Joyful Joy of Feeding In Three Instalments (1 of 3)

The best description I've heard of Joy of Feeding is how one of the key organizers, Meeru Dhalwala, says it: "celebrating ego-free, home cooked meals from various heritages."

And the event delivers!


16 unique food experiences in one afternoon and many beautiful memories of the day that even three articles here won't give it credit.

From Southern Italy, and by a friend of 20 years now, is the refreshing Peperonata. Three hours of chopping peppers and eggplants to feed 600+ people produced this beautiful looking plate that kept on giving, served on crusty bread with a shaving of parmesan cheese.

From Chile comes Chile's favourite home cooked meal, Pastel de Choclo - sort of chicken and meat corn pie that each bite hits you with a different taste experience; spicy, sweet, tangy, creamy and definitely tasty.

The two sweetest ladies from Egypt were thrilled to introduce me to Koshary - a simple, yet most popular street food in Egypt (and it seems what local residents were feeding protestors during the demonstrations that brought democracy to Egypt last year). A mix of cooked rice, green lentils and macaroni, covered with caramelized onions and topped with a flavourful tomato sauce - I am going to try this at home for sure.

Also from Africa but further south, another couple of sweet ladies from Ghana served a Ghanian Chicken Stew. Rumour has it that an improvisation took place in the kitchen and turmeric was added to the dish the last minute turning it this beautiful colour. Simple and not too spicy, this was one of the highlights for me.

Our own roots in British Columbia were represented by the Tsimshian Nation with Fry Bread. Trays of those beautiful breads kept on coming out to feed the hundreds of hungry roaming around.  

And our cook spoiled us by offering a choice of plain or cinnamon sugar ones. By now it was time for a sweet break and I cleansed my pallet with the sweet ones - really nice.

And this is only the beginning. Eleven more countries to try, so tune back tomorrow and follow the second instalment of my Joy of Feeding adventure.


Now those of you who did not take me up on my offer of being my fully-paid-for-date for this event (read Blogger Looking for a Date), are you regretting it or what??


See you all tomorrow with the second instalment.