Shop Small Business Saturday!

Hey readers!

     It is Small Business Saturday!  If you're unfamiliar with it, Small Business Saturday is a day where folks are encouraged to shop small businesses and local businesses, rather than big box corporate stores.  Euforia Confections is excited to be a part of this initiative, and we are offering free shipping on all our orders today 11/30/2013!  Our gourmet cakes make great gifts - they're gluten-free, made of natural ingredients, and absolutely delicious!  So #shopsmall, and we hope you shop Euforia!

Have a Gluten-Free Thanksgiving!

Dear Readers,

     Here at Euforia, we know the holidays are a tough time for people who don't eat gluten.  So much of our traditional Thanksgiving foods are loaded with gluten, some obvious, like stuffing, and some are not so obvious, like gravy.  We are writing today's article with some ideas on how to have a gluten-free Thanksgiving, and we've included some links to gluten-free recipes.
     Safe foods:

• Turkey - At the grocery store, a fresh turkey is a good bet.  As long as there isn't any added ingredients, and you don't use any added spice or gravy packets if they're included, you should be just fine.  Bake and enjoy!
• Cranberry sauce - If you're buying store-bought cranberry sauce, check the ingredients on the can to be sure, but generally cranberry sauce is naturally gluten-free.  However, if you'd like to go the homemade route, here is the Ocean Spray recipe for how to make it yourself!  Recipe
• Mashed potatoes - Another delicious Thanksgiving staple that, when you make it yourself, is completely gluten-free - all you need is potatoes, milk, and butter, and you're all set!

     Use caution:

• Stuffing - Since stuffing is essentially seasoned bread crumbs, most store-bought stuffing is not for the gluten-intolerant.  Fortunately, there are plenty of gluten-free recipes, like this one from Udi's: Recipe
• Gravy - Traditionally, gravy is prepared with pan drippings and flour, but you can make some substitutions to make your gravy delicious and gluten-free.  Cornstarch or rice flour work really well, and here's another good recipe here: Recipe

     As far as dessert, let Euforia take care of it for you!  We have delicious cakes that are all-natural and gluten-free.  Plus, we are running a buy 2 cakes, get a mini Triple Delight for free (use code TURKEY2013) so there will be plenty for everybody to enjoy!  

     

Indonesian Holiday Traditions

Hello Readers,

     I'm sure a lot of you are getting prepared for the holiday season: shopping, making travel arrangements, menu planning, etc.  While we all celebrate holidays in our own way, there are some traditions that are held in each culture.  For example, here in the United States on Thanksgiving, families gather to eat large meals of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and pie (and then pass out in front of football!).  Many holiday traditions, regardless of culture, have family gatherings and food at the center.  Today, we wanted to take the opportunity to talk about holidays and traditions in Indonesia.
     Maulid Nabi - The birthday celebration of the Prophet Muhammad.  Muslims gather to give prayers of thanks to Allah, and at mosques, speeches and lectures are given.  Families wear new clothes and give children gifts, and in some areas, parades and festivals are held.  (01/14/14)
     Idul Fitri (also known as Lebaran) - Idul Fitri is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadan.  In Indonesia, this is the time when people ask forgiveness of others, and millions travel to visit their friends and family.  People dress in traditional, cultural clothes, attend special prayers, do charitable acts and visit loved ones.  Many families also have special Lebaran dinners consisting of rendang, ketaput, opor ayam, and various cakes, candies, and desserts.  (7/29/2014) Read more about Idul Fitri here.
     Indonesian Independence Day - Every year on Indonesia's Independence Day, the National Palace televises an Independence Day ceremony in the President gives a speech, members of the military are in full dress uniforms, and the flag is raised.  The people take the day to celebrate and have fun - red and white decorations are hung, parades, contests, and games are planned.  The most anticipated event is the Panjat Pinang - a huge palm trunk is greased with clay and oil, and at the top of the trunk, prizes are hung , and the person who makes it to the top wins the prize.  (8/17/14) Read more about Indonesian Independence Day here.
     Around the world, many holidays are about family, food, and good times.  We hope that the holidays you celebrate are filled with lots of all three of those things.  Also, be sure to order a gourmet cake from Euforia Confections.  Our traditional Indonesian celebration cakes are sure to make your holidays that much more special.

