Trifter &#187; World Cuisine

Recent Culinary Explosion

It was not always the case that Australia offered the gourmand such adventures. The 1950’s Australian diet consisted of, “Steak-And-Three-Veg,” a boring facsimile of British gruel. The 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne saw the arrival of Italians and Greeks with their vital cuisines. Increased inward migration meant that Australians inherited vital cooks-secrets from across the globe. By the 1980’s this explosion had fanned out to all cities with most towns now hosting one good dining room.

What to look for in Australian food:

Check for vigorous local produce on the menu
Ask the locals where they dine
Make a beeline to the Italian restaurants

The quality overall is good. Throw yourself into it, as everything is reasonably priced, and delicious.

Duck Terrine Sandwich

Asia Ho!

Australian food is Asian. Thai restaurants abound. There are also Chinese, Vietnamese and Cambodian eateries as well as cheap all-you-can-eat Asian food emporiums. If you are pinching your pennies you will find cheap Asian food everywhere. Along with that, Australia also now also has African and Brazillian influences of late.

Sumptuous Summit Restaurant Sydney Central

Price

A good feed for two in any Aussie city should cots you $US50, for two, if you bring your own wine. If you choose an expensive restaurant in Sydney you will pay $US500 maximum, for four people, and that includes the wines. So, you can see that dining Down Under is a delicious dream, part of your visit that you will relish for good.

Mouthwatering Mavens of Munchies

Some chefs making their names on the Australian food scene are listed here for your curiosity. Google them for some of their sumptuous recipes.

Christine Mansfield – modern style
Neil Perry – contemporary
Stephanie Alexander – country style with new flair
Maggie Beer – traditional with modern influences

All of them have publications, they are regarded as experts in presentation, delight and culinary expression in Australia.

Aboriginal Ingredients are In Vogue at the Outback Café

Recent Trends In Australian Cuisine

With the rise of new cooking ideas there are a few new trends emerging in Australian restaurants. These are:

Traditional or, “Bush Tucker,” cooking using Aboriginal ingredients
Modern Chinese making Chinese food more Western in appeal
Seasonal produce, using ingredients that are plucked during their appropriate season

Well, that’s it! I hope you can make dining part of your Down Under dream, as I can tell you now the food is delicious.

Discover How to Escape Down Under…

Escape Down Under 1: Strategy to the Impossible

Escape Down Under 2: Price ‘N Pay

Escape Down Under 3: Becoming an Aussie

Pinoy Fare Gets Bettyfied

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:21:24 +0000

Street food is a perennial part of every culture and the Philippines offers probably one of the most bizarre arrays of street munch, from deep dried delights like kwek-kwek (quail eggs coated with orange flour) and different kind of balls (fish balls, squid balls) to grilled meat like pork and chicken. Next to pork barbecue, perhaps the most common fare hawked in almost every corner of Metro Manila is grilled chicken, be it in any part like satay, intestines (Isaw), gizzard (Balun-balunan) head (Helmet), Adidas (chicken feet) and a whole variety that only the Filipino’s unique palate can concoct.

When the localized franchise of the popular Mexican teleserye Betty la Fea hit the airwaves, the main protagonist Betty (played by Bea Alonzo) is portrayed as someone who loves eating street food as part of her average girl character. This typecasting has made I Love Betty La Fea even dearer to the hearts of the Filipino viewers.

Inspired by the said character, ABS-CBN’s licensing group worked into its second collaboration with Inasal experts Bacolod Chicken Inasal to bring to the public what their favourite primetime bida casts are enjoying in the make-believe world of boob tube. The new meal combos called BBQuito Paborito (pronounced as Bibikito) and its posh counterpart Eco Moda meals hopes to follow the success of its first joint venture, Ysabella’s Chicken.

Ysabella’s Chicken is a steamed then fried chicken dish using the original recipe developed by ABS-CBN for the drama series Ysabella. Using the same controversial recipe that spurred a life-long difficulty to the life of Ysabella (Judy Ann Santos), BCI product development team brought in the recipes from all over the Philippines, including honey from Palawan and the Balayan Bagoong.

“For Ysabella’s Chicken, we want a dish that the whole country can relate to and not become a regional recipe. When we started selling it, people initially just come here to try out of curiosity from the soap, but when they tasted Ysbella’s Chicken, they eventually come back for more,” shared Rose Tanalgo-Meim, who heads the BCI Marketing team.

