Pilaf, Pozole, and Pad Thai: American Women and Ethnic Food

For many Americans, eating ethnic food is so commonplace as to be taken for granted. Yet, whether we acknowledge it or not, such foods create a powerful social language that speaks of cultural traditions and tastes that have been handed down from one generation to the next and, in some cases, appropriated and commodified by American commercial culture. Ethnic cooking represents both a source of sustenance and a complex form of communication.

In this volume, eleven scholars explore the role of ethnic food in American culture, with a particular focus on women. The first six chapters offer personal accounts of the ways in which ethnic meals are embedded in women's memories and fortify their connections to one another. From a Sicilian-born mother who affirms her allegiance to her heritage through the loving preparation of traditional tomato sauce and pasta, to a Swedish American woman whose dozens of boxes of recipe cards document a process of cultural assimilation, to an Armenian American who uses a shared passion for cooking to forge a relationship with her lover's family-these essays speak in a personal voice about the power of food as a marker of women's identity.

The final five chapters take a more analytic approach, scrutinizing the social and political aspects of ethnic food and the phenomenon of "culinary tourism." One essay offers a brilliant meditation on the gendered discourse of cooking in the Mexican American community, showing how food preparation provides many Chicanas with a vital language of self-expression. Another essay probes the author's penchant for Thai food and other cuisines from economically dominated cultures, situating it in the context of a larger system of privilege and oppression and as a form of cultural colonialism. By going beyond the obvious, these essays challenge our assumptions and expand our understanding of the significance of ethnic food in women's lives.

Contributors include Meredith E. Abarca, Arlene Voski Avakian, Linda Murray Berzok, Benay Blend, Lynn Z. Bloom, Paul Christensen, Cathie English, Doris Friedensohn, Lisa Heldke, Heather Schell, and Leanne Trapedo Sims.

Good for uterus health after childbirth

Cardamom

Relives anxiety.

Stimulates and cleanses the liver

Reduces nervous anxiety

Regulates blood sugar and insulin

Ginger

Source of vitamin C

Improves digestion

Improves appetite

Soothes throat, and coughs

Soothes the stomach

Eases headaches

Eases menstrual cramps

Relieves griping or colicky pain in the abdomen.

Eases lung congestion and coughs

Buy some herbal teas today!

Antioxidant

Cleanses the blood

Nettle

Stimulates digestion

Lemon Balm

Relieves coughs and sore throats

Stimulates the liver

Relieves indigestion,

Reduces seasonal allergies and congestion

Chamomile

Reduces gas and flatulence

Promotes perspiration

Echinacea

Helps ease arthritis and rheumatism

Dandelion

Relieves cold symptoms

Improves liver and kidney functions

Effective diuretic

Eases sore throats and coughs

Lime flower

Licorice

Fennel

Relaxing

Eases stomach cramps and nausea

Cleanses the blood

Rosemary

Prevents bladder infections

Eases coughs and other respiratory problems

Marigold

Antioxidant properties

Improves overall heart health

Eases cold symptoms

Induces sleep

Burdock

Calms the nerves

Name & Health Benefits

Balanced blood pressure

Eases many stomach and digestive problems

Eases cold symptoms

Eases stomach cramps

Reduces menstrual cramps

Eliminates flatulence

Helps reduce sinus problems

Relieves stomach cramps

Antioxidant

Provides anti-fungal, anti-viral and antibiotic activity

Helps to regulate blood sugar

Induces rest

Raspberry

Strawberry

Promotes digestion

Cleansing and Detoxifying herb

Improves digestion

Relieves symptoms of PMS

Drink some herbal teas - they really will have positive effects on many parts of the body. Replace drinking so much coffee, sugar and milk everyday - all of which are bad for you when taken regularly every day.

Anti-oxidant

Stimulates digestion

Herbal teas are made from herbs, flowers, spices and fruits and are naturally decaffeinated. Herbal tea is not tea as it does not contain tea from the tea plant Camellia Senisis. We have compiled a list of most commonly known and used herbs and their medicinal uses.

Relieves diarrhea and constipation

Improves circulation

Elderflower

Improves circulation

Expectorant

Herbal Tea for a Healthy Body

Menstrual aid

Cinnamon

Takes the zing out of arthritis pain,

Stimulates the liver

Reduces menstrual cramps

Believes to increase libido

Reduces catarrh

Antiseptic

Sage

Soothes the stomach

Regulates blood sugar

Rosehip

Motherwort

Relieves stomach upsets

May reduce the incidence of gallstones

Calms the nerves

Eases joint pain and headache pain

Anti-inflammatory

Strengthens circulation

Lowers cholesterol

Chewing the seeds can freshen breath

Helps maintain a strong immune system

Relieves cold and flu symptoms

Another anti-stress herb for soothing the nervous system

High in vitamins A and C

Improves circulation

High in many vitamins and minerals

Relieves diarrhea

Eases common cold

Relieves cold and flu symptoms,

Improves immune system

Thyme

Mint

Eases diarrhea

Helps relieve headaches

Thai Food and Cooking

This beautiful new book is not only a visual catalogue, it includes over 100 wonderful fragrant recipes to try out, as well as the fascinating history and traditions surrounding this rich culture.
Customer Review: Beautiful produced Thai cookbook
This lovely book is artfully produced, with 2-3 attractive photographs per recipe, both of the food prep and the finished product. This isn't just a cookbook. It is a primer on Thai history, cooking techniques, ingredients, equipment, and more, with over 60 non-recipe pages. The recipes are given both in metric and US measurements. For example: 900 ml / 1 1/2 pints / 3 3/4 cups vegetable stock. The recipes are explained with clarity, so that even if one is unfamiliar with the dish, it's easy to follow the instructions. This book will help you produce beautiful, interesting, simple, delicious Thai meals. This book is published in paperback as Thai: The Essence of Asian Cooking
Customer Review: simple and great tasting
Have tried several recipes and they are not only simple but taste great. Quick prep time too.

If you've grown up or spent any kind of time on the west coast of California, and you have a taste for Mexican food, then you know all about fish tacos.

For a recipe yield of about 2 complete servings of Spicy Fish Tacos with organic garnish (two tacos each), follow these instructions.

2 pieces white flaky fish, such as Mahi Mahi or Tilapia

4 -8 corn tortillas

3-4 tablespoons chili bean sauce (Toban Djan)

2 green onions chopped

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Top it off with sides of your favorite rice and organic black beans.

Here is a delicious, nutritiously smart alternative that uses organic vegetables for a garnish to the classic, fresh white fish tacos. The fish is cooked in a light, healthy way, we swap out regular cheese with soy cheese and lastly use all organic vegetables like cabbage, avocados and cilantro to achieve the perfect taco creation. As much a work of art as a great, quick and healthy meal.

Place the tortillas in the oven and heat on warm throughout the cooking process. Divide the fish equally among the tortillas and garnish with any or all of the following.

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Oil the pan. Place fish in the pan and dress with chili bean sauce and fresh lime juice. Grill the fish for 4 minutes on the first side and then flip for about 2 minutes and remove. Time may vary based on the type of fish that you use.

Directions for Fish Tacos With Organic Garnish

Healthy Recipes - Spicy Fish Tacos With Organic Garnish

Shredded organic red cabbage

Hot sauce

Shredded soy cheese (mozzarella flavored)

Thinly sliced organic red onion

Chopped organic green onion

Chopped organic cilantro leaves

Salsa

Fresh lime juice (from organic limes)

Ingredients for Fish Tacos With Organic Garnish

Matty Byloos and Brooklin Rogers