Ethnic baby food
Ethnic Foods Your Kids Need to Try at Least Once
Heading out of the country and sampling international foods has been put on the back burner as of late. Luckily, you don’t even have to leave your kitchen to get a head start on enjoying some of the best dishes the world has to offer. From savory meat dishes and sweet breads, to hearty soups and fondue, keep scrolling to see some of our favorite recipes from around the world.
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Hänchen-Schnitzel
Curious CuisiniereGet this easy German Chicken Schnitzel on the table in no time thanks to Curious Cuisiniére‘s recipe! This thin-sliced chicken recipe cooks quickly and is easily served with traditional German sides, or along your fave veggies, too.
Phở
Gimme Some OvenChilly night? Time for some Vietnamese Phở! While this traditional soup can take quite some time to prepare (it’s all about the broth!), this recipe from Gimme Some Oven gives some easy shortcuts that gets in on the table in 45 minutes. Kids will love putting in their own veggies and meat, while cutting their noodles with a pair of scissors.
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Turkish Gozleme
Give RecipeTurkish gozleme is a cheese and spinach stuffed bread that is irresistible. The traditional street food can be yours by following Give Recipe, which uses a super easy dough recipe that’s then packed with a savory filling and fried.
Ropa Vieja
The Daring GourmetThe Daring Gourmet’s Cuban Ropa Vieja recipe is so easy, it will quickly become a part of your menu rotation. Made with flank steak, veggies and lots of fragrant spices, this traditional shredded beef dish easily pairs with rice and beans—things even picky eaters like! Dinner is served.
Baked Chicken Jollof Rice
Recipes from a PantryTime for a new spin on your regular chicken and rice recipe! This traditional African recipe uses Jollof rice, which is basically a blend of tomato puree and rice, and adds savory chicken and veggies. Recipes from a Pantry gives you the easy details for this baked recipe that makes dinner a breeze.
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Biryani
Food FanaticMake sneaking in the veggies a breeze with Food Fanatic‘s Indian Vegetable Biryani! While this recipe does have quite the ingredient list, your kiddos will hardly notice their scarfing down carrots, green beans and peas.
Baklava
Spatula DessertsNo Greek meal is complete without a slice of baklava. And while the layered dessert may seem difficult, it actually requires just a few ingredients and a little patience. Kids will love the sweet flavor and counting all those layers. Check out Spatula Desserts to see how easy it is!
Japanese Milk Bread
Simmer SauceAlso known as Hokkaido milk bread, this Japanese specialty is a soft and springy bread that has a slight sweetness. It’s the perfect weekend project since you’ll need to let it rise twice. Head to Simmer + Sauce to get the recipe.
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Dumplings
A Little YumminessMany countries have their own version of the dumpling, but Chinese dumplings are a well-known and traditional food for families to make together for Chinese New Year. Depending on the type, they may be steamed, boiled or pan-fried, with different shapes and fillings—and they’re all tasty! Introduce your kids to this easy dumpling recipe. Meat, scallions and soy sauce combine to make these savory bites, and they’re simple to make with a wonton wrapper. Try making them with the sweet and salty dipping sauce on the side.
Fondue
Angela Pham via UnsplashFondue is fun to eat, and kids will love the idea of dipping chunks of bread, meat and veggies into a big pot of gooey, melted cheese. This Swiss dish dates back to the 17th century, but we’re still digging it today! Have your own family fondue party with this recipe from Genius Kitchen. Want something a little sweeter? Try a chocolate fondue for dessert, and use fresh fruit and chunks of pound cake for dipping.
Crepes
Catherine McCord/WeeliciousTake an imaginary trip to Paris when you whip up a batch of these yummy paper-thin pancakes. Originating in the northwest region of the country, creperies are now found all over France and offer both sweet and savory variations. Kids can easily help by mixing up the batter and selecting the fillings: Go classic with ham and cheese or sweet sugar and lemon, or get adventurous with your own ideas. Need some inspiration? Try this easy crepe recipe by Catherine McCord of Weelicious.
