WRITING CULTURE 2012: Film, Food & Beyond

I don’t believe in being forced to choose between great things. This is why I don’t have a favorite type of cuisine or even a favorite food. Maybe there is a different way to look at this, perhaps from a vehicular stand point.

In the winter I am a big fan of soup and stew. It can come carrying any and all types of flavors from anywhere in the world. Whether it is Canh Chua Tom (Vietnamese style hot & sour shrimp vegetable soup), Soup a l’ognion Gratinee (French Onion Soup), Cioppino (Italian Seafood stew), Solyanka (Russian, Spicy, Meat Stew) or Vatapa (Brazilian shrimp stew) they all require a particular mood/ craving from the consumer. They are all extremely different but fall under the same “vehicle”- heart warming, soul soothing, broth based meals.

In warmer weather I will still enjoy soup, although it will probably be a cold one and few and far between. The sunshine, availability of various fresh ripe produce, and access to grilling will make me crave just that- grilled food. Whether you are an Omnivore or have limitations to your dining habits the grill works for just about anyone and anything from salad to seafood to meat.

Another great vehicle is Bread/ Dough. This encompasses Pizza, Sandwiches (Various Bread), Panini, Wraps, Tacos, Burritos, Gyros, Crepes, Tarts and the like. The possibilities are virtually endless. Whether they are served hot, cold, open, closed, folded, rolled, sweet, savory, with various texture (such as crunchy and soft) or not, it is a canvas, a vehicle sure to please and open to any and all cultural interpretations. The fillings will be the varying factor, this vehicle is good year round.

You can lean one way more than another but I definitely encourage a limitless outlook. If you have access to various foods and styles of preparation then try to enjoy them all for their own particular value in your eyes. Today may be chinese take out and tomorrow, crepes with fresh blueberry filling. Why? Because you can enjoy both without having to choose.

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