Ethnic Cuisine

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   Denise Handlonposted 12 years ago

   With all of the very many varieties of cuisine to choose from, what is your favorite type of food to eat...it can include your own country's food.

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      stessilyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Denise, There was a time when I could have had a straightforward answer to your question. My enduring passion is for Italian cuisine, but there are days when I hanker for Greek food, especially souvlaki, or Chinese, French, etc. Basically, there's something in every cuisine that appeals to me.

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         Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I hear you loud and clear.  I grew up on Italian, but love Thai.  Other days, I can't go without Mexican-the real authentic kind, not the franchise.  Greek is also one of my very favorites.  Chinese...well, I think so much of it has been 'Americanized'.    Thanks for answering.

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      icestar1995posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I really like Italian food. Then there's some days when I just really want French food. I tried this amazing Tortellini once on a visit to NYC, and I've tried some really good quiches. I find myself disappointed though every time I go to a big franchise, so I've taken an interest in cooking. Not going to well, but they say practice makes perfect.

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         Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Absolutely, practice makes perfect.  I have good days, when I'm totally on with the foods I cook, and then really bad ones where everything I try is a bad experiment,    Good luck.

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2. 85

   Denise Handlonposted 12 years ago

   Mine happens to be Thai food.   It is my first choice if going out to a restaurant, because I don't cook Thai food.

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      stessilyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Denise, I think that I would have to agree about Thai food. As with you, it's a cuisine that I tend to explore through restaurants --- although I've enjoyed what is prepared in my own kitchen.

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         Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I made a hub about a Thai Soup I created and it was sooo  good, (soup, not necessarily the hub, haha).  I have a Thai cookbook but for some reason haven't been able to get into the recipes.  It's hard, where I live, to find good ingredients, for one thing.   And, I think my nephew would turn his nose up at lots of the recipes.  He is a very picky eater.  I made a Swiss Olive Gallette (sp?) tonight and he barely ate half a piece before going to the freezer and grabbing a hot pocket!       Good grief!   LOL

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            stessilyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Denise, I would have relished that Swiss Olive Galette! At least he ate half before heading for the hot pocket. You never know what will stick with youngsters; some time in the future your nephew might recall that Swiss olive galette and be inspired to expand his culinary horizons.

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               Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Exactly.  He is a very picky eater and I was thrilled the other day when I cooked flounder and he actually ate three helpings !       My swiss olive galette hub is in the tweaking mode right now.  I'll alert you when its back up and running.

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3. 79

   Danette Wattposted 12 years ago

   Mexican and Greek, then Italian. Thai would be way way down on my list

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      Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I know sister...(heavy sigh here)   But, I'm with you on the other three.

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         Danette Wattposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         

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   SoManyPathsposted 12 years ago

   Some cuisines that are hard for to live without are "good" Chinese, Cuban, Mexican, and a few Thai dishes. Notice I put "good" b/c sometimes there are some terrible ones.
   In Houston, there is an incredible Mexican/Cuban drive thru / restaurant with some authentic dishes that I die for. It kind of feels like a Chipotle, with a hip crowd, but with more food selection.
   I cannot leave out American Thanksgiving type food. I just love the seasonal pumpkin or yam dishes, turkey and gravy, stuffing, and other well seasoned dishes. Fortunately, I have kept my weight in check with all the foods I like and crave.

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      Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I know what you mean by the 'good' Chinese.  I was just stating to Stessily (a few paragraphs above this one) that so much of the Chinese food I try to eat has been Americanized.  It's disappointing.   
      
      I've never had Cuban food...what is the distinguishing element to their cuisine?   As for the American food-you can't go wrong with an old fashioned American Thanksgiving dinner-unless you're vegetarian; well...then, skip the turkey and go for the yummy veggies,      Lucky you re: your weight.  Not so fortunate here.