All the best!
Euforia Confections
     

Going all-natural!

Dear Readers,

     With more and more attention being paid to the ingredients in our foods, we wanted to take this opportunity to talk about our ingredients.  Here at Euforia, we believe that simple, natural ingredients can be transformed into amazing desserts.  We don't use preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial flavors and colors in our foods and never will.

Thousand Layer Roulade

     Euforia cakes are created from traditional family recipes, so we are using nearly the same ingredients in our bakery that are used in kitchens throughout Indonesia.  Our Thousand Layer Spice Cake contains eggs, butter, sugar, milk, fragrant spices, and salt - That's all there is to it.  The Vanilla and Lemon Variations contain vanilla and lemon and citric acid instead of spices.  The Triple Delight Cake is made of eggs, butter, sugar, gluten-free flour blend (white rice, brown rice, tapioca, almond, potato), milk, cocoa powder, vanilla, salt, and coffee.
     Because our cakes are natural in addition to being gluten-free, they can be enjoyed by more people.  We hope you get the opportunity to try them for yourself!


      

Our favorite desserts go gluten-free!

Hello Readers!

     I'm hoping this post finds you well!  Last week, we talked about our favorite Indonesian foods, and included some recipes, which we hope you got to try and enjoy.  This week, we are all about dessert, and while you can always order a Triple Delight or Thousand Layer Cake from Euforia, sometimes, it's nice to get into the kitchen, tie on the apron, and get baking.  Baking is how I achieve catharsis and I recommend it.  Since Euforia Confections are gluten-free, the recipes I include will be gluten-free too.
     Not only is it seasonally appropriate, but pumpkin pie is a great option for the gluten intolerant because you don't need to make any substitutions with the filling.  To start any pie, you need a good crust.  I am terrible at homemade pie crust, but fortunately, Pillsbury makes a pretty tasty gluten-free pie crust - it comes in a tub, so just scoop and roll it out.  If you would like to have a tasty, made-from-scratch crust, King Arthur has a gluten-free flour and a good recipe to accompany it.  Here's the link to the always-popular Libby's Pumpkin Pie recipe.
     I always get excited for cookies, but I know finding a good gluten-free cookie is hard to find.  Plus, I know in a lot of markets, the ingredients to make gluten-free baked goods can be difficult to find (ever try to find xantham gum in West Virginia?).  Bisquick has been making baking easier for me for years, and fortunately, Gluten-free Bisquick is available now.  I've tried the peanut butter cookie recipe, and it's definitely worth making (if you can add chocolate chips to the dough, it's even better!)

Chocolate souffle

     Now for the chocolate (Come now, you didn't think I'd have a dessert list and not include chocolate?):  Going gluten-free is a great reason to make a souffle!  They're is no need for flour substitutes or anything else to make them, all you need is chocolate, eggs, butter, and sugar, and gfreely.com has a great recipe.  Even though they are surprisingly easy to make (just don't overmix!), your guests will be very impressed when you serve souffles at your next gathering!
     If you're craving something sweet and you feel like baking, I hope these recipes give you a little inspiration.  If not, there are tons of great cookbooks, blogs, and resources out there.  However, if you want something sweet, something that will go great at your next gathering, Euforia Confections can do the work for you!  Our cakes are gluten-free, all-natural, delicious, and easy clean-up!

All the best,
Euforia


 
 

Our favorite things! - food edition

Hello readers!

