Mortar and Pestle Cookbook

Mother/daughter team, Juliana and Pat, indulge readers with their vibrant collection of 75+ delicious recipes and their intimate knowledge of Indonesian cuisine. The accessible recipes in the Mortar and Pestle encompass popular dishes that appeal to both native Indonesians and those new to the cuisine, all of which can be easily replicated by home cooks using easily accessed ingredients available.

Old family photographs and cozy, family narratives bring the reader into the authors' home and allow them to travel vicariously through food. Written with the distinct sensibility of an Indonesian who was born and grew up in Indonesia (Julia) and her daughter who was raised in the culture and taught to cook from a young age (Pat), this comprehensive cookbook is lighthearted and punctuated with practical, how-to instruction. Mortar and Pestle proves Indonesian food can be prepared in any kitchen, anywhere in the world.

STEP-BY-STEP PHOTOGRAPHY: Helpful instructions for foundational techniques to support the home cook, whether beginner or experienced.

MORE THAN 75 RECIPES: A gold mine of delicious and authentic Indonesian classics such as Nasi Goreng and Tempeh

UNIQUE RECIPES: Indonesian food embodies a richness and complexity that reflects centuries of invaders, settlers, and immigrants.

"Years ago in Seattle, I was treated to a sumptuous meal prepared by Juliana (“Julia”) Evari Suparman. She was quiet and modest, but her beguiling flavors were boldly layered and balanced. I’ve long wanted her recipes and culinary tricks, honed through decades of migration and the constant need to cook for her family. Finally, Julia and her daughter, Patricia Tanumihardja, gift us her recipes and techniques. Mortar and Pestle is a must-have for anyone wanting doable recipes for traditional and modern Indonesian cuisine. So many delicious dishes await you in this book."

—Andrea Nguyen, James Beard Award-winning author of The Pho Cookbook and Ever-Green Vietnamese

“Patricia Tanumihardja’s writing is a delicious feast for the soul. Mortar & Pestle is one of those cookbooks you find yourself curled up reading on the sofa, drawn into her tender childhood food memories and her passion and expertise for Indonesian cuisine which delight both the kitchen novice as well as the Indonesian connoisseur. And where do I start with the food? I want to eat it all. The vibrance of her flavours leap off the page. From her Oma’s tantalising pork satay to the joyful comfort of her bubur ayam with a pandan pound cake to finish, I cannot wait to immerse myself in every recipe. Mine will have splashes on every page, and countless bookmarks. This is a book that belongs on every shelf, on every coffee table and every kitchen.”

—Lara Lee, author of Coconut and Sambal

“There’s a collision of enticing flavours in this mortar: turmeric, chilli, garlic, shallots, ginger, galangal, coriander seeds. These powerful spices combine to make Indonesian cooking vibrant and bold.”

—Eleanor Ford, author of Fire Islands: Recipes from Indonesia and The Nutmeg Trail

“Indonesia—a country consisting of 17,500 islands—has one of the world’s most diverse food cultures. Patricia has done a wonderful job of interpreting this unique food culture through her mother’s recipes and her own culinary lens. I like how she describes spices, aromatics and Indonesian-specific ingredients to enhance the reader’s knowledge, and explains the cuisine starting from the very basics.”

—Chef William Wongso, Indonesian Culinary Expert and Consultant

224 pages