It’s hard not to get really into the local food when travelling. There is so much to taste and smell and try, all in the name of coming home with a little bit of a vacation glow (and belly)! And for months now, I’ve been hearing about Chef Rai, a fantastic up-and-coming chef concocting all sorts of goodness at the spectacular Villa Florimar in Seseh, Bali.
Here, he divulges one of his favourite recipes, tells us how to make it, and lets us in on what he loves about his work.
Meet Chef Rai
Chef Rai is the typical extroverted introvert – he’s hyper-creative, always analysing and pulling ideas from who knows where and quiet until he gets to know you – when you realise he’s simply a big teddy bear.
He entered the culinary world looking for a way to express himself. His brother-in-law had worked in hotel kitchens, and in listening to his stories, filled with laughter and passion, Chef Rai understood that he too could unleash his creativity through food.
It didn’t take him long to enter culinary school and discover that this was what he was meant to do with his life. Side-by-side with his studies he took up jobs at hotels in Kuta and a deli in Seminyak.
Eventually, Chef Rai found his way to Villa Florimar, a job he loves because of the staff he works alongside, the guests he gets to cook for and because he can experiment more with his dishes.
Chef Rai specialises in Indonesian cuisine, but he’s a man of many culinary talents – we’re talking Pizza, Mexican, a mean BBQ, and heavenly desserts. One of his favourite dishes is a Striploin Beef Steak with Pepper Sauce – and below is exactly how you can recreate it in your own home.
Read also: Luxe eats review: The Restaurant at The Legian Bali
How to Make it: Striploin Beef Steak with Pepper Sauce
Ingredients:
- Beef striploin – 200g
- Potato – 1pc
- Garlic, Salt and Pepper – to taste
- Carrot – 1pc and cut into sticks
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Asparagus – 2pcs
- Cherry tomatoes
- Heavy Cream or Milk
Pepper sauce:
- Garlic – 3 cloves (chopped)
- Onion – 2 tbsp (chopped)
- Brown Stock – 100ml
- Pepper 2 tsp
- Salt
- Butter
Instructions
Step 1. Marinate the beef with salt and pepper. If you can marinate in the refrigerator overnight the beef will be much more tender. If this is not practical, marinate for at least 30 minutes.
While the beef is marinating, slice your vegetables (carrot, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus)
Step 2. Boil your potato to create the mash. Once soft enough, mash the potato and then sauté with butter and heavy cream.
Step 3. Grill beef to your taste. As you grill the beef, sauté the vegetables with garlic, salt and pepper.
Step 4. To prepare the sauce, begin by chopping your garlic and onion. Sauté the garlic and onion with oil, until brown. Once browned, add the brown stock, pepper, and salt, heating around 3 minutes. Finally, add the butter.
Step 5. Plate and eat! ?
Read also: Luxe eats review: Apéritif in Bali
About Villa Florimar
Decorated with distinct Balinese elements, Villa Florimar has five ensuite bedrooms which accommodate up to 10 people. It is surrounded by a big garden and the 18m emerald-green swimming pool in the middle.
Just outside of the traditional Balinese village of Seseh, Villa Florimar opens up onto the black sand beaches of Seseh, where surfable waves beckon. In the mornings, you can watch local fishermen haul in their daily catch from the comfort of your bed.
What’s for dinner?
