Penne pasta with tempe and tomato sauce

As Indonesian, I grew up eating tempeh throughout my life; fried tempeh (tempe goreng), rice flour-battered tempeh (tempe mendoan), stir-fried tempeh (orak arik tempe), marinated tempeh (tempe bacem), tempeh cooked with chilli sauce (sampal tempe) etc.  When I switched to plant-based diet in July, I started using tempeh in my pasta sauce. One of my favorite recipes is this easy and yummy pasta sauce. 

For the pasta:
-Cook as per directions on the package. I  used organic, vegan penne. 

For the sauce: 

Adapted from here

- strained tomatoes (I used Pomi)

- onion, chopped

- garlic, minced

- 4 roma tomatoes, chopped

- maple syrup

- apple cider vinegar

- himalayan pink salt

- sambal Oelek

- tempe, cubed (I love Organic flax from Lightlife) 

Directions:

- simmer all ingredients in a pot 

- once it boils, add tempe to the pot

- stir often until the tempe absorbs the sauce and breaks into small pieces 

- pour into the cooked pasta, add fresh spinach and arugula, toss well

- stir in chopped fresh basil

3 Days in Seattle

Hubby and I travelled to Seattle for the weekend. It was a lot of fun and relaxing. Glad we built our trip around food and tea. Seattle is definitely a gourmet heaven for us. Here is an overview of the trip.

We arrived in Seattle around 9:00 a.m. on Friday and took the Light Rail to Westlake Station which was about 2.5 blocks from Hyatt at Olive 8.  We were starving when we arrived at our hotel. So I did a quick freshen-up then walked to Wild Ginger for our 11:30 a.m. lunch reservation. After lunch visited Robert Fornell studio in a beautiful setting of Lake Washington to pick up a couple of chawan. Stopped by the hotel to dropped off the chawan before strolling downtown then to Belltown neighborhood. Had dinner at Zoe -the food was phenomenal-. Walked around the neighborhood after dinner toward the Space Needle. Spent the rest of the evening enjoying the incredibly breathtaking view of downtown Seattle, suburban area and the water in three different settings; with late afternoon sun over the city, on sunset and at night.  Took the monorail back to downtown. 

We woke up early the next day and had breakfast at the hotel's Urbane Restaurant which was surprisingly delicious. Spent the morning on the 2-hour Pike Place Market food tour. (We're not big fans of arranged tour but would highly recommend this one). What a great way to explore the market and learn historical info! Tried delicious food from 10 great places during the tour that included dangerously delicious donut,  savory Russian piroshky pastries and renowned chef Tom Douglas' mini crab cake. Didn't need to get lunch after that. 

Late that day we took a bus to Ballard neighborhood. Walked around downtown Ballard, stopped by The Market Arms Pub in Ballard to take a peek at US vs England WC game on the way to Ballard Locks. Enjoyed outdoor concert performed by Highline Community Symphony Band at Ballard Locks. Ended our afternoon in Ballard with delicious Spring 2010 Oolong Teas from Taiwan with Shiuwen at her Floating Tea Leaves Teashop. Dinner at Green Leaf for a flavorful Vietnamese feast. Took a quick swim before going to bed and enjoyed a lap pool all to myself. 

Come Sunday, breakfast was back at hotel's Urbane Restaurant for its yummy zucchini & cheese frittata. Went back to Pike Place Market to pick up some goodies to take home from Beechers Handmade cheese, Chukar Cherries; Market Spice and Pappardelles' Pasta. Stopped by Le Panier for its super yummy croissant and pastries before exploring the market again. Lunch was a cup of award winning chowder for hubby and scallop bisque for me from Pike Place Chowder. Relaxed at the waterfront near the market and watched the bustle of Pike Market on Sunday. Had an early dinner at Etta's, then stopped by a Native American Art Galleries to see Northwestern Coast Native American art and artifacts on the way back to our hotel. Checked out from hotel, took the Light Rail to the airport to catch our 7:00 p.m. flight back to LA. A very eventful and enjoyable trip indeed.

