BALI- The Island of The Gods.

gourmetearth — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 15:07:00 GMT

Eat Drink Travel & Play Top Bali Experiences

Think of Bali and you instantly think of a fun sun loving island retreat and our travel experience was just that. Check out our top travellers tips and on how you can best Eat Drink Travel & Play when planning your next adventure to this tropical destination.

EAT

From Casual Cheap Eats to Fine dining experinces, Seminyak has it all.

SisterFields (Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch)

Sisterfields is a popular upbeat cafe found in the heart of Seminyak. This bright and groovy venue has the style and vibe of any iconic Sydney cafe with the service and food to match. A cafe where the in-crowd meet to enjoy all day breakfast or a great cup of coffee. With a push on all items including the cakes and pastries being made ‘in-house’ its evident that the food team at Sisterfields prides itself on local, seasonal produce. Choose from their signature pulled pork burger or decadent lobster rolls, a fresh and flashy salad selection or a gorgeous Acai bowl served with fresh berries and house made muesli prettier than a picture. When the say good food, company and coffee- they mean it.

Address: Jl. Kayu Cendana No.7 Seminyak, Kerobokan Bali

http://sisterfieldsbali.com

Open 7 days , 700am to 500pm.

Fine Dining

MerahPutih

Merah Putih certainly is the shiny jewel in the culinary crown when it comes to the Balinese dining experience. Indonesian food at its absolute finest and with the venue and service to match. The culinary talent in the kitchen has taken local favourites and almost magically spun them into delicious modern adaptions without losing the essence of what this humble cuisine is known for.

The hands down favourite (so much so we went back a second time within a week to enjoy it again) was the Tahu Isi Terong -mushroom stuffed crispy tofu. Trust me you’ve never tasted Tofu this good and probably wont in your lifetime again. Silken tofu generously stuffed with sautéed oyster mushrooms and coated with the most perfect crunchy outer-shell alongside a dollop of smokey eggplant sambal, and the result – perfection. I think we would all agree that is unadulterated kitchen talent to have a vegetarian dish as your show stopper. Other dishes worth a mention included the Balinese snapper cured with fresh ginger, green chilli and local lime and my dads choice the Suckling pig cooked traditionally a serve of pork cheek ,soy tum, spinach and crackling that shattered like glass.

We wined on spanish through to Italian and french wines which were all faultless recommendations. Merah Putih offered the complete dining out experience; fabulous food, incredible venue, a great wine list and wonderful service. It was an experience which rivalled hatted restaurants back home, the only difference in fact was a much more palatable price tag.

A must do Balinese dining experience.

Address: Jl. Petitenget No.100x, Kerobokan, Bali, Indonesia 80361

https://merahputihbali.com

Monday – Sunday: 12.00 – 15.00 / 18.00 – Late (Bookings recommended)

Local Eats

Warung Eny’s

Much alike the locals, traditional Balinese food is a humble cuisine and as such can be difficult to find. There was very little street food on offer on the streets of Bali there are however some quaint local eating houses which serve delicious local fare.

If you’d like to try some of the favourites, at a very cheap price, this is definitely worth a visit.

Drink

Coffee

Revolver Espresso Boutique Coffee House

Keeping your caffeine fix in check, the fun & funky local crew at Revolver Espresso will quickly resolve any pending caffeine withdrawal.

A cosy coffee house with funky eclectic decor, freshly roasted beans and the barista skills of any noteworthy café back home. Revolver Espresso is sure to keep your morning coffee ritual in check.

Found in two easy to find locations in Seminyak, Revolver Espresso is your go to for high quality, drink worthy coffee.

And bonus points as they deliver!

Revolver & Baby Revolver – Boutique Coffee House

Coffee, Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch
Jl Petitenget #102, Seminyak , Bali
t: +62 (0) 851 0244 4468

Jl kayu aya / Gang 51, Seminyak – Oberoi, Bali
t: +62 (0) 851 0088 4968

http://revolverespresso.com

Open 8am until 5pm everyday!

Cocktail & Bar

Potato Head Beach Club

Bali come Ibiza, Potato Head Beach Club is the shining star of the Bali’s bar and dining scene.

Ring ahead to book a cabana, sink into some seriously good cocktails, listen to the dreamy beats of some of Europe’s ‘up and coming’ Dj’s and watch the sun melt into the sea. PHBC truly does reach the dizzy heights of Bali’s top bar experiences.

PHBC features multiple restaurants, open bars, an infinity pool, performing DJ’s and fashion boutiques all dynamically connected throughout a three level amphitheater style design. PHBC truly is the place for the cool and the beautiful to be seen. And now with the added boutique accommodation, PHBC is the cooler than cool venue and must do Bali ‘Drink’ experience. An entertainment playground that casts its view out onto a sweeping Balinese coastline.

Cocktails, Tapas, Dinner

Jalan Petitenget 51B, Seminyak

+62 (0)361 473 7979

http://www.ptthead.com

Open 11:00am – 02:00am everyday!

Travel

Gili T

The largest of three small islands of the coast of Bali and Lombok, Gili T is that tropical island paradise you don’t actually believe exists. Bars and restaurants lining white sandy beaches where crystal clear, warm seawaters are less than a few feat away.

The most vibrant and developed of the Gili Islands, Gili T is well known to be a diving paradise by day and bar hoping party zone by night. Many expats are drawn to the allure of Island life in Gili T and with a high social drive expect to bump into at least a handful of Aussies, Dutch or English that now call the island home. As motor vehicles are banned on the islands you wont have to contend with traffic congestion or at least that caused by cars and scooters. Instead choose between your own two feet, a Cimodo (traditional small horse and cart) or bicycle as your mode of island transport.

