Your Country's Defining Staples

[ChristineM]

Duck is the best meat. Wish it were more available here.

It's odd really, we used to keep geese, chicken and duck. I'll eat goose and chicken but i fell in love with the ducks and and refuse to eat duck.

 

[JustGeorge]

In NC, USA we have grits, biscuits and gravy, sweet tea, banana pudding, fried okra paddies, bbq(eastern and westren NC get into a fight over it) and a nice side of heart disease and high cholesterol.

We don't really do any of that food here, save BBQ. People do biscuits and gravy in restaurants, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone do it at home. Folks here love their dry cereal...

 

[mangalavara]

What are some foods or drinks that are staples in your country but may be seen as optional or unnecessary by foreigners?

Ramen and kimchi are some staple foods in Korea. Coffee is very popular and there are lots of different cafés all over the place. Tea is also a popular staple drink. Milk tea and bubble tea are enjoyed.

(Although Korea is not my country, I have been living here for more than a year now.)

 

[Debater Slayer]

Duck is the best meat. Wish it were more available here.

It's considered a fancy meat where I live, and it's quite common along with turkey and goose.

Chicken reigns supreme in terms of how common it is, though.

 

[ChristineM]

Just thought of another as I'm getting ready to prepare dinner.

Sarladaise potatoes. Billed as a canonical French potato dish.

I reckon @Dan From Smithville will like them ;-)

As you would expect... Potatoes, cleaned or peeled. Cut into 3mm (ish) slices.
I pop mine into the microwave for a few minutes until beginning to soften.
About 8 cloves of garlic crushed or chopped fine
Mix the potatoes and garlic
Traditionally fried in duck fat, i fry mine in colza (rape seed) oil or you can use clarified butter untill they are just beginning to brown.

 

[ChristineM]

Ice. We put it in every drink here. We even have iced tea and iced coffee.

From what I understand, ice is not as big outside of America. Even in Canada, they don't seem to have embraced the ice-craze.

It big here in france

 

[Father Heathen]

Cheeseburgers
Fried Chicken
Cornbread
Biscuits* and gravy
French fries
Hash browns
Hush puppies
Apple pie
Meatloaf
Macaroni and cheese
Peanut butter and jelly†
Grilled cheese sandwich
Barbeque ribs

* Savory scones, not cookies, wafers, crackers, etc.
† Jam-like substance, not gelatin.

 

[Ella S.]

It big here in france

That's a revelation for me. I'm not usually interested in travelling to foreign countries, but if France has ice then I would be more willing to tolerate the awkwardness of being a cultural fish out of water.

I have grown rather accustomed to ice drinks here; I often drink a refreshing glass of ice water to calm myself down. I find a lot of comfort in that experience. It's the small things like that which I've learned are some of the most invaluable joys in my life.

 

[LuisDantas]

What are some foods or drinks that are staples in your country but may be seen as optional or unnecessary by foreigners?

Rice and beans, definitely. The Portuguese translation of that expression, "arroz com feijão", is even an alternate form of saying "food" in general here in Brazil.

Beer. Despite being technically illegal for minors, beer is very widespread indeed and drunk and shown with no reservations by pretty much everyone here (although most people will indeed discourage minors from drinking it).

Feijoada (a regional dish). It originates as a bit of ethnic food for African origin slaves and their descendents, but these days it is well accepted and enjoyed by most Brazilians, despite our significant racism. Most recipes are variations of low fire stews of black beans with some form of pork meat or cuts, including some that aren't usually valued outside of this dish and very often strongly flavored or defumed cuts or fried sausages, of which we have a wide variety. It is almost always offered with a side of white rice and very often thick cassava flour ("farinha de mandioca") and fried collard greens ("couve") as well. Sometimes orange slices as well. It is very common for self-serving restaurants to offer feijoada at least once a week. Even restaurants with an ethnic foreign theme have been known to include feijoada as an important exception to their menus.

Bread and butter. It is a very widespread and commonly accepted core dish for our breakfasts, for no particularly clear reason.

Coffee. Black coffee is well known and widely consumed in Brazil. So is white coffee. Both forms are usual for breakfasts. Drinking black coffee is a very common ritual after lunch.

 

[Viker]

Coffee, corn, alcohol, beef, chicken, pork.

 

[ChristineM]

That's a revelation for me. I'm not usually interested in travelling to foreign countries, but if France has ice then I would be more willing to tolerate the awkwardness of being a cultural fish out of water.

I have grown rather accustomed to ice drinks here; I often drink a refreshing glass of ice water to calm myself down. I find a lot of comfort in that experience. It's the small things like that which I've learned are some of the most invaluable joys in my life.

Iced water is my tipple of choice, it earns me funny looks when im asked if i would like wine with my meal.