[Sca-cooks] Re: Sca-cooks - Ethiopian food

[Morgan Cain]

> > A specialty restaurant only has to appeal to a small
> > >fraction of the population of a big city. Consider Ethiopian food,
> > >for example, which is a good deal more bizarre than medieval
> > >European--yet there are Ethiopian restaurants, and at least some of
> > >them draw customers from the non-Ethiopian population.
> >
> > I must question the idea that Ethiopian food is 'a good deal more
bizarre'
> > than medieval food.  From the perspective of someone born and raised in
the
> > southeastern U.S., I'd have to say that although the Ethiopian bread is
> > definately different, but the rest of it was familiar and would go
nicely
> > with cornbread at a 'supper on the grounds' (church picnic).  The foods
and
> > finished dishes were perhaps a tiny bit spicier than but not much.

> So, how would you describe Ethiopian food? What makes it unique? I
> thought it was mostly piles of things which you scooped up with a piece
> of bread. That doesn't sound too Southern-like or medieval. Is there
> Ethiopian fried chicken? :-)

Well, a lot of the greens and such remind me of the overcooked, er,
long-cooked ones I've had in the South.  Basically, it's stews and such.
Not hard to make, and somewhat generic if you think about it: put things in
a pot and cook until you decide it is done.

I don't consider most genres of food bizarre, but I grew up eating all kinds
of things, and not just because I lived in different countries.  My mother
even cooked many cuisines that suburban America would consider "unusual,"
like Greek and Japanese.  So my background might not be the same as people
on the list.

> A friend has mentioned an Ethiopian resturant in Dallas. We may try
> it out sometime. Gunthar, have you heard anything about this place?
> Although perhaps there is more than one in Dallas.

I'd be interested to try it also; often went to one or another when I lived
in Chicago.  I get tired of the same old Chinese, Italian, sushi, and BBQ
joints.  (No, I do not get tired of Mexican food!)  I just never have
incentive to go looking for places to eat out, being time-crunched and
penurious.  When I get back from Lilies, if you've gotten info, let's talk?

                                    ---= Morgan


====================================================
 "In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot
 of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
      Douglas Adams  (1952 - 2001)