No matter where you are, you always bring a piece of your home somehow.
For those living away from a place once called home, sometimes the only remedy to treat this ‘homesick’ feeling is to treat yourself with comfort food that reminds you of home, family, friends, and the memories you made.
Recreating feelings and connections in an unknown place can be tough, but I've learned that sharing something that reminds me of home (or a place where I once felt like I belonged) can actually help.
One of my favorite ways to do so is by sharing meal that I enjoyed growing up. Seeing my new friends trying something new and enjoying it has brought me so much joy. Sharing my comfort food not only allows me to introduce my culture and personal story, but also creates an opportunity to forge connections. It feels like I'm sharing a piece of my home, seamlessly integrating one feeling with another and making the transition easier for everyone involved.
Here's my favorite dish that I grew up eating and how you can make and enjoy it:
INDONESIAN FRIED RICE
For 4 servings.
Ingredients:
- Chicken
- 5 oz/150g chicken breast (cut into small cubes)
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- Rice
- 3 cups of cold cooked rice
- Kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 red onion
- 1 tbp red chilli (optional)
- 1 bunch of scallion
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp chicken bouillon
- 1/2 tsbp salt
- 1 tbsp pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 whole nutmeg (crunch and cut into small pieces)
Directions:
- Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
- Add chicken, cook until it mostly turns white, set aside.
- Using the same oil over medium heat, add garlic, red onion, and red chilli cook until they become caramelized.
- Add eggs and cook on the other side of the skillet
- Add rice and stir constantly until everything is warm, then add kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) until rice grains start to caramelize.
- Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, chicken bouillon, and nutmeg to taste.
- Serve with scallion, kerupuk, and fried onions.
Thanks to my dad back home for sharing this recipe. I hope you enjoy cooking it and I'm so excited for you to try it! :) - J
Food has always a remarkable ability to bring people together, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding. By sharing our culinary heritage, we can appreciate and celebrate different backgrounds and traditions.
Share your favorite food from your heritage on TikTok and tag @thirdkulturecommunity
