This Wednesday is Galungan, a Balinese holiday celebrating the victory of dharma over adharma – the victory of good over evil. It also marks the time when ancestral spirits visit the Earth. To celebrate the holiday, every Balinese family erects a pejor–a tall tapered bamboo pole–outside their home, which symbolizes the dominance of dharma over adharma, welcomes the spirits back to Earth, and offers thanks to the Gods.
There are several days of preparation for Galungan, but on Galungan Day itself, Balinese Hindus pray at the temples and make offerings to the spirits. Women are responsible for carrying offerings on their heads, while the men bring palm fronds. Celebrations continue the day after Galungan, as the Balinese visit their family and closest friends to enjoy traditional foods like lawar and babi.
In celebration of Galungan, we’re sharing a yummy recipe for one of the most famous Balinese dishes out there.
Lawar is a typical Balinese dish frequently cooked at home and found in warungs all over the island. It’s traditionally cooked with minced meat, but this recipe is an herbivore-friendly variation.
Ingredients:
3 cups Organic Green Beans, cut in ½” pieces
½ cup grated coconut
2 Shallots, minced
2 cloves Garlic, minced
3 Red Chillis, minced
¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
½ teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Lime Juice
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon Chili Powder
Directions:
Toast coconut in a pan over medium-low heat until lightly browned. Blanch green beans in boiling water until tender, about 3 minutes. Drain beans and shock in ice water to cool. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat and add shallots, garlic, and chillis. Cook 4-5 minutes, until lightly browned. Add chilli powder, stir to combine, and cook 1-2 more minutes. Remove from heat and stir in coconut and lime juice. Combine mixture with green beans and serve.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
