Vietnamese Foods

Teacher's Note: Our first topic for this blog will be food from around the world. Our first posting comes from Ki, one of our students, who will tell everyone about Vietnamese food.


Vietnamese cuisine is a style of cooking derived from Vietnam with fish sauce, soy sauce, rice, fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables all commonly used. Vietnamese recipes utilize a deverse range of herbs, including lemongrass, mint, Vietnamese mint, long coriander and Thai basil leaves. Traditional Vietnamese cooking is greatly admired for freshness of the ingredients and for the healthy eating style.


The most common meats used in Vietnamese cuisine are fish, chicken, pork, beef, and various kind of seafood. The Vietnamese also have a strong vegeterian tradition influenced by Buddhist and Chinese values.


Popular dishes:

Noodle dishes:

Name: Banh hoi.

Description: An extremely thin noodle that is woven into intricate bundles. Often topped with spring onion and a complementary meat dish such as roasted pork.











Name: Mi Quang.

 Description: A popular and extremely complicated noodle dish, originating from Quang Nam (province). Mi Quang varies in its preparation but features sharply contrasting flavors and textures in a shallow bowl of broth, noodles, herbs, vegetables, and roasted rice chips.








Sticky rice dishes:

Name: Banh chung.

Description: Sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves and stuffed with mung bean paste, lean pork and black pepper, traditionally eaten during the Lunar New Year. Banh chung is popular in the North, while its cousin version banh tet is more popular in the South. Banh tet has the same content , except cylindrical in shape and lean pork is substituted with fatty pork.





Name: Xoi

Description: Sticky rice with coconut milk, cooked the same way as one cooks rice, or steamed for a firmer texture and more flavorful taste. It comes in a great number of varieties. There are different types of Xoi:

This sticky rice is called "Xoi Gac". It made with the aril and seeds of Gac fruit.

 This sticky rice is called "Xoi La Cam". It made with the magenta plant.

And this sticky rice is called "Xoi Ngu Sac" - 5 colored purple from the leaf extract of the magenta plants, green from pandan leaf, red from Gac fruit, yellow from mung beans, and the white color of natural glutinous rice.









Dumplings and pancakes:

Name: Banh beo.

Desscription: A central Vietnamese dish consisting of tiny round rice flour pancakes, each served in a similarly shaped dish. They are topped with minced shrimp and other ingredients such as chives, fried shallots and pork rinds.










Name: Banh xeo.

Description: A type of crepe made out of rice flour with tumeric, shrimps with shells on, slivers of fatty pork, sliced onions, and sometimes button mushrooms, fried in one or two teaspoons of oil, which is the most popular oil used in Vietnam. It is eaten with lettuce and various local herbs and dipped in sweet fermented peanut butter sauce. Rice papers are sometimes used as wrappers to contain banh xeo and the accompanying vegetables.


Desserts:

Name: Che.

Description: A sweet desert beverage or pudding usually made from beans and sticky rice. Many varieties of che are available, each with different fruits, beans ( for example mung beans or kidney beans), and other ingredients. Che can be served cold or hot.










Name: Kem Flan.

Description: Caramel custard with a layer of soft caramel on top, as opposed to creme brulee, which is custard with a hard caramel top. The dish is eaten throughout the world.

Vietnamese cuisine is very well known in the world. Vietnamese are very happy and glad to invite foreigners and share their delicious foods.

Coca-Cola - "Life Begins Here"

Teacher's Note: The next entry comes from Nastia, and will talk about the history and culture behind one of the most recognized brands, Coca-Cola.

As our main topic has recently been food, I’ve decided to write here about one thing, which seems to me the most international one, well-known in every corner of our immense world: Coca-Cola. Everyone has seen it, everyone has tried it and almost everyone likes it. But how many of you know about the history of  the brightest example of globalization? It’s actually very  interesting! You have an excellent chance to find out about it right now!

The prototype Coca-Cola recipe was formulated at the Eagle Drug and Chemical Company, a drugstore in Columbus, Georgia run by John Pemberton. It was originally sold as a coca wine called Pemberton's French Wine Coca. He may have been inspired by the formidable success of Vin Mariani, a European coca wine.

In 1886, when Atlanta and Fulton County passed prohibition legislation, Pemberton responded by developing Coca-Cola, essentially a non-alcoholic version of French Wine Coca. The first sales were at Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 8, 1886. It was initially sold as a patent medicine for five cents a glass at soda fountains, which were popular in the United States at the time due to the belief that carbonated water was good for the health. Pemberton claimed Coca-Cola cured many diseases, including morphine addiction, dyspepsia, neurasthenia, headache, and impotence. Pemberton ran the first advertisement for the beverage on May 29 of the same year in the Atlanta Journal.

By 1888, three versions of Coca-Cola — sold by three separate businesses — were on the market. Asa Griggs Candler acquired a stake in Pemberton's company in 1887 and incorporated it as the Coca Cola Company in 1888. The same year, while suffering from an ongoing addiction to morphine, Pemberton sold the rights a second time to four more businessmen: J.C. Mayfield, A.O. Murphey, C.O. Mullahy and E.H. Bloodworth. Meanwhile, Pemberton's alcoholic son Charley Pemberton began selling his own version of the product.

