We often find ourselves repeating tried & tested recipes thanks to busy lives, or perhaps, picky taste buds across the household. But, if you take great pleasure in experiencing the world & different cultures through food, then grab your forks and read on.
A wise man once said something along the lines of, “stop focusing on the “who am I” question… instead, ask yourself, “How do I want to engage with the world?”. While I still stand by the importance of knowing one’s self, he does make a full cup of sense.
When you look back on your life, it’s mostly a culmination of the ways that you interacted with the world around you – with your loved ones, your colleagues, and the challenges & adventures that you embarked on.
For some people, the answer to the above engagement question involves quitting their jobs or taking on remote roles and traveling the world. However, if you prefer some stability, and food also happens to be one of the ways that you enjoy engaging with the world, then this challenge is for you.
What you’ll need
- An adventurous appetite
- A dollop of curiosity
- A journal & pen (to document your recipes)
- Access to food blogs
- The right cooking equipment, the ingredients & spices
- Netflix (optional)
- Music streaming service (optional)
The Doing
- Pick a special day of the week to embark on this adventure and let the family know of this new tradition.
- Choose the new recipe you’ll be trying and add it to your 52-week recipe journal
- If you’re trying a dish from a different country, try to Immerse yourself in the culture
For example, if you were attempting to make Bibimbapyou could read up on its origin and tell your kids (if you have them) a nice little story about the history of the meal. You could supplement that with a fun k-pop soundtrack while you cook. And if you want to be a real trooper, you could go as far as finishing the night with a Korean movie – learn a few phrases that might come in handy in the future.
Don’t worry about “messing up the food”, it’s the experience that matters. Plus, you’re going to go back to eating your regular recipes anyways, so, no pressure!
Why does this matter?
- Trying something new requires courage, which in turn builds confidence
- It gives you a chance to learn about other people and their cultures, thereby expanding your horizon
- It gives you something to look forward to each week and adds spontaneity to our often routine lives. This could also turn into a bonding experience for you and your loved ones. Kids love a good yummy tradition!
Why wait for an Italian trip far in the future to try out the humble Ribollita, when you can bring the flavors of Tuscany to your home right now? Vino, per favore!
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