Bizarre Foods: Coat of Arms Pizza

My husband and I took an epic adventure through the center of Australia, driving from Adelaide in the south all the way through the red center to Darwin up north.  In a crazy little opal mining town, Coober Pedy, we found a "coat of arms pizza" on the menu and naturally, we ordered it straight away.  Australia's Coat of Arms contains a kangaroo and an emu, which is highly symbolic because these two animals can not walk backwards, they can not easily retreat.  Now, during our two years in Sydney, we had tried Kangaroo and Emu separately, but something about the candidness of this pizza seemed bizarre to me.  I had the thought of what might happen to a person who served bald eagle pizza in the United States?  Would they be imprisoned and prosecuted?  The very patriotic side of me had the cringe slightly as I enjoyed my delicious pizza.

Bizarre Foods: Baby Mice Wine

Just when I thought that I couldn't find something more bizarre to consume than a cobra's beating heart, alas, I have found a wine made with tiny mice fetuses.  These itty bitty mice are taken from their mothers while their eyes are still closed!  They are then put into a bottle of rice wine to be fermented.  Some reports indicate that this is actually done to the mice while they are still alive.  Some people in Korean and Chinese traditions view this drink as a health-inducing tonic.  For me, and I think for most Americans, it is vomit-inducing.  I think I'll have to skip my dinner now.....


References: http://www.cracked.com/article_14979_the-6-most-terrifying-foods-in-world.html
http://www.junch.com/baby-mice-wine/

Bizarre Foods: the potent pufferfish

You may be thinking that this large, pretty fish would probably make some excellent fresh sushi or sashimi. Well, you'd be right, provided that it is prepared by a rigorously trained chef.  You see this lovely pufferfish (called "fugu" by the Japanese) contains a very potent neurotoxin, tetrodoxin, which will not kill the fish due to a mutation in one of it's protein sequences, but for you or I, could be fatal.  This deadly delight is considered to be a delicacy in Japan.  The preparation and sale of fugu is monitored by Japanese government.  Chef that will prepare this fish must be trained for 2 -3 years.  The culmination of their training is a written test, as well as a practical which includes preparing and EATING the fish.  I really love trying all sorts of strange and interesting foods when I travel, but I think when I make it to Japan, one more fugu will be swimming free.




References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugu
http://www.wildjunket.com/2011/10/07/world%E2%80%99s-most-bizarre-foods/

Bizarre Foods: The Blood of a Cobra

The Blood of a Cobra.....it's what's for dinner? I know what you're thinking: "no way!" but in Indonesia some people find this to be a very treasured and special nourishment.  According to Indonesian tradition, eating the blood of a cobra, as well as the cobra's heart (still beating!) will bring you not only nutritional benefits, but more importantly, spiritual enhancement.  In western cultures, blood is often seen as dirty and a symbol of death.  Though Christianity, in particular Catholicism, discusses the idea of drinking the blood of Christ, I think most westerners would still associate drinking blood with vampires!!  In some parts of Asia, the venomous snake blood is mixed with wine.  Now, I think that may just be worth a try.

Sources: http://theworldbyroad.com/2011/11/28/ten-most-exotic-foods

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_wine 

Vitawoman!

The Scientist:  Sarah Hooge, sushi-lovin' speech pathologist, determined to get 

     unpronounceable additives and "junk" out of her family's food and supplements

The Objective:  To compare the rates of dissolution of two vitamin brands (GNC vs Whole 

     Foods)

The Experiment:  Fill two small glasses with equal amounts of vinegar (pH about 2.5) to mimic 

     (as best as possible) the acidic conditions of our stomachs (pH 1).  Place one of each 

     comparable vitamin (yes, size does matter here) in each glass.

The Results:

Photos taken by Sarah Hooge

Bizarre Foods: Soup # 5

Well, it's that time of year, folks.  It's time to increase consumption of red wine, chocolate, and oysters which are good for.....eh, I think you know what I mean.  These foods have been believed for a very long time to increase sexual desire and during the Valentine's Day season, consumers can find them everywhere.  In the Philippines, a very special soup called Soup #5 is also believed to be a strong aphrodisiac.  Soup # 5 contains oil, coriander, onion, garlic, fish sauce, salt, pepper AND 1 lb. of ram/bull/cow penis and 1/2 lb. of testicles.  Most people in the United States would view this soup as extremely bizarree because we are not used to eating reproductive animal parts, but you never know, with the correct marketing this strange soup could be the next big Valentine's Day hit!!!

