MesaStila, Central Java – July 1st, 2012: Healthy
menus rarely have the range of tastes, innovative flair, cuisine styles and
depth of wellness offerings as is found in the new menu creation by Executive
Chef Arya Kusumaatmaja and his team at MesaStila.
The
internationally trained, Javanese culinary-team has created an expanse of
recipes, with enormous passion. Using traditional flavors, combined with a wide
range of locally grown, organic and sustainably derived produce, the cuisine is
given a “healthy twist”. In addition, a sense of the “real Java” was inspired
when the whole kitchen team was encouraged to find recipes that were famous in
their villages or towns, to stimulate a strong local-Javanese connection; these
recipes were adapted to retain their character and flavors, yet with a dedication
to healthy eating.
Executive Chef Arya is originally from Java and has
practiced and learnt with many of Asia’s best chefs. Starting in Indonesia,
Chef Arya has worked across the many islands of this amazingly diverse country.
He worked for 15-years with a major international resort chain that further
inspired his culinary expertise in China, Japan and Thailand. The menu he and
his team have created is a melding of classic, Indonesian and modern cooking; with
a focus on subtle but exciting flavors, melded with his up-to-date training in
healthy eating.
Chef Arya believes that there is a great opportunity in
educating all his guests, especially people from Indonesia that, “healthy
eating does not mean tasteless or expensive food”. Chef Arya has been very
particular to ensure that the healthy-eating ideals are present in every part
of the cooking process; including the choice of ingredients, preparation techniques,
cooking methods, presentation and recipe balance - so that quality and taste
remain paramount!
Dishes
incorporate wholesome-healthy cooking techniques, such as steamed
scrambled-egg, baked snapper, and Indonesian prawn crackers (kurupuk udang) cooked in heated
volcanic sand - instead of the often carcinogenic boiling oil!
While
Low-fat is a motivation in the menu - there is absolutely every sense of flavor
in the Low-Fat Beef Rendang while the Lemon Chicken Nusantara offers explosions
of zesty lemon, lime and ginger in its stew-like arrangement.
Fish,
chicken, beans, pulses and vegetables are predominant ingredients, offering Low
Glycemic Index (GI) options that would please anyone that needs to consider their
carbohydrate intake; as most people do! When rice is used it is usually the lower
GI red rice; while indigenous foods such as sweet potato (yes lower GI than
regular potatoes!), taro and cassava keep the blood sugar under control, even
in some of the desserts!
An
amazing array of ten soups are proposed on the menu – from a tasty
Italian-style Tomato Soup with flavors of Java; to Wild Mushroom Soup
incorporating mushrooms from the resort’s own mushroom-house; or Taro &
Fish Soup with an enticing blend of grated ginger. A selection of a dozen
salads – like the Crunchy Start-Fruit Salad with chicken, watercress and a
sweet ‘n’ sour dressing; Guava, Banana & Tomato Cooler in a curry flavored
vinaigrette; or Roasted Oyster Mushroom with lemon-confit stuffed dates and
yoghurt dressing. All providing an enormous array of Antioxidant, Detox-friendly
and Vegetarian delights!
As
MesaStila has become a training ground for endurance athletes and regular clients
that want a higher protein recovery fix – many of the food items are marked Protein
Recovery – as with the Tartar of Maguro Tuna, which is served with a quail egg
and a delicious spiced avocado base; or the Soto Ayam with its chicken, tofu
bean-cake and hardboiled egg.
The cuisine team at MesaStila offer various cooking classes,
where guests can appreciate the added advantage of being able to take away some
of this cuisine expertise that has been developed under the guidance and
support of the Retreat Manager, Bryan Hoare - a masters degree qualified
physiologist and nutritionist; and the Corporate Executive Chef for Mesa Hotels
& Resorts, Darren Lauder - an award-wining chef and inspiring guide.
Guests
that visit MesaStila on a Cleansing Retreat, Fitness & Weight Management
program, or one of its many healing, healthful escapes will find the food wholesome,
unique and delicious MesaStila experience. The entire menu is scattered with
indications as to which foods are: Antioxidant, Low Fat, Detox Friendly, Low
Gylcemic-Index, Vegetarian or for Protein Recovery.
Editor’s Note – Food classification information:
Protein builds cells;
carbohydrate gives energy; fat is important for healthy skin, hair and body
functioning; everything can be taken too much or too little -– the aim is to
“balance” food intake. These food classification themes will help guests to
choose healthy menu items that will be suitable for their individual needs.
People with special food requirements – such as gluten-free, or have allergies
should be met by the Executive Chef or Retreat Manager.
