tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267Fri, 08 Nov 2024 15:37:12 +0000FruitDrinksLatin American CuisineSnackSoutheast AsianMiddle Eastern FoodsVegetablesDessertsVegetarianAsianChickenMexican FoodFishFish/ShellfishGluten-FreeGrainIce CreamLunchRawSide DishesSpicesAcaiAppetizerBlackcurrantsBrazil NutsBrazilian FoodBreakfastBurgersCheesesDinnerFrench CuisineHearts of PalmIndian CuisineItalian CuisineLambLongan FruitLycheeMameyNutsPersian CuisinePomegranateSaladsSouth African CuisineStewsTahinaThai CuisineYemeni Foodshttp://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)Blogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-671318857729846320Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:04:00 +00002011-04-12T10:36:44.941-07:00LunchSoutheast AsianThai CuisineVegetables Who says the banana is the only edible part of the plant??.The banana blossom is the unopened flower of the banana plant.It's color ranges from a dark fuchsia to reddish-purple.To use , the hard outer leaves are removed and the inside white tender heart is eaten.It has a taste and texture similar to artichokes or hearts of palm which makes it a perfect addition to salads.Banana blossoms are a http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2011/04/coconut-chicken-with-banana-blossom.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-5764020322151317974Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:20:00 +00002011-03-22T11:37:13.320-07:00DrinksFruitSoutheast AsianFruit is used extensively in Southeast Asian cuisine. Among those used regularly is the jackfruit. Jackfruit is considered one of the world's largest fruits.It is yellowish-brown, oblong-shaped with densely dotted spikes throughout its exterior.It can weigh upwards of up to 90lbs.. Fresh jackfriut presents a challenge to prepare.When cut it has an offensive smell and excudes a sticky,gum-like http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2011/03/jackfruit-lassi.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-7611426276127855989Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:57:00 +00002011-02-10T01:09:01.589-08:00AsianFruitSeeing the Buddha's Hand for the first time you might assume it's just a mutation from nature, but this fruit is more than just a novelty.Buddha's Hand also known as fingered citron is native to China where it is considered a symbol of happiness, longevity, and good fortune. Buddha's Hand usually make their appearance during the winter months.They are traditionally given as New Year's gifts, usedhttp://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2011/02/buddhas-hand.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-1967318440627148174Wed, 12 May 2010 18:28:00 +00002010-05-18T10:03:06.032-07:00ChickenIndian CuisineSpicesNo Indian kitchen would be complete without the spice,garam masala.Meaning "hot mix", garam masala is a blend of whole and/or ground spices used to give Indian dishes a rich,warm taste and aroma. A basic blend of garam masala usually contains cinnamon, cardamon, cumin, peppercorns, and bay leaves.But each region and household has their own special blend with varying ingredients.Some garam masalashttp://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2010/05/garam-masala-indian-spice-blend.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-5889816489790524895Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:56:00 +00002010-04-29T15:22:09.258-07:00FruitLatin American CuisineSnackSoutheast AsianPlaintains look like a larger version of bananas except they have a thick skin and have a high starch content similar to potatoes and cannot be eaten as-is.They are a cooking banana.Plaintains are usually boiled, mashed,added to stews, deep fried, or dehydrated.A staple of Eastern & Central Africa,parts of Asia, and Latin America,plaintains are usually prepared in these countries in numerous http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2010/04/baked-plaintain-fritters.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-7458434189923772491Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:25:00 +00002010-05-10T14:34:03.877-07:00DrinksFruitLatin American CuisineThere is nothing more odd looking than the cashew apple aka cashew fruit.It's a smaller and thinner version of an apple , with the color varying from yellow to dark orange with a cashew nut sprouting at the top end. Cashew apples are native to Brazil and are cultivated along Brazil's Northeast coast.The Spanish name for cashew apple is maranon, which presumably derives its name from the Brazilianhttp://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2010/04/cashew-apple-smoothie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-954470066860434515Mon, 29 Mar 2010 06:34:00 +00002010-03-28T23:37:40.312-07:00LambMiddle Eastern FoodsA good example of meat preservation in the Middle East is the Lebanese qawarma.Qawarma is highly seasoned pieces of lamb or mutton fried in melted fat from the fat-tailed Awassi sheep,then packed into earthenware ,clay sealed jars and stored in a cool dry place.Once popular in the in the rural areas of Lebanon, this ancient dish is almost but forgotten.Used to be a very young, usually six month http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2010/03/qawarma-lebanese-preserved-lamb.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-1069815101019518482Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:21:00 +00002010-03-10T11:48:26.555-08:00FruitMiddle Eastern FoodsStewsBarberries have come a long way from being called "the poor man's currant".Once popular throughout North America and Europe where they were made into jellies or preserved in vinegar , they are now synonymous with the cooking of Iran. Barberries grow wild in Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America but the edible kind, Berberis Vulgaris grows primarily in Iran. Barberries are never eaten freshhttp://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2010/03/barberry-nut-stew.