food Archives - Serendipity Mommy

6 Delicious Jakarta Street Food That Will Make Your Doctor Frown

November 15, 2019 by Mandy

With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is considered to be the largest archipelagic country in the world. The metropolitan area of its capital city, Jakarta, is home to more than 31 million people, making it the second largest city in the world next to metro Tokyo in terms of population. As the city draws more people from different regions of Indonesia and from different countries, Jakarta’s food culture also continues to evolve and absorb new influences.

The food in Jakarta—especially the street food—are some of the most decadent and flavourful in the world. That’s why while visiting the city’s attractions on your Jakarta tour package, you should make sure not to miss out on the unique gastronomic adventure that only Jakarta’s must-try street eats can offer.

Satay (Sate)

Start off your food crawl with one of the most iconic dishes in Indonesia (and probably the healthiest in this list). Satay, a grilled meat skewer dish, originates from the island of Java and comes with endless varieties such as goat, pork, beef, chicken, and more. While similar to other meat skewers like yakitori in Japan and shish kebab in Turkey, satay is dipped in a unique peanut butter and soy sauce mix whose flavour can vary depending on the vendor’s recipe. In addition, the portion of meat is deliberately kept small so you can taste more variety of satays without getting prematurely full.

Stuffed Pancake (Martabak)

Martabak is a fried “pancake” that comes in two main varieties: savoury or martabak malabar, and sweet or martabak manis. The savoury variant comes with a stretched wheat dough that’s fried, then layered with an egg mixture that includes minced meat and shallots. The excess dough is folded to make a rectangular “pancake,” then sliced into bite-sized pieces. Meanwhile, the dessert variant of martabak uses pancake batter and is layered with a variety of death-defying ingredients like margarine, butter, condensed milk, chocolate, sprinkles, cheese, and Nutella. Needless to say, if you are diabetic, you’d better stay away from this dessert, as tempting as it is!

Fried Foods (Gorengan)

Gorengan is at the top of the most popular street food for locals. These carts often appear at the most opportune times to save hungry commuters from Jakarta’s legendary traffic.

Gorengan literally translates to “fried things,” and these “things” vary widely depending on who’s selling them. From sweet pineapples to savoury tofu, there’s no way to tell what could be under all that flour batter unless you ask! What’s more, people don’t even mind that the oil is so black from being reused countless times. As long as the mystery fritter is piping hot and crispy, it’s all good.

Duck Egg Omelet (Kerak Telor)

Kerak telor is one of the traditional Betawi dishes of Jakarta with a unique cooking method. The omelet starts with glutinous rice, coconut, and egg mixed together, then carefully spread on the surface of the wok. Next, the wok is turned upside down over the fire to roast the omelet. It’s unclear how the mixture defies gravity, but after a topping of fried shallots and dried shrimp, you get a crunchy roasted rice omelet that’s unlike anything else you ever tasted.

Grilled Bread (Roti Bakar)

For breakfast, the locals usually go for a “ropita” or “roti bakar.” These are thick toasts that come with a variety of toppings like strawberry, chocolate, and cheese. As if there are not enough sweets on this breakfast, condensed milk is drizzled generously on top to finish it off.

If you’re really testing the limits of your pancreas, you can up the sugar level even further with the additional scoops of ice cream!

Fried Banana (Pisang Goreng)

One of the favourite quick snacks in Jakarta is the pisang goreng or fried banana fritters. Before coating the banana with the usual flour batter, it’s sliced thinly and spread out like a fan. This ensures a wider and flatter surface for a crispier banana fritter. Another thing that separates this fried banana from similar dishes in Singapore and the Philippines is the sambal dip that comes with it. It adds a spicy kick to the rich and oily snack.

Jakarta has such a wide variety of rich street food that tasting them all might put you in a serious food coma. If you ever find yourself in this megacity hungry and craving for sweets, be sure to have your insulin shots ready because the city is going to indulge you, big time!

To Your Health: Choosing the Right Detox Plan for You

September 17, 2019 by Mandy

Your body needs to flush out dregs of oily food, sugary drinks, alcohol, and drugs periodically. And while it has ways of dealing with toxins, the process can take time, and the results are sometimes not visible at all.

Detoxification can hasten this process, hinging on a promise to cleanse the body of substances that can harm it. As it is familiarly known, detox also aims to provide recovery time to the digestive tract, which is at the receiving end of all eating and drinking decisions. For some, they rely on detox to lose or manage weight.

How effective is detoxification? That depends on a lot of things, such as these points outlined below.

Know Your Detox Program

These are the most common methods to cleanse:

Fasting (e.g., not taking in food or fluids intermittently)
Following a strict diet of fruits or vegetables
Juice cleansing to get vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables. In some cases, drinking only specific types of liquids.
Taking dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals
Colon cleansing, which is done initially to prepare for a colonoscopy. You’ll drink lots of water or infusions. Some also use enemas for this approach.
Exercising to sweat out the toxins
Staying away from cigarettes and coffee

Some people combine one, two, or more of these programs.

