Culinary adventures

The adventure of tasting local foods– exotic fruits, spicy street food, fresh juices, unrecognizable dishes– every meal is a new surprise. For me though, eating is just the beginning. I want to know the entire process from start to finish in order to bring the knowledge (and the good eats) home to share with my friends and family. I like to go to the local markets and learn about vegetables and spices that are unfamiliar and stock up on spices to take home just before leaving. I try to learn, taste and distinguish the spices of the region so I can later recognize and use in my own cooking. I find myself peeking into the kitchens at restaurants and observing which vegetables are used, which spices are being thrown in, and how exactly everything is prepared. And street food…I love it! Plus, it’s usually prepared right in front of you so you can also learn how to make it.

This week I’m staying at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India and spending time in the large kitchens that serve food 24 hours a day for up to 40,000 people in one day. Peeling and chopping carrots, flattening and rolling out chapatis and chatting with the local Punjabi men and women– it’s experience that will not be soon forgotten. Learning to prepare local foods is one of my favorite parts of travel. The varieties and styles of cooking astound me– there’s always something new to learn and every cook has something to teach.

Cooking classes are widely available in most places and well worth it if you’ll take advantage and use the knowledge when returning home. If you’re interested and doing a home stay or are invited into a home, ask if you can observe or help prepare meals– usually the request is well-received and the offer is appreciated. Many places, often temples (like Golden Temple), have large community kitchens where volunteering is easily possible. This is a great way to learn about cooking, meet wonderful people and direct your energy into something worthwhile.

Posted by | Comments (3)  | November 21, 2008
Category: General


3 Responses to “Culinary adventures”

  1. Golden-Temple » Culinary adventures Says:

    […] Culinary adventuresLearning to prepare local foods is one of my favorite parts of travel. The varieties and styles of cooking astound me– there’s always something new to learn and every cook has something to teach. Cooking classes are widely available in … […]

  2. Golden-Temple » Day Thirty Seven: Amritsar Says:

    […] Culinary adventuresLearning to prepare local foods is one of my favorite parts of travel. The varieties and styles of cooking astound me– there’s always something new to learn and every cook has something to teach. Cooking classes are widely available in … […]