Different Foods for Different Folks

By Kaleel Grantham

Every nationality and culture is unique and different. However, one thing everyone has in common is food. The characteristics of food is what makes each dish unique. Every dish is different from another, made differently, with unique ingredients, and many alternative ways of cooking. Here are some highlights of family cultures and traditions with family recipes and secret ingredients.

Everyone has a favorite dish that may be from different regions;Mexican, Italian, French, American, Chinese, Asian, Vietnamese, and so many more. Some recipes may be authentic and new to others, However, with the help of social media, recipes are able to be easily and quickly shared across the world. People learn about different cultures with every dish, which comes with its own unique stories, traditions, characteristics, journey, and a joy to cook. A recent interview with Lucy Azar, a Middle Eastern Grandmother that loves culture and cooking added, ”Cultural food to me is where I came from.”  

Many people use recipes that have been adapted, modified, and even taught by others, However some recipes may be different, depending on each person‘s preference on things such as ingredients, time cooked, seasoning, or substituting ingredients. With social media and AI, people can learn new recipes by just adding the ingredients they may have in their fridge. The foods Lucy hashave adopted from her parents are stuffed grape leaves, stuffed zucchini, stuffed eggplant, falafel and hummus, and many more. Lucy stated, “I enjoy cooking very much, because I love the fun in it and I like to see people enjoying my food.”

As there are many cultures, traditions, and nationalities with different foods,Foodanywhere, from restaurants, family gatherings, food trucks, family run restaurants, franchise restaurants, or even at a friend‘s house. It doesn’t matter where you are, food is everywhere. “There is more than one meal that passes generations, the most common one is Mulukhiyah with chicken.” Lucy stated, Mulukhiyah  is a green leafy vegetable, comparable to cooked greens or spinach, a very popular middle eastern dish. 

In conclusion, food has similarities to music, it’s everywhere and anywhere, every country and culture has its own unique taste. Traditions reflect their foods and authenticity. The question is, are you brave enough to try new dishes?