Food for thought

Korma Keema. Lutefisk. Fassolada. Kuku Paka. Chilaquiles. Salade Niçoise. Pierogies. Durian.

If you recognized any of the above, I congratulate you for your international culinary prowess. If not, today’s blog might inspire you to break out your recipe book and update your culinary literacy.

As an international food lover and literacy advocate, I've found that the kitchen is an ideal learning place for new vocabulary and literature. Around the globe, food is a recognized as a deep source of culture, history and values. In fact, almost every country has a national dish.

Several times a day we fuel our bodies, allowing us opportunities to choose from a variety of food and drink. Almost every meal we consume has a deep history behind it. Whether it includes bread – a 30,000 year old staple, or coffee – grown in over 50 countries, there is always more than what initially meets the eye. For instance, did you know that plum pudding, a traditional Christmas dish from the medieval days, is aged for an entire year?

Modern technology provides us with the necessary resources to learn about the food we eat. From every day meals to exotic cuisine, there are hundreds of websites, cookbooks, apps and TV show dedicated to teaching and enriching the kitchen experience. Along the way, you are learning about new ingredients, incorporating math and science, and absorbing new cultures and traditions.

And it only gets easier….the recent years have seen a rapid increase in local food movements, farmers markets, and farm to table restaurants. With the accessibility and popularity of these movements, chow time literacy is easier than ever before.

You could even save some money! During today’s economic crisis, everyone is looking to save an extra buck or two. Home cooked meals are more cost-effective then dining out. So why not embark on a culinary adventure?

You may ask, “ok Jenna, so what are you cooking tonight?” Well, for me autumn = crockpot season. So I Googled crockpot recipes, and found two new options - Spicy Indian Dahl and Lentil soup. Easy to make, inexpensive ingredients, and learned (thanks to wikipedia) that Dahl is regularly eaten with rice and vegetables in Southern India, and with both rice and roti (wheat-based flat bread) throughout Northern India and Pakistan.

Whether you are cooking your next meal, relaxing at a restaurant or grabbing food on the go, take a moment to discover the history behind your comestibles and enhance your culinary literacy.