     As we go into fall and the holiday season (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas), I am thinking all about food.  Not just pumpkin and turkey, I want to try all kinds of new recipes, and I am assuming you do too.  Euforia Confections' cakes are based on Indonesian recipes so I'll be sharing some of the popular dishes of Indonesia with links to really great recipes.

Nasi Goreng

     Nasi Goreng - Rice is a staple food in Indonesia, and nasi goreng is a national dish.  Nasi Goreng is simply fried rice, created to use leftover rice and meats so they don't go to waste.  You can really play with the recipe and add your preferred meats, vegetables and season to taste.  Voted #2 in a CNN reader poll for the world's best food.  Recipe
     Rendang - Rendang is a very popular dish in Indonesia, and it was recently voted as the best food in the world in a recent CNN reader's poll.  Beef is slow cooked in coconut milk and spices - ginger, lemongrass, chiles, tumeric, garlic...it is truly delicious.  When rendang was first created, the spices were used to preserve the beef, so it would last a long time, but the spices also add an amazingly complex flavor.  Recipe
     Satay - Basically, satay is grilled, skewered meat that is served with sauce, generally a soy or peanut sauce.  Developed by street vendors, it is thought that satay is an Indonesian take on Indian kebabs.  Satay is very popular in Indonesia, and you can find it everywhere, from street cart to fine dining.  Recipe

Euforia's Thousand Layer Cake

     So go cook!  Have an Indonesian-inspired dinner and let us take care of dessert.  Euforia Confections' cakes are hand made from traditional, Indonesian recipes.  They're delicious, decadent cakes that will satisfy your sweet tooth while being all-natural, gluten-free, and truly authentic.
http://foodiesunite.com/wp-content/uploads/Picture-11.png


All the best,
Euforia Confections

 
     

Holiday edition: Happy Boss' Day

Hey there, readers!

Happy Boss' Day!

     Today is National Boss' Day!  National Boss' Day is observed every year on October 16th in the United States, Canada, and other nations as a way for workers to show appreciation to their supervisor.  It all started in 1958, when Patricia Bays Haroski, a State Farm Insurance employee, registered the holiday with the US Chamber of Commerce.  She chose October 16th in recognition of her father's birthday, and four years later, in 1962, Illinois Governor Otto Kerner supported the registration and declared National Boss' Day as a holiday.
     Here at Euforia, we hope you have good reason to celebrate Boss' Day.  Flowers, cards, and candy are typical ways to recognize your boss for being fair and kind.  This year, treat your boss to a delicious cake from Euforia Confections.  They're gluten-free, all-natural, and absolutely delicious.  Order one today, and while it may be a little late, it will definitely be appreciated.

Gluten-Free News!

Hello readers!

     Many of our customers order from us because not only are Euforia's cakes tasty, our cakes are gluten-free.  Because of that, I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know some of the gluten-free news that's been happening:

• The Girl Scouts of America are introducing a gluten-free cookie in 20 test markets.  It's a chocolate-chip shortbread cookie with no artificial colors, flavors, high fructose corn syrup, or hydrogenated oils.  We're hoping it tastes as good as it looks and goes nation-wide!
• Perfect for this time of year: The "SPOOKtacular Gluten-Free Halloween Desserts" cookbook just came out in paperback and for Kindle!  This could be a great way to enjoy some Halloween treats without the worry.
• Some scientific studies have been released regarding Celiac Disease.  In Oslo, researchers have put out a study in which waiting to introduce gluten to babies after 6 months of age may lead to celiac disease later on.  Another study from Sweden is showing that there is no link between Celiac Disease and autism. 

     We hope you get some good information, and you can always check out our gluten-free information page for some of the basics about gluten, Celiac, and Euforia Confections!

All the best,

Euforia

What is spiku (lapis Surabaya)?

Hello, Readers!

