A FEAST OF INDONESIA WITH PETTY ELLIOTT

The purpose of this Indonesian cooking class is to learn, understand and enjoy the wonderful, healthy, flavours of Indonesian food. It’s a cuisine still almost unknown in the UK, but the principal ingredients are familiar to those in other South East Asian countries: chilli, ginger, tamarind, galangal, turmeric, lemongrass and lime leaves. However, the flavours of Indonesian dishes are distinct, with diverse flavours spread across the 17,000-island archipelago!

Petty Elliot learnt to cook with her grandmother in her earth-floored kitchen in North Sulawesi. But it was in the UK that she began teaching modern Indonesian cooking classes for her friends and neighbours. She appeared on Masterchef in 2001. Her latest cookbook, Jakarta Bites, is out now.

Participants will learn authentic recipes that are simple to follow and easy to create in a modern kitchen. At the same time, you’ll get the chance to learn new skills and sample new flavour combinations.

The class will start with a traditional Indonesian breakfast and ‘wedang jahe’ (Indonesian tea). You’ll then dive into the cooking, spending the next few hours learning all that you can about the Indonesian cuisine.

At the end of the class, all participants will sit together around the Cookery School table to enjoy what they have made, accompanied by a glass of wine or ‘kunyit asam’ (a tamarind, turmeric and ginger tea) and coffee.

In this Indonesian cooking class, you will learn to make:

  • Nasi Kuning – turmeric coconut rice infused with lemon grass, lime leaves and panda leaves
  • Java, Sayur lodeh with tofu and tempeh – mixed vegetables curry with tofu and tempeh curry
  • Western Sumatera, terong balado – roasted eggplants served with chilies and tomato sauce
  • Java Gado-gado dip – crudités and tempeh with spicy, tangy peanut dip
  • South Sulawesi, Urap – mixed vegetables, spiced coconut dressing, seaweed  and basil
  • North Sulawesi, Bubur Manado – risotto with butternut squashed, corn, young spinach infused with lemon grass and basil with miso Sambal
  • Mie Goreng  sayuran – stir fried noodles with mixed vegetables
  • Sumba island,  Sambal tomato – tomato sambal with basil and lime
  • Java Dessert, Bubur Sumsum – rice flour, coconut cream pudding, palm sugar syrup, roasted cashew
  • Indonesian coffee – kunyit asam – turmeric, ginger, tamarind, palm sugar cold tea

 

Check out our other vegan cooking classes, or explore global cuisines further with our South African, Japanese, Mexican or Italian cooking classes.

 

 

FAQs
What if I have a special dietary requirement?

We try to accommodate dietary requirements as best we can and do our best to provide alternatives where possible. However, some classes are simply not designed to accommodate special dietary requirements, for example, we can not make entire baking classes gluten free or make croissants without butter.

If you have any questions about what we can provide, please call us before making your booking on 0207 631 4590. Please put a note in the “dietary requirements” box at the checkout if you have any requirements or allergies at all, even if you do not think it it is relevent!

Will I have my own work station?

We do not have individual hobs for every person but rather a group of hobs at one end of the kitchen. In most classes you will be working in small groups to create the recipes. As a whole class you will make everything listed on the website but the only way we can cover the huge variety of dishes listed is by dividing the class into smaller groups.  When there are key skills that need to be learned by the whole class, the teacher will pause the group and gather everyone together to explain/show it so by the end of the class everyone understands how each dish was made.

What age range do you allow in classes?

We are happy for anyone of any age to attend. If they are very young, an adult needs to work with them, in which case we would only charge for one space. We aren’t a creche service though so no dump-and-runs while you go shopping! Teenagers may like to join our Summer Cooking Camp where they will be with other kids the same age.

Will I get the recipes?

Sustainability has always been part of our ethos which is why we made the decision not to print recipes for students to take home with them, except when printed recipes are specifically requested. Instead, we email the recipes to students shortly after the class.

Can I change my booking?

You may transfer to an alternative class if you give us notice not less than 21 days before the date of the class. In this case, we will rebook you on to your selected class or issue a voucher valid for one year from date of issue. Transfers or issuing of a voucher will be subject to an administration fee of £15. Confirmed bookings are not eligible for refunds or cancellations under any circumstances. If you cannot attend a class you may send someone else in your place, just let us know the name of the attendee in advance of the class, where possible.

Can I take home the food I make?

At the end of most classes you will sit down around the Cookery School table and enjoy the food that you have made. Any food that is leftover from this is kept for staff lunches so nothing goes to waste

The exception to this is that you are welcome to take home the chicken that you de-bone in the meat & poultry class provided you bring a chiller bag with you and we provide you with a freezer block. Additionally, many of the items in our baking classes and courses are low risk and safe to take home so you will need a carrier bag of some sort.

We have very little waste as we order based on the number of people in the class.  We generally do not allow people to take food home because we have found that many people come into central London, do a class at Cookery School and then go off to the theatre, cinema, clubbing or shopping.  During that time the food that left Cookery School in good condition, deteriorates and can cause illness.

Can I take the Intermediate cooking course without taking the Beginners Course first?

Absolutely! If you have been cooking a bit already at home then you are welcome to skip the Beginners course.

Will I receive a certificate?

Our six week professional cooking course, Cook’s Certificate, is the only accredited course we run. You will receive a Cook’s Level 3 Training certificate from OCN London at the end of this course.

If you would like a certificate of attendance from any other class or course, we are happy to provide one. Just make a note of this in the ‘notes’ section at the checkout.

What do I need to bring?

You do not need to bring anything with you to most classes. However, if you are taking the Ultimate Meat & Poultry Class you should bring a chiller bag for your de-boned chicken and for any baking class or course, please bring a carrier bag to take home some of the items you make. 

Please make sure you are wearing closed toe shoes.

Will I be the only person there who doesn’t know anybody?

Not at all! The majority of our students come alone. We pride ourselves on having friendly staff and our kitchen is very un-intimidating and relaxed so you don’t need to feel scared of attending alone.

I have a pacemaker or electrical implant – can I attend a class?

Induction hobs use electromagnetic technology which may interfere with cardiac pacemakers or electrical implants, such as insulin pumps. We use induction hobs in our kitchen so recommend that if you use a cardiac pacemaker or electrical implant you remain a safe distance from the hobs.

Upcoming Classes

At the moment we don't have any scheduled dates for this class.

Take a look at our full list of upcoming classes to find something you'd like to try.


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