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Where Would You Go For ?

post #1 of 30
9/15/08 at 11:09am
Thread Starter 
If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, and the criteria was that you were going for the food and food related shopping, where would it be?

For me, the Maghreb tops the list. Anywhere in the cous-cous eating parts of western North Africa. But Morocco holds the most appeal. That's where the Turkish influence runs thin, and the Berber and Moorish flavors reign supreme.

I'm not particularly interested in restaurant food, per se. Rather, I want to explore the native foods as prepared at home, and discover for myself the variations found in the different parts of the country.

Between meals I'd haunt the souks, shopping for spices, and tagines, and couscouseries, and filling-in the corners with street food.

How about the rest of you?
They have taken the oath of the brother in blood, in leavened bread and salt. Rudyard Kipling
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post #2 of 30
9/15/08 at 1:08pm
Initially the deep south of America. We've holidayed many times and i never tire of the food and the need to learn more.
Then there is as you say, Morrocco. I would love to experience some home cooking there, although i predict chewy goat and sweet pidgeon pie.


Maybe some kind of exchange culinary holiday could be arranged. Whereby one stays with a family and eats their daily fare. They do it at school, why not a grown up version. That was off the top of my head, but actually not a bad idea
"If we're not supposed to eat animals, why are they made of meat?" Jo Brand
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post #3 of 30
9/15/08 at 2:54pm
Nothing in the entire food repertoire of North Africa moves me in the slightest. I am not a big fan of Indian food either.
Greece, or Italy though, would suit me just fine.
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post #4 of 30
9/15/08 at 9:50pm
There are soooo many places I would like to visit to try the various foods from the region. But one stands out in my mind. I've always felt a longing to go on a "working" vacation throughout Italy. Doing odd jobs while sampling home cooking from homes throughout Italy.

This is just a dream and will never happen. I've got a wife and three kids that I wouldn't tear myself away from for such a time. But, once the kids are out of the house and I'm retired I would like to do a taste of Europe with the wife. Of course who doesn't have that planned :o

dan

Enjoy the Food!

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post #5 of 30
9/15/08 at 10:20pm
Viet Nam or Laos
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post #6 of 30
9/16/08 at 4:57pm
BBQ tour of America. Visit all the meccas of each style of BBQ to see what the differences are.
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post #7 of 30
9/16/08 at 6:13pm
I'd love to do an ice cream tour of the US. Not the overcommercialized, "factory-ized" ice cream, but the dairies where they make the ice cream from the the milk produced right there on the premises. I don't know how many are left now. But when I lived in PA, just north of Philly, there was a diary that had an ice cream shop where they served their own home-produced ice cream in a variety of yummy flavors. I would take the kids there about once a week in the summer. Sometimes we would wait in line a long time, but it was worth it!
"The pressure's on...let's cook something!"
 
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post #8 of 30
9/16/08 at 6:22pm
Great question for some armchair travel (gotta get the roof fixed, again, before getting my passport out).
Whenever we've traveled, we've mostly headed for country areas where there are more sheep (or fill in local beastie) than people. And we always watch for the local market days in small villages. Some markets we visited in the Pyrenees region of France were especially great because they included Spanish and Basque foods. Even just the variety of olives turns me on.

A couple of people mentioned eating in private homes with a local family. THAT would be fabulous anywhere. But my first reaction is that I'd love to do that in Central and Eastern Europe: Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania. I've never been, but I remember seeing photographs of the countryside in National Geographic and reading the accompanying articles years ago. They've stayed in my imagination.
Emily

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post #9 of 30
9/16/08 at 7:20pm
Los Angeles is way up there for so many things. Unless you've been here -- and i don't mean for a few days -- you can't imagine the diversity and intensit of ethnic and regional cuisines here. Similar to New York, Paris, London, but of course I already live here.

New York is an idea. Beijing is attractive. Hong Kong, Seoul. Mexico DF. Rio. Madrid (It's been too long). London, Paris, Roma, Berlin, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Moskva, Islamabad, Tehran ... jeeze. Can't we make it a tour?

Well, I'm thinking about new knives, and since you threw food-related shopping into the mix ... probably Tokyo with a little trip to Sakai City.

BDL
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post #10 of 30
9/16/08 at 11:38pm
Interesting question, I've been thinking about it from two perspectives. First, going back someplace like Paris or to that place in Hamburg where I had the world's best spaeztle. So going somewhere where I would know what I'd be getting into one is option, sticking with the safe and comfortable.