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5. 83

   Charu Bhatnagarposted 12 years ago

   India is a very diverse country in every way possible. I love experimenting and tasting new cuisines and new dishes, provided they are pure vegetarian!! (Acc. to me many Indians, maybe a major per centage are pure vegetarian) But, alas....other than major cities of India, not other parts provide this variety of world cuisines, both in matters of outlets and affordability. But Chinese food is very popular in India and this is one cuisine which can be found anywhere other than Indian. In India also, every state has its own special cuisine. But broadly, in restaurants here, its divided into north-Indian and south-Indian cuisine. South-Indian cuisine is easily available in North-India, but I am not much aware of vicer versa position. So, you see, the choices are so much, provided you have the opportunity and means to taste each of the Indian and world cuisines and then make a choice. I cannot say for all, but on the basis of choices available I love Chinese cuisine and I cannot live without my Indian food. I have so much o write but I am looking at m reply, and all of it despite being too lengthy, doesn't make anys ense. Sorry! :-)

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      Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow!  You've really brought something to my attention here.  I had no idea that there was a distinction between North and South (regional) dishes.  Of course...I should have realized this because that is how it is in America, too.
      What is the main difference between the two regions?   
      
      I love Indian food (don't know if it is North or South I am tasting and referring to)   I had a housemate who was Indian and he would make wonderfully tasty Indian dishes for us (usually around midnight,   )  Thanks for your answer.

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         Charu Bhatnagarposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         In North India, wheat and other flours are used excessively. Thus "chapati/roti" and other varieties like parathas, naan, tandoori roti, rumali roti, missi roti. kulcha, bhatura are predominantly eaten in North India. Whereas in South India rice is more popular. Mughal influence is also seen in North Indian food, thus many North Indians are non-vegetarians. South Indians are mainly vegetarians; but sea-food is popular there; plus Hyderabadi Biryani is another exception. In North Indian food: onion, garlic, tomatoes and ginger are used more and is heavier with oil, butther, ghee, used more. In soth Indian food Coconut is used in making chutneys and various dishes. In North India only tomatoes are used to bring sour taste in food but in South India tamarind is also used in some dishes.In North India many dishes are made out of  dairy products are very popular compared to south India. where these are used unaltered.Staple food of North India is a veriety of lentils, vegetables, roti and rice. There may be varaition in the methods of preparation and dishea according to each state.  Some examples of North Indian food: "chana bhatura; lukcha chana; rajma; paneer (cheese-based) dishes; sarson ka saag, etc. I maybe missing out on naming many dishes as I have not traveleld to each state so!!!Like Rajastha has its own version of using wheat and lentils, etc as food: 'Daal Bati'. Examples of South Indian food: dosa sambhar, vada sambhar, idli sambhar, uttapam. There may also be difference between sweets of each region. As for spices, some regions use a lot of chilli, and for some it may vary with individual tastes. I prefer food withiut chillis, butt eh you cannot escape it completely here.

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   Motown2Chitownposted 12 years ago

   My absolute favorite ethnic cuisine is Middle Eastern (primarily Lebanese) food.  I grew up in Detroit, of course, which has a very high Middle Eastern population, and there is fantastic Lebanese food available on just about every corner.
   
   

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      Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I grew up in a burb just north of Detroit and I am with you.  There is a great many communities (remember Hamtramick? and Greek Town? )   I enjoy the lamb dishes and other Mid Eastern foods, but Thai is still my favorite. 

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         Motown2Chitownposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Oh, we still head to Hamtramck one in a blue moon for Polish Food.  My favorite restaurant in Greektown is Pegasus.  But, I'm picky about Greek food, so there are only a few items I truly ever crave.    I was born in the city, just west of Hamtramck actually.  Still have some family that lives there. 
         
         I also like Thai food, though.  And I grew up on Italian food myself, so there's very little there that I don't know and love.

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            Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            The Pegasus is MY favorite restaurant in Greek town, too!   How cool is that.  I love their baked lamb dish.  Ohhh, mouth is watering now.

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               Motown2Chitownposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Next time you're up to visit, we'll have to make a date. 

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                  Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Oh, that sounds great.  I thought you had moved or was living in chicago?  Did you move back or am I mistaken?

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7. 82

   WriteAngledposted 12 years ago

   I just like food....  all sorts of food from all around the world.
   
   I tend to be less fond of cuisines that focus on huge chunks of meat. In fact, I can feel myself edging back to being vegetarian, or maybe piscatorian, because I do love fish and seafood.

