global goodies

The world just keeps getting smaller and smaller thanks to bigger and bigger leaps in the technological department. Translation? With a click of a button or a slide of a finger we can all be cooking what anyone is cooking in any “kitchen”  on the planet. How cool is that!

We can find a brother or a sister to thousands of dishes in hundreds of cultures – a biltong in South Africa shares DNA with beef jerky in America – moles in Mexico are akin to curries in India – boxty to the Irish are jeons to the Koreans as hash browns are in North America and ghee in India flows like olive oil in Italy. You see what I’m saying? As my crazed kitchen escapades unfold I find more culinary similarities than differences and simply can’t resist pointing them out.

So with that in mind, I feel compelled to offer a gateway to the cuisines from all corners. Thanks for visiting and come back soon!

africa

First up – there are fantastic food bloggers the world over doing what we do, blooming where we’ve been planted –  and Africa is no exception. As with anything – there are numerous points of view – some are cooking locally (which I drool over with much fascination), others are bringing a current twist to the classics, and others still are switching it up completely. So I’ve put a little list together (that will continue to grow) to help you peek in their kitchens – there’s nothing like hearing it first-hand! Surprisingly, (and as I say repeatedly), we are so much more alike than we are different – you’ll see! So start clicking and see how food really does bring us all together …

And since Africa is a pretty big place – final tally?  53 countries – that’s a heckuva lot of cookin’ goin’ on. So in an attempt to keep us on course – enter the universal symbol for navigation – the compass. North & south, east & west.  How can we get lost now? Not only will you learn how they’re doing it in Africa, you’ll also get a little geography lesson in the process. So pack your pot holder, grab your grater and find out what’s cooking in an African kitchen near you, or should I say, on your digital device – in the north, the south, the east and the west of Africa – or should I say Morocco, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Nigeria – don’t look now, but that would geography lesson #1. Your welcome.

north & south

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

east & west

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

asia

Along with Italian, I must have been Asian in a past life – I love, love, love the food – chinese, indian, japanese, thai, vietnamese – these are my top 5. And to bring it closer to home, there’s nothing like following a few food bloggers who are doing it up right – wherever they’re doing it. So with no further adieu, I’ve sussed out a few of my favourites who will show you that cooking it yourself is far more delicious, and much easier on the pocketbook than picking up the phone. Why these cuisines have stumped cooks around the world, is one of life’s little mysteries – you will find more asian takeout joints the world over than I-don’t-know-what, but there’re alot them. So in the name of doing it yourself – put away the takeout menus, save your pocketbook and start doin’ it for yourself … imagine more chinese cashew chicken than you know what to do with – I know, I know – unbelievable – and the best part – it won’t cost you an arm and a couple of legs to prepare it at home.

I feel the same way about sushi, vietnamese spring rolls, coconut thai soup and samosas (to name a few) – so in the name of doing it yourself – it’s time to stock your pantry for asian cooking, and start whipping up a few of your favorites – chicken chow mein, moo goo gai pan, samosas, daal, beef teriyaki, inside out california rolls, vietnemese rolls or panang curries. Asia’s a big place with just as big a world of flavors – what are you waiting for, those you cook for won’t believe their tastebuds!

china

Probably one of the more familiar cuisines – and certainly one of the most popular when it comes to take away – why? Who knows. Does anyone stop to think of the millions, yes, millions of chinese home cooks serving it up every single day – it just can’t be that hard. And I’m here to confirm it – with the right ingredients in your chinese pantry – it’s all so within our grasp – every single delicious bit of it. So start graspin’ – chinese fare is as easy as turning up the heat – along with a fully-functioning chinese pantry,  a few usual suspects like vegetables, noodles, rice, proteins like tofu, chicken,  beef, shrimp – and like nike says & the crazed cook does – just do it! So apologize to your local chinese take-away joint ’cause they just lost another customer – it happens, as us home cooks get with the program … sigh …

So I’ve started a little blog roll (that will continue to grow) to help you sneak a peek into a few chinese  kitchens – there’s nothing like hearing it first-hand! Surprisingly, (and as I say repeatedly), we are so much more alike than we are different – you’ll see! So start clicking and see how food really does bring us all together … cook along with those doing it several times a day …