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-2544197136595859329Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:14:00 +00002010-02-10T15:59:32.950-08:00CheesesItalian CuisineI first read about this cheese and the writer put a disclaimer on the article saying that your gonna wish you didn't read or hear about this cheese in the first place. But guess what,I just had to read about it.So here it goes.Casu Marzu is a Sardinian cheese that is full of live maggots and is consumed as such.Yeah I know your reaction.Literally meaning "rotten cheese", casu marzu is banned in http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2010/02/casu-marzu-italian-maggot-cheese.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-4329940170014809369Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:08:00 +00002010-01-07T11:13:32.630-08:00VegetablesArugula is a spicy green herb that is a member of the Musturd family.It is native to Meditteranean Europe where it is extremely popular.It goes by several names:rugola, rucola, Italian cress, rocket,and roquette.Arugula has a spicy,peppery taste with an orangey aroma.It too is also part of the mesclun salad mix and is also used in pasta dishes.Arugula is a good source of vitamin A,vitamin C, http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2010/01/arugula.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-1507920542733691994Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:03:00 +00002010-01-07T11:08:24.907-08:00VegetablesRadicchio aka Italian chicory is a variety of chicory with red-purplish leaves and white veins that is native to Meditteranean Europe.There are 2 kinds of radicchio, Chiogga and Trevisso.Chiogga looks like a red cabbage and Trevisso which is much smaller has an elongated torpedo-like shape.Radicchio has a bitter,spicy taste and is also part of the mesclun salad mix.It can be eaten in a variet of http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2010/01/radicchio.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-4920795293320128029Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:44:00 +00002010-01-07T11:03:22.893-08:00VegetablesFrisee aka chicory is a curly, fringed vegetable that is native to the Meditteranean.It is a subvariety of the curly endive family.It's color varies between light green and white.Frisee has a slightly bitter taste, because of this it is usually found as a common component of mesclun salad mix(baby greens salad.It is a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, potassium and pantothenic acid.http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2010/01/frisee.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-6379054822280208735Sun, 03 Jan 2010 23:43:00 +00002010-01-03T16:10:03.461-08:00Fish/ShellfishSoutheast AsianSwai is one of those fish that is slowly making its appearance in supermarkets throughout the United States but unlike other fish people are somewhat hesitant to try it because of its unfamiliarity.Swai is a relative of the catfish family.It is native to Southeast Asia.It goes by several names such as "China sole","striped catfish", or "tra".It is similar in taste and texture to tilapia.It's http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2010/01/baked-swai-with-tomatoes-and-dill.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-2962458439458511533Sat, 02 Jan 2010 02:29:00 +00002010-01-03T21:33:38.848-08:00Yemeni Foods Photo courtesy of PomegranatesandZaatarLocated on the southern tip of the Arabian Penninsula, the cuisine of Yemen is known for it's spicy, fiery flavors.One of those spicy foods that is essential to any Yemeni table is the spicy relish-like condiment known as zhoug(Zhug).Zhoug is used in a variety of ways from being used as a dip for bread or added to stews and soups for a fiery bite.Below http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2010/01/yemeni-zhougzhug.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-5422125736272270627Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:42:00 +00002010-01-05T11:11:41.804-08:00AcaiBrazilian FoodDrinksFruitSnackAcai is a small,purple grape-like fruit that is native to the Brazilian Amazon.Known as the "purple pearl of te Amazon", this fruit is rich in antioxidants,healthy omega fats,protein, and fiber with a raspberry/chocolate flavor.It is used in a wide range of foods from juices, smoothies,ice cream, and as a sauce for roasted,grilled meats.Acai is impossible to find fresh outside of Brazil but you http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2009/12/antioxidant-acai-smoothie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-4797229578005044133Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:27:00 +00002009-12-20T19:36:57.031-08:00DrinksSouth African CuisineMeaning "red bush" in Afrikaans, rooibos is a small, slender stemmed bush that is native to South Africa.The branches of the bush contain fine,needle-like leaves which are chopped into very fine pieces then bruised and left out in the open air to oxidize then dry.Rooibos has a sweet taste with a a hint of vanilla.It is usually consumed as a cold or hot beverage in Spoth Africa or used as a http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2009/12/rooibos-african-red-tea.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-7166515890739408203Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:59:00 +00002009-12-19T12:40:45.636-08:00Fish/ShellfishFrench CuisineCoullioure Anchovies are a specialty of Coulliere, a small Meditteranean port in the Roussillon region of France where they are the main producer of this salted anchovy in the world.Granted PDO(Protected Designation of Origin)status by the European Union, Coullioure anchovies now face stiff competition from cheaper producers in Morocco.Coullioure anchovies are produced from the Engraulis http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2009/12/pizza-with-collioure-anchovies-and-sun.