NOM NOM Part 2

HAPPY MEAL

6) AUSTRIA: If you like meat, you will enjoy Austrian cuisine. The country is so gorgeous, it's worth a visit and the food is just an added bonus. Austria is well known for its Weiner Schnitzel. Sweets are also a favourite here. Bakery and sweet shops are everywhere with gorgeous displays, tempting you as you walk past. Both the sights and smells are hard to pass up.

Weiner Schnitzel and Erdapfel Salat (potatoes)

7) JAMAICA: "Jerk" is a style of cooking in Jamaica (love the name). It's a spice rub applied to meat, usually chicken or pork and often served with rice. It's a bit spicy but chase it down with a Red Stripe beer and your palate will be soothed. There are numerous Jerk Huts along the beach. For a fair price you can enjoy a plate of this deliciously spiced meat.

8) GREECE: Another country that I could do a whole book on. They have the freshest food and it is rich in flavour.  A lot of the cooking is done with olive oil and nothing compares to that made in Greece. Olives, bread, cheese, and eggplant are just a few of the staples in their meals. Greece is a beautiful country with gorgeous islands (Santorini and Mykonos were my favourites). Food and drink are an integral part of their culture. Where else can you smash your plate on the floor and not get in trouble?

Stuffed tomatoes

Gyro

Baklava

9) VIETNAM: Probably considered one of the healthiest cuisines in the world. Vietnamese combine fresh herbs, vegetables and oils in their dishes. They use a blend of salty, sweet, sour and spicy, creating a burst of flavour in every bite. Markets are full of fruits, vegetables, chickens, herbs and spices. Markets are also found along the famous Mekong River, where you can park your boat alongside and shop for your goods. The line up is certainly shorter than the average grocery store!

Floating market on the Mekong Delta

Goi Cuon- Spring Roll

10) SINGAPORE: Before traveling here, the only food I could associate with this country was Singapore Noodles ordered from my local Chinese restaurant. Although I loved eating them in Canada, I was in for a pleasant surprise when arriving in Singapore. Food is a strong part of their culture. You can find cuisine from almost any country; even Iron Chef Mario Batali has a restaurant here. Although Singapore hosts a number of excellent restaurants, the street food is also delicious. I sampled both roti and chicken satays from the vendors.

Roti Prata

While traveling through Southeast Asia, I noticed a lot of Western influence. In Beijing, I found Kenny Rogers Roasters (is that really chicken?) and both a McDonalds and Starbucks across from Tiananmen Square. I suppose when people travel to a far-off place, those golden arches are a beacon. But why waste the chance to try something a little out of your realm? Sample something fresh and local.

I put this to the test with the King of Fruits, the Durian. Getting past the smell was hard but I'm glad I tried it. I wouldn't have the opportunity to do that in my own country. The fruit smells so bad that it is banned from most public transit systems, and in some places, will result in a fine.

Sign posted at my guest house in Malaysia

If you get the opportunity to travel, ask a local where they would eat. Chances are that will be the best food you could find in that area. As Mario Batali always says...Bon Appetit!

~MT