Ethiopian Cuisine, and Other Ethnic/World Cuisines

[JohnnyAngel]

In Collierville, TN, which is just a few miles from my home, there used to be a really nice Chinese restaurant that I liked a lot. I ate there often, until the business closed after they lost their lease. Shortly after that, some sort of shake and sandwich place opened there. I went in one time, took one look at the prices and turned and walked out. It went out of business, too.

This afternoon, I drove by there and there's a new restaurant there: The Blue Nile: Ethiopian Cuisine.

For some reason, all I could think of was the starved, skeletal, swollen-bellied, fly-ridden children you see in those Feed The Children ads...

So I checked out Ethiopian Cuisine on Wikipedia to see what they had to say about it... It didn't help much...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuisine_of_Ethiopia

And when I saw the attached picture... well, would you pay good money to eat that...? Eeeep!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Alicha_1.jpg

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Two of the most enjoyable meals I ever had were eating Irish Lamb Stew at an Irish Restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia 20-something years ago... and a meal I had an Indian restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut about 15 years ago...

What kinds of ethnic/world cuisines do you enjoy? Do you ever try to replicate the recipes in your own home?
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[justsimon]

Ethiopian food is delicious.

[sport0005]

Ethiopian food is way delicious.

[mega]

Ethiopian food is great. You should try it.

[frankfrank]

Don't knock Ethiopian just because it "looks strange" - I can think of other foods that are good but which look horrible. The Ethiopian food I've had before has ben wonderful, and the Blue Nile, though a chain, does it well.

I don't know if you like yogurt or not (I do), but it looks like puke...still tastes good!

Travelers to Washington, D.C. in search of culinary adventure or exploration, should go to the Adams Morgan neighborhood (directly north of the gayish Dupont Circle area), there's a small area of only about five blocks where you can choose Ethiopian, Cuban, Japanese, Brazilian, etc. (about 20 or 25 nationalities in all) - there's a neat Senegalese place that's set up where you almost feel like you're eating inside somebody's home in Senegal.

My favorite foreign cuisine may be Indian (hard to say for sure, with the plethora of delicious Asian origins from all over).

[NedNickerson]

I went to an authentic Mexican restaurant once with a couple of friends... Never again... The food was so spicy, I thought it was going to burn a hole through my stomach, through my ass, and down through the bottom of my chair to the floor... I think I drank four beers during the meal trying to put the flames out...

Surely Mexicans don't eat like this EVERY night...? Or was it just a badly prepared meal or a poorly chosen meal...?

[teadrinker]

I'll have a go at pretty much anything... but favorites are SE Asian foods (Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian etc), and Indian. I'll travel for a really good lamb curry.

-T.

[gyllenhaaluvr]

I love Vietnamese sandwiches, banh mi. its a french bread loaf, smothered with mayonnaise, pickled daikon and carrot, thinly sliced onions, jalapenos, pate, vietnamese cold cuts, and a dash of Maggi seasoning. theres a place in sacramento that has the best banh mi grilled pork sandwiches, they sprinkle peanuts and fried shallot chips over it. mmmmmm

[blackbeltninja]

Indian and Mexican are my favourites, although you cannot go wrong with authentic Thai cuisine either...

But Indian wins out.

-d-

[slobone]

I love Ethiopian food as it is served in American restaurants. Especially the bread/pancake thing they serve it on. Only problem it's a little rich with all the ghee/butter, so I don't think I could eat it every day. But they probably don't eat that way over there every day either.

There aren't many ethnic cuisines I don't like. Probably my favorites are Vietnamese, Thai, Mexican, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, Hungarian. Oh, and French and Italian of course. Like to try more Cambodian and Laotian, I've only had them once or twice. And Malay I've never had at all. Not too big on Greek, Spanish, or Portuguese, at least as served in restaurants in the States. Or German/Austrian, except of course for the fabulous pastries!

[T-Zero]

I went to an authentic Mexican restaurant once with a couple of friends... Never again... The food was so spicy, I thought it was going to burn a hole through my stomach,
<snip>
Surely Mexicans don't eat like this EVERY night...? Or was it just a badly prepared meal or a poorly chosen meal...?

My guess was a poor menu choice.
I've had Mexican meals range from very mild to incredibly spicey as well.
There are also local and regional differences in the types of chilis some will use as well. For example, I love chili rellanos. But there's one particular restaurant in town that when I eat there the sweat poors off me. Other authentic places here in town have very sweet chili rellanos. I wouldn't give up on it after one trial.

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I've not tried Ethiopian. But I intend to. There are several near here.

[slobone]

I've not tried Ethiopian. But I intend to. There are several near here.

