New recipes coming this weekend!

Thanks for being patient while I figure out this blog thing.  I downloaded a great template...or so I thought, until I found out that I needed to be able to write html code in order to add a recipe....I don't even know what html stands for much less how to decipher that endless page of nonsense.  So, I redid the blog, cooked a delicious chicken pesto pizza and will get back on track with the posts.

Recipes coming this weekend include:

• Chicken Pesto Pizza
• Bison Meatloaf with Red Wine Sauce
• Granola

Have a blessed weekend!

Tutmak, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Recently I discovered I've become quite the coffee snoot and am increasingly difficult to please where my java is concerned. Fortunately, a fellow coffee snob recommended Tutmak in Ubud to fulfill my caffeine needs. They roast their beans daily and very much cater to fussy westerners by offering both skim and soy milk.  Located next to the soccer field, with open airy seating, it is a choice spot to sit in the shade and watch the kids play soccer. According to my driver, Tutmak was the official caterer for the cast of Eat, Pray, Love during the 45 day Bali shoot.  Rumoured by the same source (who was also chauffeur for the shoot) Julia Roberts is a lovely person but not that pretty :-)

Tutmak
Warung Kopi
Jl. Dewi Sita
Ubud, 80571
Bali, Indonesia
0361 975 754
www.tutmak.com

Basil Pesto

There is nothing like fresh basil, or fresh herbs of any kind, in your cooking.  Even if you don't have a yard or green thumb, you can grow basil in a pot on a window sill.  Traditionally, most basil you find in the grocery store is sweet basil or Genova basil.  If you can find it (or grow it), there are a wide variety of basils that have wonderful flavors and make great pesto.  This year, I am growing sweet basil, Genova basil, Thai basil and African Blue basil.  All have a unique and wonderful flavor, but when combined into a basil pesto, you have a pesto with depth of flavor that you cannot achieve with only one variety.  If you decide to try your hand at growing basil, make sure you snip off the flowers as they come.  This forces the energy and nutrients of the plant into generation of big beautiful leaves perfect for your cooking.  Use your basil fresh with tomatoes, mozzarella and balsamic vinegar or make your own Margarita Pizza.  For long-term use, make a batch of pesto that can be put atop grilled chicken breasts or stirred into a pasta with olive oil or cream sauce.  Place 1/2 cup pesto into small freezer bags and you will have single-serving pesto for use all winter long.  The possibilities are endless!

Basil Pesto
I use a blend of basils, but use whatever you have available.  Do splurge and get a good extra virgin olive oil and cheese- it makes a world of difference!

4 cups basil leaves, cleaned
4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup nuts (pine or walnut)
5 oz. Parmesan cheese, grated (or I like to use a parm-romano blend)
salt and pepper to taste (around 1/4 tsp each)

In a food processor, blend basil, garlic, cheese, and nuts, adding the oil a little at a time.  Continue adding oil and blending until you have achieved the desired consistency (I like mine to be a thick paste).  Season with salt and pepper.  Enjoy!

Want an easy but delicious dinner?  Grill chicken breasts.  Add one tablespoon of pesto atop each chicken breast for the last 5 minutes of cooking.  Serve chicken with risotto and steamed zucchini.

Lamak, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Paying just a little extra in Ubud can you get you a creative meal and arty setting right down to the last detail.  At Lamak, even the placemats are unique in design.  As with such a place do make a visit to the loo to check out the mirrored ceilings, huge industrial doors and the kaleidoscopic tiles. Even the feedback form will give you a smile when you rate things such as the music by selecting: A. You should get the Emi Award; B Where can I purchase the CD?; C. I didn't fall asleep; or D. I need earplugs. The food is just as inventive with such things as carpaccio of beetroot with hazelnut vinaigrette and blue cheese or quail saltimbocca on red wine risotto and garlic gravy on offer.  The oriental salad with palm heart, Japanese green beans, tofu, bean sprouts, green leaves and miso vinaigrette was a winner at our table.  With the added value of an ample wine list (although pricey) and pick up service in the Ubud area, Lamak is deserving of a visit.

Lamak
Monkey Forest Road
Ubud, Bali
Indonesia
+62 361 974 668
ptlamak@indosat.net.id
www.lamakbali.com

Naughty Nuri's, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Naughty Nuri's is a carnivore's delight enticing you off the street with wafts of smoke and the mouth watering smell of barbecued pork ribs.  The ribs were clearly the reason this small street side restaurant was packed and at only 30000 rp for a giant serving there was at least one rack on every table.  Even if you're not a huge meat eater you must steal a couple off the plate of your buddies so that you don't miss out on the juiciest, tastiest morsels around. Naughty Nuri's also sells a delicious vege coconut curry at 25000rp making everyone happy.

Naughty Nuri's Warung
Jln Raya Sanggingan
Ubud, Bali
Indonesia
361 977547

Churros in Lima, Peru.

For the best Churros in Lima, Peru, do visit Manolo Churreria. Sooo good!

Manolo
Av. Larco 608 - Miraflores


Tel 511 444 2244
www.manolochurros.com

Mario's, Restaurant Week, Broadbeach, Gold Coast, Australia

I was fortunate enough to be on the Gold Coast during Broadbeach Restaurant week this year between the 15th and 24th of July. The event was a perfect excuse to try out some new places with over 35 participating restaurants offering three course set menus at $35 and $55.  Pictured above are some plates from the scrumptious Mario's on the pedestrian strip of the mall.  By now you probably know I'm a huge fan of pumpkin so couldn't go past the pumpkin and rocket salad tossed with parmesan, pine nuts and drizzled with maple mustard dressing.  For $14.95 you can get this as a lunch special with a glass of wine, tea, coffee or soft drink.  The pizzas are also a hit at Mario's and many locals will often recommend you try them here.  The special of the day was topped with marinated beef, roasted potato and pumpkin, spinach, onion and sour cream.  What a combination!  Anytime of year Broadbeach is a pleasant locale for outdoor dining so put it on your yum list. 

Mario's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria

The Oasis, Victoria Ave

Broadbeach Mall

Gold Coast

Australia

+61 (2)7 55921899

www.mariosrestaurant.com.au

marios-alto@netspace.net.au