorations,  singing different songs...
One thing will be the same: we celebrate love and kindness.

Even when it's not Christmas,
I hope we may always remember to celebrate
the joy of being present...
the joy of hope...
the joy of sweet treats...
the joy to love and be loved...

Happy unchristmas to you ;)
Have a great one