Imechapishwa: 28.04.2017
We set the alarm. Get up, mix smoothies and off we go.
Yesterday we booked an online Balinese cooking class. The anticipation is huge. This course was especially high on my to-do list at the beginning of the vacation.
We will be picked up by staff from the cooking school (Ketut's Bali Cooking Class) and visit the market in Ubud together. The market shows us the colorful diversity of Indonesia. This is what you imagine a market in Asia to be like. Fruit, vegetables, colorful clothing, spices, freshly slaughtered animals, still live eels, delicious sweets, flowers and handmade art.
Kadek (employee of the cooking school) shows us around and points out the spices and ingredients that we will be using today. After the tour of the market, we will be driven to the cooking school together with a Dutch couple. The school is located in the garden pavilion of a small house. the entire family of the cook helps with the preparation and organization so that we can enjoy the course without any open wishes.
Today morning, 6 other people have booked the course besides us, so the group has a very pleasant size. The cook goes through the individual ingredients of the dishes with us and tells us what makes Balinese cuisine special. His entertainer skills, with which he packages and imparts his expertise, create a very relaxed and casual atmosphere and make us feel comfortable from start to finish.
After the brief introduction, we get to work. Under instruction, we cut vegetables, mix sauces, and crush our spices. After we have prepared all the courses sufficiently, we cook.
We particularly like the fact that we can and are allowed to do most of the steps ourselves. The cook and the staff are present as constant contact persons, but let us do the work. The course is perfectly organized!
First the work, then the pleasure. Although actually the whole course is a pleasure. But the food is indescribably good. Mie Goreng (fried egg noodles with vegetables), Tempeh-Sate, Tofu Curry, vegetables in banana leaves, cucumber-tomato soup, and cooking bananas in palm sugar sauce with ice cream.
Completely full and satisfied, we are driven back to our accommodation after the meal and decide to lie by the pool and read in the afternoon.
Today's day and especially the cooking class were definitely one of the highlights of the trip so far. Super organized, funny, informative, and delicious. Our expectations were definitely exceeded. So it can go on :)