bu·col·ic (byo͞oˈkälik)\adjective\
1. of or relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.

Last weekend, Saturday to Sunday 9-10 November 2013 I went to a local event called “Bucolic Weekend”, organized by Javara and Maharasa Indonesia. As the name suggest, it’s basically a pop-up market selling local crops and farm produces that are naturally grown from numerous farmers throughout Indonesia – you might have notice from the slideshow above, a sneak peek of what’s been sold over 2 days celebration of agricultural feast – from 10 regions including Halmahera, Flores, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, West Sumatra, Aceh, Magelang, Banyumas, Banten and Bali.

Does looking at the slideshow above tickled your senses? Hearing exotic ingredient names and secluded regions in Indonesia that I’m not even familiar with, everything about it intrigues me in a way that I just can’t wait to share my experience. And, because they look so adorable in photos! (click on below gallery to see more photos. Note that you can navigate by using keyboard arrows)

From Halmahera they're bringing Jailolo Calamansi, Ikan Kayu (Dried and smoked skipjack tuna), Smoked Roa Fish, Abon Cakalang Fish, Terasi Belacang from Tataleka village in the West, Kenari Nuts from Sebelei Village in Makian Island, Jailolo Coconut Oil, Halmahera Duck Beak Banana, etc.

From Flores – their buttery Candlenuts, tri-color Cacao, Arabica Bajawa coffee, bicolor Sorghum, Kelor Flores (Moringa oleifera), Organic Cashew Nuts and Alor Vanilla Bajawa. And then there's Banten Organic Palm Sugar, Banyumas stinky beans, fruits and spices. All the beauty of Javanese black rice and milky rice that is said to be a substitute for Japanese rice, and also not forgetting those aromatic rice grains from Enrekang South Sulawesi: Pulu Mandoti, Pulu Pinjan, and Pare Kasalle; also the nutmeg and cloves from Sangihe Island from the north.

Acehnese Gayo coffee, Kalimantan's Ikan Lais Salai & salted Snakehead Murrel fish, West Sumatra's fresh water eel and sawo sumpu, and finally Bali Salt produce that is handcrafted from the centuries-old salt making traditions in the Eastern coastlines.

Javara, on the other hand, showcased so many enticing products starting from its Organic Rice (black, purple, red, pink, brown, white), Gourmet & Veggie Noodles (purple yam, beetroot, tomato, broccoli, carrot, binchotan – activated charcoal from Yokohama which explains the black noodle color), Organic Herbs & Spices, seasonings, snacks and hampers.

Exquisite, exquisite selections :) It was a total foodie-who-cook paradise!

NOW THE COOKED FOODS..

From the Nasi Campur Manado buffet (clockwise from top-left) - Oxtail soup with local beans and moringa leaves, Ayam
Kecombrang, Cakalang, Ayam Tinoransak, Tumis Bunga Pepaya, shredded smoked fish from Halmahera, gluten-free glass noodles, and … — From the Nasi Campur Manado buffet (clockwise from top-left) - **Oxtail soup with local beans and moringa leaves, Ayam Kecombrang, Cakalang, Ayam Tinoransak, Tumis Bunga Pepaya, shredded smoked fish from Halmahera, gluten-free glass noodles,** and selection of **Nasi Kuning (yellow aromatic rice)** or Organic rice menthik susu Magelang.

Nasi Campur Manado. Because, you know, for IDR 45k you can get your own portion, so we decided to take as much as we could and split it for 4-people sharing, LOL. Each element did their job wonderfully, especially the Ayam Tinoransak, glass noodles … — **Nasi Campur Manado.** Because, you know, for **IDR 45k** you can get your own portion, so we decided to take as much as we could and split it for 4-people sharing, LOL. Each element did their job wonderfully, especially the Ayam Tinoransak, glass noodles and Tumis Bunga Pepaya. Tasty!

Mie Kuah Cakalang (IDR 20k) - Half broccoli noodle and half tomato noodle, with fish broth, shredded cakalang, green veggies, topped with chopped spring onions, abon cakalang, and bird-eye chili. The cakalang fish tasted so fresh! But for me the bro… — **Mie Kuah Cakalang (IDR 20k)** - Half broccoli noodle and half tomato noodle, with fish broth, shredded cakalang, green veggies, topped with chopped spring onions, abon cakalang, and bird-eye chili. The cakalang fish tasted so fresh! But for me the broth tends to be a little bit bland though.

Mie Kalio Daging (IDR 20k) - Half beetroot noodle and half carrot noodle topped with a mixture of beef paste that somewhat looks like bolognese but tasted like rendang/kalio (but of course because it should  be healthy, for me it lacks a bit of… — **Mie Kalio Daging (IDR 20k)** - Half beetroot noodle and half carrot noodle topped with a mixture of beef paste that somewhat looks like bolognese but tasted like rendang/kalio (but of course because it ***should*** be healthy, for me it lacks a bit of MSG kick for that umami sensation :p)

Fried Halmahera Duck Beak Banana with Smoked Roa Chili relish. (IDR 5k each)

Kue Talam using purple yam, and Klappertart Kenari

Fried cassava chips (IDR 5k) and chicken risoles (IDR 5k)

Pukis Cihuy (IDR 12k) - whatever that means, hahaha.

And finally, Sawo Sumpu Sorbet. Wow, this really made my day. It needn't additional bunch of sugar because the sawo itself is already sweet enough. Lovely creation :) — And finally, **Sawo Sumpu Sorbet**. Wow, this really made my day. It needn't additional bunch of sugar because the sawo itself is already sweet enough. Lovely creation :)

WE NEED MORE EVENTS LIKE THIS..

It feels great to continue to show our support to the local farmers, to get to know their origin produce that is naturally grown and cultivated responsibly, to appreciate hard-work and life-time dedication they put into harvesting the best ingredients; and most importantly, to make the most out of Indonesia’ natural agriculture wealth so that it won’t be disregarded throughout generations. Very exciting event for me, and I cannot wait for the next Bucolic Weekend event.

See you at batch two!!

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Bucolic Weekend (1st batch)
9-10 November 2013, 10AM – 4PM at Plaza Kemang 88, Jakarta
(occupying Warung Kopi Sruput and Warung Pasta at the front yard)