Van Reken still serves palm butter and greens, a favorite African meal, when her family gathers for dinner.
Basia Coben, a British mother in London, noticed a significant change in her children's eating habits when they bought a vacation home in Spain. "They now love grilled fish, oysters and mussels," she said.
Speaking for myself, my mom made dishes from India, Czech Republic, Greece, China, and Russia (to name just a few). It wasn't until moving back to the U.S. for college that I realized such diverse dinners were unusual among my peers!
What role did moving around play on your eating preferences? What would a neighbour be surprised to find you eating (and loving!)?
4 comments:
Hello again!
I've been waiting for a new post with bated breath for what seemed like years!!
The odd thing I can say is that this reply is going to be linked to your previous post in a way.
I adore food. I will eat anything from any ethnic smorgasbord and have no real dislikes, except for junk food and poorly prepared food. I think that comes from having been exposed to many foods from an early age. Having said that though, my sister, who grew up in the same household, is a real meat and potatoes kind of girl. She vehemently refuses to try new things and her menu is bland...I wonder why? I find it strange why she and I are so opposite in every area one could name...yet we are both TCKs.
Living abroad has definitely played a big part in shaping what I like to eat. I remember when I was younger, kids in the U.S. thought it was so weird that I LOVED spinach (Indian influence).
My daughter too loves many things that kids her age don't like. For instance she just loves smoked salmon, lobster and clam chowder. I think this is from early exposure.
Being surrounded by different cultures has definitely played a part in my being open to food. I don't have any particular ethnic food aversion.
It was not unusual in a given week for the dinner table at my house to consist of anything from Korean ribs, to Sushi, to Sauerkraut with Wienerschnitzel to Grits.
I feel lucky having been exposed to so much food diversity and am open to trying anything.
Growing up in Asia definitely affected the type of food I cook and serve my family. After being married for six months, my daughter's husband asked her, "Honey, do you think we could have American food tonight?" My daughter has taught me some American recipes. My son-in-law has been exposed to and learned to love many dishes from around the world.
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