Triple Delight Cake

     Last week, I told you about Euforia's Thousand Layer Cake, the history behind it and how it's made.  This week, I want to tell you about Euforia's Triple Delight Cake, or as it's traditionally known, lapis Surabaya or spiku.
     Surabaya is the second largest city in Indonesia and the capital of East Java.  Lapis Surabaya originates from Surabaya (hence the name), but residents don't call it that.  Ask a Surabayan about lapis Surabaya, and you might get a blank stare.  Instead, they call it "spiku," and like the lapis legit (Thousand Layer Cake), it is popular for special occasions like birthdays, weddings, and holidays.  Spiku typically only has three layers - two vanilla, one chocolate, and a thin layer of jam holding the layers together.  There are lots of variations on this, for example, at Euforia, we use buttercream frosting instead of jam.

     Spiku is not as labor intensive as the lapis legit, but it does use similar ingredients.  Like most Indonesian desserts, instead of using baking powder or baking soda, egg yolks are used to achieve a fluffy, silky texture.  Sugar, butter, cocoa, and flour make up the rest of the cake.  Simple, basic ingredients produce an amazing dessert.
     At Euforia, we call spiku the "Triple Delight Cake," but we keep to tradition using Kartika's family recipes!  For those who are gluten-free, rest assured, we use a blend of potato, rice, tapioca, and almond flour in place of wheat, but the taste is still amazing!  We'd love for you to discover our delicious, Indonesian cakes.
   

     

What is a "Thousand Layer Cake?"

Hello, readers!  

Thousand Layer Cake from Euforia

     Here at Euforia Confections, the first cake we made is our "Thousand Layer Cake."  Because it's not a traditional cake here in the United States, I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you about it - history, how it's made, etc.
     The Dutch colonized Indonesia beginning in the late 16th century, creating the Dutch East Indies.  Over time, aspects of Dutch culture began to assimilate into the Indonesian culture, including cooking and food traditions.  "Baumkuchen," a cake dating back from the late 1500's, was a very traditional dessert with the Dutch when they came to Indonesia (and continues to be today).  It is prepared by brushing cake batter onto a spit over and over forming layers and becoming a large, round, layered cake.   Baumkuchen translates to "tree cake" in German because the cake's striations look like tree rings.

Traditional Baumkuchen

     In Indonesia, the techniques to create Baumkuchen, in addition to the spices and ingredients indigenous to Indonesia, led to creating "Lapis Legit" (literally translated to rich, layered cake).  The cake traditionally contains aromatic spices found in Indonesia lending the cake a complex flavor and an amazing aroma.  The layered structure of the cake is created by spreading a thin layers of cake batter in a pan, baking it, then spreading another layer of batter, and so forth until the cake has reached the desired height.  Because lapis legit requires a lot of work and time, coupled with the richness of the cake, it is very popular for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and holiday celebrations.

Thousand Layer Cake from Euforia

     Kartika, Euforia's founder, grew up baking Lapis Legit with her mother in Indonesia.  After her mother's passing, she started Euforia Confections in 2011 to continue baking these traditional cakes.  Euforia's Thousand Layer Cake is available in vanilla and lemon flavors, in addition to the traditional spice flavor.  Using only all-natural ingredients and making them gluten-free, these hand made cakes are truly labors of love.  We hope you get the opportunity to try them for yourselves!

All the best from us at Euforia!


      

The International Day of Peace

Hello Readers!

     Today, September 21, 2013 is the International Day of Peace, also known as "Peace Day" around the world.  In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution declaring a day to "commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace" throughout the world and was celebrated Peace Bell, and from there events around the world are held to promote and educate about peace and acts of non-violence.
for the first time in 1982.  Each year, the day is began at the United Nations headquarters in New York with the ringing of the
     This year, the theme for Peace Day is "Education for Peace."  Around the world, events are being held promoting Peace Day, and social media is playing a part in spreading the word.  #PeaceHug is a trending topic on Twitter, and Peace Day's Facebook page has over 59,000 likes.  Today, peace can be acted upon individually, in addition to globally, and we at Euforia encourage all of you to take part.

All the best,
Euforia Confections

What is gourmet?

