Multicultural Lunch
Dish Details

Thai Ginger and Peanut Salad--Brown rice, red pepper, green pepper, scallions, carrots, orange juice oil, salt, fresh ginger, peanuts, raisins. Great summer-time favorite at the Abromeit household! K. Abromeit

Jamaican-Style Chicken--C. Robinson

Rice & Peas (Jamaica)--C. Robinson

Pierogi (Poland)--Although they seem to be quite common in this part of the country, I had never heard of pierogi while I was growing up in Texas. I first tasted them at Christmas Eve dinner with my husband's Polish-American family. Chris and I are still learning to make them (it seems to be a life-long process!), but this is our attempt at recreating his Grandmother's recipe. The filling is the McCourry family favJune 30, 2005

Specalaus (Holland)--You can find an Americanized version of these Dutch cookies in most any grocery store (what my siblings and I called "windmill cookies") -- but the store-bought version aren't nearly as spicey or buttery as these! This is a recipe brought over from Holland by my father's Aunt Elizabeth. In my family these were seasonal cookies -- Christmas wasn't right unless there were plenty of specalaus. J. Grim

Kringlas (Norway)--The literal translation from the Norwegian of "kringlas" is "little circles". Both of Alan's Iowa grandmothers made these during the holiday season. This recipe, from Alan's mother, is, according to Alan "more like Grandma Minnie's; Grandma Boyd's were tougher, kind of like her."--J. Grim

Chinese Dumplings (Pot Stickers or Jiao Zi)--Fillings: Ground pork, squash, cabbage. Wrappings: Flour mixed with water. Dressings: Ginger, green onions, vegetable oil, sugar, soy sauce. Cooking: Frying pan is best. Put 2 spoonfuls of vegetable oil in pan first, then put in dumplings. After 1 or 2 minutes, put 2 cups of water and cover. Cook on high first and then on low for 15-20 minutes. History and meaning: Dates back to the 7th century. Jiao Zi: the 2 characters indicate the transition from the previous day to the next day, thus the previos year to the new year. Symbolizes family reunion, wealth, celebration of the New Year. Usually had during holidays, particularly the New Year.--H. Li

Fried Rice with Ham & Egg (Taiwan)--A popular Taiwanese dish at home and at restaurant.--J. Lin

Pancit Bihon (Philippines)--A common Philippine dish that I find being served at every family gathering. It is a dish that came to the Filipinos by way of the Chinese. The Chinese people came to the Philippines as merchants and like the Spanish peoples and the Americans the have influenced the Filipino culture and food.--J. Weir

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