Strange foreign food.

[ElMarko]

It seems that most countries have some food that outsiders really freak out about.

Australians have Vegemite.
Scandinavians and the Dutch have really salty licorice candies.
Mexicans have peppered sugar.

That's all that comes to mind now.

Now, I'm not talking about something that one would simply find unappealing upon first hearing about it yet be able to understand others liking it, like vegetables. I mean stuff outsiders really freak out about.

For instance when I tried Vegemite I had to run out the front door and hurl into a bit potted plant (alcohol was involved as well).

I'm wondering if there is something that the vast majority of Americans like but freaks out the rest of the world.

[kiwi]

Australians have Vegemite.

Oi so do Kiwis!!! :D

[AFPheonix]

Corndogs, perhaps?

[Seshat]

The Scots have haggis.
Australians also have musk lifesavers and musk sticks. But I balance that with the American lavender sticks, which I react to much the same as Americans react to the musk ones, so....


American foods that make me queasy to think about (or eat!):

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Like, EWWWW!

Catfish. (To be fair, I'm allergic to seafood.)

Cheez Whiz.

That awful, far-too-sweet, fake cream stuff.

Over-sweet desserts (that I tried to balance with what I thought was cream, and discovered was the above-mentioned far-too-sweet fake cream stuff.)

Researching this, I found a recipe for 'shoofly pie'. Which sounds like the ultimate in over-sweet desserts.

The orange faux-cheese is another of my pet 'ewwws'.



Not to put down American cuisine, you understand! There's some great stuff there, like sourdough bread, soft pretzels, soup-in-a-bread-bowl and turkey with cranberry. And maize is one of my favourite grains. But the things above? Well, you asked!

[Greenday]

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Really? That's probably one of the best sandwiches ever!

[IDrinkaRum]

I love me some PB&J sandwiches! :) How do you feel about Peanut Butter & Mayonnaise sandwiches, Seshat? :D

As for other American "delicacies"?

Chitlins - sheep intestines (Former President Bush was rumored to enjoy those).

Pickled Pigs Feet - Have you seen a jar of those in your local grocery store? Just ... there ... and a bunch of jars at that? *shudder* Yeah ... it makes me squeamish.

Can't think of anything else right off the top of my head. But now I'm hungry. :p

[AdminAssistant]

Also, cracklin's (basically, fried pig skin)

Hmmm....Rocky Mountain oysters and Rooster Fries?

[Boozy]

Some foods I automatically think of when I think of American foods:

Grits. I've had them while travelling, and am still unsure of what they are.

Bizarre mutated cheese-like products. That stuff called "American cheese" isn't cheese at all - admit it!

Really fattening foods wrapped in other really fattening foods. I'm thinking of those sausages wrapped in pancakes. Corndogs are another good example.

A few of these things are available in Canada, but aren't widely consumed.

[Slytovhand]

What?? You've got a problem with vegemite???? ..... yeah, ok :p It's an 'acquired' taste (ie - you've got to suffer through the first few times before your body can digest it - and you've killed off enough taste buds for it to get through...).

I can't really think of anything particularly American (or Canadian), but there was a ribs place I went to that was American style... and I couldn't believe I was actually eating meat that was sweet - like it had added sugar!! I don't think that place lasted all that long.

AA - Crackling is the best! Can't have roast pork without it :)

Part of the 'issue' with this topic is time. Many cultures have some strange and varied tastes, because they've been developed over years and years of mere survival. Australia (as far as colonised Australia) hasn't. Nor has that much of America (are any of the recipes you're referring to older than, say, 200 years??). When it comes down to having to survive, you'll eat anything... like chicken's feet, lamb's brains, sheeps intestines, blood drop soup, etc etc. (so, to make our mark on the culinary sickening world, Australia invented Vegemite :D)

Btw - we love our beetroot on hamburgers :)

[AdminAssistant]

The thing about America is that we just shamelessly steal from everyone else. :lol:

hmm...Now Memphis-style wet ribs (with sauce) can be kinda sweet sometimes, but not THAT sweet. I wonder which region they were trying to emulate? (For those that don't know, barbeque in the States varies by region, the top regions: Carolinas, Memphis, Kansas City, and Texas).