John Pemberton declared that the name "Coca-Cola" belonged to Charley, but the other two manufacturers could continue to use the formula. So, in the summer of 1888, Candler sold his beverage under the names Yum Yum and Koke. After both failed to catch on, Candler set out to establish a legal claim to Coca-Cola in late 1888, in order to force his two competitors out of the business. Candler purchased exclusive rights to the formula from John Pemberton, Margaret Dozier and Woolfolk Walker. However, in 1914, Dozier came forward to claim her signature on the bill of sale had been forged, and subsequent analysis has indicated John Pemberton's signature was most likely a forgery as well.

In 1892 Candler incorporated a second company, The Coca-Cola Company (the current corporation), and in 1910 Candler had the earliest records of the company burned, further obscuring its legal origins. By the time of its 50th anniversary, the drink had reached the status of a national icon in the USA. In 1935, it was certified kosher by Rabbi Tobias Geffen, after the company made minor changes in the sourcing of some ingredients.

Coca-Cola was sold in bottles for the first time on March 12, 1894. The first outdoor wall advertisement was painted in the same year as well in Cartersville, Georgia. Cans of Coke first appeared in 1955.The first bottling of Coca-Cola occurred in Vicksburg, Mississippi, at the Biedenharn Candy Company in 1891. Its proprietor was Joseph A. Biedenharn. The original bottles were Biedenharn bottles, very different from the much later hobble-skirt design that is now so familiar. Asa Candler was tentative about bottling the drink, but two entrepreneurs from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Benjamin F. Thomas and Joseph B. Whitehead, proposed the idea and were so persuasive that Candler signed a contract giving them control of the procedure for only one dollar. Candler never collected his dollar, but in 1899 Chattanooga became the site of the first Coca-Cola bottling company. The loosely termed contract proved to be problematic for the company for decades to come. Legal matters were not helped by the decision of the bottlers to subcontract to other companies, effectively becoming parent bottlers.

Coke concentrate, or Coke syrup, was and is sold separately at pharmacies in small quantities, as an over-the-counter remedy for nausea or mildly upset stomach.

Advertising

Coca-Cola's advertising has significantly affected American culture, and it is frequently credited with inventing the modern image of Santa Claus as an old man in a red-and-white suit. Although the company did start using the red-and-white Santa image in the 1930s, with its winter advertising campaigns illustrated by Haddon Sundblom, the motif was already common.Coca-Cola was not even the first soft drink company to use the modern image of Santa Claus in its advertising: White Rock Beverages used Santa in advertisements for its ginger ale in 1923, after first using him to sell mineral water in 1915.Before Santa Claus, Coca-Cola relied on images of smartly dressed young women to sell its beverages. Coca-Cola's first such advertisement appeared in 1895, featuring the young Bostonian actress Hilda Clark as its spokeswoman.

Logo design

 The famous Coca-Cola logo was created by John Pemberton's bookkeeper, Frank Mason Robinson, in 1885.Robinson came up with the name and chose the logo's distinctive cursive script. The typeface used, known as Spencerian script, was developed in the mid 19th century and was the dominant form of formal handwriting in the United States during that period.

Robinson also played a significant role in early Coca-Cola advertising. His promotional suggestions to Pemberton included giving away thousands of free drink coupons and plastering the city of Atlanta with publicity banners and streetcar signs.

Designer bottles

Karl Lagerfeld is the latest designer to have created a collection of aluminum bottles for Coca-Cola. Lagerfeld is not the first fashion designer to create a special version of the famous Coca-Cola Contour bottle. A number of other limited edition bottles by fashion designers for Coca Cola Light soda have been created in the last few years.

In 2009, in Italy, Coca-Cola Light had a Tribute to Fashion to celebrate 100 years of the recognizable contour bottle. Well known Italian designers Alberta Ferretti, Blumarine, Etro, Fendi, Marni, Missoni, Moschino, and Versace each designed limited edition bottles.

The spiciest foods in the world

We have had foods that left us reaching for a sip of water. We are sure that whatever it was you had last will pale for comparison with some of the world's spiciest foods.

These daring creations feature some of the spiciest chili peppers in the world - many of which are standard fare in the countries they originate from.

10. Phaal Curry – Southern India

Phaal, also sometimes spelled phall, is a dish that was originally created in Southern India. While the dish contains 10 different pepper varieties, the distinct taste of this thick curry comes from the Bhut jolokia chili pepper, referred to as a Naja pepper in other areas of the world. This particular pepper has been named the "most potent pepper on earth" by the folks at Guinness World Records.

9. Neua Pad Prik – Thailand

 Neua pad prik, also known as Thai pepper, is an incredibly popular stir-fry dish unique to Central Thailand. The main ingredient - giving the dish its searing heat - is the birds-eye chili pepper, also referred to as the Thai chili padi. It's a staple ingredient in kitchens around the country.