When presented with the same proposal from ABS-CBN, this time with ILBLF, the management of BCI didn’t think twice to create new meal offerings for their customers.

BBQuito Paborito consists of six meal sets that comes with garlic rice and 120z ice tea at an affordable price of P99.50. Combo 1 BBQuito Combo 1 is called Chiquito, Ataquito and Batiquito (chicken satay, liver and gizzard) while BBQuito Combo 2 is called Porquito, Ataquito and Isolquito (pork BBQ, liver and tail). There’s also Chiquito, Batiquito and Isolquito (chicken satay, gizzard and tail) and the Porquito, Ataquito and Batiquito (pork BBQ, liver and tail).

Customers who prefer only meat barbecue may opt for the BBQuito Combo 5 which comes with three sticks of Porquito (pork BBQ) or the BBQuito Combo 6 has three sticks of Chiquito (chicken satay), garlic rice and 12oz iced tea. BBQuito combos 5 and 6 are priced at only PhP 109.00.

“It’s the same street food that Filipinos love but with enhanced taste, better cut of meat and better chicken and pork parts. A lot of people can relate to this because it’s very affordable, a real value for money especially for those people working,” adds Meim.

Meanwhile for the Eco Moda Meals, Meim said that they were looking for recipes that fits the entire ILBLF concept but with a touch of class of class in it, reflecting the posh lifestyle of the Eco Moda executives. They settled for an old family recipe Pollo Galantina, a quarter of succulent stuffed chicken and Liempo Sabroso, roasted juicy pork dish infused with lemongrass and onion flavours, their healthy take on lechon kawali. The Pollo Galantina is served with gravy and vegetables on the side while the Liempo Sabroso comes with a dip and tomatoes and onions relish. These two meals are priced higher than the BBQuito Combo Meals and don’t come with rice or drinks.

“We want to let the public experience the things that Betty loves in television, but it is street food that is brought into a restaurant setting. It is a more convenient dining experience for our customers.”

BBQuito Combos and Eco Moda Meals are now available at all Bacolod Chicken Inasal branches, Edsa Central, Jupiter St. (next to Bel Air 2 entrance), Greenhills, QC Circle, SM City Sta. Mesa, Robinsons Place Manila, Glorietta 4, Metrowalk, Robinsons Forum, SM Megamall, Paseo Center, TriNoma, SM City Clark, Robinsons Otis, One EcomCenter SM Mall of Asia, McKinley Hill, Fastbytes Alabang, SM City Marikina and soon at SM City Baliwag and Summit Ridge Tagaytay .

Much-maligned Filipino Delicacies

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:44:25 +0000

I have been a vegetarian for some time but I find it difficult to pass up an opportunity to have a small serving of these much-maligned yet delectable Filipino delicacies. Get to know more about them and who knows, you may soon end up being a member of its legions of Filipino fans.

Balut

Balut is an aborted duck fetus. It is very different from the ordinary egg with yolk and all. This one is a healthy, fertilized duck embryo that is almost ready to be hatched. In fact, it got its ill reputation from its readily recognizable duck embryo with bulging eyes, pink little limbs, gray feathers and beak. It is often served with a dash of salt and beer. When I was young, I ate this with my favorite cola drink in a totally dark room lest I come face-to-face with the grossly pathetic duck creature. Balut is an aphrodisiac. Elders recommend it to strengthen the knees especially if one is to engage in the sexual act.

Green Mangoes and Bagoong

Bagoong or shrimp paste is made from fermented ground shrimp. Other varieties are made from fermented fish. It has to be cooked well prior to consumption by stir frying it with garlic and onions. In the Filipino cuisine, bagoong is used as an alternative to salt, soy sauce or monosodium glutamate to enhance food flavor. It is best used as a condiment or dipping sauce for green mangoes. To those unfamiliar with this condiment, its notoriously pungent odor could be extremely repulsive. Filipinos have gotten complaints from neighbors in Western countries for cooking bagoong. To me, however, the aroma of freshly cooked bagoong is a treat to my nostrils especially if it comes with green mangoes.

