Today's menu:

True that as my son says, Being born in the country suburbs, down in Memphis. I had my share of greasy fried chicken, catfish, collard greens, sweet potatoes, etc. I did like pecan pie though. Lived through The Elvis days, and the riots after Martin got shot. Just didn't feel right marrying a local gal, and spending the rest of my life, stuck there, so I put my thumb out, and headed to California. Never looked back.
I had to learn how to cook on my own, and travelled to try all the food from SE Asia, India, Japan and such. Mostly I like the Japanese way of cooking. It seems light on the stomach. I do like Sauerkraut, and kimchi also. Used to making my own food. Now I'm into pan roasting Salmon fillets, with perkedel, (potato cakes) and stir fried vegetables with mushrooms. I don't like the Locals style cooking. Always chicken and food with little spices.
But where I live, I can get them to soft boil or scramble eggs, make chicken soup, or pan baked chicken, red rice, and vegetables. I go and buy red bell peppers, yellow onions, garlic, mushrooms, leeks, and the like, to lively up my meals.
I just bought a Tarragon plant, and need to learn how to cook with it. I have bought mustard with it infused inside. It's tasty. But need to learn more ways of using it.
So thanks Bad Azz, for starting the todays menu. 👍
 
The swine normally found in SE Asia, is the pot belly, black furred pig. Much smaller and leaner than the large White pigs that come from more colder climates. (edited). The large fatter, White variety just can't handle the wet, humid, hotter climate of SE Asia, and tend to get sick. Which causes the farmers to pump the pigs with antibiotics, which in turn goes into the meat which people consume.
Your statement may be true for other SE nations, but for Indonesia it isn't. For your information my region was, until 2022 one of the leading region for processed pork meat in Indonesia with over 70.000 ekor processed. The HUGE majority were white pigs. Induk babi sold are all white because they offer a MUCH better yield than their black counterpart.
I need to control our supply source as much as I can so, for products like pork meat which are in big demand from our Resort clients, I have financial interest in a pork processing plant and we deal only with white pigs. So does any big usaha peternakan babi here, in Bali or in NTT which are the other region producing the more pig meat. The black furred one being generally only farmed by small independent farmers and representing a small percentage of what is reaching the market stalls.
A quick google will give you an idea of the pork being farmed here: https://id.images.search.yahoo.com/...+babi&fr2=piv-web&type=E210ID1589G0&fr=mcafee
 
For what it's worth. I am an American and I too eat butter on any sandwich including cheese. I come from a dairy state where milk, butter, and cheese reign superior. I never touch mayonnaise. Stuff is primarily oil and raw eggs and reminds me of something else that is collected from male cattle. Mustard is OK but only the spicier English versions.
 
Also, for what it's worth. Picked up the Ribeye for Christmas dinner today from the shop I buy all quality beef. Didn't have any Aust A grade so he showed me a young steer one that he had just received. I went with that. Small younger steer it seems since the one I bought was only 3 kilograms. Paid Rp235.000 per kilogram. I didn't think that was a bad price. Set it in my cold fridge to keep at around -2 degrees c untill Christmas day. Then, we shall see I guess. Paring it with a cheap French Cabernet Sauvignon. Going to end it with a creamy cheese cake.
 
If I were going to have Christmas dinner for just the wife and I we would probably have pizza or something. My wife is really into the decorations and the tree is a priority. I put on the lights and then get dismissed.

Our going all out for Christmas is more for our guest. Expats married to Indonesian women. These women, while enjoying Christmas never grew up with it or experienced the trills of it as children. This day is for them and their kids and it is always nice when an Expat tells us they felt like home and really appreciate enjoying Christmas with others who are enjoying it. Needless to say, the kids are wide eyed and very much curious and when the presents get handed out after dinner, they are more than ready, of course, the curious little buggers already seen their names in the gifts. Their parents bring more for them too. It is always a great day. After that day ends we can get back to reality.

I suggest to anyone that has plans for a nice Christmas dinner to invite someone who may have forgotten what Christmas was like being away from it for so long. They will really appreciate it.
 
For what it's worth. I am an American and I too eat butter on any sandwich including cheese. I come from a dairy state where milk, butter, and cheese reign superior. I never touch mayonnaise. Stuff is primarily oil and raw eggs and reminds me of something else that is collected from male cattle. Mustard is OK but only the spicier English versions.
My name is Jos Jonson, I come from Wisconsin, Dah, Dah, da, di, da, da, da, Dah!
 
Today is Sunday, so I deserve a dessert...

