Spice up your meals with The Library's help

Food and travel are the spice of life. In these pandemic times, travel may not be as practical as it once was. But, food-joy remains constant. The Library has an interesting alternative to foodie tourism — one that allows you to experience other cultures without ever leaving your kitchen. But, first, a story to illustrate one of the potential benefits of staying home to enjoy your cultural cuisine. This first-hand account comes from Ellie Krieger of Public Television’s “Ellie’s Real Good Food. In her blog, she writes:

“I was 18 years old in Japan (back in my modeling days) and walked in alone to a den-like noodle bar filled with serious looking businessmen in suits slurping steaming bowls of noodles. I didn’t speak a word of Japanese and the staff didn’t speak English, so I pointed to a bowl of soup and my waiter nodded enthusiastically. I really wanted chicken in my soup but no matter how slowly, clearly and loudly I said CHICK-IN of course he still didn’t understand. As a last resort, I stood up and a little shyly began flapping my elbows and clucking. Even the serious suits laughed. I got my chicken noodle soup that night and I also learned a little Japanese: baka gaijin means “silly foreigner.”

Food is more than sustenance. It’s an adventure. It’s memories in the making. Who says you can’t have adventure and make memories in your own kitchen?

I’d like to direct your attention to A to Z Food America and A to Z World Food in The Digital Library. These digital services are unlike anything you’ve probably explored before. These are not just recipe sites. And, they’re not exactly travel sites. They’re certainly not your typical geography research site. But, they are all of those things.

Have you ever tried to find a recipe online only to scroll through miles of some food bloggers musings and affiliate ad pop-ups, giving up in frustration before making it to the recipe? That won’t happen here. The first thing you’ll see when crack open this site is a featured locale. When you click on it (or search a different one), you will have the option to check out that area’s food culture including traditional spices, dishes, beverages. You can locate the farmers markets in the area and research the top agricultural products there. The “Did You Know” section features bullet points of fun facts about the region.

Here’s an idea: Enlist your family to come up with a cultural themed dinner. Visit The Digital Library at ebonnerlibrary.org and find that location in A to Z Food America or A to Z World Food. Assign each family member the responsibility of preparing one of the traditional courses for that location. Each member of the family can also choose to share one of the fun facts found in the “Did You Know” section. That night, at dinner time, put on some music inspired by that culture from Freegal in The Digital Library. Make it extra authentic and learn a few words in that language from Mango Languages (you guessed it — it’s in The Digital Library). And, if you’re celebrating Japanese cuisine, learning a few words in that language might be a good idea.

Tuesday, Nov. 3, noon — Local Author Connections with Suzen Fiskin. Watch a brief interview with local author Suzen Fiskin (“Playboy Mansion Memoirs”) followed by a reading excerpt and question-and-answer session with you. Post your questions in the comments section of our Facebook Event listing and we will ask them on the air. Join us at noon via Facebook Live at facebook.com/ebonnerlibrary.

StoryWalk - At Dover City Park enjoy "The Monster’s Monster" by Patrick McDonnell, and "Kitten’s First Full Moon”" by Kevin Henkes at McNearney Park in Ponderay. Titles are updated monthly and posted at facebook.com/BonnerStoryWalk.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing & community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-208- 208-208-263-6930, ext. 1204.