Food in international Homes

Food in itself is a fascinating subject, involving many branches and types. But food in international homes or families with members from multiple nations is arguably the most interesting to discuss. In these homes, cuisine can be blended and mixed from country to country, and you may just discover a brand-new food or recipe that fits you perfectly.

My grandfather is from Korea, and he and I used to make bulgogi, a Korean dish of marinated beef served with rice. During Thanksgiving, too, our routine would vary slightly from the typical all-American meal. With our dinner, we would have kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage) and white rice, among other types of Korean food.

However, there are other types of food that originate in different countries. Some are eaten all around the world, while others are confined to one specific location. A friend of mine who is of Indian descent discussed this subject with me.

“We (me and my family) eat Indian food on Monday, Wednesday, and during the weekend,” she said. “We eat a lot of vegetable and lentil-based dishes. There’s a lentil meal called dal that we have. There’s also usually one meat portion in our dinner, and lots of potatoes.”

“Is it spicy?” I asked.

“Lots of people think Indian food is really spicy,” she said, “but it’s not really. Just a little bit.”

Indian food is a very important part of her family culture. However, she has American food three to four times a week as well. This is a perfect example of mixed meals from mixed countries coming together to form a family’s eating habits.

In my opinion, food is a wonderful way to bond with family and friends - eating together, sharing a meal and a conversation, can brighten your whole day. And food with international touches can be absolutely delicious. But you don’t have to have family members from different countries to enjoy this. Research your own recipes! Get creative! Mix and mingle! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! And most importantly, have fun cooking and eating!