If you could only...

[andlulu]

If you could only have one type (meaning Ethnicity) of food for the rest of your days..... which would you choose? and why?

I would choose French, I love their style of eating and all the succulent type foods that are envolved.

[Jfields]

Mexican
but I would miss good southern home cooking

[MSPD]

Japanese.

[Pan]

I would probably choose Chinese food. As it is, I eat more of it than any other kind. It's delicious and also comfort food for me. And in a way, choosing "Chinese" food is cheating, because I get to keep the great variety between Cantonese/Hong Kong style, Taiwanese, Shanghainese, Fuzhounese, Chao Zhou, Sichuan, Hunan, etc.

[dustchick]

Mexican food. I barely go a day without it.

[amkirkland]

... and of course that's a joke. Italian... it's just so comforting. But I would miss meat pies.

[amkirkland]

British

[chocokitty]

I have to say French because of its eminence in baked goods category, in my opinion.

The runner up is Chinese-Cantonese food because I grew up with this food all my life.

[yankeebbq]

If I could only eat one type of cuisine ? It would have to be American. Give me a burger or some golden fried chicken. A slab of ribs and a slice of pecan pie. I mean I love to go out and try different types of cuisine and I would totally miss my Mexican,French and Chinese favorites but I could survive and eat well on an American diet.

[Chimayo Joe]

I'd have to say Indian. I love basmati rice and the combinations of spices involved with Indian food. There's much more variety than what is found on the menu of the typical Indian restaurant. Doubt that I'd ever tire of it.

Runner-up is Mexican because I like a very high percentage of the foods and really like meats combined with citrus as in Yucatan cooking.

[TexasToast]

Yay! One more for Indian!

TT

[cityradar]

have to be chinese, it is so diverse, you would never get bored, you have spicy sichuan, and cantonese, shanghainese, a different meal every time!

[DiningDiva]

Mexican. The fruits, the vegetables, the soups, the diversity, the bold flavors.

[Morton the Mousse]

California Cuisine.

[jjb75]

what is "california cuisine?"

[TexasToast]

It's when you take a perfectly good product, say, oh I don't know, pizza, for example, and turn it into this:

http://www.play7.com/images/cpk_5.jpg

TT

[Morton the Mousse]

CPK:Cal Cuisine as KFC:Soul Food. Now if you want a real Cal style pizza, get the wild nettle and pecorino pie at Pizzaiolo in Oakland.

Here's a picture of the genuine article (and this image will actually load on your computer):

http://www.bunrab.com/yummychow/Revie...

[TexasToast]

My link loaded! But yeah, that pizza does look good.

TT

[writergirl]

I'm a California native, and the first time I'd even heard of CPK was from two Texas friends I made while living in London! They taught me to love it...NOT! ;p

[TexasToast]

CA transplant and former Texan (if there's such a thing).

TT

[Morton the Mousse]

A style of food originating in the SF Bay Area and largely influenced by Mediterranean traditions. Food is prepared in a manner that emphasizes the pure flavors of stellar ingredients. Preparation tends to be on this simple side and you wont find any heavy handed reductions. It's the sort of fresh, vibrant food that I can happily eat every day. If you ever visit California you should give it a try.

Sample Menu from Chez Panisse (the origin of Cal Cuisine):
http://www.chezpanisse.com/pgdownmenu.html

Cal Cuisine on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Californ...

[Mill City Modern]

I'm tempted to choose Italian, but I might have to go with Thai.

[jjb75]

Thai! it's flavorful, spicy, diverse full of veggies and generally healthy. You can have anything from a soupy, coconut curry to a super freakin' flavorful (my favorite)pad kee mow stir fry.

[Bob Brooks]

French. I'm not sure that it's the healthiest cuisine, but it sure makes me happy.

[jfood]

This is a toughy. But if it is one cuisine I needed to think through my meals for the day and include all three courses for dinner.

Breakfast - In my mind there are only two types, American to clog the veins with bacon eggs sausage, waffles, etc. and French via croissants, pastries, etc.

Lunch - Basically this is an open book and there are seven r eight that qualify as acceptable.

Dinner - Here's where we have a clear winner. Entrees, man you can have 10-15 different winners. Apps, I definitely go for Italian as the winner with French second. The key to the entire analysis is dessert, where I just do not like any Italian desserts, I know its a character flaw. On the other hand, the French desserts are worth rubbing on the body.

So the clear winner takinginto account the entire day of eating is French.

[andlulu]

haha.. I like that..

[krissywats]

I am so with you!! I thought i was the only one that doesn't like Italian desserts. Whew - so glad I have company....both in the not-liking and in the rubbing on the body.

[TexasToast]

I'd wrestle between Chinese and Indian, but would have to come down on the side of Indian. I mean, Naan bread and all those different types of curries? You'd never run out of flavor combinations!

