And I keep on joking that Tex-Mex is to Mexican food like this is to Finnish food…
Tag Archives: food
Immigrant entrepreneurs
I've read a couple of stories about immigrants and their children starting up their own companies here in Finland, especially in the service sector. There are two companies whose services I use that are founded by immigrants: my barber (Figaro barbers in the corner of Albertinkatu & Uudenmaankatu, Helsinki) and one of my favourite fast-food places (Habibi Lebanese cuisine in Forum, Helsinki).
Given the simple facts that there are quite many barriers to open a business (capital investment required, cultural, regulatory, etc) I find their belief in their success quite admirable.
I'm just waiting to see when would somebody open a proper Mexican restaurant, as the stuff hereabouts is Tex-Mex. Maybe I'll have to do it when I retire. Mole poblano and tacos al pastor anyone?
Mexican breakfast
Most foreign visitors to Mexico (including Latin Americans) can’t understand how Mexicans eat that much for breakfast.
Instead of just coffee and a piece of bread, in Mexico you will start with a plate of fruit with or without a yoghurt topping, then move on to the main dish (usually eggs prepared in different ways, but might also be a spicy tripe soup or even a steak with nopales) accompanied witha glass of fruit juice and finally coffee and bread.
The best way to start the day. Comparing this to the Finnish institution of “riisipuuro” it’s no wonder they are hungry again at 11.
More chronicles on the Mexican breakfast available here, here, here and here.
Wasabi = guacamole?
Back in the 80's, when sushi was entering the Mexican market, many would pull off a very interesting (and rather nasty) prank on those having it for the first time: they would tell the newbie that the green thing on the side is guacamole and wait for the reaction.
Nasty… LOL.
Crickets for snacking?
Ancient Mexicans didn't have cattle, so their sources of proteins were different: turkey, beans, sometimes game, but also snakes, iguana and certain insects such as crickets, agave worms or jumiles.
Even though nowadays most Mexicans don't eat the more "exotic" products, they can still be found if one knows where to look. Therefore, I found the products pictured above in a store in Oaxaca.
I have to say they taste rather good, but I would still miss a good steak.
Oh, I missed the food
Of course I missed my family, but the food is a definite plus.
French and British working luches
Was in London on Friday. As usual, absolutely love the city, one of my favourites in the world. One thing that truly stood out this time was that we had a business lunch during a meeting. They brought some sandwiches, potato chips, fruit and cheeses to the room, and we continued as usual. The attitude to it was very contrasting to a business lunch I had in a similar situation in Paris, where we had trays with 3-course meals brought to the room, and the meeting itself was stopped during lunch.
I'm not saying one is better than the other, but it drove home the point of food-as-fuel vs. food-as-a-ritual.
QotD: Well, I Never!
This is Belgium
With less than one week left, I’ve been thinking about the things I’ll miss from my time in Brussels. The ones pictured are but two of them.
Europe & good beef don’t go in the same sentence
Have you ever wondered, after trying Argentine, Brazilian, American or Australian beef why, oh why, is beef in Europe usually so bad???