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by Jenny de Montfort and Claire Cooper

Hmmmmm, what to have for supper? The daily dilemma of the Expat Wife who, while not actually allowed into her own kitchen due to the presence of The Cook, still has to come up with The Menu, using recipes that both parties can understand. However, help is at hand!

Gado-Gado Ala Bule is no limp photocopy of quirky unworkable recipes, but a gloriously colourful cookbook with a fascinating collection of delicious recipes. The 60 recipes are from around the world, contributed by friends in Jakarta's expatriate community and chefs from well-known Jakarta restaurants and have all been tested by the authors. The artistic layout, fantastic photos of all things Indonesian, and clever caricatures makes this volume attractive enough for your coffee table. The Bahasa Indonesia version is black and white and is a perfect training tool for an inquisitive, talented cook.

Asked how they chose the title of the book, Jenny said, "We're the bule," referring to a local term for Westerners. "And the gado-gado dish is a mixture of different foods. In Bahasa Indonesia it can also mean 'a mixture of many things", which describes the efforts of the talented group that put the book together.

Proceeds from the sale of Gado-Gado Ala Bule are being donated by the co-authors to a charitable foundation, Yayasan Balita Sehat. This health centre for children under five years of age was established in Kemang to help feed malnourished children, as well as to provide preschool learning experiences and nutrition, health and hygiene educational program for their mothers as well as efforts to help the mothers increase their earning power through training and small enterprise schemes. The Centre is now expanding its preschool to incorporate communities further afield and requires funding to support the ever-expanding efforts.

Production costs for Gado-Gado Ala Bule were covered by advertising, so every Rupiah of the purchase price goes straight to the charitable work of Yayasan Balita Sehat. Gado-Gado Ala Bule is the perfect present for family and friends at home, or a send-off gift for a departing friend. Your purchase ensures nutritious food and valuable education is provided to needy children and their mothers . and you can banish The Menu dilemma from your life forever!

(based on review by Joanna Green)

Gado Gado Ala Bule is available at:

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