with eggs n biscuitsI don’t think this was remotely racist – do you?
I am lucky enough to live in a very culturally diverse city, that has a very large Vietnamese and Korean population. In fact, we have an entire ‘Asian District’ that is mostly Vietnamese-run businesses, of which many (most) are restaurants.
I work as a sideline doing restaurant reviews for a local news-zine.
A new restaurant opened up in the Asian district, and I set out to review it. It was touted as a Cajun restaurant.
Well, I go there, and it is not remotely Cajun whatsoever. The ‘special’ was wok-fried shrimp fried rice, and the other dishes were similar – Asian style seafood dishes. I did a little homework, and discovered that the restaurant is owned by a family of Vietnamese people who own several other restaurants in the district. They are cooking ‘cajun’ food in a wok…
Anyhoo, in my review, I stated that this was NOT the place to go for good Cajun food, and indicated that it was in no way, shape, or form, Cajun. I said it was mediocre Vietnamese food (which it was).
I then got a nasty letter from someone who read my review that said I was just racist and didn’t like Asians. WTF?
Do you think I was out of line? I mean – this place was NOT fusion-style at all – just straight off bad quasi cajun food that bore no resemblance to what was advertised…
Just fyi – I have nothing against people from the Far East, or the cuisine they prepare. I am a notorious Pho eater, and Thai food junkie…I don’t think I was being unreasonable to expect what was advertised, and be disappointed when I didn’t get it.
Not racist at all. You gave your opinion and someone didn’t like it, and they had to find a way to attack you. I wouldn’t give it another thought.
What to make for an All-American meal in France?
I’m spending my semester with a host family in France and they all really want me to cook an American meal. I want to, but I have no idea what to make. I need a main course, side dishes, and a dessert.
So what do you all think would be a unique, typical, American meal? (fyi: I’m from New York State, I know the region frequently matters on this. For example, though awesome, I’m not going to make creole food, that’s not something I would have back in the states.)
Any suggestions are welcome!
All of the people who answered have very creative answers, but fail to realize that some if not all there suggestions are impossible in France, they do sell the crap that is normal in the US, I would go for the apple pie, but use a selection of french apples, fried chicken is another idea, even a spaghetti with meat sauce, Europeans are not familiar with the US style meat sauce or meatballs.
I am a former chef from Canada and cooked in Hotels and was in France for awhile in the mid 1990′s, and try something that is easy and you can handle, if you could get you hands on some smoked deli meat to make a reuben sandwich there is another idea, but US style corned beef and pastrami is hard to come buy but french cooked ham would be a good substitute.
Louisiana Culinary Trails – Seafood Sensations
Bordered by Texas to the west and Cajun Country to the east, southwestern Louisiana has developed its own brand of cooking. Rustic, spicy, and stick-to-your-ribs might best describe the food of this marshland. Dominating menus are fried and boiled seafood, pork stew, catfish courtbouillon, rice dressing, shrimp and okra gumbo, jambalaya, wild game, and lots and lots of rice. This trail zigzags across the southwestern corner of the state, sometimes known as the Louisiana Outback, stopping at a variety of crawfish houses, oyster bars, cafes, and grocery stores.
Duration : 0:2:30
Destination Haitian Cuisine
Haitian food is similar to the rest of the Latin-Caribbean (the French and the Spanish-speaking countries of the Antilles) however it differs in several ways from its regional counterparts. Its primary influence derive from French, and African cuisine, with notable derivatives from native Taíno and Spanish culinary technique. Though similar to other cooking styles in the region, it carries a uniqueness native only to the country and an appeal to many visitors to the island. Haitians use vegetables and meats extensively and peppers and similar herbs are often used for strengthening flavor. Dishes tend to be seasoned liberally and consequently Haitian cuisine tends to be moderately spicy, not mild and not too hot. In the country, however, many businesses of foreign origin have been established introducing several foreign cuisines into the mainstream culture. Years of adaptation have led to these cuisines (ie: Levantine from Arab migration to Haiti) to merge into Haitian cuisine.
Rice and beans in several differing ways are eaten throughout the country regardless of location, becoming a sort of national dish. They form the staple diet, which consists of a lot of starch and is high in carbohydrates. In the more rural areas, however, at great distances from the major cities, other foods are eaten to a larger degree such as mais moulu (mayi moulen), a dish comparable to cornmeal that can be eaten with sauce pois (sos pwa) [a bean sauce made from one of many types of beans such as kidney, pinto, or garbanzo beans, or pigeon peas]. Mais moulu can be eaten with fish (often red snapper), or alone, depending on personal preference. Tomato, oregano, cabbage, avocado, and red and green peppers are several of the many types of vegetables and fruits that are used in Haitian dishes. Banane Pésée (Bannan Pézé), flattened plantain slices that are fried in oil (known as tostones in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico), are eaten frequently in Haiti as both a snack food and as part of a meal. They are frequently eaten with tassot and/or griot, deep-fried goat and pork respectively.
Duration : 0:4:40
peach cobbler
Yankee fast foodCajun Catfish 101
ZeCookingMaster has a special treat for dinner tonight! Good old Cajun Fried Catfish. And no, we ain’t from Leesiana 
Duration : 0:5:10
Your best southern recipes (USA)?
It’s the food I grew up with- grits, fried green tomatos, sweet tea, biscuits and gravy, and all that.
Maybe you could share you’re favorite, it doesn’t matter if it’s deep south home cooking or cajun/creole.
I’m going to make a huge meal of southern food and want a lot of variety. thanks
SOUTHERN BEEF & BEANS CASSEROLE
1 lb ground beef
1 28 oz can Bush’s Baked Beans
1/2 cup chopped green peppers
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 6 oz tomato paste
1 8 1/2 oz package Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
1/2 cup package shredded Cheddar cheese
1. In a skillet, sauté ground beef, onion and green peppers until meat is browned. Drain excess grease.
2. Combine meat mixture, Bush’s Baked Beans and tomato paste. Spoon into a lightly greased 8 inch square baking dish.
3. Prepare muffin mix according to package directions. Spead evenly over bean mixture.
4. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, sprinkle with cheese and continue baking 5 minutes more, or until cheese melts.
SOUTHERN CORN CHOWDER
1/4 lb lean salt pork or pancetta
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper
2 potatoes, cubed
3/4 cup diced celery, strings removed
1 1/2 cups boiling water or stock
1 cup undiluted evaporated milk
1 medium can whole kernel corn (or 1 1/2 cups frozen)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or 1 chicken bouillon cube)
1 tablespoon butter (room temperature)
2 teaspoons flour
Cut salt pork or pancetta into 1/4 inch dice and brown in bottom of a saucepan. Add onion, garlic and pepper; sauté 5 minutes.
Add potatoes, celery and boiling water or stock. Add salt or bouillon cube. Cover and simmer over low heat until potatoes are tender. Add corn and evaporated milk (Fresh milk or Cream may be substituted for evaporated milk). Blend together butter and flour evenly and gradually add to chowder.
Cook, uncovered over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until soup is thickened. Be careful not to scorch bottom (it’s best to use a heavy bottomed pan and watch heat carefully).
Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve with milk crackers.
Note: Creamed corn may be substituted.
Variations:
Add 1 package frozen chopped broccoli for cream of broccoli soup.
Add 1 can chopped clams or 1 cup chopped fresh clams for a quick New England clam chowder.