Cross cultural relationships can be difficult and fun all at the same time. At the moment I have my in-laws from Central Java visiting. They are not actually staying with me but are around most of the day. Last night we had another bbq in honor on my mother in-law who is 47.
There is something about cooking food over a naked flame that seems to bring people together. Maybe its the simplicity, maybe the smell or maybe its just people eager to see who is the first to burn himself. We gave the ayam bakar method a go, by steaming a pot full of chicken parts and covering them in spices, grilling them to perfection before slopping buckets of bbq sauce all over them. I’d have to say things went well and with my brother and sister in-law over, we managed to get through all the food.
During the cooking process I allowed my father in-law to poke the chicken around with tongs, kind of a respect thing. Poor guy didn’t know what the hell he was doing but at least he felt part of it. Ika, influenced by her time in Bali, made potato salad as well as a pot of nasi putih (white rice), which was very good. My mother in-law cooked a selection of vegetables, the usual things, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower etc.
Offering to buy my father in-law a bbq set to take back to Java, he declined stating the price of the coals to be prohibitive. I also think the price of the meat might of been a consideration. The evening took a funny turn when I poured myself a rum & Coke. My father in-law requested to try one so I concocted something with less strength than mine. Still for a non-drinker the results could of been dramatic. “Keep an eye on him, he’ll be dancing pretty soon.” I said to Ika. After about 10 minute Ba Pak got up and wanted to know how to make the drink. I explained and pointed to the bottle of dark Myers rum. Checking the bottle out with intense curiosity, he said he’s like to sell it in Java, as it doesn’t make you drunk. We all found this quite funny.
To me it is interesting that cross cultural ideas and preferences, such as ways of cooking, flavours and ingredients can take off, if given a chance.