Accommodation on the island spans from very modest, cheap and cheerful hostel accommodation to boutique villas and luxury five star resorts.

Be sure to soak up some local atmosphere at the local night markets and bundle yourself in amongst the hungry crowds of locals and travelers alike.Order an icy cold Bintang and feast under stars on freshly caught seafood cooked over roaring hot coals by GiliT locals.

Gili T

Diving, Relaxing, Dining

Accommodation: Gili Paradise

Getting There: You have 2 main options – Fast boat Transfer or Flying

Fast Boat transfer: There are many companies offering this service between Bali & Gili T, most via Lombok. If organised in advance they will usually include a pick up from your hotel in Bali to the Marina on the South East side of Bali (approx 2hr drive from Seminyak).

You can try any or the multiple operators: Blue Water & Gili Cat Island Express or Gili Getaway

Flying: There are flights between Bali and Lombok daily with both LION AIRLINES (JT) or GARUDA INDONESIA (GA), just be aware that you will still require a boat transfer between Lombok & Gili T.

Play

Scooter Ride

What ever way you look at it; adrenalin pumping, just plain crazy or hair-raisingly fun, zigzagging through the maze like streets of Bali on a hire scooter is a Bali ‘Play’ experience must do.

Be warned however, those who are sticklers for the rules or reliant on use of indicators need not apply. A touch of gusto and strong ability to handle your horn is what this experience is all about. Play it safe and wear a helmet, a requirement by law in most parts of Bali but one seldom followed by many western tourists.

TOP 5 Travellers Tips

Bali

- A $35 US equivalent ($50 Au) Visa Entry is payable on arrival at the airport. Payment is acceptable in cash (Australian or Us dollars) or via credit card.

- Blue Bird Taxis are your most reliable taxi provider throughout Bali. Just make sure the meter is turned on before departure. A typical charge from the airport to Seminyak is the equivalent of $20 AU.

- ATM’s and cash exchange centers are ample and accessible throughout the more central parts of Bali. Most convenient stores (Cocos and Seven Eleven) have ATM and cash exchange facilities.

- The ‘Don’t Drink Local Water ‘ rule still applies in Bali. Be mindful when showering and brushing your teeth that the tap water may be contaminated.

- Wifi access is available in quite a few cafes and restaurants, just ask your waiter when getting settled and they can direct you to any passwords

Passport & Plate - Dahl Tarka

gourmetearth — Mon, 2 Mar 2015 22:05:45 GMT

Ingredients
200 grams Chana Dahl, thoroughly rinsed with water and soaked for 1 hour.
1 large red onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cm Ginger, finely chopped
2 cm Fresh Tumeric, grated
4 Ripe tomatoes, diced
1 Tsp ground turmeric
2 ltrs Vegetable stock
2 long green chillies, sliced
Pinch Salt
1 bunch coriander, roots and stalks roughly chopped, leaves reserved
2 stalks fresh curry leaves
Splash of vegetable or olive oil

Tarka
6 Tbsp, Olive Oil
1 heaped Tsp each of brown mustard seeds, yellow mustard seeds, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds
2 long green chillies , finely sliced
Pinch Salt
8 Okra, sliced
1 Red Birds eye Chilli, finely sliced
Small Handful fresh curry leaves
2 French Shallots, thinly sliced
2 stalks fresh curry leaves

How to prepare this recipe
Method
In a large heavy based saucepan heat vegetable oil and sauté onion, ginger, garlic , curry leaves, fresh turmeric and coriander root until onion is browned. Add tomatoes, green chilli, chana dahl and stir through. Cover with vegetable stock, 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a to a simmer, cover and continue to cook until lentils tenderise and begin to break down. Roughly 40 minutes.

Just before serving, heat remaining olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat add shallots, and cook until well browned. Add the spices and cook until aromatic, the seeds will begin to ‘pop’ and release their beautiful flavour and scent. Stir through remaining ingredients, cook for a further 2-3 minutes or until okra just cooked.

Stir coriander leaf through dahl, divide between serving bowls and garnish with a generous spoonful or two of hot Tarka.

Serve with a freshly cooked roti or naan bread.

The story behind this recipe
Imagine the steamy bustling streets of old Penang. Hazy skies brought alight by a sluggish sunrise , the early morning clang and clutter of peddling rickshaws, whining scooters and swarms of pedestrians moving with chaotic intent to schools, workplaces and lively Wet markets. Early mornings in the streets of Penang were often the streets at their most vibrant, their best.

I have brilliant memories of eating fragrant soupy Dahl and roti changi (for breakfast would you believe) as a small shild in these balmy & bustling streets. Wafts of lentils brewing as they bubbled and stewed in huge open vats inside quaint Indian diners that speckled the street corners.

To the delight and I am sure amusement of many a Penang local, there I sat on a rusty metal stool, a small freckled, red head child of seven or maybe eight, slurping, dipping, scraping every last delicious drop of this golden delicious delight. How quickly I learnt that vegemite on toast was no competition for this local and most glorious speciality.

The very thought of eating this brilliant dish brings a huge smile to my face and a warmness to my heart. What truly makes this dish special is the Tarka, a finishing topping of spice infused hot oil, caramelised onion, crunchy curry leaves, okra and sweet green chilli. Wholesome yet incredibly moorish this meal magically transports me back to those humid & sticky malaysian days when I was just achild. It's a dish you will look for and crave one you’ve devoured your very first, life changing bowl.

Deliciously Dahl