What type of foodie are you?

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Posted at 11:01AM, 16 January 2008 by Caroline Hire - Food editor, bbcgoodfood.com

In my opinion, there are two types of foodie: the slave to authenticity whose breadth of knowledge draws gasps of awe and perhaps a slight tinge of jealousy; and the hearty lover of all things edible, a bit of a gastro-adventurer, who's prepared to try anything...within reason.

I like to think I'm the latter. I'll happily scoff a snail or ravish a rabbit without a thought for where it's been or whether it was once fondly named 'Flopsy'. In Hong Kong recently I ate a lightly battered 'thing'. I have no idea what is was (if you can tell from the photo please let me know.) All I can say is that it looked like it had a rear end at both ends and no discernable face. It was delicious and definitely worth pointing at again.

I've also eaten sea urchin in Japan, which if you've ever seen it, you'll realise is heavy going for the uninitiated and would happily have a go at most things, snake, insect, obscure chicken parts, fish eyeballs...However, I drew the line at what appeared on the translated menu as 'slice of horse' in Italy and couldn't face a 'cuy' or guinea pig in Peru (my beloved Bertie's furry little spirit would surely have turned in his grave.)

And besides, there's a lot more to being a 'category b' foodie than embracing unbritish fair. It's also not being afraid to mix ingredients, cuisines and cooking styles. Would you not only eat pasta with ginger, lemongrass and chilli, but serve it to guests and then boast about it to your passionate-about-Italian 'category a' foodie friend? Would you lather a Marmite sandwich with a thick layer of houmous, just because you love both and aren't afraid to see if they work together? If so, welcome to the club!

I'd love to hear about any weird and wonderful experiences from abroad or bizarre combinations that have come out of your kitchen...Go on, it doesn't count if you're not prepared to shout about it...

Comments

BB+BuB

16 January 2008, 11:31AM
BB+BuB

I would say I am also the latter. I love all food whether it be posh nosh, nastalgic, or proper grub. The sight of toad in the hole makes me drool. Some things I dont think I could stomach though, like, fish eyes and snake. I have to say I love the combination of a peanut butter and banana sandwich! Yum!

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squizita

17 January 2008, 12:01PM
squizita

I'd say a combination of the two. Why oh why do the british try to box everything up; I know what constitutes classic examples, I use a range of classic methods, but I also try everything new and make up recipes too. In many parts of the world, and most professional kitchens, both technical knowledge AND innovative use of taste are used.

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trinacheile

18 January 2008, 12:27PM
trinacheile

I would I suppose consider myself a foodie. By that I mean food takes up about 90% of my thinking each day. If I'm not eating or cooking I am planning one or the other! I hate this food snobbery though I'm a try anything kind of girl (well within reason)

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Muzziebee

19 January 2008, 11:05AM
Muzziebee

those lightly battered thingies you had in HK are called mantis prawns (or, the more colourful literal translation of its chinese name "pissing prawns"!). I love food. Hard to avoid being adventurous (to a degree) when one belongs to a clan of big gastro-adventurers! Trying different cuisine, mixing ingredients up from time to time, is like going on a trip where the most important thing is the journey not the destination.

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Nicholas

19 January 2008, 7:18PM
Nicholas

how about feta cheese with ice cold water melon; must be tried in hot weather to be appreciated !

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Caroline

21 January 2008, 9:24AM
Caroline

Thanks for all your comments - it's great to pick up on other people's love of food, whatever drives it. Personally going on holiday and sampling what's on offer is a highlight of any trip for me. Thanks for solving the mystery Muzziebee, now I know what the 'thingies' are, I shall have to investigate them further. And Nicholas, feta and watermelon? Delicious! Will definately give that a go...

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alfie

21 January 2008, 2:32PM
alfie

the thing you ate looks like crayfih?

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Caroline

21 January 2008, 2:39PM
Caroline

Have done a bit more snooping around and wikipedia has the following for 'mantis shrimp' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantis_shrimp and here's a cooked one: http://www.travbuddy.com/photos_popup.php?rpid=19315

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Lea

5 February 2008, 10:43PM
Lea

I don't think my combination is particulately odd and I have been giving it to my children for years. However when I mention this to any 'outsiders' I see mouths turning down and noses tend to crinkle! It is simply fresh penne pasta, Tin of sweetcorn, couple of tins of Tuna, steemed broccoli and a large knob of butter all mixed together for a super fast mid week meal. Odd? I like most things but I like to know what it is before I eat it,I could eat a garlic snail followed by an English roast....

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shez

19 February 2008, 12:01PM
shez

Gosh, I would try anything I suppose but it has to look edible and tempting first. I once went to a fish BBQ abroad and ate what I think were the suckers off octopus tenticles. Really not sure what they were but will gve anything a go but like Caroline, I am not able to eat anything I have as a pet such as rabbit, dog or horse. It would be like eating a friend!

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joe2091

11 June 2008, 8:31PM
joe2091

My theory is to enjoy easy and simple food at home, which you simply enjoy making at home as well. When at a restaurant I alway choose a dish on the menu that I probably couldn't be bothered to do at home. I've got a simple recipe here for Smoked mackerel pate too, get 4 fillets of smoked mackerel, 225g of cream cheese and juice of half a lemon. Blend to a smooth paste with slight chunky texture.Season the pate with ground black pepper and salt. Chill for 2 hours. Serve with toast.

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