I've been searching my brain for other oddities...but it's breakfast time now. Perhaps a bit later.

[IDrinkaRum]

Boozy - wiki on Grits (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grits)

grits is good for you! :) I love to mix mine with shredded cheddar and butter. Yummy! PUt a few over easy eggs on top and mix everything together (letting the egg yolks break) is the. best. breakfast I can think of. :D

[Dreamstalker]

Hmmm....Rocky Mountain oysters and Rooster Fries?
...given that those two are in the same sentence, do I really want to know what 'rooster fries' are?

My mom makes cracklins from duck skin/fat. Nummy. On my first-ever trip to Ireland, mom's friends were mildly amazed that I would devour black pudding even after knowing what it was.

I was raised to try everything at least once (unless it was something I knew I was somehow allergic to)...in the late 70s and early 80s my dad traveled all over the world for his job so that's probably where I got my love of the weird from.

What about fugu/whale meat in Japan? The former has always intrigued me, but "you can die instantly if the chef's knife slips" trumps the cool factor for me (apparently it's the one food that the royal family is never allowed to consume due to the risk). The latter...ick. Just....no.

[Sylvia727]

I knew a guy whose father had moved the family to South America (Venezuela?) for a job for a few years. Apparently, they eat guinea pigs down there. Even after the guy came back to America, he still enjoyed eating guinea pig meat. Cue the dumb jokes about keeping him away from your hamsters... Alligator meat. Deep-fried Twinkies dipped in chocolate, although to be fair most Americans wouldn't touch that either. I've heard poutine called "heart attack in a bowl". Do other countries eat raw cookie dough? Because that's a delicacy in my neck of the woods. I don't mean the fake cookie dough that you get in ice cream, either. We mix it up and eat it, raw eggs and all.

What's wrong with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? I've heard that's the sandwich foreign exchange students wouldn't touch, but why? I was raised on those! They're good for what ails you! Also peanut butter and banana, and potato chips in just about any sandwich.

[Dreamstalker]

How about the all-holy fluffernutter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluffernutter)? Yummy.

I've apparently horrified mom by developing a taste for mushy peas.

[AdminAssistant]

I'm an American and I don't like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I like a peanut butter sandwich. I like jelly on toast. Never both at the same time though. EW. I do like putting potato chips in sandwiches - crunchy!!

Rooster fries are exactly what you probably think they are. I'm told they are a delicacy. I'd rather not find out.

I have had a funny cross-cultural moment. I was friends with a girl from Japan, and she went home with me for Thanksgiving. Mom fixed a big traditonal Southern dinner - pork chops, milk gravy, turnip greens, boiled potatoes etc. My friend brought a sticky rice dish and a sweet potato dessert. My parents are not the kind that likes to try new things, but they also didn't want to be rude. Mom actually kind of liked it...and Dad was able to convince her he did. But I could tell he was choking it down.

[Dreamstalker]

Being the twisted soul that I am, I had to google "rooster fries". My theory wasn't too far off apparently.

[Greenday]

Not so much strange food in itself, but why do Canadians have to call churros "beaver tails"?

[Boozy]

Not so much strange food in itself, but why do Canadians have to call churros "beaver tails"?

Probably because they really, really look like beaver tails. A fact which would only occur to a Canadian, because we see so many of them up here.

[Greenday]

Probably because they really, really look like beaver tails. A fact which would only occur to a Canadian, because we see so many of them up here.

But aren't beaver tails...flat?

[crazylegs]

Australians have Vegemite.

Us Brits have Marmite (which is near as dammit makes no difference)

[Seshat]

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Really? That's probably one of the best sandwiches ever!

What's wrong with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? I've heard that's the sandwich foreign exchange students wouldn't touch, but why? I was raised on those! They're good for what ails you!

"Jelly" to an Australian is flavoured, sweetened gelatin. (I think Americans call that 'jello'.) The preserved fruit is 'jam'. (Or if it's citrus, 'marmalade'). So at first, I thought it was what you'd probably translate to 'peanut butter and jello'.

Even now I know it translates to 'peanut butter and jam', it still sounds awful. To start with, it sounds horribly sweet - I can't stand jam or marmalade on sandwiches or on toast.