Second is picking someplace that I know very little about. Perhaps Argentina, for visits to the various grilling houses. Or perhaps Thailand or Vietnam. Sure, I've made a few dishes using recipes in that style, but I know that I'm missing out on a wide variety of styles and ingredients, the real thing.

The annual Living Traditions Festival here in Salt Lake features food booths from many cultures. One of my favorite items recently has been this Sudanese spinach, onion and couscous concoction that is quite tasty. And a few years back a fellow I know went to Nairobi, and brought back a masala mix and a hot red curry powder he purchased at one of the street markets. I know very little about cuisines from any part of Africa, a feasting foray there would be an adventure indeed.

Perhaps the only way to settle it would involve a blindfold, a dart and a large map of the world.

mjb.
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post #11 of 30
9/17/08 at 1:22am
Teamfat i like the idea of shooting a dart in to a world map that would be so cool

there are so many places i would love to go to but cant just pick one, next year with my course im doing a higher level course and we have the opportunity to do some international travel for 3 weeks working in a foreign country under the tutelage of a master patisserie in a big hotel as well as studying the food culture in that country, talk around school is that it might be either japan or somewhere in europe ....... i so cant wait
when life hands you lemons, make lemon gelee, lemon meringue pie, or any other dessert your heart desires

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post #12 of 30
9/17/08 at 5:47am
I was lucky that I have been in many countries. (about 30)I still have not been to the far east or Australia. Dont know how the food is but would like to find out
CHEFED
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post #13 of 30
9/17/08 at 6:07am
Thread Starter 
>Can't we make it a tour? <

Why not? It's your trip.

Personally, I'd rather immerse myself fully in the cusine and culture of one area than make what might be superficial stops all over the place. That's one of the reasons I specified home-cooking, for instance, rather than restaurant food.
They have taken the oath of the brother in blood, in leavened bread and salt. Rudyard Kipling
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post #14 of 30
9/17/08 at 6:22am
Worst food I ever had was Soviet Union. Everything was called Shishka whether it be meat, chicken etc. I was there when it was under communist rule.
Best food was at THE former Shaw of Irans Generals home IN Monaco(He escaped Iran after the shaw was ousted and called himself the man without a country, as no country would grant him anything.
CHEFED
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post #15 of 30
9/17/08 at 6:22am
That stuff is really good. I've posted about the Living traditions a couple of times.

http://www.cheftalk.com/forums/resta...-festival.html
more than taste fine
me eat it all the time
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post #16 of 30
9/17/08 at 1:33pm
China would be my first choice. As to a specific city, I don't know. But as this is a dream vacation, I'll have Martin Yan be my guide and get me in to all the best places and interpret for me.

Phil
more than taste fine
me eat it all the time
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post #17 of 30
9/17/08 at 10:51pm
well the food is good in australia, you must try the kangaroo mmmmmmmmmmmmmm its a little stronger in taste than beef and more mild than venison and very lean deep red meat
they have the nicest and freshest greek yoghurt and in so many flavours and the fresh nougat is da bomb let me know if you go there i will recommend some great places in adelaide, sydney and melbourne and down in tasmania
dc sunshine would be the best one to ask


and if you coming all thatway you might as well take a couple extra hours travelling time and vist my beautiful country , we have thevery best lamb , beef and dairy foods as well as really vibrant tasting veges and fruit and also you must try some of our maori style foods as well
when life hands you lemons, make lemon gelee, lemon meringue pie, or any other dessert your heart desires

www.theunknownchef.com
www.theunknownchef.co.nz
www.shoebridge.co.nz
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post #18 of 30
9/18/08 at 4:55am
I'll bet kangaroo has a real kick to it. thanx for info
CHEFED
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post #19 of 30
9/18/08 at 10:29am
Thread Starter 
Boo. Hiss.

Somebody, Ed, is gonna pull you over and ask for your punning license. :rolleyes:
They have taken the oath of the brother in blood, in leavened bread and salt. Rudyard Kipling
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post #20 of 30
9/19/08 at 9:45am
I have always wanted to visit Perigord France and the Basque region of Spain!