Hello Readers!

     We see the word gourmet used to describe everything from popcorn and soda to cooks and kitchens.  It's printed across items at the grocery store and used in ads for pizza delivery chains.  We see it a lot, but what does it mean?  What is gourmet?  The Oxford Online Dictionary defines "gourmet" as a noun meaning "a connoisseur of good food; a person with a discerning palate." So, when used to describe food or cooking, gourmet food is "suitable for a connoisseur of good food."  Most people use "gourmet" a bit more loosely than the Oxford Dictionary.  When describing foods, gourmet generally means using higher quality ingredients and/or new or special methods of preparation to create food.  It is also now an industry classification for premium foods in the United States.  

     There has been a huge trend towards gourmet foods and a large increase in the gourmet market in the past decade.  The U.S. Market for Gourmet and Specialty Foods and Beverages cite rising incomes, wider access to culinary knowledge and an "overall penchant for indulgence" as reasons for this rise in popularity in fine foods.  However, pop culture has a big hand in this also.  Movies ("Julie and Julia"), television ("Chopped" "Top Chef" "The Taste") and books ("Kitchen Confidential," "Omnivore's Dilemma") all push us toward discovering new foods, new cooking methods, new restaurants, etc.  

     Here at Euforia, we describe our cakes as gourmet - we only use all-natural ingredients to make our Triple Delight and Thousand Layer cakes.  Each of our cakes are created from traditional Indonesian recipes, and they are hand-made using Dutch baking techniques.   We do also make them gluten-free for our Foodies avoiding gluten.  So satisfy that "overall penchant for indulgence" and order a Euforia cake!

Where can you find Euforia?

Hello again, readers!

     Here at Euforia, we are asked all the time "Where can we find Euforia cakes?"  This week's post is here to answer that question, and link you to all sorts of great places to find Euforia Confections.  Fortunately, Euforia is all over the place, so satisfying that craving for delicious, gluten-free cake is pretty easy, and you'll get to visit some great websites too.

• Home - Our website where you'll find our products, information about us, gluten-free information, and our blog!
• Amazon 
• Etsy
• Delicious Karma - Artisan and gourmet foods, plus they donate time and money to philanthropic projects (Karma Kauses).  Added perks include earning Karma Kredits and daily deals.  
• Abe's Market - This site is an all-natural online marketplace where you can find everything from baby care to food to fashion to cleaning products.  
• Fooducopia - A website made up of dozens of stores where you can shop for an amazing variety of real, artisan foods.  You can sort your search by specs too (gluten-free, raw, vegan, etc) to make your search easy.
• For the Gourmet - Operated by chefs, For the Gourmet is a great place for foodies and gourmands to get specialty products
• OpenSky - An online community where you can follow stores, find local stores, and discover tons of new products
• Picsity - Where you can create collections and follow others' collections for inspiration in addition to buying the things you find.

Stay up to date with our locations by following our blog or reviewing our location page.
 

Happy Grandparent's Day!

Hello again, Readers!

     Today is National Grandparent's Day!  Grandparent's Day has been a national holiday in the United States since 1978.  Grandparent's Day was founded by Marian McQuade, a West Virginia housewife who served on the West Virginia Commission on Aging and the Nursing Home Licensing board.   Her goal for creating this holiday was to bring attention to elderly people in nursing homes and assisted living homes.  It's also meant to be an opportunity for younger generations to learn about family history, traditions, and heritage.

     Personally, when I visit my grandparents, I love going through my grandma's recipe box.  Seeing the handwritten recipe cards that have faded over time or have floury fingerprint smudges or yellowed newsprint from recipes cut out of magazines - it reminds me that there is more to family dinners than the food, there's history and tradition there.  The cakes from Euforia Confections are baked using family recipes that have been passed down through the generations.
     To all the grandparents, we hope you have a safe and happy Grandparent's Day!  We also hope you receive a delicious, gluten-free Euforia cake as a present.

