We have a weakness for spicy Asian food—and for companies that do good works. That’s why we’re stocking our pantries with Bali Spice’s line of 18 Indonesian seasonings, noodles, and sauces. All you have to do is add your favorite veggies, meat, or tofu, and you have an authentic-tasting stir-fry or curry in practically no time.

But the real story is where these foods come from. Bali Spice is the brainchild of PeaceWorks, a company that encourages business ventures in countries with considerable religious, ethnic, or racial unrest. The factory that produces Bali Spice products is in Indonesia, a primarily Islamic country in which women-owned businesses are rare. At this establishment, however, the women are in charge—and Buddhists, Christians, and Muslims work side by side.

On top of that, these shelf-stable products contain no preservatives and are mostly low-fat. We like the Sweet and Sour Chili Sauce and the Peanut Satay Stir-Fry Noodle Kit. Bali Spice products are available at thousands of stores across the country, including Whole Foods, Albertsons, and Wild Oats markets. You can also order them online at www.peaceworks.com.

The company is donating 100 percent of its profits this year to the American Red Cross’s tsunami-relief efforts, so you’ll bring a world of good into more than just your kitchen.

—Alisa Blackwood Published March 2005