TT

[tikka]

I am tempted by Vietnamese and Indian, but would most likely have to go with Italian

[pescatarian]

I love Indian, Thai and Italian, but I think if it was all I could eat endlessly without worrying about getting tired of it it'd be Middle Eastern. I love the garlicky, spicy, lemony flavours, I could eat good hummous and matbucha and fried eggplants and dolmades endlessly. Nice veggies, small amount of meat and yummy warm pita bread.

[andlulu]

Mmm yes, all that sounds sooo good too.

[macca]

You convinced me. I would be sad to have only one kind of food. But after reading your post, I realized I love garlic and lemon, too.

[Seth Chadwick]

Mexican. It is pure comfort food for me.

[BJK]

Definitely Chinese. I could definitely find satisfaction between all the various regional cuisines. I might even learn to like Chinese pastries.

:)
BK

[Foodrat]

Chinese for me, too. Especially Cantonese. While vacationing in Southern China and Hong Kong a few years ago, I couldn't get enough "Chinese" food (but I guess when I was there, it was just referred to as "food!"). Even when I came home, I could still eat it, even though it wasn't as good... I just NEVER get tired of eating Chinese food!

[theotherhalfofdh]

Chinese

[gini]

My mother and I strongly debate this. She's in the Chinese category - I'm in the Italian - although I have my days where I feel uncertain.

Both have so much variety both in regions, preparation, and an array of different fruits, vegetables, fishes and game.

As for what I would eat for breakfast? Cappuccino! Probably a roll with some jam or fruit. Maybe some cheese or yogurt. Typical Italian breakfasts are coffee and a brioche, and most Italians do eat breakfast. It is low in calories and usually high in carbohydrates. Few eat cereal or eggs & sausage.

I have no idea why people choose French over Italian. Almost anything in French cooking was either stolen from the Italians or an excuse to cover up overripe meat with a sauce. Having lived a portion of my life in France, I can say this - I am consistently surprised at Americans' interests in French cooking. On the other hand, I enjoy French food as much as I do every other cuisine, but being the only available cuisine to eat forever? No thanks.

[andlulu]

There's nothing strong to debate for me, just good food.

[Das Ubergeek]

Italian, hands down.

I like French food OK but two weeks in France is enough to send me screaming to a pasta shop.

[andlulu]

Im more partial to the Canadian ways of French but all the same, French food is my favorite.

[Glencora]

In France I pined for Mexican, so I guess that would be my choice. Forget creme fraiche, I wanted sour cream.

[cheryl_h]

Chinese.

[AnneInMpls]

Vietnamese. I adore the freshness, the variety, and the wonderful combination of sweet, tangy, fishy, nutty, salty, and spicy flavors.

When I was in China for three weeks, my fellow travelers pined for hamburgers and scrambled eggs, but not me! I got "homesick" for Vietnamese food.

I sometimes wonder if I'm a reincarnated kitchen helper from ancient Vietnam. But I certainly didn't learn to cook - I'm a restaurant-only eater in this life.

Anne

[andlulu]

What is a normal Vietnamese breakfast?

[Das Ubergeek]

Depends. Anything from soy milk and a doughnut-type thing, to a bowl of pho.

[krissywats]

French.

I had a friend recently tell me she hates French food. I had her look through a cookbook that takes you through all the regions of France: pastries of all types, fish, stews, braised meats, roasted poultry, every style of vegetable, rustic cooking, high-brow cooking, cheeses and creams, and sauces of every type...by the end she looked at me and with great reluctance (she hates being wrong) said 'Ok, fine, I like French food'.

And don't even get me started on the desserts!

[andlulu]

Exactly. Everything that I eat that is French, makes me feel warm and fuzzy. (heh..)

[chow_gal]

Mexican. To the poster who put 'Latin/Hispanic', I say, not fair! That is like saying I'd have 'European' or 'Asian'. It includes so many types of distinct cuisines.

[isabellaflynn]

Italian - there is so much variety!

[andlulu]

To the Italian interests - what would you have for breakfast?

[ipsedixit]

Frittata

[Das Ubergeek]

Caffe latte and a pastry or a piece of bread with butter.

[MuppetGrrl]

I generally have frittatas on the weekends, anyway. Toast is always fine for me!

[MMRuth]

Italian.

[viperlush]

Italian

[ipsedixit]

Chinese.

[macca]

I think I would be sad all of the time- just thinking about all the good food I am missing! And I seriously cannot think of what I would choose- today it may be Italian, tomorrow may be BBQ, then Thai. Not very much help, I guess:}

[andlulu]

Of course but it's fun to know what people might do.

[sandrina]

I would choose Latino/Hispanic food just based on the vast array of possibilities and the many subcultures involved. I would never get bored. I could eat a well made Paella one day and a tasty taco the next.

[MuppetGrrl]

Italian.