Go with a bunch of friends. It's great food for sharing. Everybody starts out with this delicious spongy bread/pancake on your plate, and you spoon the other dishes on top of it. It's best eaten with the hands (wash them first). You tear off a piece of bread and scoop up the main dish with it. Mmmm, I haven't had it in years, now my mouth is watering.

[slobone]

Travelers to Washington, D.C. in search of culinary adventure or exploration, should go to the Adams Morgan neighborhood (directly north of the gayish Dupont Circle area), there's a small area of only about five blocks where you can choose Ethiopian, Cuban, Japanese, Brazilian, etc. (about 20 or 25 nationalities in all) - there's a neat Senegalese place that's set up where you almost feel like you're eating inside somebody's home in Senegal.

There's a standing joke that every time there's a coup in a foreign country, a new restaurant opens up in Adams Morgan. At one time or another they had a lot of Afghan, Salvadorean, Vietnamese...

[Ruby]

Several days ago I tasted my first african stew.



I like it....it looks a bit messy, because everything ended in one pot onions, carrots, garlic, bell pepper, tomatoes and if you like.... chicken, fish or beef. As side dish you can choose rice or yam ( sweet potatoe)

[slobone]

Several days ago I tasted my first african stew.



I like it....it looks a bit messy, because everything ended in one pot onions, carrots, garlic, bell pepper, tomatoes and if you like.... chicken, fish or beef. As side dish you can choose rice or yam ( sweet potatoe)

That's the way I cook when I'm just cooking for myself -- soups and stews. Make up a big pot with a little bit of everything, it lasts for a week and you reheat individual portions in the microwave.

In fact I've probably made something very similar to what you describe. But I would have used rice and yams. And beans, another common ingredient in Africa.

[Ruby]

^ That means you should invite me for dinner....

[khushibagh]

Ethiopian food is delicious. The bread is bread with a grain called teff which is found only in Ethiopia. Also they have a cool way of doing coffee.

[Endlight]

My preference is Japanese. I love the preparation, and the results.

My daily diet is strickly Japanese, from my morning Miso soup and sushi to whatever I can come up with in my twenty+ Japanese cookbooks.

I will cook something American or Canadian when I entertain and I know my guests will shy away from trying something new.

Most of my friends and family, though, come for the Japanese food.

I have no special reasons for this, only that I fell in love with this cuisine and thats it.

[NedNickerson]

I checked out a Blue Nile link:

http://www.ethiopiancuisine.com/

It sounds interesting, but I don't know... That picture there just doesn't look very appetiziting to me... It looks too strange to me, a little too much like the after effects of a meal... if you get my drift...

I'd feel like I'd have to have someone hold my hand while I ate there, to keep me calm...

[Cousin]

I love Ethiopian-Eritrian food. One of my good friends is from Eritrea and I eat with his family all the time. Good people, good food.

[slobone]

^ That means you should invite me for dinner....

This weeks's special -- fake Thai chicken soup with coconut milk and lemon grass.

[slobone]

I checked out a Blue Nile link:

http://www.ethiopiancuisine.com/

It sounds interesting, but I don't know... That picture there just doesn't look very appetiziting to me... It looks too strange to me, a little too much like the after effects of a meal... if you get my drift...

I'd feel like I'd have to have someone hold my hand while I ate there, to keep me calm...

That's not a very good picture -- you can't even see the bread. It's supposed to be a giant serving of bread, about the diameter of a large pizza, with little dabs of food on it. And you can always order more bread.

[Ramindra]

I have had the good fortune to visit both Ethiopia and Eritrea - I came away with four lasting memories.... the abject poverty in many regions, astonishing scenery, wonderful food and absolutely stunning men. I have eaten so-called Ethiopian food in Australia but I wasn't impressed. It did not just seem right. The same happens with Thai food. Somehow, it never tastes the same as it does in Thailand. The problem is one of genuine ingredients and changes to suit non-Thai palates.

[slobone]

I have had the good fortune to visit both Ethiopia and Eritrea - I came away with four lasting memories.... the abject poverty in many regions, astonishing scenery, wonderful food and absolutely stunning men. I have eaten so-called Ethiopian food in Australia but I wasn't impressed. It did not just seem right. The same happens with Thai food. Somehow, it never tastes the same as it does in Thailand. The problem is one of genuine ingredients and changes to suit non-Thai palates.

I have no doubt that's true. I can't think of a single foreign cuisine that's served authentically in the US, other than maybe at a restaurant here and there. Certainly not Italian or French, Thai, Mexican. Some Chinese food may be getting pretty close by now, because there are so many Chinese people here. Indian -- who knows? Most restaurants in India aren't that great to begin with, the really great meals are served at people's houses.