Identify Your Goal for Detox

Each of the abovementioned methodologies serves a purpose. If you are after weight loss, then your regimen will center on restrictive foods and juices or fasting to use your fat reserves. Colon cleansing hits closest to the digest tract. Some also take dietary supplements to get rid of drugs in their system within five days, for example.

As it is, there is no one-size-fits-all method for detox plans. What works for you may not work for some and vice versa. You can go through many options, study each one of them, and see how they align with your current goals.

Love Your Gut

The health of the digestive system is at the heart of a detoxification program. You have to ensure that your gastrointestinal tract is fine amid changes in your diet and lifestyle.

Eat these foods rich in the following:

Probiotics—kimchi, fermented vegetables, and sauerkraut
Prebiotics (fiber)—banana, onion, and garlic

Also, go slow on sweets and sugary foods, or banish them from your to-eat list. Is your stomach in knots lately? Stress can affect the functioning of your gut, so you need to manage your day-to-day affairs better.

Stick to Safety

Consider your body and medical conditions that may be aggravated or exacerbated by your chosen detox program(s).

Ponder on these points:

If you have kidney problems, be cautious about consuming large quantities of juices. They may contain oxalate, a waste product that has been a leading cause of kidney stones.
When you detox in the form of laxatives, tea, and coffee products, you are likely to experience diarrhea. Just be mindful of this “inconvenience”—read the instructions—when you have plans for the day.
Juices are not a substitute for a full meal. One of the nutrients that get lost when you extract the juice of an apple or any fruit, for that matter, is fiber.
While you can survive with no food for a few hours, you may have to deal with headaches and dehydration.
Be careful with enemas because they may cause far more harm than good.

For all the potential benefits that detoxification offers, make informed decisions. Find out what works best for your current needs and your body. Ultimately, you want to get rid of toxins and keep yourself fit and healthy.

Coffee Flavors Rule The World

January 10, 2019 by Mandy

The countries that grow all the coffee used around the world come from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, Uganda, Ethiopia, India, Columbia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Brazil. Coffee needs a certain amount of high latitude rainfall, seasonal tropical environments, and certain alkaline soil. In the U.S., only California and Hawaii are able to be competitive coffee bean growers.

These countries provide all the requirements for coffee beans to grow very healthy. As a high-quality production product, coffee is the third most consumed beverage in the world and is the world’s second-highest traded product. The varied flavors of coffee spark memories of individuals, travels, culture, palate, and fun!

When you talk about the flavor of coffee, the brand name that we often think about is Starbucks. Brand name coffee companies offer you flavors like vanilla, mocha, caramel, cinnamon, all with a touch of sweetness, tart, fruity acidity, and smoothness. A leading coffee syrup manufacturer, Monin, offers you deliciousness in the form of coffee syrup which adds a personal touch to your coffee drinking experience. Monin offers many delicious, guilt-free, sugar-free syrups and products. Monin has a vast collection of the world’s finest flavors available in more than 140 countries.

Coffee lovers are enjoying coffee drinks like:

*Cappuccino

*Espresso

*Frappuccino

*Iced coffee

*Latte

*Latte macchiato and more.

The different flavor of coffee today is nothing new. In the Middle East, around a hundred years ago, the citizens were drinking coffee flavored with spices. In this modern age, you can enjoy flavored coffee in any flavor your little heart desires. Coffee flavors have become such a gourmet experience both for the public and individuals in the privacy of their homes that “cupping” events take place consistently. Cupping contains its own specialized following with books written by coffee flavoring experts, plus there is a professional coffee taster’s flavor wheel that identifies the many aromatic flavor compounds found in coffee categories.

Simply put, coffee cupping is the practice of coffee tasting. The coffee cupping technique involves inhaling the coffee aroma, then slurp it toward the back of the tongue to receive the full coffee taste and texture. The more experienced cuppers can tell what area that the coffee flavor comes from or where it was grown. Cuppers give their opinion on each coffee’s characteristics, like the following:

*Aroma – cuppers can smell if the coffee is floral, fruity, etc. and what the undertones are.

*Flavor – a cupper’s taste buds can describe the coffee’s taste and flavoring

*Acidity – acidity in coffee before you add a creamer or whip cream stands for its acid content which is lower than alcoholic drinks and juices. Its acid content is a determining factor in how it tastes naturally.