I can't imagine peanut and jam flavours going together well to start with. Then add bread to that, and it all goes horribly wrong.


I love me some PB&J sandwiches! :) How do you feel about Peanut Butter & Mayonnaise sandwiches, Seshat? :D

I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.

[Greenday]

Actually Seshat, jelly and jam are two different things here. Not too drastic a difference, but there is one. Jam can have bits of fruits and seeds in it. Jelly is smooth and has nothing in it.

[Boozy]

But aren't beaver tails...flat?

Yes, but so is the food, the way we make them. We don't use the traditional churro shape, just the batter.

[Slytovhand]

Like Aeroplane Jelly... stuff you'd use in a trifle... that's what jelly is here (well - maybe not mint jelly for roast lamb).

Jam and conserve are the same things here (go on... point out where I'm wrong :p). I've done the peanut butter and jam thing... it sort of works. But mayonaisse?? Hmmmm.... right....

I presume that bacon and egg sangas are pretty standard fair throughout the world? With BBQ or tomato sauce - aka "ketchup" (of course, with vegemite).

Speaking of which - cheese and vegemite sandwiches - basic nutrition for growing kids!

[IDrinkaRum]

Seshat - if you put enough peanut butter on the sandwich, you can just taste the jam. I have switched to Grape preserves to make my pb&j sammiches 'cos it has less sugar and it's slightly thicker than jelly so I don't have oozing rivers of jelly all over the place. The way I like my pb&js are lots o' pb & a spreading of the j so you have the idea/tate of the jelly but it doesn't overwhelm the pb.

As for PB & mayo sammiches? They're great! I might get my daughter to start eating them soon. :p

[DesignFox]

As for PB & mayo sammiches? They're great! I might get my daughter to start eating them soon. :p

I have never heard of this before...no offense Rum, but that sounds icky! *chuckle*

[Greenday]

Mayo is gross regardless of what it's mixed with.

[I8DaCookie]

Not sure if this is a typical feeling among those outside of the States but many moons ago, there were some Brits who came to work with my dad for something and we all went out (Brits and the fam) to a restaurant. While there, my brother ordered a Root Beer. They never had it before and asked to try it.

The looks on their faces were priceless :D.

[Seshat]

Actually Seshat, jelly and jam are two different things here. Not too drastic a difference, but there is one. Jam can have bits of fruits and seeds in it. Jelly is smooth and has nothing in it.

Ah, I see. I don't think I've ever had that sort of 'jelly'.

But either way... nah. Decidedly not ever likely to be my thing.

[Cat]

What a fun topic!!

I am a Yankee, and have sme odd tatses, I guess,

First...I LOVE Vegemite/Marmite....from my first bite, I knew I was hooked. Though I don't eat it on bread, I dip pretzels in it ( a great hiking food)

I do like grits, hard to find up north.

Had alligator when I was young, I liked it, would try again

Love PB&J ( mayo...really??) Also, Nutella rules.

Speaking of mayo...I like it on my fries, had it when I was in the Netherlands (and I do love Dutch licorice)
But the best topping of all for fries (aka chips) Salt and Malt Vinegar...yum! (ketchup being a close second)

Last, but not least, I love maple syrup....but only the real stuff. :D

[kiwi]

American Jam is regular jam, the same stuff that the English and Aussies and Kiwis use.
American Jelly is regular jam that is strained until all the seeds and "bits" of the fruit are removed.
Think of it like pulpy orange juice versus smooth oj.

Jelly in Aussie and NZ (and I think in England) is what Americans would call jello, it contains gelatin and sets into a dessert, often used in trifle.

[IDrinkaRum]

Cat - PB&M is the most divine of divines! :D

For the rest of the board: I <3 Mayo. I mean, I really <3 mayo! As for what to dip my fries in? I mix ketchup & mayo together. Yummy! OMG! I'm in heaven just thinking about it. ;)

That is all. :D

[tabbyblack13]

I love homemade Crab apple jelly. My mom makes it almost every year. I have kiwi jelly that a coworker made. I love nutella on bagels. As for corn dogs, I love them. The only thing is you never want to read the nutrition labels to see the amount of fat and calories is in just one. I usually make grits with goat cheese.