sources:
http://kumain.com/soup-no-5/

Bizarre Foods: Kopi Luwak

baby Luwak  (above)
beans prior to cleaning/roasting (below)        

   

During my Indonesian adventure in 2010, I came to enjoy their very rich and VERY strong kopi (coffee), with it's coffee grinds simply stirred into hot water and served with sweetened condensed milk.  While travelling through Indonesia, I heard the greatest rumor (which I have now confirmed as truth). On the Indonesian island of Sumatra, there is an animal, similar to a civet, which has the scientific name Paradoxuras, but the locals call them "luwaks."  These luwaks eat ripe coffee cherry, including the coffee bean, to get the flesh of the fruit.  While in the animals digestive tract, the bean undergoes chemical treatment and fermentation, but is excreted completely in tact.  These post-digestive beans are then collected, cleaned and roasted just like a normal bean, but apparently have a richer, heavier flavor with earthy and exotic undertones.  These special beans are the most expensive in the world with costs as high as $160 per pound.  I think most people would perceive this as a bizarre food because we are generally taught that excrement and food should be keep as far away as possible.  We associate very harmful bacteria with feces and just the thought of drinking this coffee knowing where it has been would be (frankly) gross to most! During my travels,  I was not near the region where this coffee is produced, but I'm pretty sure my adventurous spirit would have led me to take a taste of the bowels of the luwak...maybe next time.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_luwak
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luwak

the best for last

What would you eat on your last day on Earth?  Choose an item or a dish.  What would you drink with it??
       My professor of Foods and World Cultures asked me a question similar to this the other day.  Now, I have many favorite foods, but I really tried to imagine which lasting, lingering taste I would want to have in my mouth for those last few hours.  I thought about a big bowl of pasta, which on any other day might be a favorite, but feeling overstuffed with deliciousness would simply not be enough for the last day.  I want richness and flavor and memories......So...I said simply. cheese.  Preferably an assorted cheese tray from the places that shaped my cheesy palate (parmesan from Parma, Italy, extra tasty cheese from Australia, Humboldt Fog from Arcata).  I would pair death with a simple glass of Merlot from Sonoma Valley.

                           

Here's how a few family/friends responded to this oh-so-difficult question:

Momma T's lasagna with a bottle of Newcastle

mango and shrimp sushi roll with a coca-cola

antipasto plate with a glass of Chappallet Meritage

fresh baked english muffin from the Tahoe House with a pat of butter and boysenberry jam, paired with a fresh squeezed mimosa

Eggplant Parmesan with a glass of Alexander Valley 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

BOILED CRAWFISH, CRAB, AND BUD LITE

 buttery grilled fish with white wine

Theo's Cheese Please, no onions, with extra sauce to dip and Sam Adams draft

Kraft Mac and Cheese, elbow noodles, with a side of ketchup and a glass of milk please

Freshly made crunch tacos:  tortillas, ground beef, cabbage, tomato, avocado, queso fresco, little salt, hot sauce with Cerveza Comona (Herradura Tequila if I'm being executed)

Tuna Melt with tomato on rye paired with a 99 cent Arizona green tea. Delish!

      Chazuke and hot green tea
Chad's barbeque shrimp with crusty french bread with a glass of good red wine to put me sleep
 really nice, gooey in the middle chocolate raspberry brownie, then a nice Caipirinha
wedding cake!!

         

a flock of frenzied feathers

gathering a flock of frenzied feathers
we dove inside their bowels and
returning. empty-handed with only our tears
none to share, despite deserving dry souls
awaiting redemption? in whose dirty hands?
yours. ours. and heaven
but none responsible and none redeemed

I wrote this a while ago when I first started to care about what I put into my stomach, what others put into theirs, and how those choices affect us all.  This little diddy gave me a boost - semester # 2 dietetics school started today!

Let the Children Cook

Cook:  Savannah Hooge (my eldest god-child)

Profile:  10 year old novice cook, expert baton twirler - who enjoys arts & crafts and all things pink

Favorite Food: "pizza or mommy's gumbo!  mmmmm gooooodddd!!!!"  

Dish (left):  Meticulously Layered Parfait
Ingredients:  blueberries,granola, yogurt




Dish (below):  Vegetarian Nachos

Ingredients:  pinto beans, mozzarella/cheddar cheese, jalapeno peppers,tomatoes, sour cream, and Granny's homegrown lettuce.

Q (Nanny): What is the hardest thing about cooking all by yourself?

A (Savannah): There was nothing really that was hard.  It was fun, easy, and delicious!!!