M--Malaysia
Today we are going in a different direction
than we have been. We have explored main
dishes, side dishes desserts and maybe a
breakfast or to here and there.
Our tour today will give us a look at spices
used here.
Some of the spices will be familiar and
some not so. Here we go.
Belacan--a shrimp paste that MUST be
cooked not eaten raw. It is strong in taste
and a little goes a long way.
Curry powder--is a mix of spices which
may include fennel, coriander, cumin,
chili pepper, star anise, cinnamon,
cardamom and depending on the variety
much more. Commercial curry powder
differs brand to brand.
Daun Kesum--also known as daun laska.
It is an herb with fragrant leaves similar
to mint.
Pandan--is another fragrant leafy herb,
it's leaves are long and narrow. It's
fragrance is a mix of vanilla and tea rose.
As you can imagine this one is used in
desserts. But also in some savory dishes.
In Malaysia it is grown in backyards, here
in the states it can be found in the frozen
section of Asian grocery stores.
Serai or lemongrass makes a recipe smell
fresh.
That is the short version on spices here. If
you need more info, Google--spices in
Malaysia.
Getting caught up, see you tomorrow.
~Keep on Dreaming~
L--Luxembourg
Today we are going to indulge our
sweet tooth. We are talking desserts
on trip around the world.
Some fabulous dessert found are:
Crème Brulee a traditional vanilla
bean custard
Profiteroles are cream puff pastries
served with ice cream and chocolate
sauce.
Caramelized Lemon Tart with
Whipped Cream
Biscotti
**************
Elsewhere in the southern part
Luxembourg is an area called Gutland
that has a variety of orchards with
apples, plums, cherries and berries.
While there the blogger at Global Table
Adventure made a Dainty Apple Cake--
Appelkuch.
Well, I don't know about you but these
all sound delish!!
Scroll down for letter K.
~Keep on Dreaming~
K--Kuwait
The cuisine here is mixture of Arabian,
Persian, Indian and Mediterranean.
A prominent dish is Machboos--a rice
based specialty made with Basmati and
seasoned with spices then chicken or
mutton are added. No pork is used for
religious reasons.
Shawarma is served in many places.
It is a wrap of thinly sliced meat,
turshi which is pickled cucumber,
carrot or turnip and salad.
The meats are grilled separately on
tall spits. Fries, onions and tomatoes
are added to this dish. Mayo and
ketchup are added as sauces.
*Always wanted to know what this
was and now I know.
Balah El Sham is churro like Middle
Eastern fritters. They are crunchy on
the outside and soft on the inside.
Anyone been to Kuwait?
~Keep on Dreaming~
K--Kenya
Kenyan desserts to try:
Click on this link:
Kenya
Maandzi--a sweet donut
Coconut and Sweet Potato
Pudding
Fruit with Chocolate Sauce
Some of these sounded yummy, if
you try them let me know.
~Keep on Dreaming~
J--Jamaica
Jamaica is full of a variety of foods and
tastes, the cuisine consists of a mixture
cooking techniques, flavors, spices and
influences of the indigenous people of
the island plus the Africans, Spanish,
Chinese and Indian who have made the
island their home. A wide variety of sea-
food, tropical fruits and meats are
available.
Wikipedia has a great article listing
foods and desserts below is a few they
have listed.
1. Breadfruit--served roasted, fried or
broiled.
2. Coco Bread--a sweet and starchy
bread eaten with a Jamaican patty.
3. Curry goat and Chicken
4. Green bananas--eaten boiled and
sliced into chips.
5. Jamaican patty--a pastry filled with
meats or other ingredients.
6. Peppered Shrimp--spicy seasoned
and cooked.
7. Custard Apple
8. Mango
9. Guava
10. Passion Fruit and Pineapple
Sounds yummy what do ya think?
~Keep on Dreaming~
I--Italy
Ciao!
We have landed in Italy today.
If I had to choose my favorite all
time food it probably would be
Italian, might have something to
do with the yummy carbs. :)
According to Wikipedia---"Italian
cuisine is noted for it's regional
diversity, abundance of difference
in taste and is known to be one of
the most popular in the world,
with influences abroad."
Some of the different types of Italian
cuisine:
1. Zuppe e salse (soups and sauces)
2. Pane (bread)
3. Common pizzas
4. Pasta varieties
5. Pasta dishes
6. Rice dishes
7. Pesce (fish)
8. Carne (meat dishes and cured meats)
9. Verdura (vegetables)
10. Nut dishes
11. Vino (wine)
12. Formaggi (cheese)
13. Desserts and pastry
14. Caffee' (coffee)
Plus many more items from various
regions.