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-9097914096156713023Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:23:00 +00002009-12-13T19:36:48.717-08:00AppetizerHearts of PalmLatin American CuisineSaladsVegetablesVegetarian Hearts of Palm also go by the not so nice name of "swamp cabbage" where they are known as in Florida are the sprouting tips and core from various types of palm tree.Hearts of Palm where originally harvested in Florida but because thier method of harvesting leads to the palms death they are now considered a protected species there.Instead, they are grown in the Carribean,Central America, and the http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2009/12/hearts-of-palm-salad.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-6544957381338715156Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:05:00 +00002009-12-13T13:52:03.181-08:00FishMiddle Eastern FoodsTahinaTahina aka Tahini is an oily,nutty sesame-flavored paste that is commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine.Its color ranges from a light beige to dark beige.Tahina is an essential flavoring in Middle Eastern cuisine as well as those from Israel and the Meditteranean where it is used to flavor anything from appetizers to desserts.One of the most well-known dishes to use tahina are the Middle Easternhttp://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2009/12/baked-cod-with-tahina-sauce.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-5347129030594893621Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:24:00 +00002009-12-09T11:52:01.814-08:00DrinksMexican FoodRefresco de Flor de Jamaica is an iced drink that is popular throughout Mexico where it is served everywhere from road side stands to restaurants.It's perfect enjoyed by itself or with any spicy Mexican dish.Flor de Jamaica is known as Hibiscus here in the U.S.To make this simple and refreshing drink you would need to get a hold of some dried hibiscus petals which are usually available in Latin http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2009/12/flor-de-jamaica-iced-drink-mexican.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-2998998183740943044Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:24:00 +00002009-11-30T20:41:58.835-08:00DrinksFruitLatin American CuisineMameyA relative to the mangosteen, mamey aka mamey sapote and mamee apple is a tropical fruit that is native to Southern Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies.It is a football-shaped fruit with brown skin and a dark-orange colored flesh surrounding an inedible large black seed.It has an avocado-like texture with a taste that has been described as a blend of peach,yam,and apricots.Mamey is http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2009/11/mamey-batido-mamay-smoothie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-2735610181613502548Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:14:00 +00002009-11-24T15:53:49.279-08:00DrinksFruitLongan FruitSoutheast AsianLongan is a fruit that is similar to lychee and is found throughout Southeast Asia.It is native to China where it is called "dragon eye"in Chinese because of its eyeball-like appearance.It has a floral,musky aroma and is used in a wide range of Asian dishes like soups, salads,sweet & sour dishes and desserts.Longan is also available in dried form where it is commonly used in regional Chinese http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2009/11/longan-banana-smoothie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-8101247246483786503Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:26:00 +00002009-11-18T21:48:26.594-08:00BlackcurrantsGluten-FreeGrainSide DishesVegetarianCurrants are a member of the berry family.There are 3 kinds available:black, red, and white.Black being the most common and white the rarest.They are native to Eastern and Central Europe but are grown commercially in UK, Scandinavia, Germany, and Russia. In the U.S., they are grown in the eastern region of the country where they are sold fresh.Unfortunately, they are available dried elsewhere .http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2009/11/blackcurrant-quinoa-pilaf.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-4887049579739671685Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:46:00 +00002009-11-18T13:07:34.076-08:00ChickenPersian CuisineAdvieh is a spice mixture that is used in Persian cuisine.It varies from region to region but generally includes equal amounts (1tsp. each) of ground cumin, ground cardamon,ground coriander,ground cinnamon, and ground dried rose petals.Dried ground rose petals are always included in this mixture.It is mainly used in rice dishes,stews, and in stuffings.Some people prefer a more "fragrant"advieh http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2009/11/chicken-with-advieh-stuffing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8314351417794695267.post-4106193638011057088Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:47:00 +00002009-11-12T11:24:13.028-08:00DessertsFruitIce CreamMexican FoodA native to Mexico, the prickly pear is a fruit of many contrasts.This fruit of the desert is also known as cactus pear and in Mexico is called tuna.It is a fruit of the opuntia cactus but is actually considered a berry.The fruit grows in clusters, is egg-shaped, and measures about 4" length.It has either a purplish or light green outer skin and inside has a soft pulp with a multitude of hard http://exoticfoodie.blogspot.com/2009/11/prickly-pear-cactus-pear-sorbet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (exoticfoodie)0