5 Days in Malacca and Singapore

I went home again early this month to take mom to see a doctor in Malacca then to Singapore for a short vacation. The flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong then to Jakarta -both on Cathay Pacific- as always was great especially during the first leg as hubby was flying with me on his way to Manila. Arrived in Jakarta Sunday afternoon, relaxed at home on Monday then onto Malacca early morning on Tuesday. The trip went well and mom seemed to enjoy it. Both mom and I had been to Malaysia and Singapore before so we just took our time and had a very easy and short itinerary.  

Tuesday/April 6: Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur on Air Asia. From Kuala Lumpur airport hired a limo -which is actually a premium taxi- to Malacca. The drive to the historic port city of Malacca was easy and pleasant. About 2 hours later checked into Renaissance Melaka Hotel. Relaxed over afternoon tea at hotel's Famosa Lounge before heading to the hospital. After the hospital visit headed off on an old area around Christ Church. We started the day very early today so decided to forgo the River Cruise and Jonker Street. Rode in a colorful trishaw back to hotel via Chinatown. Dinner at hotel's Olio Italian Restaurant.

Wednesday/April 7: Went back to hospital in the morning then had a late breakfast at the hotel. Mom tried teh tarik and liked it. Hang out in the hotel until noon before leaving for Singapore. Had a pleasant 4 hour bus ride to Singapore. Checked into the Grand Hyatt Singapore early evening, Cakep arrived 30 minutes later. Had a delicious dinner at Crossroads Cafe at Marriott Hotel.

Thursday/April 8: Slept in and had a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Took MRT to Chinatown, cooled off with refreshing tea and lunch at Chinatown Heritage Center before heading back to hotel to relax. Dinner at Food Republic.

Friday/April 9: Had breakfast in the hotel then took a taxi to Singapore Botanic Gardens. Spent a couple of hours in National Orchid Garden. Had lunch at Casa Verde inside the gardens before headed back to hotel. Walked around Orchard in the afternoon, tried Singapore Laksa at the Canteen (Shaw Center) then relaxed in the room for the rest of the afternoon. We're all still full by dinner time so we decided to just grab some snack items and teas from the hotel's club lounge.

Saturday/April 10: After breakfast at the hotel, took MRT to Chinatown again. The plan was to explore less-crowded spots of Chinatown so we could enjoy the architecture in the area. Alas it was pouring rain by the time we got off the MRT at the Quatram Park station. We decided to go back to our hotel then walked around Orchard until noon. Checked out from the hotel, took a taxi to the airport then flew back home on ValuAir/Jetstar Asia Airways.

Meals on the plane

I went back to Indonesia for a family emergency last month and stayed home most of the time. While I didn't get a chance to eat out during my stay, I enjoyed my meals on the plane. Was pleased to find the Oriental Breeze - Cathay Pacific's non-alcoholic signature drink- was on the menu on the outbound flight. Oriental Breeze (pictured on the left) has become my favorite drink since I tried it for the first time 5 years ago. It's a sour--plum tea and cranberry juice with honey, fresh lemon and a hint of rose water. It's refreshing, delicious and very aromatic. 

On my flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong: appetizer was shrimp and pineapple plus lobster salad. 

For the main course, I chose salmon and ended the meals with cheese platter

After a few good hours of sleep, I got hungry again and was served a bowl of noodle with duck breast and and vegetables when I asked for a midnight snack. I was worried the duck meat would be very fatty but was pleasantly surprised it wasn't. I didn't eat the skin and the meat was tender and tasty.  

For breakfast, I started with fruits, then a bowl of muesli and fried noodles with dumplings as the main course. At the same time, I also managed to eat two muffins - always like Cathay Pacific muffins which were delicious!

I was still full when breakfast served on board from Hong Kong to Jakarta. So I opted out for most meals offered except for muffin (of course) and dim sum. The muffin as usual was good, but the dim sum was so so.

On my flight home, I was not very enthusiastic taking pictures of the meals. I just lost my father and I was having a real hard time grasping the reality that he is no longer with us.....

