All articles tagged with #culinary history
The article explores the unique characteristics of British Chinese cuisine, its historical roots, and how TikTok's recent popularity has sparked curiosity and conversations about this underappreciated culinary tradition, highlighting its deep ties to the Chinese community in the UK and its differences from American Chinese food.
Scientists have revived a traditional Bulgarian method of making yogurt by adding live red wood ants to milk, which enhances fermentation through natural heat and microbial diversity, resulting in a tangy, herbaceous yogurt with richer flavors.
Polenta, a versatile boiled cornmeal dish, has become a culinary star in Italy, with various toppings and textures. Its history dates back to the import of maize from the Americas, leading to large-scale cultivation in Italy. Initially eaten out of necessity, polenta's popularity grew despite health concerns, and it is now considered a staple food. While controversies exist, including the traditional dish polenta e osei, its cultural significance remains strong in northern Italy.
Two Indian restaurant groups, Moti Mahal and Daryaganj, are embroiled in a legal battle over the origins of butter chicken, a popular Indian dish. The Gujral family, owners of Moti Mahal, claims that their grandfather invented the dish in the 1930s, while Daryaganj argues that their late family member partnered with the Gujrals and holds the right to claim its invention. The dispute has garnered widespread attention in India, with TV segments and social media debates, and the case is currently being heard in the Delhi High Court.
Two Indian restaurant chains, Moti Mahal and Daryaganj, are embroiled in a legal battle over the origins of butter chicken, a globally renowned Indian dish. Moti Mahal claims its founder invented the curry in the 1930s in Peshawar before moving to Delhi, while Daryaganj argues that its late family member partnered with Moti Mahal's founder to open the Delhi restaurant in 1947, thus giving it the right to claim the creation of the dish. The dispute has captured national attention, with the court set to rely on circumstantial evidence and testimonies to determine the dish's true origins.
Pumpkin pie and sweet potato pie are both beloved desserts in American cuisine, but they have distinct histories and followings. Sweet potato pie has roots in European settlers' attempts to replicate carrot pie, while enslaved Africans in America adopted the dish and made it their own. It has since become a hallmark of Black cuisine. On the other hand, pumpkin pie's origins can be traced back to European settlers experimenting with locally grown pumpkins, and it gained popularity through its association with Thanksgiving. Both pies have their dedicated fans, with personal preferences often influenced by upbringing and cultural heritage.
As Disney and Warner Bros. celebrate their 100th anniversaries, the article explores the significance of studio commissaries during the Golden Age of Hollywood. These dining establishments served as gathering places for actors, crew members, and executives, where power dynamics and dealmaking often took place. Each studio had its own unique style, stars, and menu items. While many studios still have commissaries today, the industry has changed, with fewer productions being made on the lots and stars rarely being photographed there. The article provides a glimpse into the commissaries of Disney, Fox, Paramount, MGM, and Universal, highlighting their history and notable dishes.
Max Miller, creator of the YouTube channel Tasting History, takes on the challenge of recreating a 2000-year-old "pizza" depicted on a Pompeiian fresco. The fresco, part of the xenia genre, shows a round bread with a spreadable cheese-like ingredient called moretum. Miller explains the preparation of moretum using details from a poem attributed to Virgil. The Roman bread is baked and topped with moretum, white cheese, dates, pomegranates, or other ingredients seen in the fresco. Miller notes that Pompeiians likely ate the toppings individually before consuming the bread.
Archaeologists in Pompeii have discovered a 2,000-year-old fresco depicting what could be the precursor to modern-day pizza. The painting, found in a partially explored bakery annex, shows a silver platter holding a round flatbread along with fruits and a goblet of red wine. The fresco is believed to represent the hospitable gifts offered to guests, following a Greek tradition. The director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park noted the contrast between the frugal meal depicted and the luxury of silver trays, drawing a parallel to the evolution of pizza from a "poor" dish to a global phenomenon.