meal prep

Lontong has always been a part of my life, especially during Lebaran. As a child, I used to help my grandmother prepare ketupat, similar to lontong but wrapped in woven coconut leaves instead of banana leaves or containers. My job was to carefully stuff beras (raw rice in Bahasa Indonesia) into the ketupat shells, ensuring they were not overfilled. My grandmother would check my work, adjusting the rice levels to ensure they wouldn’t burst while cooking. The process was long and tedious—hours of boiling, waiting, and hoping for the perfect texture. When we finally cut open the ketupat, the excitement …

Opor Ayam is a staple dish during Lebaran (Eid al-Fitr) in Indonesia. This creamy, coconut-milk-based chicken stew is special in Indonesian culture, symbolizing warmth, togetherness, and family traditions. While Opor Ayam is enjoyed year-round, it is particularly essential during Ramadhan and Lebaran celebrations, served alongside sambal goreng kentang ati (spicy potato and liver stir-fry) and ketupat or lontong (compressed rice cakes). In this post, we’ll dive deep into the significance of Opor Ayam, its history, taste, variations, and essential tips to ensure a perfect dish every time. Opor Ayam: The Heart of a Lebaran Feast During Lebaran, Indonesian families gather …

Something unique about the smell of sambel goreng kentang ati takes me back to my childhood, a scent that filled the house with warmth and comfort. Growing up, my family would receive a besek (a traditional wooden box) filled with delicious treats, and sambel goreng kentang ati was often among them. I loved the moment we opened the besek and caught that tantalizing aroma of fried potatoes, chicken liver, and the savory sambal that could make anyone’s mouth water. This dish always holds a special place in my heart and reminds me of the wonderful times spent with family during festive seasons. …

There’s something incredibly comforting about the aroma of nasi kuning wafting through the house, instantly taking me back to my childhood. Growing up, my mother always made nasi kuning from scratch, a tradition deeply rooted in our family. It wasn’t just any dish but the centerpiece of every birthday celebration. When the sun rose on someone’s special day, you could almost bet the rice cooker was already bubbling away, the golden-hued rice slowly steaming, filling our home with a warm, fragrant scent that felt like a big, golden hug. In our house, nasi kuning wasn’t merely food—it was love served …

Kering Tempe is an Indonesian dish with a special place in my heart. Growing up, my mother would often pack this dish for me when I lived in a dormitory in Yogyakarta. If the food prepared at the dorm wasn’t to my liking, I could always count on the delicious Kering Tempe to fill me up. The crispy fried tempeh, crunchy peanuts, and savory-sweet sticky sauce made it the perfect comfort food. I would pair it with rice, which instantly became my favorite meal. Kering means “crispy” in Indonesian, perfectly describing the dish’s texture. The tempeh is fried until golden …