Friday, April 4, 2014

D is for Dugong and Daging Bumbu Bali

D

The Dugong_Marsa_AlamDugong is a large marine mammal which is being hunted to extinction for its meat and oil. It is the only completely marine herbivore and has a tail like a dolphin but otherwise no fins. It has paddles which it uses to help swim. Its relative, Steller’s Sea Cow, was hunted to extinction in the 1800s. It is such a peaceful animal that it seems such a shame that man is causing it to disappear. Destruction of habitat is another problem for the dugong. Its range spans 37 countries throughout the Indo-Pacific, but the main distribution today is in Australia between Shark and Moreton Bay. Another animal we are causing the possible loss of in the future.

Just in passing, and as a tribute to Al Diaz, D is also for Dragon. Father Dragon of course.

This time we go to Indonesia for a spicy meat stew.

Daging Bumbu Bali - Indonesian meat-dish

By Pets'R'us on October 07, 2002
Photo
Photo by kiwidutch
  • Servings: 4

 

"I have cooked this dish for more then 25 years and the only thing I have changed about it is that I don't eat it on the day I cook it. I put it in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze it, (leaving the leaves in), until I need it. This has two reasons, the flavors improve and as the cook I find you can enjoy it more because the smell of the spices, when cooking lessens your appetite."
 

Ingredients

    • 1 lb lean stewing beef, cut in chunks
    • 2 medium onions, chopped
    • 2 tablespoons sambal oelek  (any store stocking Asian foods)
    • 3 -4 birds eye chilis
    • 4 cloves garlic
    • 1 teaspoon shrimp paste
    • 4 kaffir lime leaves
    • 3 bay leaves
    • 1/2 cup ketjap manis ( sweet soya sauce)
    • 1/3 cup oil ( for frying)
    • vinegar
    • salt
    • sugar

Directions

  1. Add enough water to the beef to cover, bring very slowly to a simmer and cook until done, (as with making any stock, this can take a few hours).
  2. Put in the food processor: onions, sambal, chilies, garlic and shrimp paste.
  3. Process until you have a paste.
  4. Fry this paste in the oil on a medium heat for a few minutes together with the kaffir and bay leaves.
  5. Add the soja sauce, a little vinegar, the cooked meat and 1 to 2 cups of the meat stock.
  6. Simmer for approx 15 minutes, and then taste for salt, sugar and maybe more vinegar.
  7. Serve this with rice and other Indonesian dishes, what is really great as a little side dish is to quarter a few bananas and quickly fry them in butter until brown and starting to soften, keep warm in the oven until you are ready to serve.
  8. The little chilies make this dish pretty hot and I sometimes leave them out.
Have a great day
Jo (2)

38 comments:

  1. Hi Jo - yes D for Destruction of Mother Nature's habitats .. I saw some stunning photos of the Dugong at the National History museum's exhibition of the Wild Life Photographer of the Year ... about 30 artists ..

    Father Dragon definitely deserves a mention in Dispatches ...

    Then your Indonesian dish - sounds interesting - I know so little about Asian cooking .. cheers Hilary

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    1. Never thought of that, you are so right Hilary. I would like to have seen those pictures.

      Love Asian food ad to cook it a lot at one time. Not so much lately.

      Delete
  2. Gosh Jo! For a second I thought you were going to give us a recipe for Dugong!
    I love Indonesian food. Perhaps I'll try cooking this in the holidays.

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    Replies
    1. It was suggested that I give recipes for the animals I mentioned. I didn't take it up though.

      Yes, I want to try making it too quite soon. Maybe after the A to Z.

      Delete
  3. What a shame if the Dugong goes out of existence. Man is the the most dangerous animal in the world.

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    1. Isn't that the truth Bob. I hope they survive. At least these days we are more aware of what we are doing. But how many rhinos and elephants will be left

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  4. I read somewhere that the idea of mermaids came from sailors seeing dugongs floating on the surface. Not all that convinced of it myself.

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    1. Yup I heard the same, something about them sitting on rocks with seaweed on their heads.

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  5. Two d's I never heard of. Thanks for the new info.