How about Mayo cake. It was created during the Great Depression and uses mayo to replace eggs and oil in the cake recipe. I love it and it doesn't taste like mayo.

I love burritos but the the original recipe. The original burritos use to contain burro meat aka donkey meat. I was always taught that Chitlins were pig intestines. Either way I don't what to eat that part of any animal.

[TTAZ]

Mexicans have peppered sugar.

I would think menudo would be ickier to most folks than spicy candy.

American pancakes. I didn't know they were made different in the UK, but when my son's father's family visit, his mother begs denny's cooks for the recipe and his niece gags at the idea. What is so disgusting about big fluffy buttermilk pancakes?

Cracklin' is good-put it in your cornbread and have cracklin' bread!

Here's a question- my ex always bitches about American bacon vs. "streaky bacon"...wtf is streaky bacon and how is it different?

What about green bean casserole? Canned french style green beans in a dish with cream of mushroom condensed soup baked in the oven with canned french fried onions on top. I am an American and I think that shit should be outlawed as an environmental disaster. I offended my family one year by asking why we had that awful glop at Thanksgiving dinner.

"It's tradition!" they said

"So that's what killed the Indians?" I said

"Get your plate and go away" they said

And a new tradition was born!

[AdminAssistant]

Ah, since someone has pointed out putting cracklin's in cornbread.

Cornbread is always ALWAYS savory - as in made with salt and no sugar. In northern climes, people like to put in sugar and sometimes even make them like...muffins. This is not cornbread. It's a sweet corn bread-like substance.

I have no idea if it even exists outside of the States...does it?

[kamn]

Around here?

Žganci. Corn or wheat. Rather good.

Blood sausages (Why does everyone translate that stuff to black pudding?! :mad: It doesnt look like pudding, doesnt have the flavor or the texture of a pudding. Its a sausage, made from blood (and rice). Blood-sausage!)



Over-Mura-moving-cake. Direct translation for Prekmurska gibanica.
...just.... ....dont ask.... Its good though.


Pizza-burek!

[Boozy]

Where do you live, kamn?

Blood sausages sound horrifying to me.

[DesignFox]

Where do you live, kamn?

Blood sausages sound horrifying to me.

me too. *shudder* :(

[lordlundar]

Where do you live, kamn?

Blood sausages sound horrifying to me.

Well, here's a fun thought for you: Gravy is essentially the same. It's taking meat drippings which are cooked blood and adding starch to it. In gravy's case, it's usually a flour mixture. With blood sausages, it's rice.:D

[Boozy]

On some level, I understood what gravy was, but chose not to think about it. You've ruined gravy for me forever. :D

[lordlundar]

Happy to oblige. :p

[muses_nightmare]

Aren't meat drippings basically the fat in the meat, not the blood?

[Dreamstalker]

That's what I thought it was.

I shop in Chinatown grocery stores (not terribly often). Mostly I buy packaged noodles (where else are you going to find duck-flavored ramen?), Chinese broccoli and frozen dim sum items. Also the occasional snacky-thing. Mom seems to think I'm taking my life in my hands (today's lecture over my bringing home interesting-sounding corn noodles and a small box of cakes that were imported from ZOMG-China).

What in the world would one use pork spleen for? (saw that today in my quest) I didn't even know that was edible.

[IDrinkaRum]

Ah, since someone has pointed out putting cracklin's in cornbread.

Cornbread is always ALWAYS savory - as in made with salt and no sugar. In northern climes, people like to put in sugar and sometimes even make them like...muffins. This is not cornbread. It's a sweet corn bread-like substance.

I have no idea if it even exists outside of the States...does it?

All the sweet cornbread I've had came from the South. That's where the Sweet Tea comes from & the grits come from too. :p Maybe I've been to weird southern restaurants?

[AdminAssistant]

Might be a coastal thing. My family's from the Delta, but I've got several friends from Georgia, and there seems to be a pronounced difference in cuisine. For example, I've never had these "grits" you speak of. :p And one of my Georgia friends had never heard of serving pickled tomatoes with catfish. I do love my Sweet Tea, and up here I pretty much just have to make it myself.

