Chapter 6 : Indonesia

As countries go, Indonesia remains an enigma to Americans. We know it gets hit by tsunamis, rebel separatists can be found there, and merchants stamp Osama bin Ladin on t-shirts there, but that's about it. Bizarre snippets of news float across the Pacific to us from the large and varied nation situated between Malaysia and Australia.

Having been roommates with an Indonesia for a few years wasn't as illuminating as you might expect, but I learned a few things from her. First, Indonesians love fried

chicken, by the bucket, and their favorite condiment is a sort of ketchup made with chilli peppers and tomato, or even just chilli peppers, called Manis Pedas or Extra Pedas, accordingly. I won't mince words about it: this is the single best spicy condiment I have ever tasted. Many of my friends fo buying Sriracha sauce, which is both mild and flavorless by comparison.

They also tend to prefer a sweet, molasses-like soy sauce called Ketchup Manis, or Sweet Soy Sauce. One can use these two condiments to make delicious ramen with no effort. Just strain the ramen after you cook it, and pour both into the pile of noodles and mix it up, and you'll have a sweet, spicy treat with no effort.

If you can locate these two condiments, don't hesitate to pick them up, and take a day off from cooking and pick up some good old fashioned fried chicken with extra pedas.