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome. D is for Denise too of course.

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  6. There's only one species of dugong remaining, correct?

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  7. I feel so angry when I read about animals that go extinct, or close to, due to men's greed and foolishness. My heart cries for the animals.
    Thanks for mention, Grandmother! And that recipe looks really good.
    Dragon hugs!

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    1. You and me both Al. At least we are more aware today, but by no means doing enough.

      Well you had to feature as a D grandson. Dragon hugs returned.

      Delete
  8. The dish sounds 'right up my street' so will have to give it a go (I don't have any Sambal at the moment).

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  9. Feel sorry for Dugong :(!..such a cute creature on this earth ....
    Receipe looks awesome Jo , perhaps will ask my mom to prepare :)!....

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it is such a harmless creature.

      Hope she does.

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  10. ANOTHER wonderful animal close to extinction. How sad. It has happened to the Manatee in Florida as well, but they are doing everything they can to keep these animals from extinction. Let's hope that will be the case for the Dungog.

    Wow that looks delicious. And I agree sometimes waiting a few days DOES increase the flavors ten fold.

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    1. There is hope these days because we are so much more aware, but some of the destruction we just can't stop somehow. Thinking of the slaughter of rhinos and elephants in particular.

      Once read a recipe which recommended leaving it to enjoy life for a while.

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  11. That is very sad such a peaceful and majestic creature is being killed off. I wish people had a bit more compassion.

    That dish sounds really good. I love a great beef dish.

    Brandon Ax: Writer's Storm

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    1. As I have said, people are more aware of the destruction of habitats and so on these days. Not achieving a great deal, but some things. I support World Wildlife Fund as much as I can.

      I think it will be delicious but haven't tried it yet.

      Delete
  12. The animal looks like an early elephant. Our natural world is so amazing. And, your cooking is very adventurous. I seem to sometimes get stuck in a cooking rut.

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    1. It does look like the forerunner doesn't it?

      I can get stuck in a rut too.

      Delete
  13. Fascinating post. The Daging Bumbu Bali sounds a little too spicy for me.

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  14. That is so sad. How can you eat anything that could be your friend?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are you a Vegan? After all, cows are pretty placid with gorgeous eyes, pigs are pretty cute, lambs are delightful, but it doesn't stop me eating them. I guess it's difficult to draw the line sometimes.

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  15. Great that you are bringing awareness of the Dugong. We need to do something to preserve species like this. Zoos may be the last hope for some.

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    1. I wonder if you could keep a dugong in a zoo. I know they have manatees in Sea World in Florida. It certainly looks like some animals will soon only be around in zoos.

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  16. Hello there. Interesting facts here. Thanks for sharing. Just stopping by to wish you all the best with the challenge!
    Entrepreneurial Goddess

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    1. Thanks so much and all the best too you too.

      Delete
  17. Hi human, Jo,

    Had to reread the title of your pawsting. Thought it said something else. The Dugong needs vital care and protection. I do despair over what humanity does.

    My human adores Indonesian food and that recipe is something I should cook for him. I cook from scratch. Or should that be, I cook then I scratch :)

    Before this comment starts to "dragon", I wish you a peaceful day.

    Penny, the pawsitive host of the Alphabark Challenge, 2014!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. As a dog you would despair more than we humans do. Sadly we don't despair enough.

      A cooking dog eh? Now that is something worth seeing. I hope your human enjoys the recipe.

      Thanks for you pawsitive wishes Penny.

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  18. Yummy recipe. I shall try my hand at making it.

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  19. Never heard of that animal before! Wow. How sad that we've caused the extinction of so many and just keep going...
    This stew sounds amazing, and with the diverse ethnic population in nearby Boulder, CO, I'm sure I'll be able to find the required ingredients. They have several ethnic markets.
    I think the no recipes for the almost extinct animals is a very good idea ;-)
    Tina @ Life is Good
    A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014

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    1. I've always had a soft spot for dugongs and manatees (see M).

      Hope you can find the ingredients.

      Don't think Alex meant extinct animals, just wildlife in general. Like I could post about bulls and then talk about steaks or something.

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