Wine, food and Truffles! (Then a quick jaunt over to Switzerland :lips:)
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post #21 of 30
9/19/08 at 5:21pm
snork:crazy::crazy::crazy:
when life hands you lemons, make lemon gelee, lemon meringue pie, or any other dessert your heart desires

www.theunknownchef.com
www.theunknownchef.co.nz
www.shoebridge.co.nz
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post #22 of 30
9/19/08 at 5:23pm

Wonderful Idea Bughut!!!

I agree with Bughut, this would be a neat cultural exchange for adults to go spend time in foreign countries and as a guest enjoy the local fare! I now think someone needs to get started on arranging this to become a reality:lips:
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post #23 of 30
9/20/08 at 11:58am
Well u can all come stay with me and sample some Scots fare. One at a time though, We only have 1 spare room. Unless you dont mind sharing with the dog.
The food's not all haggis and deep fried mars bars...Promise.

Hey Tessa can I come stay with you? I'll help with the chores and smoke outside
I've no idea of the cuisine in New Zealand and i'd love to find out.

I'm off to Dubai with no.3 son on the 6th October for 10 days. Hubby is cutting his leave short and taking us back with him. I'm really excited to taste all i can and from what i hear there's plenty. Woo hoo!
"If we're not supposed to eat animals, why are they made of meat?" Jo Brand
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post #24 of 30
9/24/08 at 9:39pm
I would love to try Maxican food because of their spices and original taste. I tried their food here but I do believe that if you want to get the great taste than you should try their local restaurants or local families.

I heard too much about Indian food also as there are huge varities and different states have their own food.

So I am looking forward to these two destination.
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post #25 of 30
9/24/08 at 10:07pm
Sure thing honey just give me plenty of warning so i can clean the house, get all the junk out of the spare room so you can get in to it :lol:
when life hands you lemons, make lemon gelee, lemon meringue pie, or any other dessert your heart desires

www.theunknownchef.com
www.theunknownchef.co.nz
www.shoebridge.co.nz
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post #26 of 30
9/25/08 at 4:42am
I'd like to eat my way through Spain and Portugal. These meditarranean regions have long been on the bottom of the list under Italy and France and are just now gaining interest. I hear they have the best pork so how can you go wrong?

I'm also apt to believe that there is more to British faire than kidney pies and mutton. It'd be nice to travel there and find it.
In a nutshell
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post #27 of 30
9/25/08 at 6:06pm
^^^ Oh yes, Spain and Portugal indeed! My top choices at the moment. Ever since a friend of mine told me he had the best suckling pig of his life in some random place in a remote region of Spain, I am ecstatic to go one day, just drive around to eat and drink with the locals.

Japan would be the next choice.

Regarding India, I've been lucky enough to have been there and had some of the best food of my life. I was at a Hindu wedding where we pretty much got to try a variety of regional dishes. I must add, I am not a vegetarian and I was vegan there for 10 days without any issue. For once in my life I didn't miss meat. The only bad thing is I haven't been able to find Indian food that good since I came back home!
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post #28 of 30
9/25/08 at 6:33pm
I like the idea of throwing a dart at the map. The first thing that comes to mind is any place where I have little idea about their food.

As far as places I do know about somewhat, for a long time I've thought Singapore would be a great place to go. I grew up in India and what they do with spices, so many ways, is amazing. As an earlier poster here said, in India I could go vegan for a while and not even miss meat. But then there's Tandoori chicken and so many other other meat dishes that are fantastic.

Singapore, from what I hear, has all that plus Chinese and Malay cuisine, and hybrids. Also, noodles are one of my favorite staples, and whereas India has almost no pasta, Singapore has plenty. I would love to visit there for the food.
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post #29 of 30
10/2/08 at 12:30pm
Would love to go somewhere new and exciting and experience new culinary delights! Doesn't matter where it is as long as I'm experiencing and learning something new.
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post #30 of 30
10/3/08 at 7:12pm
BDL-
You may have hit on something...

Why not seek signups for a short culinary cruise on a modest cruise ship to hit some great food ports on the Gulf coast, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands and the eastern coast of South America? We could embark from New Orleans, after several meals there, and hit the rest.

Conservative talkshow/magazine columnists do this every year.

It could be whole new career, and think what you could add to your cookbook! :)

I know a cruise/tourism packager who could put this together - I'm sure there are lots of them - and HIRE you as the tour guide. :bounce:

Mike
travelling gourmand
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