8. Pork Vindaloo – Goa, India

The original pork vindaloo is a Portuguese dish that was brought to India during the 16^th century occupation. This incredible curry dish has been jazzed up with local ingredients including the same Bhut jokokia chili pepper used in the phaal curry mentioned above. The dish also features local seasonings and spices such as cardamom, garlic, and turmeric.

7. Hot Pot – Sichuan Province, China

 A hot pot is a traditional Sichuan dish that features a pot of vegetable broth simmering over heat at a table. As the meal goes on the meat and vegetables are added to the pot as it cooks on the table with visitors and guests surrounding it. The hot pot is particularly hot because of the Sichuan “flower” pepper. The pepper is so spicy it can cause a numbing sensation in the mouth.

6. Hot Suicide Wings – Chicago, Illinois

When you walk into Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap in Chicago, Illinois you’ll be faced with a choice: sign the health waiver or forego ordering their famous “XXX HOT” wings. The sauce made to smother these wings includes the Red Savina habanero pepper – also known in some areas as the Ball of Fire or the Dominican Devil’s Tongue.

5. Frango Piri-Piri – Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa

Frango piri-piri is a chicken dish featuring a distinct chili pepper marinade. The main ingredient in the marinade is the red piri-piri pepper, also known as the African devil, and provides a considerable amount of kick to any dish it’s used in. The pepper is especially popular in marinades throughout Angola, Mozambique, and other nearby countries.

4. Caribbean Jerk Chicken – Jamaica

Order Caribbean Jerk Chicken at a Jamaican restaurant in the United States and you’ll get a deliciously spicy dish. Order that same chicken in Jamaica and you’ll have a completely different experience. The red Scotch bonnet pepper is a key ingredient when it comes to seasoning the chicken and adds a blazing heat you’ll grow to respect.

3. Papas a la Huancaina – Peru

Don’t let the look of this appealing dish deceive you when it arrives at your table. Papas a la Huancaina consists of boiled potatoes and eggs smothered in a cold cheese sauce. What you won’t realize until you begin to eat is that the sauce is heavily spiced and includes the Aji Amarillo pepper. Known for being the hottest in the region, the pepper is usually dried and ground to be used in a powdered form when cooking.

2. Devil Pork Curry – Malacca, Malaysia

The devil pork curry dish made in Malaysia is yet another Portuguese inspired creation. During the 16^th century, Malacca was a major stop for traders carrying spices. This particular dish packs a wallop because of its unique blend of vinegar, mustard, turmeric, and – of course – the birds-eye chili pepper.

1. Kimchi Jjigae – South Korea

Kinchi jjigae is perhaps one of the spiciest dishes you’ll eve encounter. Made in Korea, this stew dish features a mix of pork, seafood, or tofu and vegetables in a kimchi base. Kimchi is a pickled garnish made out of a special cabbage and a distinct blend of herbs. The spiciest kimchi dishes are made with red chili peppers which, when mixed with the mixture used to pickle the cabbage, becomes lethally spicy. It’s a dish you’ll never forget trying.
Remember to make sure you have water at the table before you dig into any of these tasty dishes. We’re sure you’ll enjoy them but want you to live to tell us about the experience!

Meet Our Investigators

Before we start the exploration of what makes our world so unique and so crazy, we thought it would be best to introduce ourselves:

- Nick: As the teacher of this group, it falls to him to guide his students on their explorations. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, his passions include following his beloved Boston Celtics, finding a Dunkin' Donuts in Moscow that can make a decent cup of coffee, and music of the rock and/or roll variety. When he's not teaching, he tries (though not very well) to learn Russian.

- Ki: The only Vietnamese member of the class, he helps to make it the multicultural team that it is. He enjoys martial arts, learning English, eating and cooking Vietnamese food, and making friends with other foreigners to Russia. He will be our Asian correspondent, dealing with all things throughout the continent.

Nastia: The member of the class who puts "crazy" into the phrase "this crazy world". When she's not plotting to stop the royal wedding between Kate Middleton and Prince William, she enjoys finding a backup for Prince William (preferably a ballroom dancer), traveling, all things French, and dancing. She will be our correspondent on European culture.

Nikita: The oldest student in the class. Nikita likes basketball, chasing girls, playing World of Warcraft (which drives the girls even further away), and stealing candies from Nastia. He is the only university student in the class, and he spends much of the class telling the other students about all of his fun adventures at the university, which makes them jealous.

Lidia: The only student in the class who speaks fluent French. She enjoys traveling, Latin-American dance, speaking French (though in Moscow, this isn't as valuable a skill as you may think). She enjoys fashion, writing stories, and hates mushrooms and all things and people that resemble mushrooms. She also likes Johnny Depp, despite his age and because he has no mushroom-like qualities.

Artem: He speaks fluent German, enjoys basketball, Liverpool football, and volleyball. He loves new adventures, traveling on said adventures, and watching South Park and Beavis and Butthead while on these adventures. He hates spinach, but loves tushenka. He also likes to watch live games at stadiums.

Now that the introductions are complete, let's start the blog!