Bali-Hai

Banana Pancake.
Altogether not a terrible way to start the day when complimented by some authentic rocket fuel Java and fresh fruit.

Arguably the best chicken satay, served on my own personal mini barbecue.
 Indonesia is the original 'home' of satay (spelled sate by the locals). 

Early evening activity enjoyed with KC, ES, and an amazing sunset.
Occasionally Mr. Travel Scrabble joined in on the fun.

The iconic South Pacific song was never far from mind on a recent jaunt to Bali.  I say jaunt (as in quick trip) because 26% of the total vacation time (actually 26.7% of 10 days, I actually did the math) was spent in transit between London and Taiwan, Taiwan and Bali, and Bali and Lombok (times 2). After extensive debate we decided that yes, we probably should fly back to London. I'm still questioning that decision.

While the trip itself was everything I’d hoped for, great friends, sunshine, beautiful scenery, local artisan shopping, and a bit of adventure – the one slightly lacking department was exceptionally tasty grub. 

Of my travels through Asia to-date I’d say Indonesian or specifically Balinese food was likely the most uninspiring.  The most traditional dishes are Nasi Goreng (aka Fried Rice) and Mie Goreng (aka Fried Noodles).  Influenced by a lot of different types of Asian food, the most distinguishable quality about Indonesian food was that it was, in a word, undistinguishable.  

That said, there were a few superior nuggets, the most of which were appreciated overlooking the Indian Ocean from the Alang Alang Beach Resort.  Most notable were their made-to-order fresh fruit cocktails, ala mango daiquiris, banana pancakes (which I ate 6 out of 8 mornings, KC eating 8 out of 8 mornings), roasted red snapper served with a garlic and ginger sauce, and one of the tastiest chicken satays I've ever had, served to my delight - on my own personal mini-barbeque.

Desserts on the holiday were limited to some questionable choices in restaurants. I had the most success with the local gelato shop on Monkey Forest Road in Ubud (cinnamon one day, passionfruit another).  

Would I go back to Bali again? Absolutely! Perhaps I might just do a wee bit more recognisance work before hand to hunt out the best places to get your grub on. I've no doubt they were there, but we were too busy doing (blissfully) absolutely nothing to really bother too much.  Funnily enough, fine with me. 

Birthday Merriment –Take Two

Smorgasbord of Treats

Cake. Meringue. Whipped Cream. Berries.  

Other Specialties I made: Puff pastry with lentils, Boston cream cupcakes, Pork gyozas

Channeling my inner Bardot

Like any good birthday girl I decided to extend my ‘special’ day over two weekends instead of one (clearly so I could simply eat more cake). 

The first in Munich with beers and pretzels larger than my head and the second with a Champagne/ cake/ nibbles party Chez Dana.

Planning for the party I relearned a few things about myself:

1.    1. I am a kitchen / dinner party control freak. 

Except for a few select friends, when the offer to bring food was made I politely declined and asked that instead folks bring a bottle of their favourite bubbles / wine.  One lovely friend, bless her beautiful little face, decided she might be hungry so ignored my direction and brought some Tesco cocktail sausages  and placed them (still in the cold plastic container) on my dining room table alongside artisanal cheeses, home-made pork gyozas, potato and cilantro fritters with crème fraiche and smoked salmon, and spinach lentil yogurt cumin puff pastry bites.  After waiting about 5 minutes I snuck around to the table and hid them behind a plant.

2.     2. I can’t stop with one dessert.

I couldn’t decide what type of birthday cake to make. I was torn between the infamous strawberry Blitz Torte, Boston cream pie cupcakes with homemade chocolate ganache and pastry cream, or a salted caramel and chocolate tart.  Being Miss Indecisive I made all three (naturally).  Oh yes, and a batch of trail mix bark (chocolate covered raisins, peanuts and pretzels) in case people got peckish for something sweet before the other desserts were served.

3.     3. I am happiest when people tell me I remind them of Brigit Bardot.

Ok, maybe it was just that fact that as an extra Birthday treat KC took me to get my hair coiffed before the party and it came out looking fabulously like Miss Bardot's in A Very Private Affair. I'd like to think it was more than just the hair - but let's be realistic. Regardless of why, it still had me positively glowing with Birthday excitedness!

Recipes available upon request. :-)