Are you an adventurous eater or the "stick to what you know" type?
I grew up in a 'gourmet' family myself, where each of us would cook a meal and see who could outdo the other with wow factor and delectable flavor. We had several favorite meals that we would team up for and each take a part in and also specialties that dad or sibling number two or three were especially known for.
We were definitely a family that would try anything once. I mean anything. We've had everything including chocolate covered grasshoppers. I remember our family being invited to dinner at a fellow workmate of my dad's house and they served Liver Pate on these fancy little dishes. My whole family except for my mom, who savors a plate of liver and onions, were dreading the moment when we had to touch this delicacy to our lips. Being the gracious guests that we were, we were determined not to let on that liver was not on our list of welcomed foods. Then, low and behold, all but the youngest, were pleasantly surprised with the new taste sensation. Really, I'm not kidding. We even had a little scuff as to who would get to eat my little brothers uneaten portion. (We we also a very frugal family and didn't throw ANYTHING away.)
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| Just a few "different" foods |
Now this list below has a lot of old favorites but is also full of things I never heard of, at least not by that name - but each of them are on my "to try" list. Some of the dishes sound like it would involve a little world travel to even find such a thing. Anyway, it was fun seeing how many I knew of and had tasted so test your eating habits and see how adventurous you are and let us know if any of these favorites are on your bucket list in the comments.
Just for kicks I've highlighted all the items I've tried in this list of 100 foods to try before you die.
1. Abalone-a seafood shellfish that also provides us with 'mother of pearl' jewelry
2.
Absinthe-an anise flavored spirit beverage
3.
Alligator- (tough and chewy but tasted okay)
4. Baba
Ghanoush- always wanted to try but didn't ever have the chance
5. Bagel
& Lox- what self respecting NuYawker has had it?
6. Baklava-sweet Greek pastries
7. BBQ
Ribs-this is a given
8. Bellini-??
9. Birds
Nest Soup-an edible birds nest is made into an Oriental broth
10.
Biscuits & Gravy-hasn't everyone had these?
11. Black
Pudding-??
12. Black
Truffle
13.
Borscht-beet soup, eaten cool-not my favorite
14.
Calamari, seafood with tentacles, squid
15. Carp-goldfish
16. Caviar-fish eggs, come in red or black and very salty-good on fancy crackers
17. Cheese
Fondue-warmed cheese to dip bread cubes or other items in
18.
Chicken & Waffles-can't believe I've never had this combo
19.
Chicken Tikka Marsala-not sure
20. Chile
Relleno - love,love,love
21.
Chitlins-pig intestines, not tried although I have tried cow intestines and stomach lining
22.
Churros- Mexican long pastries
23. Clam
Chowder- had the red Manhattan and the white new England style
24. Cognac- liquor
25. Crab
Cakes-yum
26.
Crickets
27.
Currywurst
28.
Dandelion Wine
29. Dulce
De Leche
30. Durian - ???
31. Eel
32. Eggs Benedict
33. Fish
Tacos
34. Foie
Gras- duck or goose liver
35. Fresh
Spring Rolls- oriental
36. Fried
Catfish- Straight from the Creek
37. Fried
Green Tomatoes-tangy and delicious
38. Fried
Plantain-with butter and caramelized sugar
39. Frito
Pie
40. Frogs'
Legs-they really do taste like chicken
41. Fugu
42. Funnel
Cake -at every festival in Texas
43.
Gazpacho-just can't like the idea of a cold soup
44. Goat-Cabrito, makes a great combo with pintos and maize
45. Goat's
Milk
46.
Goulash-several varieties
47. Gumbo-only dish I like okra in
48. Haggis -????
49. Head
Cheese-disgusting
50.
Heirloom Tomatoes-not for a long time
51.
Honeycomb
52.
Hostess Fruit Pie- used to be a lunch staple in grammar school
53. Huevos
Rancheros-once a week
54. Jerk
Chicken
55.
Kangaroo
56. Key
Lime Pie
57. Kobe
Beef- too expensive
58. Lassi- Is this the dog?
59.
Lobster-makes my mouth water to think of it
60. Mimosa -champagne with citrus juice
61. Moon
Pie
62. Morel
Mushrooms-always wanted to try these, never see them
63. Nettle
Tea
64.
Octopus-a little leathery and the tentacles feel weird in your mouth
65. Oxtail
Soup-Dad's favorite
66. Paella-spanish seafood stew
67. Paneer
68.
Pastrami on Rye
69.
Pavlova
70. Phaal
71. Philly
Cheese Steak
72. Pho-pronounced Fa with a soft A, oriental soup
73.
Pineapple & Cottage Cheese
74.
Pistachio Ice Cream
75. Po'
Boy
76. Pocky
77.
Polenta-cornmeal usually formed into a patty shape
78.
Prickly Pear-cactus fruit, minus the stickers
79. Rabbit
Stew
80. Raw
Oysters best with a little Tabasco on the side
81. Root
Beer Float
82.
S'mores-I operate a campground, need I say more?
83.
Sauerkraut-the juice is the best part, I could drink a glass full
84. Sea
Urchin-hmm, unusual
85. Shark-pink fish steak
86. Snail, they're okay but it's mostly the delicious garlic butter that i taste
87. Snake-of the rattle sort is what I've tried, a little leathery
88. Soft
Shell Crab, along with lobster, my favorite fruit of the sea
89. Som
Tam-???
90.
Spaetzle- little tiny dumplings
91. Spam- yuck, although it's not too bad fried with and egg
92.
Squirrel- in a stew they're good
93. Steak
Tartare- raw, very lean ground beef, mixed with scallions salt and pepper
94. Sweet
Potato Fries-a la Paula Dean
95.
Sweetbreads-glands of a calf or lamb, pancreas, thymus, etc.
96. Tom
Yum ??
97.
Umeboshi ??
98.
Venison- not my favorite but my hubby makes a wicked chicken fried steak with it
99. Wasabi
Peas-crunchy peas with wasabi, a salty flavoring on them
100.
Zucchini Flowers- delicious and tender, great sauteed or raw
Now it's your turn. Have you tried any of these unusual foods or think there's something that needs to be added to this list? Let us know in the comments.
Now it's your turn. Have you tried any of these unusual foods or think there's something that needs to be added to this list? Let us know in the comments.
