Clear Chicken Soup, A Taste on the Feast Day

The Festivity season for the Hindus in Bali has come. This month, right on 29 November, they celebrate the Galungan feast day falling every six months in Balinese pawukon system or 210 days. From early in the morning, devotees worship solemnly at temples, starting from the family temple to village temple. They do not only worship the Almighty God but also pay heartfelt tribute to their ancestors. This celebration will transpire for ten days and end on the Kuningan Day.
One day before the Galungan, they have completed some preparations such as the offerings, ritual paraphernalia cakes and food. Some food will be presented to God, ancestor and delivered to relatives. One of the typical foods cooked at this festivity is clear soup or komoh other than urutan (Balinese sausage), tum (minced meat wrapped in banana leaf), lawar (chopped meat with cooked vegetables) and many more. As some people do not consume pork meat, as an alternative chicken dish will be prepared as well for consumption.
Komoh is normally made from selected chopped pork along with its sliced skin, grilled heart and then poured into boiling water. After that, it is added with fried complete Balinese condiment, fried shallot, squeeze of kaffir lime, sliced fresh chilli and salt (to taste). As an alternative, chicken can be used to make this special dish. (BTN/029)

Pomegranate, Hundreds of Sweet Gemstone Inside

At a glance, the pomegranate or Punica granatum looks like an apple. In fact, when we look at it closer, it hides a smooth angle on its round shape. Its leaves are small and long and have sharp thorn on every twig. When perfectly ripe, its skin turns glossy yellow. This fruit historically originated in the area between the Balkans and the Himalayas. Today, it has spread out across the Asian region and even beyond. This fruit has a leathery, yellow to red skin containing many seeds in a white (also pink of another kind), juicy, and somewhat acid pulp. It’s just like a precious ruby stone.
Pomegranate is one of home garden plants commonly found in Bali. It can be said that its presence at the Balinese house compound is remarkably significant. However, it is not widely cultivated yet but only planted for two or three trunks at the house compound or within the area of family temple. As a religious community this fruit is extensively used as filler of oblation in Hindu rituals. Additionally, this versatile fruit can also be employed for herbal ingredients or consumed as snack fruit. (BTN/029)