Low Fat: Low fat diets
contain 45-80g of fat per day depending on total calorie intake. Any food items
that have low fat foods used and low fat preparation and cooking techniques
will be in the low-fat section. It is important in this area to understand the
meaning of different types of fat, their uses and abuses. Fat that is eaten in
food is present in the original form (such as in chicken skin); fat is also
added during processing, preparation and style of cooking (such as with deep
frying). Low fat foods will contain a reasonable amount of good fats
(polyunsaturated, monounsaturated fats) and little or no saturated fats (e.g.
from animals).
Low Glycemic Index: Carbohydrate
is used for energy, we all need it... But the form in which the body receives
carbohydrate is important! The Glycemic Index (GI) is a measure of the speed in
which carbohydrate [glucose (sugar)] passes from the food, through the
digestive system, into the bloodstream. Foods that have a low GI (below 50 or at
least below 70) will pass slowly into the bloodstream, meaning that the
body will have a gradual and sustained provision of energy. Foods that have
high GI (above 70) will pass quickly into the bloodstream and can cause a
“sugar rush (high)”; this will cause a release of insulin, which will take the
sugar to be stored in the liver, taken to the kidneys to be excreted as urine
and most worryingly to be stored in the body as FAT!
Vegetarian: Vegetarians
generally do not eat animals or animal products; however, there are many
different types of vegetarians, including those who will eat fish, dairy and
eggs. In this menu we have included those that will eat only dairy items and
eggs, but not fish. Some VERY strict vegetarians will also have very specific
needs, but we do not cater for them in this menu.
Detox friendly: The
body takes from the outside world: air, water, food and emotions – each of
these if contaminated or polluted can make your body toxic. Detoxification
means to remove unwanted (and toxic) products from the body. In the case of the
food menu, this is referring to food and drink. What you put into the food and
into the body will affect the pollution (toxicity) status of the body. Food can
be clean and detoxifying through its whole process from growing to processing
to cooking and to the way it is eaten – the aim is SLOW food and food that will
least contaminate the body. Detox friendly food is that which is chosen to be
the most beneficial for ensuring zero contamination and also support some type
of cleansing for the body.
Antioxidant: Oxidation
is what happens during metabolism, so when humans live they will always produce
oxidation - and this causes free-radical damage (cell damage). In order to
reduce the damage of the oxidation process or to reverse the damaging effects
of “life” then antioxidants may be used to help reduce the negative effects of
free radicals. Antioxidants
come in several forms, including the vitamins A, C, and E; plant-derived
polyphenols (in colourful fruits and vegetables); and also the element
selenium, found in nuts and broccoli. These compounds are all excellent in
their ability to neutralize harmful molecules in our cells.
Protein Recovery: Protein is needed for
building cells – including muscle cells. When people have been exercising a
lot, or are sick they need protein to help them recover. The foods with this
symbol are classified to enable people to look after their bodies – especially for
very active fitness-nuts!
Editor’s Note – Retreat information:
MesaStila, a high-end
luxury resort, previously known as Losari Spa Retreat & Coffee Plantation is
now established as a wellness retreat. The property was created as a labour-of-love by its many proprietors over the
years – from coffee-plantation to resort and now as a retreat. It incorporates
a collection of antiques and fantastic buildings: a colonial-era railway
station, the former residence of a Javanese Prince, traditional Javanese
wood-villas and the plantation owner’s house from the early 1900’s.
In a world where pollution, noise, crowds, unhealthy diets and
stress are the norm, MesaStila offers an escape and a true sanctuary. The
property is situated in a space of complete tranquillity – surrounded by
amazing natural beauty, cooling mountain-air, lush vegetation and amazing views
of eight surrounding volcanoes. As a wellness retreat MesaStila creates a
distinctly Javanese fusion: with an immersion to the healthy-healing gardens;
Javanese wellness therapies; traditional Pencak Silat martial-arts; Java-coffee
scrubs; Jungle-Gym & TRX; healthy Javanese food and the services of skilled
local healers.
The wellness programs are influenced by the custom of Javanese
medicine, through traditional healers called Tabib, who manage a variety of
physical, emotional, and spiritual complaints. A local Jamu Master formulates
special healing tonics for particular guest needs; while the Ibu-Jamu’s (Jamu
ladies) offer many varieties of freshly-made therapeutic Jamu during breakfast.
The property includes a functioning coffee plantation and charming
non-commercial coffee production process; though the true magnificence of
MesaStila is in its amazing Hammam Spa - offering treatments from Tunia, to a
relaxing Plantation Massage and a Cooling Jade Facial. The most exquisite
Hammam scrubs and warming massages have been created to meld in with the two
enormous Hammams.
For Details Contact:
Sugeng Sugiantoro –
Director of Sales & Marketing
MesaStila
PO Box 108, Magelang, 56100
Central Java – Indonesia
Telephone number: +62 (0) 298
596 333 Fax: +62 (0) 298 592 696 or 596 100
Email: sugeng@losaricoffeeplantaion.com
Email: sugeng@losaricoffeeplantaion.com
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