Bali Cooking Workshop in Rumah Desa Village 

I kind of enjoy Cooking Workshops whenever I visit another country. The first one I tried was in Barcelona (you can read my Born to Cook Barcelona Cooking Workshop experience). 

During the #tripofwonders #wonderfulindonesia, we got to choose (yet again) our adventure and decided to go with the Bali Cooking Workshop in Rumah Desa Village  The other group went for Coffee Tour. I love coffee but I feel the need to reconnect with my domesticated self. 

Read the start of the 7-Day Indonesia Adventure

We started with a visit to a Balinese Market. It looks like a typical wet market except that there are more stalls selling flowers which Indonesians used for offering. I saw these flowers outside houses and temples. The flowers are actually offerings (first thing they do in the morning, everyday) which they light with incense. They do offer to the Gods and to the evils, too. 

The market opens at 4:00 in the morning and closes at 10:00. Our host toured us around as we bought ingredients. Indonesian Cooking is not just about using different ingredients to add flavor to the food, but more importantly, for health benefits. 

During the short trip to the market, I learned that turmeric is a good anti-septic, peppers are good for headaches, and nutmeg is good for brain relaxation (for those with insomnia – but consume it moderately :)). 

Back to the bus, we traveled another hour to the Rumah Desa –  Balinese Village and Cooking Studio!

We got a little tour of the village. It is like a big compound where extended families live. There is a “mating house” where newly wed couples stay – and the number of kids they bear are represented by a stone placed outside the house. 

Welcome drink 🙂 

When we got inside, I was already feeling the true Balinese vibe!

We were grouped into two – the Fish and Chicken Group. I am a true chic so I went for the Chicken Group 🙂

Teamwork is always the key. After slicing, chopping and mashing all the ingredients (yes mashing – and we are talking about mortar and pestle!), we then worked with skewers and more chicken preparation. 

What I love about the Bali Cooking Workshop? All the ingredients and spices that we used are grown in the farm – from onions, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, etc. It reminds me of the Organic Farm Tours that I participated in in the Philippines where farmers and local urban gardeners promote farm to table. 

Read my Organic Farm Tours in the Philippines. 

It took us more than an hour to prepare the food. Whew, how difficult it is to be a homemaker and a wifey? I quit (!?) Haha. 

We had a quick snack of banana cake and traditional coffee. Then, off we went on a farm tour! I am glad that I got used to this kind of activity that I felt comfortable trekking even when wearing Havaianas. 

with Satya and Jin

Welcome to the jungle!

It started drizzling when we were in the farm but I still tried to “go with the plow” 😀 I am still waiting for the official and more decent photo of me doing it. But for now, here’s a photo taken by @thanislim.

We were then picked up by a very “hipster” car and back to the hub to have late lunch!

What we had? The food that we cooked!

I super love the vibe. One of the best meals I had! 

I enjoyed the food so much that I missed the slug who crawled its way to my plate! 

Yikes! I was surprised when I found it on my plate and looking at me, as if he was saying:

“eat me!”

I super enjoyed this part of my Indonesia Trip and I highly recommend the Bali Cooking Workshop in Rumah Desa for those who are visiting Bali. 

Sweet Souvenir

We traveled for more than 2 hours back in our hotel. We were only given 15 minutes to prepare for the Farewell Dinner. 

… to be continued.

Shopping in Yogyakarta
A Taste of Bali Beach
The Sights and Sounds of Bali