Food Creates Special Memories When You Travel
Whenever I travel, my mind flashes back to my favorite class at Brigham Young University. As I neared my senior year I had missed taking a class in the nutrition department. The only class that I can work into my schedule was one on foods from around the world. I found it fascinating to study the specialty foods that you find in every culture.
Sweden: A Symphony of Open-Face Sandwiches
When I turned twenty-three, I went on my first trip across the Atlantic Ocean. One of the countries that I stopped to see was Sweden. When I arrived and saw all the open face sandwiches I remembered that there were over 400 different types of open face sandwiches in Scandinavia. It was amazing to see the variety and creativity that went into each one.
New York City: A Food Lover’s Paradise
A few weeks ago my niece, Mary went to New York City to see the famous ball drop at Time Square for New Years. She asked me if I could give her some ideas of places that she could visit while she was in New York. Being very oriented to food when I travel my thoughts went immediately to all the delicious food I have had in the “Big Apple.” One of my favorite things was to walk down streets and see the beautiful displays in restaurant windows, gourmet shops, and delis.
Carnegie Deli Sandwiches
One of the most popular specialties in New York is its pizza’s. You can find a pizza shop on almost every block in New York. As you’re rushing around the city is easy to pop in to one of the stores and pick up a slice of pizza for about a dollar. Another one of my favorites is the corn beef or pastrami sandwiches that you find at Carnegie deli. They are so big that when you buy one you’re getting lunch, dinner and breakfast at the same time. The sandwiches come with two slices of rye bread with six inches of sliced meat in between with a pickle in the middle of the table and a bowl mustard on the side.
China: The Art of Peking Duck
As many of you know I go to China at least twice a year. The most famous food that we eat is Peking duck. As you travel around the countryside, you will see ponds filled with beautiful white ducks waiting to be a memorable meal in Beijing. The duck are carefully roasted and then brought to your table. The Chef with a tall hat goes into show mode as he slices thin slices of duck can carefully places it on a plate. With a spoon you put a little plum sauce over a very small thin pancake and then place a couple pieces of duck in the center with a little onion and a thin piece of cucumber. Now all you need to do is roll up the pancake and you are set for a memorable taste of Peking duck.
Hawaii: Sweet Pineapple Memories
When you venture to Hawaii the most memorable food I think are the delicious pineapples. At Christmas time one of my good friends gave me a Hawaiian pineapple. It was so sweet and delicious I was sure I was going to hear some waves come through the front door. When you board a plane in Hawaii they have cases of pineapple for you to buy so you can take them home and share them with your family and friends.
It is always fun to take a minute and think of the special places you have traveled and the delicious foods that you have tasted on your travels. As I talked to Mary about her trip to New York, she said to me, “The food was at least half of the wonderful experience I had while I was in the city.” Learning about the foods and the customs of the people is a very special part of any journey.
