1. Show us your country's flag.
2. How do you celebrate Independence Day?
3. What's your favorite Independence Day dish?
4. If you could invite one historical figure to your Independence Day celebration, who would it be?
5. Show us something that makes you proud of your country.
6. ___________ equals Independence, to me.

Indonesia

What are your favorite recipes for a festive 4th of July celebration?

We don't celebrate July 4th here, but we will celebrate our Independence Day on August 17. I'd like share with you though a recipe of nasi tumpeng (yellow rice).

Nasi tumpeng is an Indonesian rice combination dish and is known as ceremonial yellow rice cone that only made to celebrate a special occasion. Surrounding the large mound of rice flavored with coconut milk and turmeric are piles of fried chicken, fried tempe, shredded egg omelet and other tasty dishes. In Indonesia, nasi tumpeng is also famous as a typical Independence Day menu to celebrate Indonesian Independence Day that is commemorated on 17 August every year.

Nasi Tumpeng

Serves 6-8 as a side dish

• 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
• 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised and tied into a knot
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 kaffir lime leaves
• 3 cups water (divided)
• 2 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tbs. salt
• 2 1/2 cups long grain rice
  

Additional: 1/2 cucumber and ½ carrot, peeled and sliced for accessories

1. In a big pot, combine coconut milk, lemongrass, bay leaf and kaffir lime leaves. Stir them well evenly while boiling. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium low.
2. Dissolve turmeric and salt in one cup of water and add to coconut milk mixture.
3. Add rice and the remaining two cups water to the pot and bring to a boil again, stirring occasionally. Reduce to medium low and simmer uncovered until liquid is just absorbed.
4. Cover pan, reduce heat to low and cook until rice is tender, about 15-20 minutes. (If the rice is not cooked, add more water and continue cooking until done.) Halfway through the estimated cooking time, gently fluff the rice using two forks.
5. Let the rice cool. Remove the lemongrass and leaves and mound rice on a platter into a cone. Garnish with shallots, carrot and cucumber slices if you like.
   

The New 7 Wonders of the World campaign was a resounding success, which took democracy to a new global level. Now, in the second campaign, give your vote to define The New 7 Wonders of Nature!

Indonesia has 3 nominees there, but since I had to pick up 7 different nominees, I picked up 3 other nominees from Singapore (because I LOVE the country), China (was where my ancestors came from), Maldives (because it's GORGEOUS), and Chocolate Hills in the Philippines (because I like the name *grin*).

Here are my picks:

My New 7 Wonders Vote

Flickr: The Indonesian Photographers Pool

View site

I searched some pictures for Karlos as he asked me the other day how sunshine is in Indonesia, and I said I'm afraid I've no idea since I mostly still stay asleep when it rises on the east.

I found this Indonesian pictures on Flickr and now I am even more in love with this country of mine... I'd never known before that we have a huge Jesus Monument in Manado. Farah and Rudy never told me about this :)

I love the blue of Indonesia, and everything else about her. It's my kind of blue, it's my kind of messy, it's my kind of beauty and God's generosity.