Itching to travel, but can't I totally get it.
Not all of us have the luxury to travel so freely. Span the world hopping from one country to the next. It might be daily life for some, but not so much for you. Whether it's not being financially stable, not having a reliable car, working for a company that offers vacation days you can count on one hand, the excuses are endless. I get it, so what can you do when that lengthy list is staring you in the face? Get creative in the kitchen. Food is one of the many things we look forward to when we travel. It's a chance to learn about a culture, try something you never tried, and create a lasting impression that you want to bring it home with you. That's why using food from around the world, is the best way to travel countries far and wide and your taste buds will thank you. Scroll thru my list below and take a little trip filled with delicious bites, decadent spoonfuls, and dives into the unknown.
Pick a Fruit or Vegetable You've Never Tried
Choosing a fruit or vegetable out of your wheelhouse will pull you out of your comfort zone. It will be your culinary compass directing you into new horizons. You can look up what cultures use it, how do they cook it, and soon you'll be inspired to include this something new into your everyday. Curious what new fruits or veggies I've tried lately??? One thing I tried recently was cactus fruit aka prickly pear. It was different, but soo good, who would have thought?!? These prickly pears are most common in Mexico and Central America. And as far as recipes there are some delicious juices and cocktails that are worthy of a sunny day sitting poolside. All of this from just opening my eyes to something new or in this case something prickly.
Add a Spice Blend to your pantry
Spice blends can be mixtures of spices used for thousands of years engraved into a culture's roots or it could be something an eclectic chef comes up with on their own to make their own signature mark on a dish. Either way spice blends are a great tool to guide you into a cuisine from far away lands or let you bring your favorite local spot's signature dish back to your table. Below are some of my go tos to get you started.
Berber- Ethiopian Spice Blend, the star of all their meat stews and some of their vegetable dishes. It's spicy and fragrant and has a bright red color, sure to excite the senses.
Garam Masala- This Indian Spice Blend, is the base for Indian curries. Both sweet and spicy it adds just enough flavor.
Sri Lankan Curry Powder- How could I go without mentioning my family's own spice blend. Our infamous Sri Lankan curry powder. The spices are roasted creating a smoky spicy flavor perfect for red meat curries and roasts. Unlike other spice blends a little goes a long way.
Pick Up a Cookbook
Cookbooks have become something I have started collecting over the years. It's a book I know I will return to and open again and again. Some of my favorites are cookbooks written by chefs of my favorite restaurants because I can recreate what tasted so good when I was there. My other favorites, cookbooks from cuisines I have yet to try. These are great because it allows me to dive headfirst in something I don't know. The best part, I get to learn new and exciting ways to approach cooking. And I get to travel through their colorful pages unto my plate, it's a win-win. So what suits you? Recreating a meal from a place you have grown to love or dive headfirst into creating a meal you never even tried? Either way, you are traveling to a place that invites a new experience, and that's what it is all about. Still stuck on where to even begin, here are some from my collection:
Malibu Farm Cookbook- Recipes from the California Coast is written by chef Helene Henderson of the famous Malibu Pier restaurant Malibu Farm. The restaurant is charming, the food is simple but so unexpected, and the beach views are easy on the eyes. If you want to feel like you are in Malibu sitting on the pier, this one is a win.
Palestine on a Plate- I came across this cookbook as a recommendation from a food photographer. The author Joudie Kalla takes you under her wing and shows you traditionally Palestinian recipes as if you are sitting in her family's kitchen. I've never tried Palestinian food, but this cookbook was a treat to try and dive headfirst into something I wasn't familiar with.
Comments