Authentic Food For The Culture

by Teal Graham

​People love good food. You can go online or turn on the TV to see people eating, cooking, or talking about food. Food is a part of everyday life in every way. Some of you will probably even try some new dish tonight off of a social media platform because you want to try something different for dinner.
 
People just love food. The way it looks, smells, and tastes just draws folks in. I bet mouths are watering just from me writing f-o-o-d.  People will go and try all kinds of food that spans across the ethnic spectrum, looking for authentic dishes that are packed full of culture and history, yet they never follow the recipe to the letter.
 
Now I know some people are wondering why is that so important? Who cares if I change the recipe a little? The truth is most people in your prospective corners would not. You and maybe even close family members would not care if you decided to omit or substitute an ingredient or two. A dish like that would still be great and may even become a family favorite, however you could never say that you got the recipe from someone because once modified it's yours.
 
As we begin to start going back to life as we knew it, there are going to be more people getting together for long awaited events, like getting together with family for Sunday dinner. People are going to bring foods that commiserate the occasion with dishes that have significance to the occasion. Dishes that have a history of family gatherings that have become a tradition for every family event. 

You know that the dish has to be respected because you can hear people inquiring who made what dish. That is why if you are supposed to make that one of a kind cake at a family gathering just like Grandma did when she was alive and well, please understand that a modified version of that is not likely what people are looking for.
 
It is this way with all dishes. They all have a history that is rich in culture and this should be respected by everyone. Don't bring a heavily modified cultural dish to someone of that culture and think it will not be a sign of disrespect. 

It may be considered an insult that you did not intend towards a group of people during a time when emotions are high. When you make a dish that has a history and omit a key ingredient it is like saying that you recognize that a cultural group exists but the struggle of that group of people is not so important.
 
Food just like people needs to be respected. So do yourself and your loved ones a favor and don't veer off the recipe too much. It’s okay if you don’t like a certain dish. We don’t all like the same flavors. Maybe this ones not for you. Instead of trying to bend the recipe to fit your taste, why not take the opportunity to make a dish that is your creation using flavors that you love. Inspiration can come from anywhere and this is how the best dishes got created. Your newly created dish could be the next testimony of your culture which would be a great thing.