My favorite foods are 1) Cajun and Creole (and I am talking real Cajun and Creole food, not that stuff Paul Prudhomme and Emeril pass off as Cajun and Creole). You want Louisiana cooking, forget those guys. The go-to-guy is Justin Wilson! Jamablaya, crawfish pie and gumbo (minus the file). Etouffee. Crawfish bisque. Boudin and andouille sausage. But I tell you there is no better eating than a steaming pile of freshly boiled crawfish, shrimp and/or crabs, with boiled corn, potatoes, and garlic. Surround yourself with family and friends, have cold beer on hand (preferrably Dixie) and dig in. I do not miss the South, but I do miss Cajun cooking, my family (my mom is Cajun) and my friends.
I suppose because I grew up in the South I am also partial to other Southern fare -- a good chicken fried steak with sawmill gravy; fried catfish and hushpuppies; bisquits (preferrably made by an elderly black woman who is at least 200 pounds); fresh fried crackin's; collard greens; hoppin' john, and that sort of common folk Southern food.
Chinese food is a close second, or would that be third. Mexican would follow.
My wife is Colombian. She makes a few dishes to die for. Her gaucamole is the best! Her Colombian meatballs are great, too (sort of a hodgepodge of beef, garlic, pureed vegetables with mashed potatoes as the binding agent). One thing the Colombians do which to an American seems odd is have oxtail and potato soup for breakfast. I was skeptical at first, but once I tried it, well, I decided it was a wonderful idea. A perfect remedy for a waking stomach. not ready for hardier fare.
Man, I am hungry now.