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And yes, I need to work a bit more on the shaping. Tasts very nice and crispy (tasted 1h after out of the oven).
 
I suggest to anyone that has plans for a nice Christmas dinner to invite someone who may have forgotten what Christmas was like being away from it for so long. They will really appreciate it.
Are you suggesting I should invite @Shadrach and Markit from the Bali forum ? 😁😁😁
 
BAH HUMBUG!!!
No Thanks, Sincerely, Bob Cratchit, and Tiny Tim and not to mention The Ghost of Christmas Past!
 
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A nice salad mix of freshly harvested (our Green houses) Red oak leaves lettuce, arugula and batavia lettuce with some seeds, walnut, grana padano, dried cranberries, EVOO and balsamic vinegar followed by a steak with black pepper sauce with thyme. And a feast of Ice cream for desert.
And I am officially on a diet :LOL:
 
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A nice salad mix of freshly harvested (our Green houses) Red oak leaves lettuce, arugula and batavia lettuce with some seeds, walnut, grana padano, dried cranberries, EVOO and balsamic vinegar followed by a steak with black pepper sauce with thyme. And a feast of Ice cream for desert.
And I am officially on a diet :LOL:
Red wine, Haagen-Das ice cream ...
Real class !
 
Red wine, Haagen-Das ice cream ...
Real class !
My daughter and I are the only one fond of Ice Cream in the family, but both of us being very family prone we always purchase for the 5 of us. Not that we know in advance that we will get their share but just being cautious in case they suddenly change their taste preferences. :whistle:

Red wine is my wife and I stuff. After 22 years of marriage she has refined pretty well her palate for good wines. Both of us are Burgundy type of wine persons, albeit I don't mind going further south with Côte-Rôtie (unfortunately very hard to get here) and Chateauneuf du Pape being my péché mignon. I rarely drink Bordeaux here because the one which are exported, easily available and under 1,5 jt a bottle are not really exciting imho. For the same price you can have better.

I love white wine too but my favorites (Meursault, Puligny Montrachet, Chablis) are hard to come by here and when you get them the price have you re-thinking your choice. Only Chablis is under 1 juta and only for a Chablis. If you look for a Chablis 1er cru or Grand Cru the price rise steeply, to the point of having you wondering if they adbertise the price of a carton instead of a bottle. :LOL:. "Fortunately" in Manado we don't have an extensive choice of high quality seafood so it limits the occasions I would be able to pair them, at the difference of reds.
 
My daughter and I are the only one fond of Ice Cream in the family, but both of us being very family prone we always purchase for the 5 of us. Not that we know in advance that we will get their share but just being cautious in case they suddenly change their taste preferences. :whistle:

Red wine is my wife and I stuff. After 22 years of marriage she has refined pretty well her palate for good wines. Both of us are Burgundy type of wine persons, albeit I don't mind going further south with Côte-Rôtie (unfortunately very hard to get here) and Chateauneuf du Pape being my péché mignon. I rarely drink Bordeaux here because the one which are exported, easily available and under 1,5 jt a bottle are not really exciting imho. For the same price you can have better.

I love white wine too but my favorites (Meursault, Puligny Montrachet, Chablis) are hard to come by here and when you get them the price have you re-thinking your choice. Only Chablis is under 1 juta and only for a Chablis. If you look for a Chablis 1er cru or Grand Cru the price rise steeply, to the point of having you wondering if they adbertise the price of a carton instead of a bottle. :LOL:. "Fortunately" in Manado we don't have an extensive choice of high quality seafood so it limits the occasions I would be able to pair them, at the difference of reds.
Very smart thinking re the ice cream. :D
 
Yesterday's dinner ;
Chicken and mushroom in the pot.
Basically a chicken Stroganoff (chicken, mushroom, shallots, garlic, thyme, white wine, chicken broth, cream, mustard) to which I add or green peas or (canned) mixed vegetable.
Prepared in a pan, than transfer to a ramequin, cover with puff pastry and 15 / 20 min in the oven.
Serve with mash, green peas and gravy if you want it British pub style !

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We did a bit touristic thing today. had breakfast in plant bistro , nice presentation of vegan foods
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Spent averagely rp. 250k per person, not bad. But, i prefer Rp. 25K nasi padang
 
Pain au chocolat last week

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And yesterday evening Chicken Francese (chicken breast in egg and flour, no breadcrumps).
The sauce is shallots, wine, chicken broth, lemon and butter. Thickened with corn flour.

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A bit of Asian food yesterday evening.
Beef in soy sauce, with long beans and mushroom.
One of the few Asian dishes I like. Discovered it in Thailand many years ago.

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