[demsducks]

I have had Ethiopian food and found it very delicious. I have a bunch of friends who can't stand it, though. It is definitely one of those things that you either like or dislike. I say give it a shot. Who knows, you might really like it.

[cynicus]

Kind of long, but funny--especially in light of the comments about spicy cuisine.


OT: Notes From An Inexperienced Chili Taster Named FRANK, who was visiting
Texas from the East Coast:

"Recently I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The
original person called in sick at the last moment, and I happened to be
standing there at the judge's table asking directions to the beer wagon when
the call came. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that
the chili wouldn't be all that spicy, and besides, they told me I could have
free beer during the tasting, so I accepted. Here are the scorecards from the
event:

Chili # 1: Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili

JUDGE ONE: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing kick.

JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.

FRANK: Holy shit, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint
from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's
the worst one.These Texans are crazy.

Chili # 2: Arthur's Afterburner Chili

JUDGE ONE: Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight Jalapeno tang.

JUDGE TWO: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.

FRANK: Keep this out of reach of children! I'm not sure what I am supposed
to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the
Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on
my face.

Chili # 3: Fred's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili

JUDGE ONE: Excellent firehouse chili! Great kick. Needs more beans.

JUDGE TWO: A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers.

FRANK: Call the EPA, I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have
been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now, get me more beer
before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my backbone is in the
front part of my chest. I'm getting shit-faced from all the beer.

Chili # 4: Bubba's Black Magic

JUDGE ONE: Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.

JUDGE TWO: Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other
mild foods, not much of a chili.

FRANK: I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste
it. Is it possible to burn-out taste buds? Sally, the bar maid, was standing
behind me with fresh refills; that 300 lb. bitch is starting to look HOT, just like this
nuclear-waste I'm eating. Is chili an aphrodisiac?

Chili # 5: Linda's Legal Lip Remover

JUDGE ONE: Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding
considerable kick. Very impressive.

JUDGE TWO: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato. Must admit the
cayenne peppers make a strong statement.

FRANK: My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no
longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics.
The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me
brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly
on it from a pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off? It really pisses me
off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks!

Chili # 6: Vera's Very Vegetarian Variety

JUDGE ONE: Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spice and
peppers.

JUDGE TWO: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic.
Superb.

FRANK: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric
flames. I shit myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the
chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that cunt Sally. She
must be kinkier than I thought. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe
my ass with a snow cone!

Chili # 7: Susan's Screaming Sensation Chili

JUDGE ONE: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.

JUDGE TWO: Ho Hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili
peppers at the last moment. I should note that I am worried about Judge
Number 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing
uncontrollably.

FRANK: You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't
feel a damn thing. I've lost the sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it
is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili which slid unnoticed
out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava-like shit to match my damn shirt.
At least during the autopsy they'll know what killed me. I've decided to
stop breathing, it's too painful. Screw it, I'm not getting any oxygen anyway.
If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4 inch hole in my stomach.

Chili # 8: Helen's Mount Saint Chili

JUDGE ONE: A perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili, safe for all, not
too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.

JUDGE TWO: This final entry is a good, balanced chili, neither mild nor hot.
Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge Number 3 passed out, fell
over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going
to make it. Poor Yank, wonder how he'd have reacted to a really hot chili?

[ds_writr]

I checked out a Blue Nile link:

http://www.ethiopiancuisine.com/

It sounds interesting, but I don't know... That picture there just doesn't look very appetiziting to me... It looks too strange to me, a little too much like the after effects of a meal... if you get my drift...

I'd feel like I'd have to have someone hold my hand while I ate there, to keep me calm...

Now, yes, I will agree that that particular photo does make it look as though seven people vomited up onto a plate...

...but food styling is quite difficult. (I think its the extra glint of light on the food that makes it all appear like so much regurgitation).

But the Ethiopian food I have eaten was actually yummy. I don't know what it was I ate but it was a huge piece of meat on a stick.



It was a marinated, BBQ-fired, well, stick of meat (ala a shish kebob but done in a single, large piece rather than chunks). Oh, it was quite nummy-nummy as you could then dip it into a sauce of something and rub something-something on the meat (it was all very Ethiopian).

[buzzj]

I am a big fan of North Indian food--- especially tandoori chicken and the wonderful bread, nan, normally served with it. Also good with it is dal, curried brown lentils. Yummers!! I love spicy food--- but much of the South Indian cuisine was too hot even for me, plus I'm not a big fan of rice and the vegetable curries normally served with it.