Poutine

Ahh. Poutine, the French Canadian comfort food of choice. Poutine definitely ranks number one or two as my favorite foods in the entire world. A delicious mix of French fries, brown gravy and melting cheese curds, it is a good thing that this delicacy can rarely be found in the “lower 50,” because American’s arteries would be in much bigger trouble than they are now. 

Truly a Canadian staple, Poutine can be found in all ice-rink snack bars, family restaurants and even grocery stores in Canada. However, in the U.S. this artery-clogger can only be found near the Canadian border or in places with heavy French communities. In my search for places that served poutine, I have come across many sad excuses for the delicacy. The biggest problem is the lack of cheese curds, which are essential in achieving the distinct taste of poutine.

However, two places in Rhode Island make it as close to the original as you'll get in the lower 50. 

• Dan's Place
• 880 Victory Highway
• West Greenwich, RI
• 02817
• (401)392-3092
• danspizzaplace.com
• *Dan's mother is from Quebec and insisted that he put poutine on the menu. 

• Pot Au Feu

                     44 Custom House Street

                     Providence, RI 02903

                     (401)273-8953

                     potaufeuri.com

United Kingdom - Tea, Crumpets, and Clotted Cream

Hmm clotted cream. Sounds delicious, doesn't it? Maybe not, but the taste is actually to-die-for, hence the reason I needed to find it when I came back to the States.

A traditional British past-time, afternoon tea is a staple of the British lifestyle and quickly became part of my own after many visits. Most afternoon tea is accompanied by small "finger" cucumber sandwiches, but I much prefer the morning tea because it includes clotted cream.

Clotted cream is made by heating unpasteurized cow's milk, leaving it in pans for several hours, during which the cream content comes to top and forms clots. I know, it still doesn't sound so appetizing. When do clots ever sound good? However, cast your doubts aside because clotted cream actually has a very smooth, creamy texture, much like butter. It only has very few small "clots" which look like tiny chunks of butter.

Clotted cream is best enjoyed on a scone with some jam and a cup of tea....while reading Chaucer alongside the fireplace. Well, not necessarily the latter part, but if you really want to feel British, give it a go, mate.


Pick up a jar and some scones at your local grocery's international food aisle.

España: ZARA

First opened in Spain in 1975, ZARA has transformed the retail fashion industry as being one of the biggest and most successful clothing stores in all of Europe. It is a vertically integrated retailer, meaning that it controls most of the steps of the supply-chain by designing, producing, and distributing itself. Currently there are ZARA stores in 73 countries, including 48 in the United States.

ZARA is the go-to clothing store for young people in Europe by carrying quality clothing at reasonable prices. Everything from basic tees and jeans to intricate skirts and dresses are sold at ZARA. If you love the fashion-forward European style and great prices, you need to shop at ZARA. Currently, the closest ZARA stores are in Massachusetts:

• 1245 WORCESTER STREET
  NATICK, MA 
  
• 212-214 NEWBURY STREET
  BOSTON, MA
• Burlington Mall
• 75 MIDDLESEX TURNPIKE
  BURLINGTON

*According to reports, the ZARA website will be open to the US in 2011. In the meantime, take a look.

Deutschland: Spätzle, Spargel, and Sauerkraut

Das ist sehr gut! Spätzle, spargel and sauerkraut...the eigth, ninth, and tenth world wonders! Well, maybe not, but certainly staples of the German diet that makes other people wonder how the Germans stay so thin!

These are the foods accompanying any German Mann oder Frau while at the biergarten (beer garden). 

Let's begin with Spätzle, my personal favorite German food. Spätzle is a type of egg noodle that is popular in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary. There are many variations of Spätzle recipes - Spätzle und Saitenwürstle (with lentils and sausage), Käsespätzle (with cheese Spätzle), and Krautspätzle (with sauerkraut, onion, butter and spices). However, the most popular, and the one I will discuss is Käsespätzle. 

The egg noodles used in Spätzle can usually be found in your local grocery store's international food section. The brand I use the most frequently and found to be closest to the German original, is Black Forest Girl Spätzle. Another brand that I have found to represent the original well is Bechtle Blackforest Style Spätzle. This too, can be found in your local international food aisle. Both brands only include the egg noodles, so you will have to get Emmentaler, more commonly known as Swiss cheese. You will also need fried onion. 

Here is a typical Spätzle recipe. 

*Currently, I haven't found any local places that have good Spätzle. If you know of any, please let me know!

Spargel, is the German name for asparagus, and is often found on German dinner plates. In Germany, most asparagus is white, as it is grown in the soil in order to prevent photosynthesis, preventing the green color. Fun Fact: Germany produces 82,000 tons of asparagus a year; however, that is only enough to meet 61% of its consumption demands. 

Spargel can often be found in your local grocery store, most commonly in May-June, during the Spargelzeit, or Asparagus season. 

*Redlefsens, a German restaurant in Bristol, RI has a great asparagus appetizer on their dinner menu called Asparagus Pfannkuchen. (444 Thames Street, Bristol, RI  02809)

Sauerkraut is another German delicacy that has been transported to New England. It is finely sliced green cabbage that has been fermented by lactic acid bacteria. Sounds tasty, right? It really is, I promise! The fermentation gives the cabbage a distinct sour flavor, which is where the name sauerkraut comes from. 

Some local places that serve great, authentic-like sauerkraut are: 

• Mousies Deli, 1619 Warwick Ave., Warwick, RI
• Redfelsens, 444 Thames Street, Bristol, RI

*For an authentic Oktoberfest away from München, visit Redfelsens every Wednesday and Thursday

night OR Newport's International Oktoberfest from October 9-11th! There is German food, beer, music, and culture, all at the Newport Yachting Center. For tickets, click more information and tickets, click here.