"Food ways" is an expression that dates back to 1946. It refers to the eating habits and culinary practices of a people, region, or historical period. Food Ways Presented by Everyday Exotic Spices: Food finds for foodies and food lovers - curated content from around the web, sharing the ways we all like to enjoy our food! Food history, recipe sharing, and all things food-related. This foodie blog is aimed at newbie cooks or beginners. But everyone is welcome!
"One Famous Indonesian Food Item Is Not Historically Indonesian
During the years 1602 to 1942, what is now the Republic of Indonesia was a Dutch colony. ... The tradition of Indonesian food known today as Rijstafel, which means Rice Table, was started by the Dutch. ..."
The concept of rijsttafel is a way to sample the many different spice-laced dishes from various regions of Indonesia. The Dutch likely drew inspiration from a similar Indonesian multiple-dish meal known as nasi padang.
“Indonesian Food History - Rijistafel” Daily Two Cents, 10 May 2015, web.archive.org/web/20170803143846/http://dailytwocents.com/indonesian-food-history-rijistafel/.
I never liked black food. Unless it’s ice cream. Just kidding.
When I used to think of black food I thought people were saying that the food was burnt. But that’s not so. I discovered that there is black ice cream, there are black vegetables, and people intentionally add certain ingredients, like charcoal or squid ink, to make the food black.
Doing research I discovered that in London, they have a Black Food Festival. But don’t be confused. The food isn’t the color “black”. It’s called Black Eats Fest and it celebrates food from Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond. It’s a celebration of culinary diversity.
This content is about food that is the color “black”. It’s a brief introduction by way of sharing fun facts, which are the reasons why I like black food.
(2) At one time, in ancient China, there was black rice (some say dark purple), which was also known as “forbidden rice”. It wasn’t forbidden to everyone. The emperors could have some and of course, the wealthy. But these days, it’s available to the masses and even shows up in U.S. restaurants. Black rice is the “perfect choice for vegetarians and vegans looking for additional protein”. Learn more: What Is Forbidden Rice? | Eating Well
Green leafy herbs are the unsung heroes of both the kitchen and the apothecary. They’re not just flavor boosters—they’re cultural symbols, medicinal allies, and botanical marvels. 🌿
Chop herbs finely to release oils, or bruise them for infusions.
EXTRA RESEARCH.
(I watch a lot of Korean dramas, and I'm always drooling over the food. LOL.)
🍲 Korean Culinary Traditions
Many of the herbs on your page play key roles in Korean cooking, often with layered meanings:
Perilla Leaves (Kkaennip) – Aromatic and slightly bitter, these are often eaten pickled or used as wraps. Their distinct flavor and versatility earn them a place in banchan spreads.
Garlic Chives (Buchu) – Stir-fried, added to pancakes, or tucked into dumplings, their pungency boosts richness in humble home-style dishes.
Mint – Known as "bang-ah" in Korean, mint isn’t as common in savory dishes but features in herbal teas that promote digestion and refreshment.
Mugwort (Ssuk) – Used in rice cakes like ssuk tteok and soups, mugwort lends an earthy flavor and is tied to spring rituals and cleansing traditions.
🌿 Historical and Medicinal Roles
Korean traditional medicine (Hanbang) reflects centuries of botanical wisdom:
Thyme and Sage – While not native to Korea, similar aromatic herbs have been used in teas and topical remedies for respiratory or skin-related ailments.
Mugwort (Ssuk) – Considered a sacred herb, used for everything from digestive tonics to women’s health treatments. It’s burned in cleansing rituals, much like sage in other cultures.
Perilla Seeds – Ground into pastes or oils, they're thought to support heart health and boost immune function.
♦♦♦♦
NOTE: This content is AI-generated. Just testing. 😀👍
That was news to me. Also learned something else new. Very familiar with the Sandwich Cubano (Cuban sandwich) and Media Noche Sandwich (Midnight Sandwich); but did you know there are several variations of this sandwich? No doubt they’re all delicious! There is a third one called Elena Ruz (Cuban Turkey Sandwich). It has guava jelly as one of the ingredients. If you’ve never tried Cuban food, you must try the Cuban Sandwich. Even the world-famous chef, Bobby Flay has his own variation. Eating food is one of life’s greatest joys. But learning food history is also great fun too! References: Internetwriter62. "The Art of the Cuban Sandwich." HUBPages.com. HUBPages Inc., 17 Sept. 2013. Web. 20 Jan. 2017.
Another discovery has been made in the study of food, health, and science. Credit is being given to Professor Kazuyoshi Ukena of Hiroshima University for identifying NPGL, a protein in our brain which “apparently aims to maintain body mass at a constant, come feast or famine”.