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      Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      A piscatorian?  Never heard of that term.  Maybe that is what I am ... it is my favorite 'type' of protein.   I'm with you-I LOVE food and love trying all sorts of different things that look fairly normal.   I'm not into the 'let's eat worms' thing,

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         stessilyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I'm trying to be a piscatorian while I still can! I haven't gone fishing for quite a while so it's easy to distance myself from their "faces". My sister wrote a series of hubs on North America's freshwater fish, and I became enamored of their beauty. As I noted their stunning differences, I recalled Linda McCartney's observation that she couldn't eat anything with a face on it. My fish-eating days may be numbered, so I make fish a priority, especially in Indian cuisine, but not in Greek cuisine.

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            Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Yes...I can relate.  I try not to think of faces, etc.  I'll have to check out your sister's hubs-it sounds fascinating.

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   Mighty Momposted 12 years ago

   Thai is a "treat" for me. Love Thai food. But it's not something we "reach for" as one of our mainstay go-to type restaurants. Fallbacks being Mexican (California has it in spades, from street tacos to haute Mexican) and Italian.
   Also love Indian food -- another special occasion treat.
   Greek is on the list.
   
   Oh, and real Jewish deli. Hard to find out here!

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      Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

        I think I found everything BUT a Jewish deli in California. 

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         stayingalivemomaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         It's like that out here in Phoenix too. No good corned beef sandwiches, coney island OR chinese food.

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   stayingalivemomaposted 12 years ago

   For me, it would be southern food like chitterlings and greens with cornbread.....BUT, I do think I was mexican or italian in another life because I love my pasta and my tacos!!

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      Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

        That's funny!

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10. 61

    SomewayOuttaHereposted 12 years ago

    as for ethnic....italian is my favourite...as for food - i'm a big seafood fan...i bought 10 lbs of striped shrimp today from a "fisherwoman"; some to eat and some to freeze for when i crave shrimp...next is prawn season!

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       Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       YUM!   You'll have to check out my seafood salad recipe I posted this summer-to die for.

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11. 91

    DzyMsLizzyposted 12 years ago

    (With the caveat that I am a vegetarian, so I don't eat all  the offerings of any cuisine.)  In no particular order, depending on my mood of the moment, I like:
    
    Mexican, Italian, Chinese and Thai.
    
    ut..there are no Thai restaurants near us...in fact, the best one I ever experienced (Thai Pepper) is about 350 miles away, in Ashland, Oregon.  A bit far to go for dinner....  ;-)  That, however, was over 22 years ago..it might not even still be there...

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       Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Where are you?  (Thought you lived in FL, haha)   Congrats on your '100 score! )

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          DzyMsLizzyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          LOL, Denise--you're 'only' about 3K miles off--I live in CA,  in the "Greater SF Bay Area". --i.e. about 60 miles from The City proper... ...    ;-)
          
          Thanks for the kudos!  ;-)

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             Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                That's funny!  That's where I used to live when I was in CA.  Richmond...and I worked in Berkeley.  Loved it and miss it like crazy.

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    cat on a soapboxposted 12 years ago

    Food is such a pleasure, and there are just SO many wonderful ethnic dishes that's it's hard to choose. I will have to say good quality Indian food. I just love Tandoori chicken and authentic Indian curry:)

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       Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       When I lived in Alaska my housemate was from Sri Lanka and I would awaken to the smells of Tandoori chicken cooking in the kitchen at midnight! LOL  Lots of good memories.  You're right- Food is a pleasure. 

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    habeeposted 12 years ago

    Southern, soul food, Gullah, Cajun, and Low Country - especially when seafood is involved! I love Mexican, too.

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       Denise Handlonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I love your food web pages.

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          habeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Thanks!

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    gmwilliamsposted 12 years ago

    New York is the world's capital regarding ethnic cuisine.   Have all kinds of foods, Uzbek, Indian, Russian, Chinese, Cambodian, etc.   You name it, we got it!   However, my #1 favorite cuisine is Japanese.   Love sushi, got to have it almost every day!    Second favorite cuisine is Szechuan Chinese, love it to death!     Also love the standbys of felafel, pizza, fried chicken, caesar's salad, oysters Rockefeller, and steak tartare!   Then there is the good old Nathan's hotdog!

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    braydonmooreposted 12 years ago

    My choice is Italian Food because i love Italian dishes like Chicken parmigiana ,  Lasagna , Chicken Saltimbocca , Shrimp fra diavolo. When we have a plan to go for dinner then i will prefer to eat italian foods.

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