[IDrinkaRum]

I love me some grits! Quaker (the people who make the Oats) put out a canister of grits that you can microwave. In about 4 minutes you can have the loverly grits right then and there! I always put a little butter & lots of cheese in them.

For the record, if anyone is going to try the Peanut Butter & Mayo sandwich, I only make it with CREAMY peanut butter and I only use Hellman's Regular Mayo. :D

[lordlundar]

Aren't meat drippings basically the fat in the meat, not the blood?

Both actually. Any clear/translucent is usually fat, anything opaque/solid is blood.:)

[lordlundar]

Blood sausages (Why does everyone translate that stuff to black pudding?! :mad: It doesnt look like pudding, doesnt have the flavor or the texture of a pudding. Its a sausage, made from blood (and rice). Blood-sausage!)

Pudding is a funny word. In North America, it's referred to the creamy dessert. In modern England it refers to any dessert item.

There was even a time in England when the term "Pudding" meant anything boiled or baked. Given that the word has undergone so many meanings over the centuries, odds are blood sausages got the name black pudding at some point for simplicity sake and it just stuck. The black pudding originated in the Worcestershire region of England, so that might have something to do with it.

[kiwi]

that were imported from ZOMG-China).

if you REALLY want to freak her out, go look in your kitchen because most of the processed stuff we buy in boxes or jars etc are now made in China.

I know this because I looked for New Zealand made peanut butter when I was in NZ last year and EVERY brand I picked up was from China except for one. Even the brands that are all "NZ owned" have their products made in china.
Its the same with Canada, most of the stuff on the shelves is imported.

(disclaimer - I have no problem with foods from china, Im just pointing it out so DS can freak his mum out)

[Boozy]

if you REALLY want to freak her out, go look in your kitchen because most of the processed stuff we buy in boxes or jars etc are now made in China.

I just took a good look around my pantry and can't find anything that was made in China. It's mostly from Canada (my country) with some from the US (mostly the pasta and grain products).

I'll admit, my pantry is low because my husband is away this week. He's the one who buys all the processed junk. I'm going to have to look at the stuff he brings home with him the next time he goes to the store.

[Dreamstalker]

if you REALLY want to freak her out, go look in your kitchen because most of the processed stuff we buy in boxes or jars etc are now made in China.

She doesn't really buy a whole lot of processed food, but I'm willing to bet there's at least something in the cupboards that can be traced to China or that region (maybe she just doesn't like the fact that she can't read the ingredients...which is stupid as there's almost always an English-language label/list somewhere on the package). I do tend to check origins during food scares--during the powdered-milk debacle I went without my usual bottled milk tea--but in general I enjoy bizarre foods and will try almost anything once regardless of where it hails from.

Although I'm noticing a trend of sorts...just when I get addicted to an Asian foodstuff, I can no longer find it. Eh, all the more incentive to try something else.

[Yfandes]

OMG what a fun thread!! Apologies for the length, but this is a topic near and dear to my heart.

Ok, I live in the US, and I think these are a little strange:

Birria - Mexican stew, usually goat around where I live. Tasty!
Menudo - spicy tripe stew, necessary on a hangover Sunday.
Liverwurst - I HATE liver, but I love this stuff! why?
Cream of anything soup in a can - urk! why is it used so much in cooking? I just make a quick sauce
Velveeta - I am convinced this is not a milk product, but a petroleum product.
Lutefisk (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutefisk) - popular with my 2nd generation Danish neighbors - UGH!


Overseas the oddballs to me were:

Chicken feet dim sum - yum!
These translucent black dumplings in Hong Kong that a local at my table cheerfully told me that as a kid they called them "boogers" in Chinese :rolleyes:
Haggis, Blood Sausage - nummy
Balut (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balut_(egg)) - no, just... no
Pizzas with an egg in the middle - I learned to love this
Roasted Pigs head - yum, but keep the eyeballs away from me
Saladitos (http://www.latinmerchant.com/productdetail.asp?ProductID=SSD0101) - even more of an acquired tasted than Marmite/ Vegemite IMHO
Taramasalata (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taramasalata) - I can eat a half pound jar of this in two days! mmmmmm
Burro Stew - I only found out what it was after I had some. I ordered seconds :o
Branston Pickle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branston_Pickle) - heaven on a cheese sammich
Seaweed Salad - sometimes I crave this and have our local sushi place make me a bowl of it


Ok I'll stop now :p

[DesignFox]

My SO was happily enjoying some cows eyes the other day... He is the purest carnivore I know.