Let’s talk about popular coffee flavors that include roasted and brewing while we also learn about the most unusual coffee flavors in the world. Now, these unusual coffee flavors are packaged and sold on the market:

maple bacon coffee – yes you will taste pork flavoring in your coffee. Goes well with breakfast.
Weasel puke coffee – this coffee is actually made from the poop left behind weasels who have eaten regular coffee beans. The poop is cleaned and roasted just for you.
Chipotle coffee – this coffee is made from dry chili.
Monkey spit coffee – this is also true. Monkeys are given coffee beans to suck on. It is known that they will spit the beans out, believe it or not. The beans that are spat out have a vanilla flavoring, thus your monkey spit coffee beans are borne.
Cat and bird feces coffee – this Indonesian coffee is made from the poop of cats who have eaten coffee beans. The poop is washed and roasted for your enjoyment. Bird poop from Brazil is also a hit here in the U.S. as an exotic coffee drink. Yes, there is other animal poo which is used to make coffee blends, but I think that I have disgusted you enough so I won’t mention the elephants.

Despite how you enjoy your coffee flavors, the flavor of coffee changes your day. Just a good cup of coffee can start your day on a high note. During the middle of the day, coffee helps to bring your stress levels down enabling you to feel more relaxed. Not only does the flavor of coffee invite you to enjoy a cup, but its aroma brings you joy. The flavor of coffee is based in its brewing process. It is an exciting experience in trying various coffee flavors and it is an experience that people around the world continue to enjoy daily.

10 Fun and Healthy Recipes For Kids

May 2, 2018 by Mandy

Are you trying to find snacks for your kids that are both fun and healthy? Here are some great healthy recipes for kids that they’re going to love.

Do you have a house full of picky eaters? Is trying to get your kids to eat healthy an everyday battle? Are you tired of making healthy meals and then having to throw them out because your kids just refuse to eat them?

Well, fear not, we’re here to help! We’ve compiled a list of healthy recipes for kids, so you can whip up something that’s fun, easy, and nutritious. So without further ado, here are 10 healthy recipes for kids that will be sure to win them (and their taste buds) over.

10 Fun and Healthy Recipes for Kids

In this article, we’ll cover what kids crave most: snacks! These snacks are easy to make at home and offer the perfect combination of ingredients that will keep them feeling full and happy for hours.

Popcorn

Popcorn is a great snack alternative for children who constantly crave salty or fatty snacks like chips and pretzels. This whole grain snack packs 4-grams of fiber for every 3-cup serving, which means it’s a very filling alternative for kids.

Just make sure you go for the air-popped option and avoid movie theater popcorn or kettle corn, which are often packed with extra calories from sugar and fat.

Beyond calories and fiber, popcorn is a great snack because it’s endlessly versatile. You can transform this snack with different seasonings like grated cheese or nutritional yeast, which makes it easy to customize for the pickiest of kids. Just make sure to avoid going overboard with the toppings or it will no longer qualify as one of the healthy recipes for kids.

Ice Pops

Are your children fans of ice pops or another cold, sugary treat? If so, treat them to homemade ice pops, which you can customize to include healthy ingredients your kids won’t even notice.

There are many fruit flavors you can make that will provide your children with a healthy dose of vitamins while curbing their sugar craving.

Do your kids like orange ice pops? Make your own with orange juice and nonfat Greek yogurt, which will offer your kids a healthy dose of vitamin C and calcium. If your kids aren’t a fan of orange ice pops, try making other great ice pops like mango almond, berry flavored ones, and even faux fudge ones using avocado!

Peanut Butter Cookies

We know what you’re probably thinking: how on Earth can cookies qualify as one of the healthy recipes for kids? And the truth is there are many cookie recipes out there that are both healthy and delicious!

Don’t believe us? Try making these mouth-watering low carb peanut butter cookies made with two simple ingredients: peanut butter and Sukrin syrup. In less than 12 minutes, you’ll have a batch of delicious, low-carb cookies your kids will crave.

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is such a great snack it deserves another spot on this list. Natural peanut butter is a filling treat that pairs well with a variety of other healthy foods like apples, celery, carrots, and bananas. It also offers healthy fats and protein kids need to stay feeling full and energized.

Healthy Baked Goods

Do your kids just refuse to eat their fruits and vegetables? If so, a great way to get them on board is by sneaking those fruits and vegetables into the baked goods they already love to eat. Once they fall in love with the flavor, they’ll realize how tasty and nutritious healthy foods can be.

What’s great about healthy baked goods is that there are a variety of options to choose from.

You can make banana bread, zucchini muffins, and even make muffins with sweet potatoes, which contain beta-carotene and potassium.

Eggplant Fries

Are your kids certifiable french fry fiends? Well, eggplant fries can easily satisfy their craving while providing them with all the benefits eggplant offers, such as potassium and vitamin C. And what’s better is that you can broil these bad boys and toss them in parmesan and garlic salt so that they’ll taste like the real thing without all the extra junk.

