Tofu Served with Basil Spice

For Asian people, tofu is not a strange food anymore the food ingredient is in white cubical form and sold widely throughout Bali. Lexically, the word tahu in Bahasa Indonesia and Balinese has spent a long passage of time from its origin. It’s derived from the word tofu (Japanese) and from Chinese ‘dòu’ (beans) and ‘ fE’ (turn sour). It has been adapted to local food for a long time. So, it is not astonishing to find tofu also combined with local tum (minced meat and spice wrapped in banana leaf or the like) cookery.

Here is a recipe that uses tofu as its main ingredient, it is combined with a typical flavor of green basil leaf.

Ingredients: 250g tofu, green basil leaf

Spice: 2 cloves shallot, 1 clove garlic, ¼ tsp coriander, 1 cm kencur, 1 cm turmeric, ¼ tsp pepper, ½ tbsp palm sugar, 1 tsp salt 1 red chili, 20 ml cooking oil

Method:
1) Tofu is cut into small cubes then fried half-done.
2) All spices are ground and stir-fried by using 2 tbsp of cooking oil until fragrant.
3) Add palm sugar and salt into the spice and stir well. Later, pour half-done tofu and basil leaf. Stir for a while, then take out. It’s ready to serve.
(BTN/pun)

“Taste of Indonesia” in Windhoek

The Indonesian Embassy in Windhoek celebrated the 59th Indonesia Independence Day (Monday, 13th September) by presenting Balinese dances and Javanese gamelan (music instrument) with various Indonesian foods. The celebration took place at the Indonesian Ambassador residence and was presented by Defense Minister of Namibia, Errki Nghimtina, other of Namibian government officials, diplomatic corps members and the partnership of the Indonesian Embassy in Windhoek.
The Indonesian Ambassador of Namibia, Gede Putu Artisme said that the process of Indonesian Independence was heading through a long tough sacrifice and struggle that spans more than 300 years. Namibia and Indonesia were both anti-colonialist countries, so a similarity in spirit arises within both countries. “Diplomatic relations between Indonesia - Namibia has existed for 13 years and had produced a strong partnership,” he said.
The Defense Minister of Namibia in his reply attached many thanks for this friendship that existed over the years. He said that the visit of Namibian President, Dr. Sam Nujoma, to Indonesia in 2002 was concrete evidence of the strong relationship between Indonesia and Namibia
The event was enlivened with Balinese dance, Baris dance and Taruna Jaya Dance, whilst the special Kecak Dance danced through collaboration between Indonesian Embassy and Elementary Education, Sport and Cultural Ministry of Namibia. The art group “Ondunga” from Katutura, Namibia also participated in the dance. They were practicing for about four times a week since July 2004, trained by the Balinese dancer, I Wayan Wija.
This Anniversary celebration received wide coverage from printed and electronic media such as The Namibian, Republikein, New Era, the Economist, Allgemeine Zeitung and Namibian national, NBC.
(BTN/*)