Originally Posted by
Calliope
Thai - bring on the fresh herbs and heat, the vibrant vegetables that bloom under the influence of a complex and nuanced curry.
Japanese - simple flavours and stunning presentation; the sharp contrast of strong soy sauce and creamy avocado, delicately fried tempura, salty edamame pods enjoyed with a bright plum wine, perfectly charred donburi, itadakimasu.
Indian - I have spoken of this before, but I could eat Indian food every day and not tire of it - pappadums, jasmine rice flavoured with cumin seeds and peas, a robust curry of chickpeas, or potatoes and cauliflower, or slowly roasted eggplant; every dish is a gift.
Maori - A true Maori meal is a family affair. To lay a hangi, you dig a pit in the ground, cover the bottom with rocks gone through the fire (reminiscent of Maui and Hinemoa), lay flax leaves over the rocks (Kia Ora Tane), and then place baskets of food on the leaves. More leaves go on top, and then you bury the whole lot under cover of earth, and leave it be for several hours.
Lifting the baskets back into daylight, you unveil your feast in the whare: Roasted kumara, taro, pumpkin, potato, carrots, cabbage, stuffing, fish, lamb and pork. These fragrant offerings are served with fry bread - fried dumplings that are often served with golden syrup. Everyone in the whare helps with the preparation for such a feast - from setting up chairs to peeling vegetables; and everyone is grateful and happy to be present under one roof.