Oven Baked Almond Fish Sticks

Want a healthy recipe for kids that’s packed with protein? Oven baked almond fish sticks are the way to go then! You can replace the standard breading with a blend of crushed almonds and bran flakes, which will make these baked (not fried) fish sticks a protein-packed snack that’s low in carbs.

Fruit Salsa

If you’re looking to serve your kids something a little different, fruit salsa is a great option. Fruit salsa is a fruit salad with a spin, combining great fresh flavors like kiwi, mango, and papaya.

Simply add those ingredients and toss them with mint and a bit of orange juice for an absolutely delicious fruit snack.

BBQ Kale Chips

Are your kids willing to try an unusual (and entirely scrumptious) snack? If so, serve them up some BBQ kale chips, which beat traditional chips in terms of taste and nutrition benefits.

Simply season some kale chips with paprika, chili powder, dry mustard, and garlic powder for an out-of-this-world snack.

Homemade Granola Bars

Homemade granola bars are a great on-the-go snack for when you and your kids are busy. And what’s better is that you can match a bunch in advance, so that you don’t have to spend precious time whipping snacks together.

Alton Brown’s granola bar recipe offers a healthy snack that is full of dried fruit, seeds, and nuts. They’ll keep your kids feeling full for longer, and offer them a great granola bar taste without all the sugars and processed ingredients a standard one includes.

Final Thoughts on Healthy Snacks for Kids

Getting your kids to eat healthy foods isn’t easy, but it’s essential keeping them active and in good health. By trying out the 10 healthy snacks for kids on this list, you can find a healthy and affordable snack option they’ll be sure to love.

Have you tried making healthy snacks for your kids? Have any recipes we missed?

Let us know in the comments!

7 Unconventional Ways to Choose A Wedding Anniversary Cake

April 11, 2018 by Mandy

Well, if you’re searching for perfect anniversary cakes, chances are either you are about to celebrate a wedding anniversary or someone really close is about to do so. Either way, our heartiest congratulations to you! Anniversaries are a great reminder to renew your vows with your significant other and not to forget that this special day calls for the special things that you both want to relish together and make your anniversary day, a perfect one. And talking about special things, a happy anniversary cake is one of the most special ones. This constitutes to be the top-most highlight of your marriage anniversary day and you can’t just simply order online any ordinary cake as a necessary formality. Coming back to the delicious bites, couples are often very choosy about their cake and regard to taste only selective things when it comes down to the whole cake cutting ceremony. To help you out, we’ve narrowed down certain points which can help you select the exact grand dessert of your evening and mark the anniversary moment, a legendary one.

Favorite Flavor

While some couples might narrow down to a single favorite flavor, others might want a stack of all their favorite flavors underneath the dreamy-creamy layer. It’s a flavorful day, one should never hesitate while selecting their favorite flavor and celebrate their love in a flavorsome way. You can even go out to explore the variant fun flavors following a tasty testing method.

Timely Celebrations

Well, this one is no way near the anniversary cake selection criteria. It is about the unity of time as to when do you want to infuse flavorful love on the anniversary day. You can surprise the couple in the middle of the night or hand-deliver happiness at zero hours and be the first to celebrate.

Perfect Icing

Marriages are made in heaven and so, are these marriage anniversary cakes. Just like the flavor, the icing is an essential part of the selection of a cake. You can always choose from buttercream frosting which comes in an array of flavors or fondant, which is known for its ability to mold cakes into beautiful designs and give them a sleek shine. The choice is yours, make it perfect just like your marriage.

Single or Double?

Well, we all know you ain’t no single, your heart was stolen by this prettiest lady standing right next to you The question arises whether you wish your wedding cake to be a magnificent one with three-four layers decked up with flavors and beauty or wish to surprise them with a single-layered cake? The decked up ones can be infused with beautiful rosettes, while the single ones can be made fancy by customizing them into a double-heart shaped cake.

Hand-picked toppings

Cake toppers are the most crucial part of the cake. You can choose the traditional figurines or label them up with personal monograms. These customizable cake toppers are available in wide array of shapes and sizes. However, you can always opt for anniversary photo cakes that are basically anniversary cakes with a name and photo.

Intricate Design

The best anniversary cakes are available in a diverse array of shapes and sizes, and heart is one of them. You can either make it a hearty affair with a heart-shaped beauty or can opt for a regular square, rectangle or some other angular delicious love.

Follow Unconventional

Here’s a quick tip! When cakes are the essential part of the anniversary celebrations, you can go beyond the rainbows on your special day and surprise everyone with flavorful jar cakes, whimsical cupcakes, mysterious pastries, unconventional apple pies, delightful ice-creams and last of all, with delectable waffles and pancakes! There’s nothing wrong with going unconventional on your special day, after all, it’s your day, celebrate it the way you want.