Recently, I wrote about my Indasian Invasion. It’s my own style of healthy organic cooking using a number of Indian and Asian spices and cooking techniques.
Our entire family is not genetically blessed when it comes to heart health and it is imperative that we follow the guidelines set forth in Dr. Dean Ornish’s heart healthy plans for eating. For me, it’s often challenging to come up with foods that have a “WOW” factor and still meets our family’s requirements for healthy eating. Cross Ethnic is truly the way food is moving and the next big thing in cuisine. Cross ethnic means flavor - usually without fat and added calories. I’ve been working with my Indasian flavors for years, but what goes with what?
Can we mix Italian and Greek? Why not? Think Pizza. French and Phillipino? Well, maybe not, but I will work on it.
The point is to play with your spices, experiment and not be intimidated and bound by recipes. For example, as a simple start I use simple cuts of meats with a bland starch and pasta.Traditions were once new ideas – Christmas - Thanksgiving - New Years, all have their own traditional feasts and within those feasts are each one of our own traditions and feasts.
Meet a new friend and get invited to dinners and holiday feasts, and another door is opened to foods and even more traditions. If your new friends are a different ethnicity or even from a different state, even more doors open. Sometimes the diversity of our world makes an exciting flavor extravaganza!
Make an effort to ask what spices are being used when you enjoy them. Food preparation methods are just as important, ask how, why, when and how much. Is it steamed, baked, broiled? What pans are used?
Remember, what you think is difficult cooking is simple to those whose dishes are part of their lives. Soon you’ll be a worldly expert in global foods and spices full of experience, knowledge, insight and if you’re lucky, just plain full.
The point is to play with your spices, experiment and not be intimidated or bound by recipes or specific ethnic groups of spices. Recipes are merely templates. Feel free to add or omit ingredients you do not agree with, or add spices you like for example, add cayenne pepper to your spiced apples that rest on top of your crepes or replace fish sauce for balsamic vinegar. You are only bound by your taste buds. If you are not sure, try a small practice batch on the side.
Don’t be afraid to cross the line - often!
