Archive for the ‘Food’ Category
Discussing the cost of pasta while visiting or living in Florence is always a good idea. The main reasons for that is because it’s a fantastic adventure to have conversations about food in this magnificent food city, and also because it’s just a good idea to be in Florence. It’s one of the remarkable places in the world that’s been a hallmark of civilization in the past, and the present is equally brilliant.
It’s a good place to talk about food, for certain, and is also a fine place to discuss art. Anyone visiting will find that everyone in town can go at great lengths about these two particular subjects. That’s true whether it’s a long-time resident, or a guest in one of the Florence hotels . Talk is not cheap here, but it is plentiful, and that same things can be said for art and food.
If one decides to start a conversation about a subject as precarious as the origin of ravioli , it’s going to be necessary to prepare for a long evening. There’s not much debate about how it started as a dish for people without a lot of money, to stretch the good parts of the meal, meat and cheese, and wrap it around a lot of dough. Beyond that, however, there are worlds to experience.
The Big Island always has something spectacular going on. It could be argued to be the heart of Hawaiian culture, or at least its most urban outpost. There are some very interesting people living here, and there’s an energy that attracts very interesting visitors. The ones who come to stay at Honolulu luxury hotels usually get the best of everything, and for here, that means a lot.
It’s an exquisite place, and one that always manages to live up to its reputation. The natural offerings are always surprising, and always fulfill expectations. The sweet sensation of being near the water is one that never goes away. But there is also a great cultural feast here, with multiple cultures always present, making for a lively living conversation in human experience.
The food, of course, is also as wonderful as cuisine can get. But if there are adventurous ones in town, there are also some interesting things to try that might be hard to get anywhere else. Chocolate dipped ika is certainly high on that particular list. Ika is not really a squid, but close enough that people call it that, and the chocolate here is top shelf.
Mixed together, one gets a taste that’s rather fantastic to those who like their salty mixed with the sweet, but it’s not for everyone. There are plenty of other options, however.
Have you ever wondered what the table etiquette is for chopsticks ? Well, it depends on which country you are dining in. For non-Asian countries, the universal approach of what not to do consists of the following: One should not play with the chopsticks, use them to stab food, leave them in the rice bowl standing straight up (except at funerals) or use them to move bowls or plates.
China invented the chopsticks during the Shang Dynasty. Up until its invention people were using their hands to eat. These little sticks have proven the test of time and are admired by many around the world. When eating in China, you should never tap your bowl or plate, for it emulates the noise the beggars make on the street. Also, one should always pass the food to the elderly first as a sign of respect. Never use chopsticks to spear food, never point the resting chopsticks at others seated at the table and never hold the chopsticks improperly as this is a reflection of your parents’ teaching.
When eating Japanese cuisine , you should not rub the chopsticks after breaking them apart. This can offend the host, giving them the impression that you think the chopsticks are cheap. They should not be crossed on the table for this symbolizes death. They should not be used to transfer food from one person’s chopsticks to another, or be set horizontally on top of the plate. All chopsticks, whether you’re at home or in a restaurant, should be set on a chopstick rest. Those unfamiliar with the rest will find that they can be made of wood, porcelain, clay or stone and they prevent the chopstick tips from contamination. If you find yourself with the paper sleeve type of chopsticks and no rest is available, don’t worry. You can take the leftover sleeve and fold it into a paper rest.
In Vietnam, as in China, you are allowed to lift the rice bowl to your mouth and push the rice in. However, you should never pick up the food from the serving plate and put it directly in your mouth. The food must always rest on your plate first, prior to eating. Also, you should never put the chopsticks in your mouth while deciding on your next selection. When resting the chopsticks, avoid placing them in a V-shape. The Vietnamese believe this is a bad omen.
Now for the proper holding technique: You should hold them in between the thumb and forefinger of one hand (usually the right hand, even for lefties) and use them like tongs to pick up small pieces of food. It takes a lot of practice to develop the proper technique, and before you know it, you will master them like a pro. What a great excuse to eat more sushi !