Master Chef Archive
A page to submit and share recipes with other Master Chef readers, talk about funny or disastrous moments in the kitchen and just talk about one of the world's most favorite things- food.
Quote of the Week
"There were too many quotes about bread! Keep reading for my favorites."-Kaitlin
Tahiti!
Hey food fans, it's another fabulous collaboration with Travel Bug! This week we're checking out the cuisine of exotic Tahiti...
So what's the deal with food in Tahiti?
Food in Tahiti is a mix of many different kinds of cuisines! Pacific Islands, French, and Asian cuisines are the most prominent. When Tahiti was first settled, there wasn't a lot to eat on the island in the way of meat. The main foods eaten were fish, fruits, and vegetables, with chicken and pork arriving to the island not long after it was settled. In 1767, Captain Cook, an English explorer, brought cattle to the island, providing a supply of beef.
Another explorer you may have heard of is Captain Bligh of Mutiny on the Bounty. He came to Tahiti in 1788 in order to collect Breadfruit trees and take them to the West Indies.
So, what's a breadfruit?
Breadfruit is a fruit that when baked has "a starchy texture and fragrance that is reminiscent of fresh baked bread." (www.ntbg.org)
Cooking Style
One of the most traditional styles of cooking is to bake or cook the food in an earth oven, or an Ahima. In this style, meat and vegetables are wrapped in large leaves, placed on top of hot stones, and then covered with dirt to keep the heat in. The food stays buried for several hours until it finishes cooking. This cooking technique ensures that the food is very tender!
Another explorer you may have heard of is Captain Bligh of Mutiny on the Bounty. He came to Tahiti in 1788 in order to collect Breadfruit trees and take them to the West Indies.
So, what's a breadfruit?
Breadfruit is a fruit that when baked has "a starchy texture and fragrance that is reminiscent of fresh baked bread." (www.ntbg.org)
Cooking Style
One of the most traditional styles of cooking is to bake or cook the food in an earth oven, or an Ahima. In this style, meat and vegetables are wrapped in large leaves, placed on top of hot stones, and then covered with dirt to keep the heat in. The food stays buried for several hours until it finishes cooking. This cooking technique ensures that the food is very tender!
Poisson Cru
Poisson Cru is the national dish of Tahiti. It's made primarily of raw fish, lime juice, and coconut milk! Here's a recipe from RecipeZaar.com.
1 cup chopped raw fish (usually tuna)
1/4 cup julienne carrot
1/2 cup julienne cucumber
1/2 cup chopped tomato
1/2 cup coconut milk
lime
Ingredients
1 cup chopped raw fish (usually tuna)
1/4 cup julienne carrot
1/2 cup julienne cucumber
1/2 cup chopped tomato
1/2 cup coconut milk
lime
- Mix the solid ingredients.
- Pour enough coconut milk over to get the salad wet, but don't let it swim in liquid. Squeeze a good amount of lime juice over it and toss.
NEXT TIME ON MASTER CHEF...
Speaking of breads! Does anyone have a good monkey bread recipe? My mom used to make it all the time, but she lost her touch over the years... It seems like she's forgetting some ingredients, haha.
Kaitlin's comment: Alright readers, I know some of you must have made monkey bread before, so send in your recipes for Elisha! Next time I'll also be answering at least one more question from another lovely editor at PJ's! If you've got recipes, questions, or theme ideas, be sure to submit them!