Cooking Lessons in Ubud

I am not the type of girl who is into flashy resorts and places that exploit the locals.  So if you are, this is, maybe where you stop reading.  However, if you are not, this is where you might become interested.

No, this isn't an advertisement, this is my experience:

Being warned in advance, that cheaper lodgings don't supply towels and toiletries, I came prepared.  How do you trade towels for experience and culture?

Janet de Neefe, is quite the entrenpeneur and a celebrity in Ubud.

An Australian,  married to a Balinese husband, owns Casa Luna Bakery and Cafe, Indus Restaurant, Honeymoon Guest House, author of  Fragrant Rice and founder of the Ubud Writers Festival, she also runs cooking classes.

One in which I took part, on my first visit to Ubud.

The cooking class was a wonderful experience, not only meeting new people, learning cooking techniques and new recipes but also a great insight into Balinese culture.

One simple tip that I remember well and still use it to this day:
When using lemon grass, smash it up a little to bring out the flavours and tie it in a knot.  This way, when you want to fish it out of your Balinese dish, it will be easy to find and looks great!

Every time I do this, when cooking, I think of my lovely cooking lesson with Janet and her team.

That afternoon, after my cooking lesson,  I returned to Pager Bungalows .   Ketut also wanted to give me a cooking lesson from her kitchen for free!  Maybe some Ubud rivalry going on here but I wasn't going to complain.

We discussed what my favourite Balinese dishes were and got to work, we cooked up a storm.

Ketut then advised me to shower and change and get ready for my banquet.  I went to her bale and after seating myself down, all the staff, one by one, paraded our sumptuous delights, I had helped prepare and placed them before me.

Not one but two cooking lessons in one day.  What a treat for the senses and the tummy and quite possibly on the hips!

Ketut of Pager Bungalows, may not supply towels but she did give me some wonderful experiences and a small insight into Balinese culture and kindness.

Made teaching me to make lumpia!