Episodes 6 & 7: Healing Through Food

Indonesian Cuisine with Shandra Woworuntu

 

What we ate:

We had lunch with Shandra at Awang Kitchen, where we tried —

• Gado-gado Salad — Boiled fresh mixed vegetable, tofu, tempeh, broiled egg, rice cake & onion cracker with peanut sauce.
• Ayam Goreng Kremes — Crunch coconut fried chicken.

Afterwards, Shandra invited us to her home, where she made us —

• Es Cendol — Green rice flour jelly flavored with pandan, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup.

 

 

Indonesian Recipe to Try:

Nasi Kuning – Coconut Turmeric Rice 

This colorful dish is served family-style at Indonesian celebrations, surrounded by a feast of accompanying side dishes. The mound of yellow turmeric rice is meant to resemble a pile of gold as a symbol of good blessings.

“For the celebration, for ceremony, we use coconut yellow rice. We call it nasi kuning. And then grilled or fried chicken, beef rendang, and then we put vegetables with grated coconut. So in the middle is the rice, and we make it shaped like a big cone. And then on top of the cone, we ask someone having the celebration to cut and then give the top to the elderly or the important people that come to the house.”

Ingredients (for 4 servings)

• 2 cups jasmine rice 
• 1 cup coconut milk 
• 2 cups water 
• ¾ tsp salt 
• 1 tsp turmeric powder (bright yellow for superior results) 
• 1 small or medium lemongrass, lightly pounded 
• 3 large bay leaves
• 3 large Kaffir lime leaves, or substitute with whole lime rind 
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice (from half a lime)
• Fried shallots, for garnish
• Sliced cucumber, for garnish

 

Cooking Directions

1. Rinse rice in a strainer under running water, gently folding with hands to prevent grain breakage, and soak for 3-5 minutes. 
2. Put the bay leaves, Kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, salt, and turmeric powder in a thick-bottomed pot with a lid. Add coconut milk and water and cook them on high heat until boiling.
3. Drain the rice and add it to the pot, stirring gently until boiling. 
4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes. 
5. Turn off the heat, do not remove the lid, and let rest for 10-15 minutes. Gently fold the rice to make a fluffy texture before serving.

As part of a celebratory feast, Nasi Kuning is meant to be served with several side dishes. Try: Egg omelet sliced thinly like noodles, curry chicken, fried chicken, beef rendang, vegetable with grated coconut, and sambal potatoes.

“This is Indonesian food. When you eat the whole meal, it's just beautiful. The family style of dining affected how you eat, because I think you enjoy together.” 

 

 

Indonesian restaurants to check out in New York City:

📍Awang Kitchen — 8405 Queens Blvd Ste 1C, Queens (Elmhurst)

📍Java — 455 7th Ave, Brooklyn (Park Slope)

📍Jakarta Munch (at Urban Hawker) — 135 W 50th St, Manhattan (Midtown)

📍Sky Cafe — 8620 Whitney Ave, Queens (Elmhurst)

📍Asian Taste 86 — 8610 Whitney Ave, Queens (Elmhurst)

📍OK Indo Food Store — 88-15 Justice Ave, Queens (Elmhurst)

📍Wayan — 20 Spring St, Manhattan (Nolita)

Mentari USA

Founded in 2014, Mentari Human Trafficking Survivor Empowerment Program provides prevention, mentor, and empowerment programs for survivors of gender based violence, abuse, exploitation and human trafficking. Their flagship culinary arts program trains survivors for careers in the food industry to support their reintegration into society. 

"When I was trafficked, I never see the light. We always stay inside and when they escort us, always at the nighttime. Days, weeks, months without light. So, I decided to name the organization Mentari, which is sun, sunlight, because I believe the warmth of the sun will help a survivor to feel that there is a hope through the light, so we don't live in the darkness."

 

League of Kitchens

Shandra is one of the many talented cooking instructors with the League of Kitchens. This amazing company recruits immigrant women in New York City to teach cooking classes from the comfort of their own home. Learn their family recipes through in-person or online classes.

 

Episode Credits

Hosted, Produced, and Edited by Diane Bezucha

Additional Editing by Christina Mitchell

Music Supervision by Rachel Helman

Original Music by Richard Tunstall

Additional Music

• “Coronea” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Marisala, (2017)
• “Cold and Hard” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Cold Case, (2018)
• “Darkened Treeline” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Cold Case, (2018)
• “Cast in Wicker” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Aeronaut, (2018)
• “The Maison” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Desjardins, (2023)
• “Lahaina” by Blue Dot Sessions from the album Cloud Harbor, (2016)