Latin America has a wide variety of great food: from Argentinian steaks, to Mexican mole, from Cuban congri to Peruvian anticuchos, many countries in Latin America are known for their cuisine. There any many influences in the food of different Latin American countries which have led to some really good eating! Corn, potatoes, tomatoes, squash, avocado, some types of beans, turkey, and chocolate originated in the Americas, and were widely used in native cooking. After the arrival of the Spaniards, Europeans combined native foods in ways that were familiar, leading to some great combinations. If we add spices common to the Moors (remember the 8 centuries of Moorish presence in Spain) - cumin, black pepper, cinnamon, paprika, turmeric - we get a complex combination. Add to that influences from Africans brought to the Caribbean as slaves, Japanese influences in Peru, and so on...we have a wonderful smorgasbord.
Argentina: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bus2NCPZcUw
Street food in Peru: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nQnkOrWZNw
Puerto Rican: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXohoyOl9Jo
and Newyorkican: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un2Y3D2ca3Q
Discovery Atlas: Mexico Food http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmxoRSQ1CGQ
With this short and yummy intro, I have questions for you.
1.- What is your favorite Latin American restaurant and why? Tell us where it is and if it is not local (Long Island/NYC), tell us where it is. What type of food does it offer? Keep in mind that Latin American food casts a very wide range...and Tex-Mex (like Taco Bell) is only marginally Latin.
2.- Choose one country and explore its food. What dish sounds the best? What would you like to try and why? Are there any foods you would not eat? Why?Which one appeals to you the most?
I have to admit, tex-mix dominates any imagery I have of Spanish dishes. About the only restaurant with Spanish food that I have ever frequented was a Mexican-Chinese restaurant in White Plains NY. I loved their Pozole.
ReplyDeleteFor the other cuisine I would like to try, It would have to be Japanese. Ive heard of Umeboshi once before and I would like to try it for its extreme sour taste. I would have a tough time eating squid however; the simple thought of the texture is an easy way to my appetite.
-Chris S
I agree with Chris, Tex-Mex is what first comes to mind about Spanish dishes; it's like an unwritten concept, just what first comes to mind. Back in NC, around the Hendersonville area (in west NC), Papas and Beer is the place to go (Mexican)! I've been there on several occasions, including my 16th birthday. Their "arroz con pollo" is delish, and when their waiters came out and sang en Espanol to me, one of them dumped my fried ice cream in my face as he egged me on via spoonfeeding. (I also got to wear the sombrero.. woot!)
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to try Thai food! (I know, I know... I'm missing out...) I've heard their noodles are tasty (which for me is a die for...)! But I'd never try some whacked out seafood like if they serve shrimp or something like that; makes me sick thinking about it.
My favorite Spanish restaurant is on long island, and its called mi tierrita. I love this restaurant its in brentwood, but as soon as you walk in everything is so hispanic, the atmosphere and everything feels like you went on a faster then light vacation.
ReplyDeleteThe foods they offer are steak platains, potato salad, white rice, brown rice, beans.
The countries food I would explore is Spains food i never been there, but everyone always says that they have great food so that is where id go. Hopefully they have empanadas! :)
Michelle V.
I absolutely LOVE colombian food my favorite restaurant is Gallo Tropical on Main st. in Patchogue its amazing. my favorite food is arepa con queso, platano malduros, arroz blanco con habichuelas dulce, mafongo. Im not a fan of fajitas and tortillas. A country i would like to eat from is peru i never ate peruvian food althouggh i heard they made ceviche very good a type of salad. Also ive i heard they have very good spices.
ReplyDeleteNadine C
I really like this little sit down restaurant called Pollo Loco in Lake Grove on Jericho Turnpike. It has a variety of different types of Latin American cuisine. Theres pretty much everything you could imagine to eat.
