What's your favorite holiday treats?

My take on answering Emily Mcdowell's pressing question; "What is your favorite holiday treats?"

1. Macaroni schotel, Potato Gratin, klappertart, vruchtensalade (fruit salad) and...
2. Roasted pork with andaliman sauce. Andaliman sauce makes it very North-Sumatran and no one... I repeat, no one can whip it better than my Grandma!
3. Speculaas cookies... hhhmmm #nom. I can eat stacks of them till my face is swollen!

ps: Coincidentally, I was interviewed for an article titled Ghost of Christmas Delights. Read it here:)

What's yours? Emily's answers below, I agree with her on NO straight eggnog. But I have no tolerance for anything minty in my food. I just do not get it.

Beer in many languages

I am a gin and tonic girl, no doubt about it. Enough to make it as one of the 'must haves' in the fridge aside from soy milk and coffe and cream.

But the past weeks, I have been hanging a lot (if not too often) with some of my beer-gulper fellas! I think I can deal with the taste, and how it gives you that throat freshening effect on a sizzling 32 degrees day! I am telling you Bali's been on fire as if it's trying to grill your skin!

I just found this cute map below. Dedicated to all of my friends who cannot stand a day without holding a bottle in hand. Cheers!

Pinterest

Insomnia Randomness

Just when I am about to head to the fridge to fix up a cold cheese sandwich and another glass of chocolate milk... I stumbled upon this one. Ouch. 

I rest my hunger case.

ps: If it was a Nasi goreng (fried rice) that I was targeting, this picture would not have any effect.

pinterest

Carrot Cake crave

It is one of those days when all you want is just anything sweet. True, even for a non sweet tooth like me, those days exist. Guess I should wait for tomorrow to come since it is almost 9 pm here and there is no way I can go out in time for a slice of a delicious and moist carrot cake. 

Yes, carrot cake. A dessert I fond the most. Tho... I think there is one thing wrong with it... the name. Carrot. Blah.

What is your craving today?

John Barricelli's from Martha Stewart

What your drink says about you

My sister was here two weeks ago and we hang out for drinks two evenings in a row. Her sweet best friend was also with us during the short Bali getaway.

Though we are really close- my sister and I, we never really got a chance to hang out in a bar with lot. So- truth be told; I did not know what her favorite drink was until she put this "about to throw up" face after one sip of my fave Gin and tonic that I ordered for her with such excitement.

I mean, how could you not like it?It is simple, refreshing, and it's Gin and tonic?! It has no drama, it is what it is, the color will never mislead you, and it does not get you to question "What else is in it?".

Luckily my second attempt worked; Pop colored cocktail drink with a sweet twist. An umbrella will do a bit of a touche finishing.  To the very last drop... cocktail be gone. That's her drink. I will keep that in mind. Sorry sweety:/.

I wonder... Do you believe that your drink can tell a lot about your personality? I read this cute article: " Personality and Drink "and cannot help to smile and cringe at the same time. 

Since I like gin and tonic.... this categorized my Personality as : Mature, has picky taste; knows what she wants. The article also give you a guide on how to Approach a Gin and Tonic lover : If she wants you, she'll send YOU a drink :))

How about you, sweethearts? What is your favorite drink? 

Read more to find out what your drink says about you .

Even at times when I am with my coffee :)

Collectible bottles

Back in the college years, I rented a big house with a few friends and one of my homey happened to be a bartender. Therefore, I gained a little interest about mixing up drinks . When I told my friend that I adore the bottles design (typography, labels, name, tagline etc) more than whatsoever is differentiating the liquid, he said that I should work in a place where design and art is the major lining.
My friend is gone now (God bless his soul), and he probably would never know that I am  doing exactly what he said to me years ago. I threw my bottle collections away the year I moved back to Jakarta for one and many reasons.

This page I found is like a sweet reminder of my friend, and how I still can be attracted to bottles design without having a single idea about the drink itself. That's okay, yes?

