Food Lessons 101: You Don't Know Everything

I'm going to be honest. When I was younger I always thought that Spanish food was everything Mexican. I'm talkin' burritos, tacos, nachos, the whole bit. But as I got older I became very aware of the different types of food in the different cultures. For example, Mexican food is very different from Spanish food and the food in Ecuador is different than the food in Cuba. So of course when I realized Taco Bell was a joke and Hacienda ("Mexican" restaurant in my area back at home) was anything but authentic, imagine how deprived I felt. After all these years! I thought I knew how to spot out a great authentic restaurant but little did I know, I knew next to nothing.

I guess it was good that I went through that time of false know-it-allism because now when I think of Spanish food I think of paella, pork, seafood, a wide range of salads, bread, and more. When asked about food in Spain, I actually feel kind of knowledgeable. However there is still much to learn, there always is. For example, the names of the foods are still a bit of a challenge, simply because I am still learning the language and the meanings of words.

I absolutly love everything about food (making, creating, and tasting) so to have a true knowledge of it's origins and significance in a certain culture, means a great deal to me. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying I am a pro when it comes to food but my love for it is hard to match.