Best regards,
Euforia Confections

  
     

We are excited!

Hey there, Readers!

     I hope everyone had a good Labor Day Weekend!  Labor Day is traditionally about celebrating Spice Thousand Layer Cake.  Rich, warm spices in a delicate cake - They just taste like fall!

Currently, in Tucson
it's 92 degrees.

the American worker and his/her contribution to society, but in recent years, it symbolizes the end of summer and the beginning of fall.  So while we sadly have to retire our white pants and flip-flops, we can console ourselves with pumpkin lattes and a
     We are also excited at Euforia because we are launching our Gluten-Free Landing Page!  Euforia cakes are all naturally gluten-free and we wanted to share information, not just about our products, but about being gluten-free in general.  When you visit the Gluten-Free Landing Page, you'll find links to some great resources, Frequently Asked Questions, and local information for Tucsonians!  Finding information on being gluten-free can be a bit daunting, so we're trying to make it easier.  I encourage all of you to stop by and check it out!

Learning about Celiac Disease

Hello Readers!

     Because Euforia's cakes are gluten-free, we have many customers who are living with Celiac Disease.   Today's post is an introduction to Celiac Disease to help our readers with a bit of information and resources.
     What is Celiac Disease?  It's an autoimmune disease in which gluten consumption triggers a reaction in the small intestine. Gluten is the protein found in all forms of wheat, barley, and rye.

Glutens help doughs rise and give texture

 The reaction from eating gluten causes inflammation in the small intestine, blocking nutrient absorption and over time, causing damage to the intestinal lining.  
     Because Celiac Disease is a chronic condition, there isn't a cure.  The only treatment for Celiac Disease is completely eliminating gluten from one's diet.  Fortunately, once gluten is gone, the intestine starts to heal, and medication isn't generally required though medical follow up is recommended.
     Currently, Celiac Disease is estimated to affect 1 in 150 people in the United States, though some doctors estimate a higher incidence.   Due to the increase in Celiac Disease diagnoses, in addition to those wanting to eliminate gluten for other reasons, gluten-free foods are gaining popularity. both online and in grocery stores and restaurants.  Also, you don't have to give up good desserts when you give up gluten.  Cakes from Euforia Confections are delicious, and they are gluten-free!

Thousand Layer Cake from Euforia Confections

  Helpful links for Celiac Disease information:

• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/celiac-disease/DS00319
• http://www.celiac.org/
• http://celiac.nih.gov/
• http://www.celiac.com/             

     

We're having a summer sale!

Hey readers!

     I can not believe it is mid-August, already! Where did the summer go? (quick answer: here) School is starting, football is in pre-season, and stores are putting out Halloween decorations.

 Yes, folks, fall is just around the corner.

     Fortunately, we're optimists at Euforia, and one of our favorite things about seasons changing are the sales.  We thought we should join in the fun! We now cordially invite you to:  

***Better Than BOGO Sale***

from Euforia Confections 

       Spend $15 on ANY Euforia Cake, get a Triple Delight Mini FREE!

     

      What makes our sale better than most buy 1/get 1 sales?  You can get any of our gourmet cakes, and as long as you spend $15 on cake, you're going to get a Triple Delight Cake Mini for free.  You can even buy multiples of Our Triple Delight cake is gluten-free and made from all-natural ingredients.  In addition to

Triple Delight Mini

being a healthier alternative, it's delicious.  This chocolate and vanilla layered cake with buttercream frosting in the middle is an amazing combination of rich flavor and moist, delicate texture.  Go to our website to order, but don't wait - this sale ends 8/31!*  

*Use coupon code EBOGO at checkout, limit one free cake per purchase, BOGO can't be combined with other offers.  

Indonesian Independence Day!