Anyway, you can use this as a gift guide. They look adorable!

1. 5th Gin – Water  |  2. Ginself   |  3. Both’s Old Tom  |  4. Small’s Gin  |  5. Geranium  |  6. The London Gin  |  7. Right Gin  |  8. Broker’s Gin  |  9. Aviation  |  10. Tub Gin  |  11. 5th Gin – Fire  |  12. Death’s Door  |  13. Breuckelen 

1. Joss  |  2. Lovejoy  |  3. Black Moth Truffle Infused Vodka  |  4. Jonah + the Whale  |  5. Pinky  |  6. Prairie Organic Vodka  |  7. Snow Queen  |  8. Belvedere Intense   |  9. Chopin  |  10. Valentine  |  11. Death’s Door

Holiday Cocktails

My " 'Tis the most wonderful time of the year" is just around the corner! Not only that  thinking about Christmas dinner, family gatherings and caroling makes me swell, I cannot seem to get rid off  the thought of holiday treats and drinks too! :). 

If you are that much of a queen at home and love being adored as a host, I am sure you will love to mix some of these drinks;

The Winter Wonderland, Spiced Caramel Apple Martini, Eggnog Martini, Candy Cane Lane, Turtle Doves,  Berry Merry Xmas, Kringle Kocoa, Café Caramel Martini

Star of Night Martini, Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake Dessert Shots, Reindeer Tracks .

The one below is my fave; Spicy GingerMan :)

Dear Ms. Rosemary Lamb

You have a very beautiful name, dear Rosemary... and your last name, one that identifies who you really are; Lamb. Oh, such a sweetness.

from Kiss My Spatula

Veggie or Fruity?

Not very often that I jot a posting about health. I read this on Reader’s Digest and want to share with you all. Which do you crave more: fruits or vegetables? These categories, easily spotted by whether you prefer savory or sweet. Which one are you? If in doubt, you can take the quiz . I am a big time savory eater, means I fall into the vegetable category and the test says so.

Best servings of fruit and veggies

Vegetable lovers Like: Bitter flavors and are more likely to try new things. Habits: Veggie lovers would take a glass of red wine over dessert. Interesting qualities: These people like to entertain and try new things. They are more likely to have dinner parties and cook nutritious meals.

Fruit lovers Like: Sweeter foods. Habits: They are more likely to take a look at the dessert menu. Interesting qualities: Fruit types tend to eat foods that take less time to prepare. They could actually have more sensitive taste receptors that make them detect a stronger bitterness in broccoli.

Either of these preferences is healthy overall since vegetables and fruits contain many of the same vitamins and minerals. However, cruciferous vegetables from the cabbage and broccoli family contain anti-cancer compounds that both types need. Well, friends of fruit lovers , you have to eat your vegetables too!

Italian-Inspired Summer Supper Menu

I read this on the fame Martha Stewart 's homepage. And now wishing to have a small pantry in the place where I am residing now, with a coffee machine of course. I don't think I have ever been to an eatery, bistro nor a coffee shop with this treat on the menu though. Well, if you are reading this and also living in Bali, would you mind telling me? Till then I think I can mix it up myself. Not sure if the taste will be just as precise but I will order both (gelato and an espresso , then do the trick while no one is looking :)

Affogato Recipe

Not so much of a sweet tooth

I can be girly, I can be artsy.But one thing I know for sure,I am not a sweet tooth. I say "No thanks" for dessert at the end of my meal. Usually because I had a big course but mostly because I don't feel the urge of having sugar. I react on caffeine better if an energizing boost is needed. But this afternoon... this cloudy afternoon i got a strong strong crave for a chocolate cupcake. I don't know why. Its probably just the way of my body is saying the needs of sugar, but why it has to be specific? Chocolate cupcake. Very soft buns and a bit bitter chocolate icing on top. Arrrrghh..... ( Trust me, I am not a sweet tooth).

martha stewart devil's food