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Ramen
The Six O’Clock ScrambleIf your only experience with ramen is a ten-cent crinkly package from the grocery store, it’s time to try the real deal version of this popular Japanese dish. The nourishing broth packed with slurp-worthy noodles and endless variations of toppings is a definite kid-pleaser. Your kids can help you make this hearty version full of tofu, veggies and a bit of ginger.
Bibimbap
Nikolay Smeh vua UnsplashMeaning “mixed rice,” this amazing dish from Korea is the ultimate rice bowl. On a bed of warm rice, you might find a combo like fried and raw veggies, seasoned grilled meat or tofu, a red chili paste called gochujang and a fried egg added on top. Bibimbap is a great way to introduce kids to new ingredients, and an even better way to use up those extra veggies that are hanging around. Check out this mouthwatering recipe from Rasa Malaysia complete with an extensive list of suggested toppings.
Sushi
Agnes Hsu/hello, WonderfulTurn your kids into big-time sushi lovers! Simple veggie sushi rolls are easy, healthy and just the right size for little hands. It’s fun to make and eat together at home, and even not-so-adventurous eaters will want these egg, edamame and rice rolls from hello, Wonderful. Start with basic flavors that they’ll love, and then slowly expand the sushi repertoire to include more adventurous foods and textures.
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Souvlaki
Marcus Winkler via UnsplashMake a batch of Greek souvlaki skewers, and it’s a win-win for everyone. Kids love the fun of food on a stick, and adults will love the juicy marinated chicken with lemon, garlic and a side of cool, refreshing tzatziki sauce. Try the recipe by Lemons for Lulu here.
Injera and Lentils
RuslanDashinsky via iStockBesides being flavorful and nutritious, eating Ethiopian food is a community experience. Food is often eaten with hands and served on a large shared plate, along with plenty of injera, a spongy and slightly fermented flatbread that’s perfect for sharing. This recipe from Lighter has great tips for adjusting the flavors for kids who don’t love a ton of spice. Authentic injera takes several days for the fermenting process, but you can take the easy route and make this quick recipe in about an hour!
Meze
Kare Raye/Kitchen TreatyFor a casual meal, put together tasty nibbles and make a meze platter. Made up of a variety of foods served small-plate style, meze is common throughout the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and offers the perfect opportunity for little foodies to sample new foods, like creamy hummus and baba ghanouj. Try making this gorgeous Mediterranean-inspired meze from Kitchen Treaty, and watch it disappear.
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Chicken Tikka
amirali mirhashemian via UnsplashThis juicy chicken made with yogurt and spices and grilled on skewers is a yummy introduction to Indian cuisine. Let the kids help in the kitchen by mixing up the yogurt and curry marinade for this quick chicken tikka that’s sure to become a new family favorite.
Jerk Chicken
Jane Maynard/This Week for DinnerYou can’t talk about the foods of the Caribbean without bringing up Jamaican jerk. Moist, spicy and smoky, this memorable seasoning and cooking method produces some of the most flavorful food around. Although traditional jerk can be a bit spicy for little palates, this modified version by This Week for Dinner gives you the signature flavors without as much heat.
Empanadas
Bakd&Raw by Karolin Baitinger via UnsplashFlaky, portable and delicious, there are endless combination ideas for these perfect pastries that work for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Whether you go savory or sweet, you’re definitely in for a treat. Bring some of the flavors of South America right to your table with these homemade beef empanadas from Laylita’s Recipes.
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—Anna Doogan & Karly Wood
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What Babies Eat Around The World
When it comes to making baby food, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut: peas and chicken tonight, avocado and tuna tomorrow, turkey meatballs the next day, repeat. While you don’t have to ditch those tried and true favorites, you can add a bit of variety by taking culinary inspiration from these popular baby food dishes served around the world.
Chinese Babies Eat Steamed Fish
Steamed, deboned fish is abundant in China, and this healthful protein-packed meat is often prepared in a dish called congee. Congee is the rice cereal of the Asian world; it’s a neutral comfort food that can be easily altered with any ingredients you have on hand. In China, congee is often made with bamboo shoots or tofu in addition to steamed fish. Rice doesn’t grow as well in the climate of Northern China, so families in northern cities substitute rice with other ancient grains like millet.