As much as I like meat, it didn't sound appetizing to me.

[muses_nightmare]

As far as I know all Iced tea in Canada is sweet, unless otherwise specified. I always found it odd that it's not like that in the States, I was curious as to whether they sell anything like brisk, liptons or any of the bottled iced teas, and if those are unsweetened as well.

One of my favorite sandwiches is Cheese wiz and jam. It has to be on toast though, it's odd when it's on untoasted bread (it's a texture thing). I don't know if that's a cultural thing or just an odd eating habit of mine :rolleyes:

[IDrinkaRum]

OoO! I forgot to mention, my mom (and her mom before her) likes to eat toast with refried beans on it. I haven't tried it ... yet.

[lordlundar]

As far as I know all Iced tea in Canada is sweet, unless otherwise specified.

Personally, I make my own "sun tea". I grab a gallon glass jar and fill it about 2-3 cups shy from the top with cold water. In that I put in a dozen regular tea bags and set it out in the sun for a few hours. Then I bring it in, take out and squeeze the tea bags, then I pour 2 cups worth of the tea into a measuring cup. I heat that up a little and I add 1 cup of sugar and 1/2cup of lemon juice. I blend that up and add it to the main jar. Stir it up and pour it into juice jugs for later use.

[AdminAssistant]

As far as I know all Iced tea in Canada is sweet, unless otherwise specified. I always found it odd that it's not like that in the States, I was curious as to whether they sell anything like brisk, liptons or any of the bottled iced teas, and if those are unsweetened as well.

Bottled tea comes in both sweetened and unsweetened. But bottled tea tastes like crap, IMHO. In most restaurants in the north you can't even get sweetened tea, not even an option. I just make my own. Or go to McAlister's.

[Sylvia727]

In the midwest, most restaurants have both sweetened and unsweetened tea. And about half the people ordering ask for "half and half" because they think the sweet tea is too sweet. I don't drink iced tea, so it's a pain in my butt.

[AdminAssistant]

In the midwest, most restaurants have both sweetened and unsweetened tea.

Really? What part of the Midwest are you in? I only ask because I'm in Kansas, and I've lived in KC,MO, and neither places have good sweet tea availability.

[Sylvia727]

Perhaps it's an urban perculiarity, then. I live in a large city; now that you mention it, I don't believe I ever heard anyone order sweet tea when I stayed in smaller cities.

[tabbyblack13]

The town I live in AZ has both sweetened and unsweetened. I think that it is due to the amount of people out of state that live there. I am originally from MN and all ice tea there is unsweetened.

[muses_nightmare]

See in Canada (at least BC, but I'm fairly sure the rest of canada is similar, correct me if I'm wrong) when you ask for iced tea, you get sweet tea, anything else is usually a specialty drink or something. I think the difference is really that Iced tea here is really just another pop (soft drink), and from what I've heard in the US it's more like Iced coffee.

[AdminAssistant]

Err...kinda?

Now tea that comes from a soft drink machine...ew. The way I make my sweet tea is to steep some tea, just as you would make hot tea (except I use 4 small tea bags). In a pitcher, I stir up some water with sugar. Add the tea to the sugar water, fill the pitcher up with water, serve over ice. Voila - sweet tea. The only difference with restaurants is I think most just use a syurp instead of sugar. I've tried using a tea maker, which I use when I make just unsweetened tea, but the sugar just doesn't dissolve as well, I don't think.

[Seshat]

Iced tea recipe in my house:

Insert tea leaves (or herbal tea mix) into one part of my tea-making jug. (It has holes to let water through, but too small to let most of the leaves through.)

Insert boiling water into jug, until it just covers the leaves.

Wait until water cools.

Take out tea leaves, tip into compost bin.

Fill jug with cold water. Add ice if desired.

Serve.

[Daskinor]

Here in Maryland, USA we have 'Old Bay.' It is a spice mixture made from red pepper, cinnamon, ginger, mustard seed, celery salt, and bay leaves. Along with a bunch of other spices I cant remember.