ReplyDeleteAlso to sort of answer the other question too a little over a week ago I was told to eat an Argentine delicacy called Rocky Mountain Oysters. My step-grandma who is from Argentina was so excited to find a place where she could buy them and I tried to make her happy by trying one. They were okay, until I found out what the really were and never again will I make the mistake of trusting something labeled as a delicacy!
- Kim Lamiroult
Besito In Huntington has hands down the best spanish food on the island! It is a nice little fancy place perfect for a date, they make fresh guacamole right in front of with your choice of hot median or mild! Only sissy's get mild! I highly recommend this restaurant great for all occasions.
ReplyDeleteAs for a country I would like to go to try its food I would have to say Cuba, fried plantains and hot open sandwiches sounds muy delicioso! there are no foods I don't like and I'm willing to try just about anything once so no nothing looked disappointed to my appetite.
Chris M
There is a restaurant in Havelock North Carolina where I was based call El Cerro's that had the best Mexican food I have ever had. It was authentic Mexican food, and the owner had moved here from Mexico 10 years ago. He opened the restaurant with his wife and it has been booming ever since. They had a dish called Pollo y Camarones loco that was a chicken and shrimp dish covered in cheese and beans.
ReplyDeleteOne country I would love to visit and taste the food of would be Spain. I have always wanted to visit Europe, and Spain would be a great start. I would love to eat a traditional Spanish dish and sit down with a cerveza and watch a Real Madrid game.
-Peter D
There is one Mexican restaurant in my town, Miller Place, which has a great taste of Latin America. There fried plantains are my favorite to snake on while I am waiting for my black bean soup and entre to come out. The atmosphere is nice and they usually have someone playing the guitar and singing some Latin music and of course the margaritas are great for when you’re in the drinking mood. Their main dishes usually consist of chicken, steak, or pork with a Latin American touch, of course served with rice, beans, and vegetables of your choice. But without a doubt I suggest the pulled chicken seasoned with a cyan mixed seasoning powder, amaaazing. One country that I would love to try their food would be Chile. They had a great deal of influence from the European immigrants that came over and integrated their food styles with them that they got from Italy, Germany and England. So this almost fusion style cooking has created a great new cuisine for the people of Chile to call their own. One reason why I chose them is because I was never a big fan of seafood and I feel that I was only because of some circumstances when I was younger. So I would like to get out there and try new foods as well as see new cultures. Leo S. (sp101)
ReplyDeleteThere is one Mexican restaurant in my town, Miller Place, which has a great taste of Latin America. There fried plantains are my favorite to snake on while I am waiting for my black bean soup and entre to come out. The atmosphere is nice and they usually have someone playing the guitar and singing some Latin music and of course the margaritas are great for when you’re in the drinking mood. Their main dishes usually consist of chicken, steak, or pork with a Latin American touch, of course served with rice, beans, and vegetables of your choice. But without a doubt I suggest the pulled chicken seasoned with a cyan mixed seasoning powder, amaaazing. One country that I would love to try their food would be Chile. They had a great deal of influence from the European immigrants that came over and integrated their food styles with them that they got from Italy, Germany and England. So this almost fusion style cooking has created a great new cuisine for the people of Chile to call their own. One reason why I chose them is because I was never a big fan of seafood and I feel that I was only because of some circumstances when I was younger. So I would like to get out there and try new foods as well as see new cultures. Leo S. (sp101)
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite spanish food restaurants on Long Island is in Port Jeff but it more like a fast food place rather than a restaurant and is called Salsa Salsa. They have a ton of food to offer and some of the things on the menu are pretty basic such as tacos, burritos, nachos, and quesadillas. The reason i like there food so much is because they give you huge portions and the food obviously taste really good.
ReplyDeleteI was just exploring Asian Cuisines and found some things that i would like to try and some things i wouldn't try. some things that seem interesting areKung Pao chicken and i would like to try this because i love chicken and the ingredients in this meal just seem like it would be tasteful and i would most likely enjoy it. There are many Foods that i wouldn't eat such as frogs and i wouldn't eat this because that is obviously weird and I am sure a bunch of people would agree with me on that.