The professor's finding eliminates the excuse of not being able to lose weight and stop yourself from overeating because you don't have any willpower, because the mechanisms for appetite control are literally ... all in your head. :)
When it comes to being health and fitness conscious, making quality of life choices, and developing healthy living habits, citizens of Austin, Texas, set the example for everyone else to follow; including the Californians. { IMHO ☺} Sharing a recap of key facts to peak your interest and some information links on health, wellness, and fitness, diet, nutrition, and exercise for further reading and research.
Autumn is the season for apples and pumpkins. My favorite recipes are apple cobbler and pumpkin pie, which (in my humble opinion) are true American holiday cuisine. I enjoy these desserts for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
FUN FACTS:
Cobblers originated in the British American colonies. "The earliest recipe dates from 1824. Apple Cobbler – Cobblers (stewed fruit topped with batter, biscuit, or dumplings) originated in the British American colonies with the term “cobbler” recorded in 1859. Cobblers can be made with any type of fruit or berry and are also known as slumps, grunts, and pandowdy." (SOURCE: M. E. Bond)
A cobbler is not the same as Crisp, Crumble, Betty, Or Buckle? What's the difference? "Cobblers are a fruit dessert baked with biscuit-style topping. It's called a cobbler because its top crust is not smooth like a pie crust but rather “cobbled” and coarse. It's usually dropped or spooned over the fruit, then baked. Individual fruit cobblers." (SOURCE: Farmers' Almanac)
"Northeastern Native American tribes grew squash and pumpkins. The Native Americans brought pumpkins as gifts to the first settlers, and taught them the many uses for pumpkin. This led to serving pumpkin pie at the first Thanksgiving in America about 50 years later." (SOURCE: The History Behind Pumpkin Pie)
I love watching Korean drama and love to learn about the teas they drink. In one K-drama, there was a lady who worked at the Commoners' Clinic, and she offered a man a tea called Angelica keiskei. Did you know:
~ Angelica keiskei, commonly known under the Japanese name of ashitaba (アシタバ or 明日葉), literally "tomorrow's leaf", is a species of flowering plant in the carrot family. It is native to Japan ...” (Per Wikipedia); AND
~ Some strawberry growers have shifted to growing ashitaba (or Angelica keiskei) because they say it's a better money-maker and easier to cultivate.
Various healthcare websites offer information about this plant's medicinal value. Of course, this is yet another one of those plants that holds the "key to extended youth".
"... a plant called ashitaba is important in supporting a person’s health & well-being. ... researchers are suggesting that a compound in this plant boosts cellular health and may prolong youth." This Japanese plant could hold the key to extended youth ~ https://t.co/TZ0qOrDsSk
When one says the word “mushroom” it might provoke various thoughts. Psychedelic dreams. Fantasy and fairy tales. Tiny homes for whimsical creatures. A meat substitute for vegans and vegetarians. For me, it provokes a memory of a romantic dinner date. My first experience tasting a mushroom was when my late husband (my fiancé at the time) prepared dinner for me. Steak with mushroom gravy. Before meeting my husband, I avoided mushrooms for two reasons. ~Number 1: My mother never used them in any of her recipes. Mom didn’t cook them. (???) Maybe they don’t taste good. (O.o) ~Number 2: The way people describe mushrooms. Fungus. Toadstool. They don’t make the mushroom sound appetizing or visually appealing.
However, many cooks and chefs use the mushroom as the main ingredient in their recipes. Foodies are happy to share photos of amazing dishes where mushrooms are the star of the show. As for being visually appealing, mushrooms are quite beautiful. Artists often use them to illustrate fantasies. Nature photographers go insane! They capture incredible pics just roaming through the woods or the fields. My first time eating mushrooms was over 40 years. But from that day forward, I didn’t need convincing to make mushrooms a part of my diet. However, in case you do, perhaps this health article by Popular Science will persuade you. “4 reasons you should eat more mushrooms”.
It's good to know these reasons why, but the most important thing everybody needs to know about mushrooms is that some of them are NOT edible. No doubt you will find these information links useful. 10 of the World's Deadliest Mushrooms - WorldAtlas.com
In Korean cuisine, banchan is a small side dish served along with rice as part of an everyday meal. No Korean meal is complete without at least 2 to 3 banchan.
If you are one of my followers or subscribers, then you know that my guilty pleasure is watching Korean dramas. Not only are they entertaining, but they are educational, and the food they eat always looks so mouth-watering. Watching them makes me hungry. I always wish I could be right there with them enjoying the food! LOL.
