With hints of sweet, tart, and savory, Vita Nova’s famous apple walnut salad is a unique addition to a meal and great any time of the year. It’s flavors pair well on a charcuterie board or with roasted meat. While it’s ingredients are simple, the key to a well-executed Apple Walnut salad is perfecting knife cuts to achieve small, uniform pieces. Ingredients 1 large Granny Smith apple Juice of ½ lime 1 medium carrot, julienned ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced 6 tablespoons caramelized walnuts 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 3 tablespoons olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper Directions
Serve cold or at room temperature
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Over the past few decades, the United States population has become increasingly diverse while simultaneously more aware of the foods of cultures other than their own. Never before has the world had this much access to various cuisines or ingredients. Consumers in North America can now buy fruits grown exclusively in Asia and order delivery from their local Moroccan restaurant. As a college student, I still find many people around me not taking full advantage of this exciting progress in the food world. Trying new foods is more important than just not being a “picky eater”. In many ways, absorbing culinary knowledge is a rite of passage for a worldly millennial. Below are my opinions on why immersing yourself in foods of other cultures is so significant to one's personal growth: 1. You don’t know whether you like something until you taste it. Just like your mom used to tell you! Growing up in a predominately white East Coast suburb, I was not raised on jollof rice and the only kind of tortillas I knew of were the flour-based ones sold in the “international” aisle at the Giant. When I realized how diverse the world of food truly was, thanks to shows like Parts Unkown and Chefs Table, a desire in me grew to try as much as I could. The truth is, food is more exciting when you eat a wider range of flavors, ingredients, textures, and spices! 2. Eating international food is like traveling. … in a less immersive but much less expensive way. I’m a bit obsessed with traveling but have not been able to go to as many places as I want due to my college budget. However, when I eat a bowl of ramen, with its wavy noodles, fresh vegetables, and rich broth, it’s almost like I’m on my dream trip to Japan. In fact, my list of places I want to travel is now even longer because of cuisines I have tried in the past few years and loved (looking at you, Ethiopia). 3. Having a vast knowledge of international foods makes you a more well-rounded person. It is impressive when someone knows the names, ingredients, and complexities of cuisines other than their own. It shows that they care about diversity and are open to trying new things. In the modern world, those are important traits for a successful adult to have. For example, it would probably not impress a young businessperson's coworkers if they ordered grilled chicken off the kids menu at a Vietnamese restaurant. Additionally, as a self-proclaimed “foodie,” it is a lot of fun to meet someone equally as obsessed with food as myself. Seriously, I could talk about it for hours. Whether the conversation is about favorite restaurants, recipes, or food ethics, knowing about diverse foods makes it easier to relate to people different from yourself. 4. Food brings people, and cultures, together. The most important reason to immerse yourself in the world of diverse foods is because it brings the world together. There truly is nothing on this planet that can bring cultures together more than food. Delicious food bridges gaps and breaks down language barriers. Last January, I was fortunate to study abroad in India and discovered my love of Indian food. There were so many people that I came in contact with who I could not communicate with since I didn’t know the language; However, I sat in countless restaurants, surrounded by locals, enjoying the same dal fry and aloo matar as they were. In a divided world, it is so important to learn and appreciate other cultures. In conclusion, get out there and eat!! Written by senior HBM student, Zoe Smith. |
The StudentsThe students of the Hospitality Business Management program at the University of Delaware share their experiences at Vita Nova Archives
November 2020
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