Tuyo or Dried Salted Fish

Tuyo is salted fish that has been dried under the sun. It may be stored for sometime since it has been preserved by the salting and drying process. Different variants of tuyo can be made from different kinds of fish. Tuyo is fried with moderate amount of cooking oil. To most Filipinos, this is a classic breakfast viand together with fried rice, eggs and tomatoes. Vinegar with garlic and a little chili pepper is the ideal dipping sauce for tuyo. This Filipino delicacy is known to be a poor man’s dish as it is quite cheap and may be readily purchased from any small variety store nearby. The reality is, tuyo has legions of fans from all walks of life despite its nasty odor. I’m a certified tuyo lover and I’m right there heading the pack!

Dinuguan

Dinuguan is also known as pork blood stew. It is made from pork meat simmered in a rich, spicy gravy of pig blood, garlic, chili and vinegar. Dinuguan derives it name from the Filipino word “dugo” meaning blood. It is best served with white rice or Filipino rice cake called puto. Westerners are usually alarmed by this dish because of its morbid origin though some think it is rather similar to the European-style blood sausage or British black pudding in a saucy stew form. The Westernized euphemism, “chocolate meat” is based on its recognizable thick and dark appearance. This is a pleasant substitute to what has been jokingly referred to by Filipinos as the “menstruation dish.”

Durian

Durian is a tropical fruit found in Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, it abundantly grows in Davao City. It is similar to jack fruit, only more velvety. Its hard crust keeps the edible flesh intact inside. As in other Filipino delicacies, durian’s smeared reputation originates from its offensive odor; strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact. In fact, the odor has caused its banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in Southeast Asia. To me, however, the aroma is like aged wine, something that keeps you craving for more and intoxicates you for life. Those who judge and throw off this fruit unfairly miss out on one of the best things nature has to offer.

“Do not judge a book by its cover,” so goes the popular saying. Many may find these delicacies extremely peculiar but it takes one to try them to appreciate them. When in the Philippines, eat as the Filipinos eat. You’ve never really been in the country until you’ve had a taste of these treats.

Extremely Controversial, Bizarre, and Unusual Delicacies Around the World

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:55:26 +0000

Have you ever wondered what people eat around the world? Before ordering your food at the restaurants or buying foods from the street vendors, take a tour with me to look at the most odd, peculiar, bizarre and appalling foods that people eat in their daily diet.

What makes the food sounding bizarre and peculiar? Certain eating cultures seem to be bizarre to us but normal to the eaters. That means the food might be terrible for some, but delicious for others. The answer can be obtained between “tasty” and “nasty” foods, to which it makes not much difference as it’s merely one letter difference. In other words, certain foods that we classify as strange foods are instead exotic delicacies for others. It’s simply concluded here that the cuisines may be objectively regarded as crazy and bizarre, but they appeal as normal and usual delicacies to their respective eaters.

Each culture has their own traditional foods that they enjoy, although occasionally, certain foods that appeal to a person in one place, but may not be appealing to someone in another part of the world (quoted from my previous article entitled The 8 most cruel & controversial world delicacies).

When I say “bizarre” here, I actually refer to “uncommon”, “unusual” and “unlikely healthy” foods to different cultures around the world. So, next time, while eating out of your country, you should think twice before ordering the delicacies that are stated in the menu.

This is a plate of grasshopper tacos (Tacos de Chapulines) which is said crunchy and crisp to chew and is claimed to be a source of health. It’s eaten like popcorn by people in Oaxaca. While examining this tortilla carefully, I can see that it’s packed with some grasshoppers. These grasshoppers are most favored to be eaten between August and January, which is during the rainy season. This seasonal delicacy is prepared with the thin legs of the grasshoppers breaking off. It actually doesn’t sound delicious and appetizing for me. Rather, it won’t be considered as a fair game for these grasshoppers.

These yucky silkworm pupae (Beondegi) are one of the most popular Korean cuisines sold by street vendors in South Korea. In the preparation of this popular snack food, they’re boiled or steamed. While cooking, one can even breathe in a distinctive aroma half a block away. It’s said to be tasted like crab meat. But, does this cuisine look appearing for your appetite?

“Wait a minute, ma’am! Do you think you want to eat these deep fried bamboo caterpillars (rók deun)?” It appears to me as a strange meal. I can’t passionate to dig into this daunting dish. But, certain individuals eat them as regular hotdog.