Unfortunately for visitors to our fair state. If its eaten at a BBQ or comes out of the Chesapeake bay. We pour crap-loads on the food. Crabs will come out of the steamer with the stuff caked on. We put it on meat, french fries, corn, shrimp, anything with ketchup, and much more.

Now this mixture of spice is powerful, it will overload your taste buds if your not used to it. And your hands will smell like it for well over a day, no matter how well you wash.

[rdp78]

Well, I like pb&j (I prefer jam over jelly) sandwiches and pb& banana sandwiches with mayo on the banana side, of course. After finding out that what other culturals consider jelly is which Americans would consider Jello, I guess that would sound werid plus very hard to make.

Anyway I am surprise my fellow Southerners haven't mention okra which is a vegetable and is quite often fried. My mom puts it with a tomato dish and even in soups/stews. It is also popular in other parts of world mainly the Mideast and Africa as well as the Orient so I am sure people in other parts of the world are familiar with it.

About ice tea, I like it sweet and that's what I usually ordered when I eat out (well, sometimes I might have a flavor one if its available). When I'm making tea at home I like to sweeten it with honey and add some lemon/lime juice to it if it doesn't have any flavor. I also drink green tea quite a lot which I only have started drinking for few years. I also have tried white tea which I only had a few times.

Also my brother has tried some sushi that I wouldn't eat if it was cooked. Now the closest thing I had was California rolls which doesn't have raw fish but crab meat.

[IDrinkaRum]

rdp78 - I'm going to have to try the pb & banana with the mayo on the banana side! That sounds delicious! (Do you put the mayo on the bread and then the bananas?)

I like to eat the avocado rolls that some places that serve sushi also make. For those who don't like avocados, then it's an odd food. (My husband thinks I'm weird because I eat it).

[rdp78]

rdp78 - I'm going to have to try the pb & banana with the mayo on the banana side! That sounds delicious! (Do you put the mayo on the bread and then the bananas?)



Well, I haven't had it in while but I do remember puting bananas on the pb side and then put the bread with mayo on top (I might have the bananas on the mayo side but I think this way is easier). I also like pb on bagels with cream cheese (there are a few ways to do it but I prefer the cc on two bagel halves and then the pb on both) and sometimes put bananas on it too. I've even mixed pb and cc together a few times. I also like pb on my waffles, pancakes and French toast with the maple syrup (yes, sometimes bananas with it). I also like to substutite pb with apple butter (I buy it in the store but sometimes you can find it locally made in my area).

[Rubystars]

Pork in sweet sauces can be really good.

Grits are made from hominy, and I really like them with either butter or cheese mixed in, with a side of bacon.

Fried chicken livers are awesome too.

One dish people haven't mentioned yet here is chicken fried steak.

[lordlundar]

One dish people haven't mentioned yet here is chicken fried steak.

It think the reason on this one is that it's actually a pretty common dish in a number of regions, but the name of the dish is different.

[Rubystars]

It think the reason on this one is that it's actually a pretty common dish in a number of regions, but the name of the dish is different.

What is it called elsewhere?

[lordlundar]

It's all derivative of a means of cooking a cube steak. In just the US:

North Carolina calls it Country fried Steak
Maryland calls it Salisbury Steak
Minnesota calls it Swiss Steak
etc...

All the same dish. A cube steak dredged in a flour or seasoned flour mix, lightly fried and covered with a brown, gravy-like sauce.

And why is it also called chicken fried steak? Not because there is chicken in it, but the cooking technique is the same as fried chicken.

[Rubystars]

Right, it's cooked like fried chicken. I always thought Salisbury steak was without the breaded coating and served with brown gravy rather than country gravy though.

[AdminAssistant]

Right, chicken fried steak is usually served with white, or milk, gravy. mmmmm, only kind of gravy there should be, to be honest. Oooh, a big slab of cornbread with gravy? *sigh* I really need to go home.

[Flyndaran]

Right, chicken fried steak is usually served with white, or milk, gravy. mmmmm, only kind of gravy there should be, to be honest. Oooh, a big slab of cornbread with gravy? *sigh* I really need to go home.

As a lactose intolerant non-mammal eater, I can still remember such deliciousness. :)