Angelo C
My favorite Latin American restaurant is Milanes in NYC. I always used to go there when living in NYC and it was close to where I study. They have the best baked chicken with rice and beans. They also have an amazing cuban sandwich. In the area it is hard to find decent food and this place is great. It is close to the corner of 7 ave and 25th st in NYC, on the south side of 25th st.
ReplyDeleteThe Dominican Republic sounds like they have some intriguing foods. I would like to try ‘Mangú' which is traditionally served with fried red onions, and can also be accompanied by fried white cheese, eggs or salami. This sounds extremely unhealthy but at the same time extremely tasteful. As I researched Sancochos is a national dish of the Dominican Republic. It is a stew containing a number of different meats and vegetables. Chicken, goat, pork and beef are used in recipes. Goat sounds really gross and I would not try it. Although, I love rice and beans and could probably live on only those two things and I understand that is a large part of the Dominican Republics diet.
Liam
My favorite Latin American restaurant is Milanes in NYC. I always used to go there when living in NYC and it was close to where I study. They have the best baked chicken with rice and beans. They also have an amazing cuban sandwich. In the area it is hard to find decent food and this place is great. It is close to the corner of 7 ave and 25th st in NYC, on the south side of 25th st.
ReplyDeleteThe Dominican Republic sounds like they have some intriguing foods. I would like to try ‘Mangú' which is traditionally served with fried red onions, and can also be accompanied by fried white cheese, eggs or salami. This sounds extremely unhealthy but at the same time extremely tasteful. As I researched Sancochos is a national dish of the Dominican Republic. It is a stew containing a number of different meats and vegetables. Chicken, goat, pork and beef are used in recipes. Goat sounds really gross and I would not try it. Although, I love rice and beans and could probably live on only those two things and I understand that is a large part of the Dominican Republics diet.
Liam
One of my favorite Latin American restaurants would have to be Oobas in Woodinville, Washington. I am not sure what the name means but I know that it is a Mexican restaurant and that they make the best fajitas in Washington.
ReplyDeleteThe most interesting country in terms of its cuisine would have to be Argentina. They are the only country that I have heard of that eats ostrich. I love chicken so I would be very interested in trying ostrich. In the video the way that they prepare the ostrich is very appetizing and then they finish the meal with a dessert that the chef called "too sweet sometimes" so I figure this sweet potato dish would be able to handle my intense sweet tooth.
-Chris Hopkins
I enjoy Chipotle the most because they make the best burritos I have had for a fast food chain and always give you a lot of extra food. The most famous dish in Spain is called the La Pealla which is a famous rice dish. It includes rice with shrimp and lemon and lime for flavor as well. I would like to try this because I enjoy sea food and it looks very appetizing. I would not try the El Gazpacho because I do not enjoy my soup cold I prefer it to be hot. The Spanish Ham appeals to me the most because I enjoy ham and the recipe sounds very delicious.
ReplyDelete- John Carroll
I enjoy Chipotle the most because they make the best burritos I have had for a fast food chain and always give you a lot of extra food. The most famous dish in Spain is called the La Pealla which is a famous rice dish. It includes rice with shrimp and lemon and lime for flavor as well. I would like to try this because I enjoy sea food and it looks very appetizing. I would not try the El Gazpacho because I do not enjoy my soup cold I prefer it to be hot. The Spanish Ham appeals to me the most because I enjoy ham and the recipe sounds very delicious.
ReplyDelete- John Carroll
Although it is probably considered tex-mex my favorite Spanish cuisine would have to be Chipotle. It is a chain restauraunt located all over the country. They are similar to a Subway in that they make the food in front of you and you tell them what you would like to have or not have.
ReplyDeleteOne of my good friends is Colombian and I would be very interested in trying more Colombian food. One dish I would especilly like to try is arroz con coco. It is chicken cooked in coconut milk and since I enjoying coconut I think this dish would be very good.
-Andrew w