These deep-fried and crunchy insects sucked my breath and I can’t imagine the nightmare of swallowing this delicacy into my stomach. I couldn’t understand how this delicacy has turned out to be a favorable snack.

Look closely, this is an omelet coming along with ant eggs (khài jiaw khài mót). Again, it sounds bizarre to me. Will I challenge myself to eat such strange delicacy, I guess not. It won’t appear to my curiosity to eat as a meal too!

I’m as truly as disgusted over these deep-fried starfish, seahorses, sharks, snakes, rats, sea urchin, cicada, snail, cow stomach and etc. They’re sold by the street vendors in Central Beijing, ”Snack Street” in Wangfujing Night Market, and Dongyuan Night Market, China. I know that these foods truly disgust me, and I know that I won’t keep my fingers from touching them. (Note: Not all Chinese eat everything as claimed in the video.)

The first delicacy is available in Hanoi and the second is available at certain restaurants in Vietnam, Cambodia and China. If you’re wondering around the “Snack Street” in Wangfujing Night Market, Beijing, China, you may see the street vendors selling deep-fried scorpions/baby scorpions in sticks. Again, these crazy delicacies seem to disturb my appetite and I would find them to be disturbing….

Anyone here, are you hungry? How about some fried wasp larvae? You can see the live wasp larvae selling at the morning market in Vientiane, Laos, and also in Vietnam. Are they appealing yummy to you?

Don’t be surprised if you find some cockroaches in your plate! I’m sure you’ll yell at this crazy food. To me, I think this cuisine is abnormal and I’ll admit though, this delicacy causes me vomiting.

Are you hungry for these insect- and bug -rich delicacies? Do you want some bowls/ plates of them? For your information, termites, ants and palm grubs are eaten by Columbian citizens, and sometimes they may ground up ants as a spread on their breads. In Philippines and in parts of Africa, people eat grasshoppers, mole crickets, locusts, dragonfly larvae, katydids, ants, water beetles and June beetles, whereas in Japan, people eat zaza-mushi (aquatic insect larvae), semi (fried cicada), sangi (fried silk moth pupae), inago (fried rice filled with grasshoppers) and hachi-no-ko(boiled wasp larvae). The delicacies may come with breads, pizzas, burgers, noodles, soups, side dishes or flours made from bugs, worms, pupae or larvae. They seem to be delicious for certain individuals to dine, but how dirty are they? They may carry an abundance of microbial flora, and might be infected with E.coli. and salmonella.

The raw blood soup is sold by street vendors at the market in Vietnam. The soup is made of raw blood obtaining from geese, ducks or pigs. I think this delicacy is dangerous to take if it’s contaminated with H5N1 bird flu virus. Indeed, I simply have to suspend my knee looking at this soup. Besides this fresh raw blood soup, Vietnamese also eat rat, monkey, lizard, snake, bat, and dog meat. Looking at these unusual foods, what else can the day throw at you? They’re so disgusting!

In Mekong as well as in certain parts in China, snake cuisine is a common meal that you could order at the restaurants or buy at the open market. In Taiwan, people even drink a raw blood of snake. Some nations even eat raw snake’s heart. For me, I don’t dare to dig into such daunting dishes! Ugh, it sounds scary and disgusting to me!Yuck….

The cooked bat is considered as a delicacy in certain parts of Asian countries and Fiji. It’s always served as “pulutan” (food served while drinking) and “ulam” (viand or food that eats together with rice). Sound yummy to you???

Apparently, this 8-legged delicacy is a Cambodian cuisine at Psar Thmei Central Market, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The locals say they eat this either flying or soaking them in rice wine. Even Vampire bat is sold in a market in Sulawesi, Indonesia as a local delicacy. Worst still, besides this spider delicacy, pig head, and even baked dog are sold here. OMG, I’ve no idea how people chewing and swallowing these scary-looking delicacies! They’re truly sending chill down to my spine!!!!

The live octopus (San Nak Ji) is eaten in Korea. The appalling fact is that the Korean people call this as a delicious meal. For them, eating a moving octopus is a joy to satisfy their teeth. You’ll find this disgusting, and in fact, it’s not even view as a healthy diet. Eating this damned stuff is actually placing a gun in your mouth without placing it towards your head. Well, when you’re chewing something that is moving around your teeth…it could be strange and bizarre, right?

