Favorite Traditional Ethnic Food

[Freya]

We've all been to the local China buffet or Mexican restaurant or whatever. But those are usually generic mainstream versions of the actual food cooked in a country. Sometimes it's not even food that is cooked there normal but an americanized(or whatever country you're in) version.

I want to try more ethnic foods but i'm not in an area where that's really possible so i'd like to try cooking them myself instead! As a part of the cultural sharing threads we've been having, i'd like to try, to the best of my ability, to enjoy some foods from other cultures.

So share some of your favorite ethnic foods, any ethnicity, and i'll maybe try to cook them! I just would like to make a tour of the world using food.







http://cdn.justonecookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Gyoza-w600.jpg


I think I will try my first food with some Japanese Gyoza cause I found a neat recipe (http://www.justonecookbook.com/recipes/gyoza/).

[Wolf Kanno]

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Okonomiyaki, a tradional dish from Osaka Japan that is a scrumptious mix of pizza, pancake, and omelet.

[Freya]

ooooooooo I like all of those things!

[Shorty]

I guess pad thai is a traditional ethnic food?

http://gentolizo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/pad-thai-shrimp.jpeg

Curry is for sure.

http://www.carolinemiliartiss.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/thaigreencurry.jpeg

[Madame Adequate]

taco bell

[Freya]

Don't let noxy hear you say that. :eek:

[escobert]

the greatest dish on earth:
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[noxious.sunshine]

That sopa I walked you through is pretty traditional.

A couple of my favorite things to make are Mexican shrimp cocktail and ceviche..

There are a million and one ways to make ceviche, so you can look up recipes and play around with it....

http://thepescetarianandthepig.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/crw_3692.jpg

I make just a basic one with super fresh tilapia cut up into cubes, onion, garlic, serrano peppers or jalapeno (seed them, don't seed them. Depends on how spicy you like it), cilantro, and cucumber, and a ton of limes.

And all you do is chop the veggies, throw them in a big bowl with the fish, halve the limes, and squeeze enough juice to cover it all. Toss to combine, and throw the bowl (covered) in the fridge to marinate for a couple of hours.

And you're done! You can serve it on tostadas and top with avocado & salsa verde & cilantro! Or do like a pineapple/mango type Pico de gallo! I've seen a lot of people spread a thin layer of mayo on the tostada, but I've never done that.

[Freya]

The boyfriend was wanting to try making ceviche recently. I'm just kinda o.O about the fact that the lime cooks the fish? or something? I am not sure but he really wants to try it ever since someone brought it to his job. So I'll probably be making that sometime soon.

[noxious.sunshine]

Yep! The acid in the lime changes the chemical compound or whatever of the fish, thus "cooking" it. And kills the bacteria in the process.

I've bought frozen tilapia filets and used those.. It was fine! But recipes may tell you to hunt down sushi grade fish to be safe, though.

[Freya]

I'm not sure I can find fresh stuff around here. I may have to go the frozen route.

[Night Fury]

And all you do is chop the veggies, throw them in a big bowl with the fish, halve the limes, and squeeze enough juice to cover it all. Toss to combine, and throw the bowl (covered) in the fridge to marinate for a couple of hours.

That's a really long time for a ceviche! don't you find that overcooks your fish?

As for my favourite 'ethnic' foods, probably curries.

[noxious.sunshine]

That's how my ex always did it. A lot of times he'd let it sit overnight.

I have let it sit as little as 30 minutes, but I just started doing that recently.

[Night Fury]

Yeah I've read all kinds of times for the resting time! I guess it depends on how big your fish is, and what other things you've added to the juice! (and how you like it to taste!)

I've never had it but I'd love to try it, I'd also like to have a go at salt curing some fish too.

[noxious.sunshine]

Yep! And every time I make it, there's always leftovers so I just leave it in the lime and it's fine. It doesn't break it down too much or get mealy.


Also! The soup I made for my boyfriend is awesome!

It's called pancit molo- it's a pork & shrimp filled dumpling soup with chicken!

http://fmitk-cdn.fmitk.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/pancitmolosoup18.jpg

http://www.fmitk.com/2014/08/pancit-molo-filipino-pork-dumpling-soup/

The dumplings can be tedious to make, but it's reallllly yummy!

[Mirage]

62123

Okonomiyaki, a tradional dish from Osaka Japan that is a scrumptious mix of pizza, pancake, and omelet.

I actually ate this when I was in Tokyo. I had no idea what it was I had ordered until it was on the table in front of me.

[Shiny]

Any traditional Cuban food like vaca fritas mmm. My friend's grandmother made pretty amazing croquettes and Meringue. Of course, being part Italian I also love traditional Italian food and not that shit they serve at Olive Garden.

[sharkythesharkdogg]

There were two Ethiopian guys at the Panasonic plant where I used to work. They used to bring in things like homemade lamb wat and injera (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_%28food%29) all the time, and it was really good. I miss it. :(

They also apparently liked to put all the food they brought in the center of the table and just share it. So that's how I got to try it. I was bringing my own food to work, so I'd just add it to the selection and jump in. I'm not sure if that part was typical Ethiopian dining behavior or just those guys. I still thought it was nice.

EDIT: According to wikipedia (which is never wrong), it may have been typical behavior.


doro wat is the most popular traditional food in Ethiopia, often eaten as part of a group who share a communal bowl and basket of injera.[1] Another is siga wat, (Ge'ez: ሥጋ śigā) made with beef.

[Freya]

My only hesitation on some things is the ingredients. I can't find some sauces or spices very well here without them being super expensive.