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

india

Depending on where you live, India could seem like a galaxy away – but then again, it’s the food that brings it right back home again. Indian flavors are some of my favorites – garam masala, turmeric, coconut, curry, cumin, yogurt, chilies – and it’s the way they’re combined that make it classic Indian. There’s nothing wacky here, the ingredients are readily available, so you can stop being pissed that there’s no authentic Indian eatery in town – one just opened, and fancy that – it’s right down the hall, down the stairs or up the stairs – that’s right silly – it’s in your house and you’re the head chef. Who knew? We all do, now! And to see how doable Indian fare really is, there are plenty of home cooks doing it up right and would love for you to drop by for a lesson or two …

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

indonesia, malaysia & singapore

My take on cooking in the south seas coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

indonesia

malaysia

singapore

watch it – class is in session – videos await

indonesia

malaysia

singapore

japan

When we think of Japanese food, the first thing that pops into our collective heads is, that’s right – sushi. And even that’s misunderstood.  Sushi does not mean raw fish – I’ll say it again – sushi does not mean raw fish. Got it?  There is so much more to Japanese cuisine besides sushi – sushi is to Japanese cuisine as risotto is to Italian as samosas are to Indian as a burger is in America. My point? It’s one of 1000’s of offerings to chow down on.

And in Japan, the offerings are plentiful – yes, there’s sushi, and that’s closely followed by sukiyaki, yakitori, yakisoba, teriyaki, katsudon, zaru soba – not to mention specifics like gomae and miso soup. If there’s a noodle nearby, I’m all over it – and when it comes to knowing what to do with a noodle, well, the Japanese have that all sewn up.

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

sushi tips

sushi rolls

korea

My take on Korean cooking coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

philippines

My take on Philippean cooking coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

thailand

My take on Thai cooking coming soon …

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

vietnam

My take on Vietnamese cooking coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

down under

My take on cooking down under coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

australia & new zealand

My take on what’s cooking in Australia & New Zealand coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

australia

new zealand

watch it – class is in session – videos await

australia

new zealand

islands down under

My take on what’s cooking on 1000’s of islands coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

fiji

tonga

watch it – class is in session – videos await

fiji

tonga

europe

My take on european cooking coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

czechoslovakia

My take on what’s cooking in the Czech Republic coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

france

My take on French cooking coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

germany

My take on German cooking coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

greece

My take on Greek cooking coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

italy

There is nothing better than Italian food, done as it was intended – it’s rustic, it’s casual, the ingredients are first-class and few – and that is the secret – phenomenal ingredients, at the peak of freshness, combined in simple ways to make our eyes roll in the back of our collective heads!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

Italian sites doing it right!

watch it – class is in session – videos await

poland

My take on Polish cooking coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

portugal

My take on Portuguese cooking coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

spain

My take on Spanish cooking coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

turkey

My take on Turkish cooking coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

uk

Let’s face it, as far as global cuisine is concerned, the UK (and they’re not alone) has a bad rap in the food department. The general consensus is it’s heavy, starchy, predictable, boring, starchy, carby, lots of gravy, lots of bangers and lots of mash without the  splash – and that could not be further from the truth! Thanks to the likes of Jamie Oliver –  once you figure out what they’re talking about – you’ll soon realize heaven is right around the corner.

They’re butchers and bakers (and yes, I’m sure they’re candlestick makers) – they’re farmers, cheesemakers, dairy dudes, fishmongers, all dedicated to dishing up delicious. And they’re even vineyards producing world-class wines to wash it all down! Throw in an eclectic international influence from the likes of India, Asia and the Mediterranean and you have some of the best food you can find. So read on and add a few ideas from the land of the Brits, Scots, Welsh and those lucky Irish

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

england

ireland

scotland

watch it – class is in session – videos await

england

ireland
scotland

north america

My take on North American cuisine coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

canada

My take on Canadian cooking coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

caribbean

My take on Carribean cooking coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

mexico

My take on Mexican cooking coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

usa

My take on cooking in America coming soon … in the meantime there are folks cookin’ up a storm in all 52 states – I’ll get to them all eventually! But you gotta start somewhere … talk about inspirational – it’s Sunday morning everyday of the week!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

south america

My take on South American cuisine coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

argentina

My take on Argentinian cuisine coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

brazil

My take on cooking in Brazil coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

columbia

My take on Columbian cooking coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

peru

My take on Peruvian cooking coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await

venezuela

My take on cooking in Venezuela coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!

read it – get yourself some serious know-how

watch it – class is in session – videos await