Korean Babies Eat Seaweed
…and moms eat it too! Miyeokguk, or seaweed soup, has been a postpartum tradition since the eighth century. Babies seem to love the taste and texture of seaweed, and it’s rich in nutrients like iron, iodine, and fiber. Nori seaweed can be purchased at almost any health food store, and it makes a great occasional snack for your little one. It’s full of omega-3 fatty acids (hello, brain power!), calcium, vitamin B12, and more. Plus, the texture is so fun! It starts out crunchy but dissolves in your baby’s mouth, so it isn’t a choking hazard.
Spanish Babies Eat Paella
Paella features saffron, one of Spain’s favorite spices, and a host of other tasty and healthy delicacies. Recipes depend on what’s in season, but all are some combination of meat or seafood, rice, and vegetables. Paella is popular because it’s easy to make with whatever you’ve got in the fridge, and you only use one pan to cook it all. Want to make it truly authentic? Add snails!
Swedish Babies Eat Bologna
Okay, so it’s not exactly bologna. But falukorv is a classic Swedish comfort food, and it’s prepared a lot like your average bologna. Typically made of pork or beef mixed with potato starch and basic spices (salt, pepper, onion, etc.), falukorv comes precooked and ready for eating. It can be sliced like a deli meat, fried, or baked with a tasty cheesy topping every baby will love. Falukorv makes a great addition to mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, or as a bacon replacement at breakfast. Like most sausage, it’s high in fat and not exactly the healthiest choice, so save it for a treat or snack time.
Indian Babies Eat Mung Beans
What, exactly, is a mung bean? Like other beans, these legumes are high in protein and fiber. Stateside, mung beans are most commonly found in their sprouted form, especially as a salad topper. In India, mung beans are known as moong daland are staples in several recipes for both adults and babies. Mung beans have a flexible flavor and will take on the taste of whatever you choose to cook them with. Plus, they cook much faster than other beans, so they’re a wonderful last-minute vegetarian meal. Rachel Ray suggests a porridge of mung beans, coconut milk, and ginger. Sounds delish!
Mexican Babies Eat Achiote
Achiote is a spice blend of annatto seed, oregano, garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vinegar. Sound intriguing? Your baby will think so, too! Achiote adds depth and interest to your daily staples. Try rubbing it on grilled chicken or stirring it into the water you use to cook rice. Achiote is like a superspice – it’s a blend of several antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory spices. Smoky but not spicy, this underused flavor will punch up your meal and impress your baby’s palate.
Japanese Babies Eat Octopus
Octopus isn’t something most adultswould consider eating, but it’s a common dish for people of all ages in Japan. This delicacy is frequently served in dumpling form as either takoyakior akashiyaki. These little balls of yummy are fluffy and light – akashiyakiis typically made with egg, while takoyaki is made with flour. Either makes a great finger food for your toddler!
Hungry children of the superpower: the US is facing a baby food crisis
The country lacks food for the little ones - the supply of infant formula has almost halved. Parents are encouraged to temporarily use cow's milk to feed their babies, but if possible, not to do so for a long time. Mothers dilute mixtures, feed their children less, spend several hours a day looking for food for their babies. Urgent flights of military aircraft deliver shipments of baby food from abroad by order of the President. nine0003
Empty shelves for baby food in a New Jersey store, USA
© Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
All of this is not a reality in any third world country, but the daily life of the last weeks of many families in the United States. The causes of the crisis are exclusively internal - monopoly in the economy, plus excessive, but, as it turned out, ineffective state regulation, as well as protectionism.
A real American taste
In February, when the US administration began mobilizing support for Ukraine from the West, as well as increasing sanctions pressure on Russia, the news about the shutdown of the plant for the production of Abbott infant formula in the town of Sturgis, Michigan, passed almost unnoticed. Only about 10 thousand people live in Sturgis, located between Chicago and Detroit, and hardly anyone would remember this town if it were not for the plant. Abbott controls about 42% of the US infant formula market, and half of its products are made at this facility - the largest in the country in this area. nine0003
The story began with the fact that four children were poisoned by mixtures from the plant, two of them fatally, and the enterprise temporarily stopped working. So the market lost about 20% of the supply.
