If You Had To Pick Just One

 

Ah Life's Little Joys

    Imagine that one day you are minding your own business, polishing an old copper French omelet pan with half of a lemon, rubbing heavy salt on it just like you are supposed to and a genie appears looking rather like a rotund French chef. 

    Imagine also that he says that you can have your favorite national cuisine for the rest of your life, free!  But you have to pick not three, but one.

    Which would you pick?

    I know which one I would pick. Vietnamese for sure. It would be hard to reject Middle Eastern, but I would have to.

    What say you?

    I know two very good dishes that I just can't live without. No. 1 is the Bahn Mi sub sandwich containing grilled meat, sweet pickled veg, cilantro, jalapeno peppers and mayo or whatever you want. To be authentic the roll is made of a half rice dough, extra crispy!  They learned baguette making from the French. 

    The other ineffable wonder is good old Pho'. Spicy beef broth, sliced rare beef and other bits and pieces as desired, rice noodles, sliced onion, etc. It is garnished at the table with bean sprouts, black pepper, cilantro, sriracha, lime juice, or whatever suits.

    They also make a killer noodle salad called Bun. So those are just about my favorites on this earth.

    But I must not forget the fresh spring rolls!

    What are yours?