KUWAIT: The Indonesia Embassy held an event (lunch) for officials as part of the "Indonesia Spices up the World” at the Official Residence of Indonesia. Speaking to Kuwait Times, Indonesian Ambassador Lena Maryana, said "The Indonesian cuisine is a rich tapestry of flavors and ingredients. Today, we introduce five main dishes from Indonesia that is sure to captivate and delight Kuwaitis and other Middle Eastern food lovers.”
She added: "The unique blend of spices, some known and some new, adds to the allure of these dishes. For instance, while you may not be familiar with galangal a Southeast Asian spice similar to ginger or candlenut, which resembles macadamia but must be cooked before consumption, these ingredients contribute to the distinct flavors that make Indonesian cuisine so special.”
The Ambassador noted that Indonesia is not just about its delicious food; it is also a land rich in culture and breathtaking tourist destinations that makes a visit to Indonesia an unforgettable experience. During the lunch many traditional dishes were served to guests. The Ambassador said, "Today we served five amazing Indonesian dishes. The first one is Nasi Goreng, which is a fried rice typically made with Kecap Manis a sweet soy sauce, shallots, garlic, tamarind, and chili. It is often served with fried eggs, prawns, or chicken, and garnished with pickled vegetables and krupuk (crackers).”
"The second dish is chicken Satay - the skewers of marinated chicken are grilled and served with a savory peanut sauce. Third one is beef rendang known as one of the most delicious dishes in the world. It is a slow-cooked dry curry made with beef simmered in coconut milk and a mixture of lemongrass, galangal, garlic, turmeric, ginger, and chilies,” she added.
She continued, "The fourth dish is Gado-Gado, a mixed vegetables with peanut sauce, where it is considered as the Indonesian salad but also can be the main dish in some cultures. The last is Soto Ayam, a flavorful chicken soup, made with turmeric, lemongrass, lime leaves, and shallots. It is often served with boiled eggs, vermicelli, and crispy fried shallots.”
The Indonesian ambassador revealed at the end of the event that her embassy will hold the Indonesian week, stating "The Indonesian Week will be for the small and medium enterprises, trade, and people investment and also for the cultural mission, etc. In addition, we will have a fashion week. This event, known as Amazing Nusantara, will highlight Indonesia’s rich heritage and the development of its new capital city, Nusantara that will be by 2045.”