Netflix is doing well these day,s helping me satisfy my appetite for K-dramas. This streaming platform has quite a selection of movies and TV series, historical period or modern, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and more! Crash Course in Romance is a Korean series that was released on Netflix in January 2023. This series introduced me to “banchan”. One of the main characters was Nam Haeng-seon (played by Jeon Do-yeon), a lady who owned and operated a shop called “Nation’s Best Banchan”. Customers could come into the store and pick whatever banchan dishes they wanted for lunch or dinner.
Not being very familiar with Korean cuisine, my first question was: What is banchan? My second question was: What is the best banchan? I did a little research and am sharing my notes below.
NOTE 1:“Banchan means side dish in Korean, but in reality, it’s a bunch of small dishes filled to the brim with pickles and the like that scatter the table at lunch or dinner.” (REF: Hills, S. W. (2022, January 13). The Funky, Flavorful Side Dishes to Complete Any Korean Meal. Food52. food52.com/blog/17598-the-funky-flavorful-sides-a-korean-meal-wouldn-t-be-complete-without)
NOTE 2:“There are generally three main types of banchan — fresh vegetable banchan like namul or muchim; braised or soy sauce-based banchan called jorim; and well-preserved mit banchan like kimchi or jeotgal, that’s usually on hand in large batches.” (REF: Yoo, Irene. “How to Cook a Bunch of Banchan.” Food Network, Food Network, 6 May 2021, www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/how-to-cook-banchan-side-dishes-crowd. Accessed 7 Mar. 2023.)
NOTE 3:What are some popular banchan dishes? (REF: TasteAtlas. “46 Types of Banchan Sorted by Popularity.” Tasteatlas.com, TasteAtlas, 20 Nov. 2020, www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-types-of-banchan-in-the-world. Accessed 7 Mar. 2023.)
NOTE 4:“Banchan dates back to the mid-Three Kingdom period, around 300s AD at a time when Buddhism was a heavy influence and meat consumption was highly discouraged. As a restyle, seasonal vegetable-based dishes became the focal point of Korean cuisine.” (REF: Angela, and admin. “Banchan History: All about Korea’s Famous Side Dishes.” FOODICLES, 2 June 2021, foodicles.com/banchan-history/. Accessed 7 Mar. 2023.)
NOTE 5: Everything you need to know about the history, etiquette, and ingredients behind banchan. (REF: Spalding, Lavinia, and Mae Hamilton. “How to Eat Korean Banchan — and a Guide to the Most Iconic Dishes.” AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 30 Aug. 2021, www.afar.com/magazine/how-to-eat-korean-banchan-and-a-guide-to-the-most-iconic-dishes. Accessed 7 Mar. 2023.)
This is the fifth (and final) post highlighting the programs in the Netflix Rhapsody series tracing the origins and evolution of the Korean cuisine that we enjoy today.
In the USA, fried chicken is Southern food comfort and everybody brags that they have perfected the best recipe ever! Not trying to diss my Southern friends and kinfolk, but Korean fried chicken, affectionately referred to as KFC, is a global sensation. It’s crispy on the outside, juicy meat on the inside, with bold flavors, and the recipe has variations.
One of the most popular variations is yangnyeom chicken, which is coated in a sweet and spicy sauce made from a combination of gochujang (Korean chili paste), soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and other seasonings. This sticky flavorful sauce clings to the crispy chicken. (Admit it! You’re drooling aren’t you?)
Another variation is ganjang chicken, glazed with a savory soy sauce-based marinade and garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. As can be seen in Korean dramas, it’s a social food served at gatherings, accompanied by beer or soju (Korean rice liquor). Fried chicken restaurants in Korea are known as chimaek joints.
This is the fourth post highlighting the programs in the Netflix Rhapsody series tracing the origins and evolution of the Korean cuisine that we enjoy today.
Korean Jjajangmyeon has been described as a culinary experience that embodies the fusion of Korean and Chinese flavors. It is a popular Korean-Chinese noodle dish characterized by its savory black bean sauce. In “Wok of Love” this dish is mentioned frequently.
Originating from Chinese immigrants in Korea, and is now a staple of Korean cuisine. The dish consists of chewy wheat noodles topped with a thick, glossy sauce made from chunjang, a Korean black bean paste. The sauce is typically stir-fried with diced beef or pork, onions, zucchini, and other vegetables. The blend of umami-rich black bean paste black bean paste, savory meat, and sweet caramelized vegetables can be described as pure harmony and that’s why it is a beloved comfort food. People enjoy it as a standalone meal but can also be paired with other Korean-Chinese dishes.
