When I say those words, "country cooking", what comes to mind? Fried chicken? Chicken Fried Steak? Ham and beans? Chicken and dumplings? All those great standby recipes from grandma's kitchen? I have never lived in the "country" but we visited my grandparents in the Ohio hills every summer and it was very much in the country! That's when I realized that food didn't actually come in cans and packages and cellophane-wrapped trays. Grandma grew her own vegetables and raised chickens. It was an adventure and an education for this city girl.
I have two favorite authors who write about their experiences of living in other countries - Peter Mayle, who moved from England to Provence, and Francis Mayes, who moved from the US to Tuscany. Much of their writings are about food, one of my favorite topics!
It seems that many now-famous dishes that have come to us from France and Italy started out as good ole country recipes. For example, Coq au Vin is a wonderful dish made of chicken that's been marinated in red wine and then cooked with mushrooms, carrots and herbs in a large pot. It is often served over mashed potatoes. Here in the US, Coq au Vin is considered a gourmet dish. But here's the origin. When the farmer's rooster got too old to do his job in the barnyard, it was time to butcher him. But he was old and tough. So he was cut up and soaked in wine to tenderize him and then added to local (and easily accessible) vegetables. Here was a smart cook! Nothing was wasted.
Another example is Boeuf Bourguignon. A most wonderful stew made with beef, carrots, mushrooms, and herbs. It's the same principle - the smart country cook would take the least desirable (tough) cut of beef, marinate it overnight in red wine (easily accessible in France) and cook it up with the vegetables.
The French do not consider these to be gourmet dishes - they are simply country cooking at its best! Bravo!
Many Italian dishes are based on the same idea or are a way to use up all the leftover cheese, veggies, herbs, wine, sauce, bread, etc at the end of the week. Nothing was wasted. The Europeans have been "green" for a long long time. There is so much we Americans can learn from the frugal practicality of European country cooking.
I can think of other dishes I've had while traveling that fit into this idea of being "gourmet" to the American palette, but simply being practical to the European cuisine. Cassoulet is a wonderful French version of ham and beans, but with duck and goose added as it's popular in the SW of France where fois gras is made - hence lots of geese. Or Bouillabaisse - that yummy fish stew that's so popular along the Riviera. Hungarian goulash is a similar concept which uses the sweet paprika that is from that country. It makes me wonder if perhaps sushi had a similar origin - you've got leftover rice, some seafood and veggies, so why not wrap it all up in seaweed and serve it for dinner?!
And now I'm hungry! ha! And I wonder if fried chicken, chicken fried steak, and ham and beans would ever be considered "gourmet" in other countries. . . . Somehow I don't think so. Although if they could only taste my mom's ham and beans, they might decide otherwise :) A bientôt!
18 March 2011
08 February 2011
Citizens of the World
When you travel to another country, what is the first thing you notice? Is it the trash in the gutter? The noise on the subway? The odd food on the menus? The unfriendly people? The unfamiliar sounds of a language you don't understand? Do you tend to view your new experience as something so completely different from your own daily routine that you miss the beauty of the country? Or does the beauty of the country give you a special feeling of experiencing something new and exciting? I guess it's the old adage, "do you view the glass half empty or half full"?
Too often when we travel, particularly when it is to a place that seems really "foreign" to us, we tend to see everything in terms of how different it is. And yet, people are people, no matter where you go. All are trying to live their lives the best they can. All want to provide for their families and take care of their children. All look for opportunities for happiness and joy. We all love to celebrate holidays - both religious and patriotic. We all love family get-togethers and singing and affection. Most people take pride in their communities, their cities, their countries.
I remember returning from a trip to eastern Europe and upon landing in the US and standing in line at the passport check, I heard the man behind me say, "God Bless the USA", as though he thought no other country in the world deserved God's blessings. I responded, "God Bless the world we all share"! I'm not sure he caught the intent of my statement, but I believe it wholeheartedly.
When our every action and comment seek to divide communities of people rather than finding common ground and a way to get through life together, we will be stuck in our own little world of bias and prejudice.
I prefer to see the similarities among the citizens of the world. When I travel I try to embrace those things that are different from my own comfort zone. Someone once asked, "why do people travel when they want everything to be just like it is at home? Just stay at home!" And I say "Amen"! I think there are some who are afraid of anything that's different from what they know. Fear is such a terrible enemy - whether we travel or not.
So my challenge to you in your travels (or in life) is to not be afraid of those things you don't understand. Before you travel to another place, learn something about their culture, language, history. And once you arrive, look for those things that enhance your experience. The trash, the noise, the unfamiliar foods and language will always be there, whether you travel within or outside the US! But look beyond those things and see the people going about their daily lives - in a routine that is probably very similar to yours back home. Look at their culture and history through their eyes and with their pride. Isn't that what you hope people visiting our country would do? We are not so different after all. A bientôt!
Too often when we travel, particularly when it is to a place that seems really "foreign" to us, we tend to see everything in terms of how different it is. And yet, people are people, no matter where you go. All are trying to live their lives the best they can. All want to provide for their families and take care of their children. All look for opportunities for happiness and joy. We all love to celebrate holidays - both religious and patriotic. We all love family get-togethers and singing and affection. Most people take pride in their communities, their cities, their countries.
I remember returning from a trip to eastern Europe and upon landing in the US and standing in line at the passport check, I heard the man behind me say, "God Bless the USA", as though he thought no other country in the world deserved God's blessings. I responded, "God Bless the world we all share"! I'm not sure he caught the intent of my statement, but I believe it wholeheartedly.
When our every action and comment seek to divide communities of people rather than finding common ground and a way to get through life together, we will be stuck in our own little world of bias and prejudice.
I prefer to see the similarities among the citizens of the world. When I travel I try to embrace those things that are different from my own comfort zone. Someone once asked, "why do people travel when they want everything to be just like it is at home? Just stay at home!" And I say "Amen"! I think there are some who are afraid of anything that's different from what they know. Fear is such a terrible enemy - whether we travel or not.
So my challenge to you in your travels (or in life) is to not be afraid of those things you don't understand. Before you travel to another place, learn something about their culture, language, history. And once you arrive, look for those things that enhance your experience. The trash, the noise, the unfamiliar foods and language will always be there, whether you travel within or outside the US! But look beyond those things and see the people going about their daily lives - in a routine that is probably very similar to yours back home. Look at their culture and history through their eyes and with their pride. Isn't that what you hope people visiting our country would do? We are not so different after all. A bientôt!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)