Hello Readers,

   

     This Saturday is Indonesia's Independence Day, so here's a little information about it.  On August 17, 1945, the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence was read, marking the beginning of resistance against the Netherlands.  The Netherlands acknowledged Indonesia's independence in 1949, after nearly five years of armed and diplomatic resistance by the Indonesian National Revolution.  Since then, Indonesia celebrates their Independence Day every year on August 17.

     On August 17, the festivities will begin with the President raising the Indonesian flag at the National Palace.  It's a solemn event, attended by cabinet members, high-ranking military, and families of the current and preceding president, and invited guests.  The raising of the flag is also televised live so the entire nation can witness.                                                                                   Not unlike America's Fourth of July, Independence Day is a huge holiday for the Indonesian people.  Preparations begin weeks in advance with buildings being decorated with banners and lights.  Government offices are draped in red and white streamers, while shopping malls hang red and white decorations while holding sales in anticipation of the holiday.                              
      After the ceremonies, the festivities begin.  The towns are covered in red and white decorations, and "Dirgahayu RI" ("Long Live Indonesia") is written everywhere.  Eating competitions, cooking competitions, races, and games fill the day.  Panjat Pinang is the most popular event of the day: Prizes are hung on the branches of a large palm, and the palm trunk is greased with clay and oil.  Participants attempt to climb the tree to reach the prizes.  While messy, it's a great time for the participants and the spectators.                                                    
     We encourage all of you to celebrate Indonesian Independence!  What better way to celebrate than with an Indonesian Thousand Layer Cake?

Dirgahayu RI!
Euforia

Celebrating Eid al-Fitr!

 Hello Readers!

     August 8, 2013 is Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan.  Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calender, and it is observed by Muslims around the world through fasting, charitable acts, and prayer.  Eid al Fitr translates to "festival of breaking of the fast." and always falls on the first day of Shawwal, the beginning of the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.  This is one of the most special and joyous holidays of the year, and it is meant to be a day of celebration.

     Eid al-Fitr or as it's known in Indonesia,  Idul Fitri or Lebaran, traditionally begins with people gathering to perform the Eid prayer often followed by charitable donations.  This day is also seen as a time of atonement, with many visting relatives to ask forgiveness.  Last year, around 30 million Indonesians traveled to their home towns to spend that time with their families (known as puland kampung).  

Many families will have a special Lebaran meal consisting of traditional dishes such as ketupat, opor ayam, rendang, and sayur lodeh.  In addition to these main dishes, cookies, cakes, and candies are served.  The cakes from Euforia - the Thousand Layer Cake and the Triple Delight Cake -  are an example of the traditional Indonesian cakes that are commonly prepared for the holiday dinner. 

     This holiday is a joyous occasion for millions of people around the world, a day of tradition and celebration.  We hope all of our readers who observe this day have a safe and lovely day. 

Selamat Idul Fitri! (Happy Eid!)
Euforia

Celebrate Friendship Day!

     Today, August 4th, is International Friendship Day which celebrates friendship across the world.  Friendship Day was founded by Joyce Hall in 1919, who wanted the day to be marked with friends sending cards to one another (also, Joyce Hall founded Hallmark Cards).  Friendship Day fell out of popularity by the 1940's and cards went off the market in the US.
     Paraguay re-introduced World Friendship Day in 1958, and from there, it spread through South America and Asia. Gaioning popularity in India, Malaysia, and Bangladesh with the rise of social media, the exchange of flowers, bracelets, and small gifts has become tradition.  In 1997, Nane Annan, (wife of Kofi Annan, who was the Secretary-General of the UN at the time), with the United Nations, named Winnie the Pooh as the ambassador of friendship in an event co-sponsored by Disney Enterprises and the UN Department of Public Information.
     So now, you have a bit of history of Friendship Day.  With this knowledge, go celebrate!  Go get brunch with the girls, send some emails to your friends from college to catch up.  Or, my personal recommendation, take advantage of the free Triple Delight Cake * offer from Euforia and send a cake to a friend.  Cake makes a great gift or a great treat to share over coffee.  So, Happy Friendship Day, cake lovers!
                                          

All the best from Euforia!

