From the Eastern Plains to the Far East: Cooking Class in Ubud

At home everyone probably works with one or two travelers. When you're heading somewhere thats a little off the beaten path, this person has always been there or at least in the same region and can offer some advice. Imagine working in a community where everyone is a world traveler and has advice when you are planning a trip. This is our school community. Most of the teachers aren't here to learn chinese, they're here for the experience of living in another culture and for the travel opportunities that the job allows. Also, we all like to share these experiences so you can learn some do's and don'ts in regards to your next place of travel. A coworker of mine recommended this cooking class in Bali. I knew it wasn't just a typical place when she said that she'd returned to the same class on two separate visits to the Bali. Bri, Brooke, Tyler and I decided this was a place to visit during one of our days in Ubud and we were not disappointed. I think the best way to share this day is using pictures alone.

Balinese families live in small, walled compounds. One of the fun parts of the class is that we were in the families home for the day. This is the extravagant main gate for the family compound.

This photo is from the open dining area across the back yard into the kitchen preparation area.

This was our view over the short backyard wall for the morning and afternoon. You could see various fruits hanging from the trees.

When we arrived all of the ingredients were laid out beautifully. There was still more prep work to do however.

The fire pit area of the kitchen.

Here they are boiling fresh coconut water until there is only coconut oil remaining. Then we used the coconut oil later for stir frying.

This mortar and pestle are used to make the yellow paste that was used in a lot of the dishes. There was about 17 ingredients in the paste.

Tyler is making the peanut sauce that was mixed with vegetables to make gado gado.

Following orders like we're in my Granny's kitchen.

Carefully observing our feast being cooked.

Tyler and I are making a hot and sour mushroom soup.

Tyler and Brooke putting on a nice show for the camera. I however remember that Tyler had just said something stupid and was getting the stink eye from Brooke as we awaited our first course.