Avocado Drink

Ingredients

• 5 Tablespoons sugar
• 5 Tablespoons water
• 2 avocados, peeled and pit removed
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup chocolate milk
• Ice, crushed

Procedure

1. To make the simple syrup, combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium to high heat.
2. Stir until clear. Remove from heat and let cool.
3. Spoon out the avocado pulp and place in a blender.
4. Add the syrup and blend to mix, then add cold milk and blend.
5. Divide the mixture between two tall glasses. Top each serving with ½ cup chocolate milk (to form a separate layer) and crushed ice.

Makes 2 servings.

Chili and Soy Sauce

Ingredients

• 6 Tablespoons dark soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 3 small fresh green chilies, sliced
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 Tablespoons lime (or lemon) juice
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed and finely chopped

Procedure

1. Place all the ingredients in a small saucepan and cook over a medium to low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
2. This sauce adds an excellent taste when poured over plain rice.

Serves 4.

Steamed Egg and Coconut Milk Pudding

Ingredients

• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
• ½ cup water
• 8 large eggs, beaten lightly
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla
• 4 cups coconut milk (canned is acceptable)

Procedure

1. Cook the granulated and brown sugar in water over low heat for 3 minutes, or until the sugars are completely dissolved and form a syrup; let the syrup cool.
2. Whisk in the eggs, salt, vanilla, and coconut milk.
3. Pour the mixture into a 2-quart heat-proof dish and steam over hot water for 15 minutes, or until the pudding is firm.
4. Serve warm or chilled.

Serves 8.

Sweet Potato Fritters

Ingredients

• 1 pound sweet potatoes
• ½ cup coconut, grated
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 Tablespoons packed brown sugar

Procedure

1. Scrub sweet potatoes, place them in a large saucepan. Cover with water and boil until soft (about 20 to 30 minutes). Drain and allow to cool.
2. When cool enough to handle, peel and mash the potatoes in a mixing bowl. Add in coconut, vanilla, and salt and mix thoroughly.
3. Preheat oven to 450°F.
4. Shape about ⅓ cup of the potato mixture into a round pancake, put 1 teaspoon of brown sugar in the center, and roll the pancake into a cylinder about 3 inches long and 1 inch in diameter.
5. Repeat the procedure with the remaining sweet potato mixture and brown sugar.
6. On a lightly oiled baking sheet, bake the fritters for 15 minutes.
7. Serve at room temperature with coffee or tea.

Makes 6 fritters.

Spicy Fruit Salad

Spicy Fruit Salad is considered Indonesia's national salad.

Ingredients

• 1 medium-sized can pineapple chunks
• 2 bananas, peeled and chopped
• 3 green apples, peeled and chopped
• 1 small cucumber, peeled and sliced

DRESSING:

• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 Tablespoon dark soy sauce
• ½ cup dark brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons lime (or lemon) juice

Procedure

1. Place all fruits and vegetables into a bowl and mix thoroughly.
2. In a separate bowl, combine dressing ingredients.
3. Pour the dressing over the fruits and vegetables. Chill before serving.

Serves 4 to 6.

Coconut Milk

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried coconut
• 2 cups warm water

• Procedure

  1. Place the coconut in a pan and cover with the water.
  2. Allow to soak for 20 minutes and then squeeze the coconut very hard to produce a milky liquid.
  3. When the coconut milk has been added to a dish, it will need to be constantly stirred at first to avoid separation.

Fried Rice

Ingredients

• 1½ cups cooked and cooled long grain rice
• 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed and finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
• Pinch of dark brown sugar
• Pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper

Procedure

1. After preparing the rice, heat the oil in a wok or saucepan and add the onion, garlic, and chili powder.
2. Add the rice, soy sauce, and sugar and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste.
3. Combine and stir well, cooking for 5 to 6 minutes.
4. If the mixture becomes too dry, add some water, or even a beaten egg.
5. Remove from the heat and serve on a large plate.
6. Garnish as desired.

Makes 4 servings.