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The situation was aggravated by other circumstances closely related to the peculiarities of the economic and state structure of the United States. The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could not agree on the opening of the enterprise for three months. And prohibitive trade tariffs, which were introduced to support American companies like Abbott, prevented exports from replacing their missing products - Abbott and three other similar corporations together control 90% of the US infant formula market. Another factor was that current social assistance programs in a number of states provide benefits to needy families, by virtue of contracts in force with Abbott, only when purchasing products from this manufacturer.
It is also worth noting that breastfeeding is not common in the US, as there is no paid parental leave. And measures to promote breastfeeding in the workplace have had limited impact and are more of a symbol of corporate progressiveness than widespread support for mothers, especially when it comes to low-paying jobs. nine0003
An invisible crisis
The baby food crisis lingered for three months before hitting the front pages of the newspapers and becoming a topic of discussion in Congress (while, for example, Ukraine's legislature had already approved several billion military aid). Parents bought up all the available stocks and in a matter of hours they are sorting out new batches. Stores were forced to impose restrictions on the volume of sales of mixtures in one hand, but the shelves are still empty.
If there was a 2-8% monthly mix shortage at the Sturgis plant closure due to supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, then in April this figure rose to 30%, by May 8 - up to 43%, by May 15 - 45%.
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The crisis developed, but did not attract much attention of the middle and rich sections of society, until the deficit grew enough to affect everyone. In large cities with a large number of retailers, which close numerous supply chains from different manufacturers, it is still possible to find the right product, although this may take some time, and salaries are usually higher there. The situation is much worse in small towns or ethnic enclaves, where there is often one large supermarket for thousands of inhabitants, which has contracts with a limited number of suppliers (for example, this was the Tops supermarket in Buffalo, where a white supremacist shot ten people on May 14) . The hardest hit are the poor, members of racial and ethnic minorities, living in disadvantaged areas with poorly developed infrastructure and dependent on federal or municipal social programs. nine0003
In recent days, another explanation has been voiced for why the crisis has been left unattended for a long time - despite all the talk in the United States about gender equality, gender roles and distribution of responsibilities, it is women who feed the children, and it is mostly men who make decisions and occupy leadership positions. In the current composition of the US Congress, only 144 of 539 seats (27%) are held by women - this is the maximum number in the history of the American legislature.
Who is to blame and what to do
Only last week, the federal authorities noticed the growing crisis. The White House ordered to organize an urgent delivery of infant formula from abroad, involving military aviation in this. Thousands of tons of baby food have already arrived in the United States over the weekend from the Ramstein base in Germany. Families in need who cannot afford subsidized formula were promised new benefits. The FDA has received an additional $28 million to improve the way it inspects and approves US and foreign products. The FDA has already agreed to reopen the Sturgis plant from this Monday, although it could be weeks before new formulas hit the shelves. US President Joe Biden activated the Defense Production Act of 1950, which allows the federal government to directly intervene in the production and distribution of products. Such measures have already been practiced in the event of shortages in the past.
© Jon Cherry/Getty Images
The search for the guilty began. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, the leader of the Democrats in Congress, Nancy Pelosi, threatened Abbott with criminal prosecution - after all, it was precisely because of their problems in production that the plant stopped. However, these are only assumptions - at a congressional hearing, an FDA representative said that the investigation into the incident with the poisoning of babies has not yet been completed. He also did not answer about the reasons for the three-month-long inspection of the plant, again referring to the secrecy of the investigation. nine0003
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How Americans think: what's on Biden's mind and tongue
Republicans traditionally blame Democrats: federal regulator failed in mission; democrats, boasting of being close to the people, cannot feed children in poor families. In fact, this new crisis is the very last thing the Democratic Party needs ahead of the midterm elections this fall. She responds with accusations against large corporations like Abbott that have destroyed competition, are trying to interfere with government regulation, and also seek tax breaks at the expense of voters. nine0003
Now that the problem has come to the attention of the federal authorities, it is to be expected that it will be resolved more or less quickly. Aircraft will bring baby food from abroad, redistributing supply chains will allow it to be sent to the most needy parts of the country. However, the baby food crisis was, of course, another reminder of the need to modernize the US economic and government system - bringing government regulation, tariff policy, antitrust measures, social support systems in line with the requirements of the time. Biden talked a lot about the fact that the system should first of all serve the interests of ordinary Americans, but this was during the election campaign. nine0003
The opinion of the editors may not coincide with the opinion of the author. Quoting is allowed with reference to tass.ru
Dangers of ethnic food. What can and can not eat abroad? | Proper nutrition | Health
Tatyana Ressina
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
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Story on vacation nine0002 www.![](/800/600/http/i.pinimg.com/736x/5f/cd/9b/5fcd9b81d805fc66e9c4d6232bec400a.jpg)
The concept of "ethnic food" is not used in our country. We treat food very simply, and therefore frivolously. If people eat something and don't die, then we can too. In fact, this is not entirely true - what is good for an African or Asian, from that Russian can be death. These are the features of ethnic food - it can harm a person who is not used to it. Therefore, when going to a foreign resort, follow some rules so as not to sit firmly on the toilet for the entire vacation period - it will be a shame, after all. nine0003
The biggest danger for tourists is the local water. This has been said more than once, but it is worth recalling - even if you boil the water, it will still remain “local”! Therefore, you should ALWAYS drink only bottled purified water.