*Spend $15 or more on any Euforia Cake and get a free Triple Delight Mini Cake - offer good through 8/18
     

Parents' Day

     Parents' Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of every July, and it is meant to be a combination of Mother's and Father's Days.  While not a well known holiday, Parents' Day  was meant for "recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children"," when it was created in 1994.
     In honor of Parents' Day, today's post is about cooking with the family.  As we have talked about before, our personal traditions are tied to food.  Family dinners, recipes passed down through the generations, the "special silverware" we only use for holidays and company that's been in the family for generations - these traditions are all part of who we are, and for the most part, they've all been passed down from our parents.
     So why is it good to cook with your kids?  Cooking with your kids helps build creativity and self reliance, and it helps minimize pickiness.  Kids are more likely to eat dinner if they helped make it.  Even the youngest children can help out by stirring, adding ingredients and the perennial favorite, licking beaters and spoons used for cake batter.  But more than this, if you cook with your kids, you're spending time with them and more likely to eat dinner as a family, which can lead to healthier living.
     Cooking is a great way to teach kids new stuff in a fun way!  By cooking international foods, (yes, spaghetti can count!) you can teach your kids about geography, history, and other cultures.  Reading recipes and measuring ingredients teaches math and science.  
     Most importantly, cooking with your kids can be fun (albeit messy) for everyone, and it creates good memories and lasting traditions.   Kartika started Euforia Confections after her mother passed away because she wanted to share the cakes that she used to bake with her mother in Indonesia.    

A little bit about Indonesian Cuisine

     Cakes from Euforia Confections are created from Indonesian family recipes.  Our Thousand Layer Cakes and Triple Delight Cakes are traditionally used to celebrate important events and holidays in Indonesia and have been enjoyed by generations of families in Indonesia.  Part of what makes food so awesome is knowing the tradition behind it, the history of it, and how it has evolved over time, so today's post is going to be a bit of a history lesson.  Don't worry, you won't be quizzed.
     Because Indonesia is located on what were once popular trade routes connecting the Middle East to the Far East, several of Indonesia's 17,000 islands became known as the Spice Islands.  Trade with other cultures started with China in approximately the seventh century.  That is how spices such as cardamom, cumin, and caraway became widely used in addition to the introduction of tea, soybeans, noodles and nasi goreng (fried rice) in Indonesian cuisine.  Nasi goreng is considered a national dish of Indonesia to this day.  Heavy traffic from traders brought new foods and cooking techniques from around the world to Indonesian culture.  Starting in the 1500s European nations started fighting for control of the Spice Islands, and by the 1600s the Dutch had set up their empire in Indonesia (then the Dutch East Indies) and gained control of the trade routes.  To remind themselves of home, the Dutch brought cabbage, potatoes, cauliflower, and corn, among other items.  Some of the native upperclass and nobles were introduced to the Dutch cuisine, which led to a fusion of Indonesian and Dutch flavors and methods.  Many of the cakes and cookies popular today can trace back to the Dutch colonial era (specifically the Spekkoek and Spiku - or Euforia's Thousand Layer and Triple Delight cakes respectively).
     Due to the time and work involved to create the Spekkoek (or Lapis Legit as it is also referred) and Spiku (or Lapis Surabaya meaning  'layer cake' ), they are typically only enjoyed for celebrations in Indonesia.  Layered cakes are very popular for Indonesian weddings as they symbolize the couple climbing a ladder to success.   For this reason, many couples will slice the cake from the bottom and work their way up.  Other occasions to enjoy these cakes include birthdays,  New Year, and Eid al-Fitr.
     Kartika (Euforia's founder) grew up baking these cakes with her mother using the family recipes passed down while growing up in Indonesia, and she wants to share them.  We think every day has a reason to celebrate which is why you can get these delicious cakes at any time at Euforia Confections.

Cheers!