Now for my faves:
Pizza, Spaghetti, Lasagna, Baked Ziti,
Garlic Bread, Baked Ravioli and Gelato.
Italian Restaurants we enjoy are Olive
Garden, a Mom and Pop place in our
neighborhood, Spin Pizza, Pizza Shoppe
plus we enjoy Italian faves from other
restaurants don't just serve Italian.
Where do you weigh in on this delightful
subject?
Bon Appetit!
~Keep on Dreaming~
H--Hawaii
Warm breezes, lots of sun and fruity
drinks. Doesn't that sound divine?
We are hitting the air and checking
out food across the ocean.
From the website Migrationology:
"Many traditional Hawaiian are
dishes originally brought over
from the Pacific Polynesian
islands."
Though now there is a diverse
range of ethnicities, all adding
their flavors though some still
believe in traditional tastes of
the state.
Foods found around the islands.
1. Poi--a thick paste made from
Taro Root. It is either steamed,
baked or pounded. Pounding
involves adding water to make
a very sticky pudding like
consistency.
2. Laulau--made from the Taro
leaves. Pork is wrapped in layers
of the leaves and cooked in an
underground hot rock oven for
hours until it turns soft and
smoky flavor.
3. Kalua Pig--another giant of
Hawaiian cuisine.
This is cooked in an under-
ground oven known as an imu,
the pork slow roasts so it becomes
very tender and retains a smoky
flavor. It is similar to American
pulled pork but without the sauce.
4. To top off a Hawaiian meal most
enjoy the island fruit like Pineapple
and Lilikoi (Passion fruit).
Aloha until tomorrow!!
~Keep on Dreaming~
G--German
German cuisine varies from region
to region and shares dishes from
city to city.
If you are like we are, our German
restaurants vary also. We have three
in the Kansas City area . One has a
more Austrian influence but with a
German aspect too. The other two
are strictly German in what they
serve.
Just remembered we also have a
deli nearby that serves authentic
German fare.
German foods that I like are:
Schnitzel
Spätzle
Hot German Potato Salad
Apple Strudel
Stollen
Are you a fan of German food, if
so what do you like?
~Keep on Dreaming~
F--France
Today we are changing up
things...
I found a lovely blog that has
a variety of easy recipes listed.
Mon Petite Four
the French lifestyle
Mon Petite Four Link
If you are into French cooking this
would be the place to go.
My favorite is the "cheese pillows"
my term.
Enjoy!
~Keep on Dreaming~
Today's post may be a bit long.
Playing catch up.
D--Dutch
Dutch cuisine is simple and straight
forward with many vegetables and
little meat. Breakfast and lunch is
usually bread with cheese, dinner
is when the meat and potatoes appear.
Diets used to be high in carbs but that
has changed over the years and has
become more "cosmopolitan."
If you are your way to see the tulips
here are some foods to try:
1. Bitterballen--served in pubs.
These are deep fried crispy meat-
balls served with mustard.
2. Stroopwafel--This is a Dutch
treat made with two this waffles
stuck together with a thick syrup.
3. Stampot--The ultimate Dutch
comfort food.
Great on a cold winter evening.
This traditional dish is served
with potatoes mashed with other
vegetables and a big juicy sausage.
4. Snert--Another great dish,
served on a cold night. This is
Holland's version of Pea soup.
It has split peas, onions, pork,
celery and leeks in it.
Happy eating!
Moving on to another country...
E--Ethiopia
Ethiopian cuisine consists of veggies
and very spicy meat dishes. Pasta is
readily available also. Coffee is a large
part of the Ethiopian culture and
cuisine.
After every meal a coffee ceremony is
enacted and then served.
Eating Ethiopian means eating with
one's hands. A perfect food for this
is:
Injera--a spongy and sour pancake-
like bread. It is used as the utensil
in most meals as the "scooper."
Another meal served with Injera
is Doro Wat.
This is a stew made with chicken
thighs cooked in a spicy mixture
of Berbere. A combo of garlic,
diced onions, ginger and butter.
Hard boiled eggs are added at
the end of cooking.
Chechebsa--
Also called fit-fit, this is considered
a breakfast food...shredded and
lightly fried Injera and onions
cooked in a red sauce and spices. It
is served with honey and eggs.
One of a few meals served with
utensils.
Well anything interest you?
Keep your bags packed...more to come!
~Keep on Dreaming~
