I'm almost always thinking about food. How it affects us culturally, emotionally and our planet. It’s true, if we all went vegan we could save it but then entire cultures will eradicate.
To make a case I want to study and test options. Starting with the emotions that come with what we eat. Following with the decisions I make about food and sharing what I see trying to do it unbiased. Objectively. The way I relate to it is a relationship I have certainly nurtured.
Travelling opens a world of culinary opportunities. To learn from a culture through food, explore ingredients I've never cooked with and thinking outside the box when you can't find the spices you're used to...
For example, I got into the habit of drinking tea while in England. A thing done by many in most households; I truely believe it's because it is the most comforting thing to do when its cold. Some like ‘builder’s tea’. Others like a refined Oolong and I have grown to like the Earl Grey blend. Subsequently, when I arrived in Spain, I quickly realized tea isn’t a thing. There wasn’t even a kettle in my Airbnb and the selection in the supermarket was reduced, to say the least.
...I adjusted.
One of my favorite things to do is learn about exciting ingredients I haven’t been exposed much too; and then just experiment as much as I can with them. This happened several times in England. For example, Pancetta - I learned how to do traditional Carbonara with it. A dish the Brits think is with cream or will most likely just buy the sauce at the supermarket.
Vacuum sealed water chestnuts is a season favorite. I have no idea how to use them fresh but I couldn’t get enough of them over the 2018 holidays. Nutroast was my favorite thing I learned how to do with them. Also lovely in stuffing or in a Cranberry Pilaf Rice.
One thing I learned and love of the English culture, is how traditionally everyone has Sunday roast with their family. Usually, at about lunchtime, everyone gathers around masses of food that has been roasting in the oven for a good couple of hours and shares the wins and struggles of the week. It is incredibly comforting.
It is, truly, a beautiful way to get the family around the table, share a meal and be jolly. It is also an incredibly exciting time to learn amazing recipes. You can make the occasion as elaborate as you like. For example, adding a roasted pepper and capers salad or perhaps a special type of gravy.
As you can see you can learn so much through food. So about food I’ve chosen to learn. The challenge is to document the culture around particular foods whilst navigating my way to a slightly more plant-based diet.
You see, for a couple of months now, ‘vegan’, ‘cruelty-free’, ‘plant-based’… all these words have just crept into my thoughts. It’s like I can't get away from them. It started around the time I saw on the news climate change is at a no turn around point unless we all went vegan.
At that point, I then started fantasizing with the pescatarian diet. That's until I watched the documentary "Drawing in Plastic" and most recently "What the Health". This is when I asked myself ‘how can I make my diet work as a full time traveller?
For me, the answer is that I can't. But as much as my appettite permites I try “Alimentate Bonito” (eat kindly): a way of embracing our relationship with food. Acknowledging it is a basic need and pleasure. Be conscientious, inclusive and yet indulging. Trying to keep it as local as possible.
This is an introduction to Food Culture, a study on the traditions and future of our nourishing sustenance.