Culinary Delight

November 2, 2008

Throughout my life, I’ve had the opportunity to dine on several different types of cuisines from all around the world.

I’ve dined everywhere from modern Manhattan, to native India, to searing hot Venice, and even Australia!

And although I’ve eaten around the world, I have to say my favorite dishes are served right here in San Jose.

The dish I absolutely relish the most is ‘Sweet and Sour Chicken’ from P.F. Chang’s.

The chicken is perfectly cooked, tender and juicy at first bite.

The vegetables are perfectly sautéed to be crisp, but not burnt.

The most tantalizing aspect of the dish, however, is the sauce.

This succulent sweet and sour sauce is a wondrous journey for your taste buds, harnessing the perfect combination of sweet and sour flavors, with a tangy after-taste that will leave you craving more.

This is, without a doubt, my favorite dish in the entire world.

However, no region is without its culinary delights.

One dish that is etched firmly into my mind is Chicago-style pizza.

Despite most of my favorite foods being served in San Jose, this one is an original, found only in the ‘Windy City’.

More resembling a cake than a pizza, this five inch deep gargantuan entrée will not spare your tongue, or your stomach.

With over four inches of pure cheese, one slice of this dough-based monster would barely fit in my mouth.

The toppings, although present, are more like tiny sailors drowning in a sea of cheese.

Barely visible from the exterior of the pizza, one must take a ‘Herculean’ bite to discover their topping of choice hidden within the flowing interior.

Despite its massive size, this is a dish I highly recommend to any food connoisseur, pizza-lover, or anyone who eats, in general.

Another example of an excellent dish is a Greek entrée known as a ‘Gyro’. Pronounced ‘hee-ROH’, this Grecian wrap is typically served with a delectable yogurt sauce called ‘Tzatziki’.

Resembling a burrito, the dish is a simple combination of strips of beef, spinach leaves, diced tomatoes, and tiny cubes of potatoes;

All of which are wrapped in a slice of pita bread. However, each ingredient has a unique method of preparation, and, when combined, resonates with the appeal and harmony of an orchestra in full swing.

The outermost portion, the pita bread, is lightly toasted in a brick oven, and smothered with butter when warm.

The butter melts flawlessly onto the bread, giving it a soft, pleasing texture on the inside; and a coarse, rough outer texture.

The leaves of spinach are bathed in a seasoned vegetable oil, and then dried in such a way that the leaf can soak up the oil and provide an equal taste with every bite.

The tomatoes are carefully diced and peppered, similar to salsa, but with a Grecian twist.

The most savory aspect, however, is the meat.

Each strip is individually cut and marinated, giving every bite an exquisite taste. When put together, the Gyro becomes a delectable and mouthwatering dish, capable of attracting even the most finicky eaters.

Although I have only described two of my favorite dishes, the world is full of other tantalizing courses just waiting to be discovered. Who knows, I might even be the one to formulate the next one!

Thank you.

Kanish Arhant-Sudhir

Contribution: Author – Kanish Arhant-Sudhir

P.S. Our Mom writes more serious stuff while we write about fun stuff like food and entertainment.

Hope you like it!

Kanish Arhant-Sudhir and Rish Arhant-Sudhir