Tempeh, Tofu, and Petay; Foods of Ultimate Deliciousness

Before I explain the title of this post, I guess I should briefly discuss my herritage. My father is Hispanic (Mexican), but born here in the United States, and for the most part, not as knowing of the Mexican culture as others, though he can speak Spanish. On the whole other side of the spectrum is my mother. She's Chinese, but was born and raised in Indonesia (which is quite common, actually. About 20% of Indonesia's population are Chinese, the other 79% are Native Indonesians, while the other 1% are other). Her mother, my Grandmother, still held onto her Chinese heritage (fyi, I don't know what part of China they are from, but they don't speak Cantonese or Mandarin. They speak Hokian), while my mother also recieved some of the Indonesian culture (she is also trilingual; she knows Indonesian, Hokian, English, and knows a bit of Cantonese, which is amazing. You wouldn't be able to tell, her English is very good, the best of all of my relatives on her side!). Because of this, I have a fairly culturally diverse background, taking from not 2 very different cultures, but four, including the American culture.

Anyways, one of the things I've been taught since I was a little kid was to be open minded when it came to food. Food is pretty much the doorway to other cultures. I never realized how different I was in that aspect than other kids; while they became picky and only ate PB&J or Macaroni and Cheese, I was chomping down on Masago Sushi, Pig Kidneys, Fish Heads, and Tongue. And amazingly enough, I enjoyed them all. My mom never had to force me or my brother's to eat, ever since we were little she established that this is what we had to eat. I find it greatly impacted my eating habits now, which I am greatful for. For example, the other day I walked into the kitchen hungrily and found a container of god knows what. It was orange, thick, looked like carrot sticks but had the consistency of a slug. Chopped green onions were sprinkled on top. Other kids, at this would elicit an "Ew!" response. I, on the other hand? Grabbed a fork, took one of them and chomped it. I found it greatly amusing because I have the "What is it? I better eat to find out" mentality, as opposed to a cautious one. And I'm glad I did, because it turned out it was some sort of noodle dish, very spicy and fairly tame, considering what my family has eaten before.

Anyways, enough rambing. Yesterday was New Years and my mom made an elaborate, Idonesian dinner. Sticks of chicken Satay (kabobs) with peanut sauce, a spicy fried potato and shrimp and "petai" (pronounced like pate, though the "a" is pronounced like a softer "e") they look like this (FYI, they are called Stinky Beans, and for good reason too! I find it's one of those things that you either love it or hate it with a passion):

as well as cornish hens simmered in tumeric and other spices then deep friend, and my favorite, Tempeh and tofu cooked the same as the chicken. In the last couple of years tempeh has grown in popularity, mainly with vegetarians. I find it amusing because many people are trying to cook it in these extravagant ways, while I remember them cooked in my childhood in such simpler ways; either deep fried (tempeh goreng) and eaten with rice and ketchap manis (sweet soy sauce) or with green beans, shrimp, and petai (stinky beans). Yesterday though, before frying, my mom simmered them in tumeric and other spices, turning them this yellow color and giving them a delicious smell and taste. Of my whole family, everyone loves or at least likes tempeh, except for my dad! It looks like this before uncut:

Most people don't like tempeh, or they eat it to get protein, as a meat substitution. I'm not a vegetarian, but I just love eating tofu and tempeh because I like the taste.

An Introduction, of Sorts

So, I suppose this is an introduction.

I'm not very good at introductions. I'd just like to throw that out there. I usual portray myself far worse or greater than what I am. So, I'm going to say to disregard this whole post. Actually, maybe this post shouldn't even exist. But then, if the same rule applies, will my second post also not portray me correctly? What if it's a domino effect; perhaps none of my posts will ever portray me correctly. Let's just stick with that. Anyways, where was I?

Instead of talking about me, I'll try to talk about what I plan to do with this blog... thing. I'm pretty much going to talk about what I like. And think, obviously. Mostly it will be focused on positives (things I like). I'll try not to talk about life that much, because quite honestly my life is more boring and monotonous than Sisyphus (see sophomore English teacher, an allusion! Aren't you proud?). Oh, and before I get. I curse. Quite frequently. I'm sure it's not very lady-like, and my mother would have a heart attack if she were to see how much I cursed, but what you don't know won't hurt you, right? Anyways, what do I like, and what do I plan to talk about? Here's the basic list (may be updated or changed in the future... who knows?):

• Make-up. Yes, I have succumbed to my want for a "make up blog". Except, I won't call it a make-up blog, mainly because I ramble too much to talk solely on make up, not to mention I don't know if I'm particularly interesting or different enough to actually deserve a make-up blog. And I'm going to stop using hyphens when I type makeup or make up because I think it takes too much time even though it looks better that way. Also, I'm severely poor. I lack monetary funds to buy loads and loads of deliciously glorious make up to swatch and review for any one who wants to know. My makeup collection, while large for the average person, is utterly MINISCULE compared to most accomplished makeup aficionados (and I probably spelt that wrong).


• Bodily ornaments. Aka, clothing, accessories, etc. Now, let me explain. I am no way a professional or know what the hell I am doing. I probably can't tell you what would look good on your body/skin type. I can't dress you. Hell, I can barely dress myself. When I discuss this, it will most likely be in an adoring fashion (pun INTENDED).


• Crafty little tidbits. I am a very amateur "seamstress" and accessories maker. I like making cute little things to wear in my hair. Is that so wrong? (Don't judge me!) So yeah. I dunno.


• Okay, so you know how I said I wouldn't talk about life? I lied. I might. Maybe. I'll try to make in interesting, but not embellish. So if something of interest happens to me, perhaps I will talk about it. But it's rare. Sorry?


• Just little artistic endeavors in general. My first was well, the technical stuff. Using graphite pencils, colored pencils, water colors, acrylic. I can't forget the basics. It's what branched out into my love of color and (ahem) make up addiction. It's what made who I am. It's what made me realize "Hey, make up, hair, clothes and accessories don't HAVE to be functional. They can blend the line of art and function!" Which is probably my number one love. Blurring the line. Turning the oh-so boring homo sapien into a working piece of art. Oh, if only I could become world dictator...


• I might talk about books. Or writing. I like to write little short stories. I might post them. Probably not. And I might talk about books. Send me book recommendations, okay? I'm an avid book worm. Blame my father. And Harry Potter. Damn you, Harry Potter. (FYI, I like fiction. Favorite writer? Francesca Lia Block, most definitely. God, she is amazing. If I had a smidge less sanity than I do now, I would most likely build a shrine to that woman. Her writing is like a literary orgasm).


• Other things. I go off on tangents often. This blog will probably be 90% tangent. I apologize. I live in a tangent orchard. (Or is that tangerine...). OH. WHICH REMINDS ME. I use a lot of puns. And double entendres. And other... stupid literary thingy-mabobbers. I can't help it. It's genetic.

Okay, well, I suppose that is all for now. I am probably going to be hypocritical and do nothing like what I talked about. Geez. I have a head ache now.