A little taste of Japanese ancient customs: A night at Shiraume Ryokan in Kyoto

While living in Miyanoshita, Hakone in 1991, I had the honor of being invited to a private Japanese tea ceremony in a classic Japanese room at Kikkaso-Inn, the former Imperial family summer villa in Miyanoshita that was built in 1895. Couldn't ask for a better place to experience it! I was blown away and humbled by the experience. The experience that stayed with me for a long time and that made me dream of staying at a ryokan. My dream finally came true almost 2 decades later when we stayed at this lovely Shiraume Ryokan in Kyoto last month.

Shiraume Ryokan is located in this picturesque little street in one of the historical areas near Gion district.

loved the entrance...

When we arrived, we were greeted by Satoko-san who helped us with our luggage and took us to our room, Umezono on the second floor where we were served Japanese green tea and sweets. 

Umezono has a private bath (made of hinoki cypress wood) and a view of a serene garden and Shirakawa Stream. 

Since we wanted a full Ryokan experience, we booked a room with Kaiseki dinner and breakfast - both served in our room. Our 12-course dinner was just outstanding. Tomoko-san, the owner, who personally served us during both dinner and breakfast, explained that the ingredients for Kaiseki meals are carefully chosen and properly prepared according to the season and artfully presented to reflect the nature shapes and color. To maintain freshness, each course is served right after it is prepared. Every time she brought in the food, Tomoko-san took the time to explain what we were going to enjoy. I couldn't remember all the details of each meal, but in addition to fugu - the infamous Japanese fish that people risk their lives to eat it - there were appetizer, a bowl of clear fish soup, beautifully presented sashimi, jelly dish, baked dish, vegetable dish, seared duck breast, deep fried dish, tempura, rice and pickles and dessert.

                     appetizer - light, delicious and beautifully presented  

                   

                                

                                

      I slept like a baby in this comfy futon 

The Japanese breakfast was fabulously delicious. I especially liked the Japanese rolled omelette. 

After breakfast we hanged out in our room enjoying the classic, elegant and tastefully done decor and watching the world go by while listening to the stream outside. Staying at Shiraume was simply one of the best experiences in my life that I will never forget! 

Jakarta, November 2009

Beautiful pictures of Bunderan HI (HI roundabout) Jakarta at dawn viewed from hotel room.

and on a normal day...

I was in the city for 10 days last month and as always, had a great visit. In addition to spending time with family and doing some work, I attended a half-day workshop about making batik (mostly tracing over the design on a cotton cloth with hot wax using canting) held in Museum Bank Mandiri. It was a fun activity in a beautiful setting. I would do that again for sure.

18 hours in Narita, Japan

On my way home on JAL, I was transiting in Narita. It was already dark by the time I arrived at my hotel. So after freshening up a little bit I went to the nearby restaurant just across the street, spotted from the shuttle bus earlier. It was a noodle house. What a perfect meal to have in a cold and rainy night like that evening! But I went for a bowl of rice, vegetable stir fry and one hard boiled egg as they used pork for the broth. It was the lightest, simplest and tastiest stir fry I ever tried! 

This wasn't my first trip to Japan. I lived in Miyanoshita in Hakone for about 3 months in the early nineties. That was some time before I was really interested in food.  But I do remember after returning to Indonesia, I found myself often craving for sushi which was not available in the city where I lived at that time. I didn't even like fish before I came to Japan!  Fast forward, early in the morning after breakfast, I took a shuttle from the hotel to Keisei Narita Station. 
It was very cold in Narity City. I rushed to Doutor Coffee outside the station for a cup of hot chocolate and Japanese pastry and sat around to enjoy my morning. 

Then walked down to this cute Omote-Sando path

 to Narita-san Shinsyo-ji Temple (pictured below). 

From the temple, after exploring the side streets I went back to Omote-Santo path in hopes to find a restaurant that was already open so that I could enjoy unagi for (early) lunch. I loved unagi (eel) and heard that unagi is Narita City's speciality. So I had to try it. To my disappointment, the city was still pretty dead. 

Several restaurants were just getting ready to open their doors for their customers by the time I had to go back to the station to catch the shuttle back to my hotel. Sigh...

Saw this gentleman bake senbei (Japanese rice crackers) on my way to the station, so got some to snack on the plane and for my family in Jakarta.  

Glad to find onigiri at the hotel's convenience store. Grabbed a couple of those to munch on while waiting for hotel shuttle to take me back to the airport.