Eating a live frog or a live beating frog’s heart has appeared to be a delicious cuisine in Japan as well as in Thailand and China. In Japan, it’s always eaten with sashimi. This delicacy seems bizarre to us but the Japanese say it’s regarded as a tasty meal. Regardless of whatever people think about this delicacy, the taste actually sweeps off your desire to eat and furthermore, you may also feel your tongue getting “burned”. So, are you wincing to wolf down this strange and weird food?

Frog juice (extracto de rana) is drunk in Peru. The juice is claimed to have a very high demand at the markets of Lima, Peru. The video gets my head tilting to understand how the people can wolf down this juice so contentedly. As for me, I think it’s disgusting to have myself drunken such juice!!!

Extraordinary Street Vendor Foods: All Served on a Stick

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:09:29 +0000

Squid On A Stick

Don`t bother looking for a hot dog vendor in most Asian cities. Instead, find a street vendor, select your squid and it will be freshly grilled for you…on a stick. Can anyone tell me where I can find a McDonald’s?

Pizza On A Stick

These treats found at Toronto`s C.N.E. give new meaning to “think outside the box” Slices of pizza are deep fried on a stick. I`d try one of these if there was a paramedic close by.

Cheesecake On A Stick

Move over BaskinRobbins These are actual slices of cheesecake, dipped in chocolate and then frozen. If I absolutely had to eat something frozen on a stick: this would be it.

Pancake and Sausage On A Stick

Perfect for those lazy weekend mornings when you can`t stand the thought of trekking all the way to the IHOP or the local Denny`s for breakfast, Jimmy Dean has just what you need. Frozen pancakes and sausage on a stick. No tray required. Do people really buy this stuff?

Fish On A Stick

Holy Mackerel! Now those are what I call fish sticks!! Just select your fish and your choice of beverage from one of these Japanese street vendors and you`re good to go. I wonder what the response would be if these were served in school cafeterias instead of traditional fish sticks?

Deep Fried Snickers Bar On A Stick

Yes, you read correctly. Deep Fried Snickers Bars! As the only living human that does not like chocolate, I just can`t figure this one out. I can feel my arteries hardening just thinking about it.

Deep Fried Cheese On A Stick

This is where my knees get weak. Cheese on a stick. Food doesn`t get any better than that! I live a long way from Cedar Point Park, and I hate crowds but I would go there just to eat this cheese on a stick.

Adventurous Eating: Weird Menus From Around the World

Sat, 29 Nov 2008 11:23:11 +0000

Eating in a foreign country can sometimes be a real adventure. Eating down the street can sometimes be as well. They say that it’s healthiest to eat a little bit of everything but I’m not sure anyone would want to eat what some of these menus are offering.

Um, “Vegetarian chicken”? Does this mean that the chicken was a vegetarian and that means vegetarians can eat it? I think that they may have missed the point of the word vegetarian on this menu.

This menu found in Ningbo, China sounds really delicious until you get to the “Pig’s fore shank with strange flavor”. What exactly do they mean by strange?

This menu has “Strange flavored chicken” as a house suggestion! I’m not sure that I’m daring enough to give it a try.

How about some grilled spam? I’ve heard that it is a local delicacy in some Hawaiian cultures but I’m just not sure about it. I’m sure that they probably would feel the same way about eatting bison, which really isn’t that uncommon where I live in Canada.

This Italian menu offers pizzas with coocked arm and hard harm. Also, a rocket. I’m not sure I really feel like eating arms and rockets tonight dear. Maybe a Hawaiian. Pizza that is, not person.

I thought that eating salads was supposed to be good for you! Salad with cancerous necks does not sound delicious or healthy to me.

This random “Will I ever see you again” message just makes me laugh. That’s what they offer for sweets. I wonder if whoever it was meant for ever saw it.

Here’s a picture of an edible menu by Chef Cantu of Moto Restaurant in Chicago, IL, USA. Takes “weird menus” to a whole new level. Sort of James Bondish as well…when you’re done ordering, eat this message.

I thought that Winnie the Pooh liked honey. Who knew that what he really likes is a fried slice of meat? Miscellaneous meat, I guess. I hope it’s not bear.

Yikes! I can’t believe how cheap they’re selling kids for at this restaurant. Maybe I should pick up an extra couple of them. Definitely easier than pregnancy!