If there is one thing I really love doing, it is exploring the world through food. I am an adventurous foodie, always down to try new cuisines and types of preparation. I brought my husband around to meals that fit outside the Standard American Diet, and now? I’m bringing my two littles along for the ride.
We are exploring the world, one bite at a time.
What started as a way to broaden the palate of my littles has turned into a fun family adventure. We shop for ethnic foods at our Aldi and local international stores, research recipes, learn about different cultures, and expand our world through food. Here’s how we do it!
Always start close to home.
For us, the easiest way to start was to find dishes that were similar to what we were eating already. Think rice-based dishes, think sandwiches. My son loves white rice, so we explored sushi (granted, it was chicken nugget sushi, but start somewhere). My daughter loves chickpeas, so we introduced curries. Not everything is welcomed by my littles, but they are more apt to explore if it looks like something they know.
Snacks are a fantastic gateway!
My little ones love snacks. What is one way I’ve found easiest to explore the world through food with them? Buy international snacks! There is a wealth of flavors at their fingertips. Is it crunchy, salty, and easily carried? They are usually on board. It is always an adventure when we go to the international store because they can pick any snack there, and I use this time to educate them on where the country the snack is from, where that country is, what language(s) they speak, etc. My littles love the international cookies the best…honestly, same.
You have to try everything one time.
We have a one big bite rule in our house. It started when my oldest began embodying being a picky eater and we never stopped enforcing it. I adjust the spice level as needed but everyone tries one big bite of the new food! If you don’t like it, cool. But we have to try new things as we explore.
We have themed dinners during the week!
We plan dinners around a two-week rotation, and within that rotation, we have Latin, Asian, Indian, and South African-themed dinners as options! We’ve done stews and stir-fries, chile rellenos, and curries. Not only does this make grocery shopping easier, but it also gives my oldest little a heads-up on what is coming.
I try to pick a local ethnic restaurant for my birthday!
There are so many hidden gems in Indy and exploring the world through them is a ton of fun! You can be immersed into the culture through that experience and it is so fun.
Go to festivals!
If you are like me, your littles have endless energy. I love exploring food and cultural festivals with my family. It is an easy way to discover new places, foods, and cultures while meeting new people!
What cuisines does your family love?