When I come to Cairo or Istanbul, I always get sick of that thick stench of burnt oil, which wraps not only these, but also many other Arab cities. Here, sweets are in use, which are boiled in large and small cauldrons in boiling oil. For the sake of interest, I looked into these boilers wherever they met. And with spiritual anguish, she saw an almost black goo. This means that the oil is not changed here, the products are cooked in the same one, simply adding it as it boils away. I do not take food lying next to such a carcinogenic boiler. If I come across a cauldron with light oil, obviously recently poured, I buy it there. Which is what I recommend to everyone. nine0003
A very important rule for maintaining health is not to eat raw local food. And it's not just the worms that you can bring into your body. Raw ethnic food may simply not please your stomach - it is not used to such and such delicacies. If you really want to, then at least do not eat a lot. Pinch off just a little bit just to try. If you “stay alive” the next day, you can risk eating a whole serving.
This rule - to eat a little at first - should be unshakable in any country and on any continent. Thus, you will not only check your stomach, but also put a kind of allergic test. And you should not forget about allergies in a foreign country. nine0003
Unfamiliar fruits and vegetables are especially allergenic. Do not pounce on them immediately, even if the taste has fascinated inexpressibly. Start your acquaintance with ethnic fruits only with small portions.
Here it would be appropriate to speak about fruit juices right away. Let's be honest - in exotic countries we drink several times more of them than at home, especially when we are on an all-inclusive vacation - in a sense, for nothing. Such an amount of fructose is a terrible blow to the pancreas. With moderate juice consumption, many citizens might not know what type 2 diabetes is for a long time. But drunk on juices on vacation, some immediately get it - I'm convinced of this! Because they provoked! nine0003
To eat or not to eat such exotic things as rotten fish, eggs with germs, and the like? I confess honestly: I ate sprouted eggs in Vietnam. Somehow I felt that nothing bad would happen to me from this. There was nothing. But rotten fish did not dare to eat even once in any country. That is, a lot depends on your intuition - what is and what is not worth it.
On the other hand, you can eat fried grasshoppers and caterpillars without fear - they are fried (but first, again, look at the oil in the boiler!). nine0003
Weigh the pros and cons especially carefully before an extreme meal, such as poisonous puffer fish. To begin with, ask yourself this question - is the cook so skilled as to carefully cut out the poisonous glands from this fish? After answering this question, decide whether to take risks or not to take risks. Usually, such ambiguous dishes are recommended to be tried only in restaurants, but in no case at street vendors. Well, what can I say? And an experienced restaurant chef can one day miss, and a street cook can turn out to be a master. In general, a solid roulette. nine0003
In a sense, cooking in front of you can serve as a safety net. Watch carefully for the actions of the cook - maybe you will understand something. But in this case, the cook will not add anything extra and will not spit in the dish.
In general, be on the lookout for food in African and Asian countries. The cuisine of these countries is harmful to our brother. You can relax only in Europe - this cuisine suits us.
national cuisineexotic fruitsunhealthy foodstrip abroad
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