Welcome to Food Hopping! This is a food blog about expanding your culinary horizons. You’re probably wondering what this is all about, who I am, and why I’m doing this.
Well, in November 2015 I sparked an idea…
I had said to myself and friends over the past six years that I would start a food blog. I wasn’t sure how to start or what it would be about, so I kept putting it on the back burner, but in November 2015 something changed. I decided I was FINALLY going to do it. I was finally going to (wo)man up and do the thing.
No more excuses. I love cooking. I love eating. I love attempting ambitious recipes that are far beyond my skill set. I’ve seriously considered going to cooking and pastry school, despite the hefty price tag and talk of long hours on your feet.
So, in January 2016 I attempted (attempted is the key word) the very ambitious task of cooking and eating a different cuisine each month. What better way to experience different cultures and learn new techniques than by inviting them into my kitchen?
Welp. It was a total flop. Lack of planning, lack of time, lack of any kind of realistic expectations. I abandoned the whole thing mid-month and placed it back on the back burner, then promptly placed it in the freezer to incubate another nine months. (And by incubate I mean totally forgot about, then woke up one day and freaked out because it was already October). Seriously, what have I been doing with my life?
Okay, back story: check. This is take two for me, take one for you.
To start, let’s set some ground rules:
- I will spend each month of 2017 cooking and eating a different cuisine.
- ‘Cuisine’ is a relative term. Depending on the country or region, I’ll decide how I want to divvy it up.
- Regardless of the cuisine, I will try to stick to a balanced diet that includes whole foods and plenty of veggies.
- I’m not allowed to buy any kitchen accessories I may never use again. (This one will require some creativity and resourcefulness)
- I will openly and willingly accept help (I’m going to need it). If you or someone you know is from the region I’m immersing myself in, I’d love to hear what the locals eat on a daily basis. If I’m using the wrong ingredients, call me out. I’m mostly going off of what I can find on the internet anyway (it can’t be wrong, right?).
Expect at least one post per week (more on social) on everything from pantry staples, restaurant reviews, twists on classic recipes, and more. I’m going to be totally transparent; you’ll see my wins and my flops. Maybe I’ll use the wrong ingredient. Maybe I won’t like a country’s national dish. Maybe I’ll spend 8 hours making croissants to later realize I’ve used the wrong kind of butter. Who knows?
Back to the point. So what’s on the menu next month? Let’s just say I’ll be kicking this off close to home. I hope you like sausages.
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