So my score at the farmer's market on Friday and my subsequent cooking spree (as evident on the cooking blog) has led me to lots of reflectin' on my relationship with food and cooking.
Today, I was talking to a friend online who was saying that they wanted to cook more but didn't know where to start. I realized how much I've learned about food and cooking since moving to Brazil.
This may sound silly to older readers, but I moved here when I was 22. Combine that age with a working class family that wasn't big on cooking or vegetables, and with a college life that required lots of hours working, and with general food ignorance in American culture, and the result was that I knew basically nothing about the basics of food prep.
For this friend, I typed up an email with a list of kitchen staple ingredients that are good to have on hand, and then I typed up simple tips on cooking on the cheap at home. I learned ALL of it living in Brazil. I realized while writing the email that I didn't know how to describe meat cuts in English. I think that's a basic thing people (well, non-vegetarians) need to know -- how to choose beef, what different cuts are good for, etc.
I credit Brazilian culture for being so much more health-conscious, and for putting more of an emphasis on making time for healthy eating, for being more resistant to restaurant marketing, for celebrating things with barbecues and home-cooked meals rather than at restaurants. I mean, I credit myself for looking into it so much, too, for taking the time to learn stuff-- but my environment definitely gave me a push. I feel so lucky to be here, to have gotten this new perspective.
My own research and math showed that food prices aren't actually that different between the countries if you're buying the right stuff. So a healthy diet is doable in the US, if you can try not to give in to the social pressure of eating out all.the.time. I read this ridiculous article in Newsweek about something they're calling "food insecurity" in the US (because they can't be pretentious enough to call it hunger-- that'd be an insult to people who are actually starving). They basically argue that lots of Americans are going hungry, going without basic nutrition. Despite the poorest 5% of the nation that they mention, I think this lack of nutrition is almost entirely a result of a lack of priorities (why invest in nice food for your kids when you can have a Wii and a brand new TV?!), and a lack of education on food and cooking basics.
Come on, America! Be better! I'm trying not to judge. It's a huge complicated situation, and I'd still be just as mixed up in it if I was still living there. I'm just hoping I can get through to at least one person or two.
I feel like I still have a lot to learn. I learn something new with every meal I cook, things that some people may consider obvious. But if you feel just as lost as I once did and want me to send you the email I typed up with the staples and the tips, email me at the cooking blog email address (cookingbrazil@gmail.com) and I'll pass it on to you.
What do you think everyone should know about food and cooking? What ingredients are staples in your kitchen?
EDIT: Fellow blogger Laurel just put up a really nice post on how to shop organic in the US. Enjoy!
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Wow- thank you so much for linking to my post! I've learned quite a bit about cooking from my Brazilian MIL. For her big meal she cooks a meat, a veggie and rice and beans. So simple, but she knows how to make it SO delicious. She makes other stuff, too, like pasta and gnochi, but in general her meals follow the same pattern. My go to item is olive oil! I couldn't cook without it.
ReplyDeleteHi Danille !
ReplyDeleteeven though I agree with you about Americans having a different mentality when it comes to food,
I think Brazilians eat better because fresh fruits and vegetables are much more abundant and therefore cheaper than here in the US.The variety of(delicious, fresh,healthy)produce in Brazil is staggering. Typical of a tropical country where farming can be done pretty much year round. In the US,we have,not only harsh winters,but a limited amount in variety of fruits and veggies...because of that,most produce is imported and therefore,prices are higher.The average middle class family struggles to pay $US4.00 for a pound of oranges,or $US 16.00 for a pound of salmon when a big mac and fries costs a little over $US2.00
All in all,I think Americans are finally catching up in connecting good health an food.But I think the major problem is still the prices...
Hi Danielle, You haven't lived here for a while now. People are definitely getting more health conscious about the food they buy. I still think the younger ones maybe eat out quite a bit or buy take home, but a lot of that is because they have to work, if they are lucky enough to have jobs. and then come home and work again, or they have so much homework to do. they are up half the night doing that, so don't have the time to pick and choose at the produce dept, I think you can relate to that part. But I'm pleased you have gotten it all sorted out, and can help a few others. Love you
ReplyDeleteHi Danielle - My best tips in regards to food/diet is to buy in season - that way it is less money, more flavorful, and you get variety. I try my best to eat whole foods that don't come in a package and also organic. I spend a fortune at Whole Foods near my job unfortunately (aka Whole Paycheck because that is what it will take to buy a little bit of groceries!) plus some smaller health food stores also. But, the temptation for junk is definitely there! I always like to have eggs, a good olive oil, onions and garlic, some fish in cans, dry pasta and lentils, rice, and some backup frozen veggies in the freezer just in case there is none fresh. You can always make something good with that stuff!
ReplyDeleteUS-American-style junk food here is SO EXPENSIVE! R$8 for a tin of Pringles, R$3.5 for a snack size bag of Ruffles, R$19 for a pint of Haagen daz ice cream -- R$5 for the simplest of burgers at McDonalds. It's too expensive to eat crap.
ReplyDeleteAnd as others have said, the fresh fruit and flavorful vegetables literally pile up on carts pushed past your front door.
I like to have a milde flavor olive oil on hand and some balsalmic vinegar (not always used together) The vinegar can really make the sweetness of some vegetable pop.
I just finished one of Michael Pollan's books and this post echoed a lot of his points. It's sad that so many Americans are going hungry or subsisting on more or less fast food diets.
ReplyDeleteIf it takes moving to a foreign country to learn how to cook then we should all go through some kind of cooking exchange school!