Searching For Home In The World Kitchens

In today's fast-paced world, finding a sense of belonging and comfort can be a challenge. Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, many people strive to find solace and a feeling of home. One unexpected place where individuals often discover a sense of comfort is in the world's kitchens. Kitchens are not just spaces for cooking and eating; they are also a reflection of culture, tradition, and personal identity. Exploring different cuisines and cooking techniques is akin to embarking on a journey around the globe, searching for that one special dish that evokes nostalgia and a feeling of home.

The Cultural Tapestry of Kitchens

Each kitchen tells a unique story. From the vibrant and spicy flavors of India to the delicate and refined tastes of French cuisine, every culture has its own culinary traditions. Sampling dishes from different regions can transport us to far-off lands, immersing us in their rich culture and history. Whether it's the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread, the sizzle of spices in a pan, or the sound of laughter shared over a meal, kitchens provide a window into the lives of people around the world.

Stoves & Suitcases: Searching for Home in the World's Kitchens

by Cynthia D. Bertelsen ([Print Replica] Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	130069 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	386 pages

FREE

Rediscovering Family Heritage

In these modern times, when families are often scattered across different cities or even countries, reconnecting with one's roots can be a challenge. However, through the medium of food, individuals can rediscover and preserve their family's heritage. Making traditional family recipes passed down through generations helps keep the spirit of loved ones alive. The act of cooking together can create a sense of unity and belonging even when physical distance separates family members.

Adventures in the Kitchen

Exploring the world's kitchens is an adventure that goes beyond just tasting new flavors. It involves learning about various cooking techniques, experimenting with unfamiliar ingredients, and embracing the joy of creating something from scratch. Whether it's trying your hand at rolling sushi like a pro or attempting the perfect pie crust, each culinary undertaking is an opportunity for personal growth and discovery.

Connecting with Others

Kitchens have always been a gathering place for family and friends to come together and share a meal. In today's interconnected world, this tradition has expanded beyond traditional boundaries. Social media platforms, cooking classes, and food festivals provide avenues for individuals to connect with like-minded people who share a passion for food and cooking. Through these interactions, lifelong friendships can form, and a sense of community can be established.

Bringing the World Into Your Home

While traveling to different countries and experiencing their cuisines firsthand is an incredible way to satisfy your wanderlust, it's not always feasible. However, with the world becoming more interconnected, it has never been easier to bring the world into your home. Access to international recipes, imported ingredients, and cultural exchanges foster an environment in which you can recreate the flavors and aromas of your favorite global dishes right in your own kitchen.

Searching for home in the world kitchens is an adventure that transcends borders and cultures. It allows individuals to explore their own roots, connect with others, and create a sense of belonging. The kitchens of the world are not just spaces for cooking; they are gateways to understanding and embracing different cultures. So, grab your apron, embark on a culinary journey, and let the flavors of the world guide you home.

Stoves & Suitcases: Searching for Home in the World's Kitchens

by Cynthia D. Bertelsen ([Print Replica] Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	130069 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	386 pages

FREE

Best in the USA for Food Writing, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2022

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A woman looks back on a peripatetic life via recollections of memorable dishes in this rollicking memoir and cookbook. … The end result is a truly mouthwatering read. A tasty stew of gripping stories and evocative foodie lore. ― Kirkus Reviews

"Bertelsen writes with an evocative hand that brings these worlds and their cooks to life. ... It's hard to compare Stoves & Suitcases to other books of its ilk. Perhaps Anthony Bourdain's A Cook's Tour comes closest. But, the blend of insights on different countries, cooking, and an evolving sense of self is hard to find elsewhere. All these elements make Stoves & Suitcases highly recommended for a diverse audience and collections whose subjects range from memoirs to travel and culinary explorations." ~ D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review

“Stoves and Suitcases addresses the rootlessness of travel, the solitude but also the ecstasy, the freedom of reinvention, discovery of self and of others. Timeless themes. I thought of a female Odysseus. Ghosts of the old explorers live in Cynthia D. Bertelsen, adventurers who left the familiar behind to see what they could see. For the author, home isn’t a place: it’s a feeling, a new culture, a newly discovered food, another stamp on her passport. She is a citizen of the world. She is also one helluva terrific writer, and this is one helluva terrific book.” ~ Leo Racicot, author of Alone in the Yard: Buddhist, Beat and Otherwise

Take a girl with an iffy start in life. Mix in wanderlust and cooking. Add a dollop of yearning for home and belonging. Knead in a pinch of self-discovery. Let rise and ripen. The result is award-winning author Cynthia D. Bertelsen’s Stoves & Suitcases, a reflective saga that begins in an incubator. Where the author first discovers the world’s culinary diversity as nurses fed her sweetened-condensed milk formula. Later, cookbooks pique her wanderlust and her longing to be elsewhere. A semester abroad in Mexico and a stint in the Peace Corps in Paraguay ignite those embers of wanderlust. That fire never stops burning. Years of living and working and cooking in the developing world follow, with long-term sojourns in Honduras, Haiti, Morocco, and Burkina Faso. And travel to many other corners of the Earth. Stoves & Suitcases weaves an age-old tale of leaving home to find home. (Contains over 100 recipes.)

For me, stoves became something akin to altars, something almost holy, places of communion where I could prepare meals and share the fruits of my labors with others. ~ Cynthia D. Bertelsen

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Award-winning author Cynthia D. Bertelsen has written Mushroom: A Global History, “A Hastiness of Cooks”: A Handbook for Deciphering Historic Recipes and Cookbooks, In the Shadow of Ravens, Wisdom Soaked in Palm Oil: Journeying Through the Food and Flavors of Africa, Meatballs & Lefse: Memories Recipes from a Scandinavian-American Farming Life, and Stoves & Suitcases: Searching for Home in the World’s Kitchens. “A Hastiness of Cooks” won the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in 2020 for the Best in Culinary History category for both the U.S. and the world. And Meatballs & Lefse: Memories Recipes from a Scandinavian-American Farming Life placed as a Finalist in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.