Nia's Book #9: Ok, ok, so it was an audio book...

A few weeks ago, I listened to A Cook's Tour: In Search of the Perfect Meal by Anthony Bourdain while at work. It was loaned to me by a coworker who once told me "I'd eat a dog's ass if it was prepared well," and in that sense I feel he shared a lot with Anthony.

Basically, Anthony spent some time traveling around the world (particularly focusing on Asian countries), eating local cuisine in 4-star restaurants, hovels, and everything in between. He dealt with the western disconnect between eating meat and realizing how you get meat, and took on vegetarians at every turn. Speaking as someone who doesn't eat any meat that remotely indicates that it was once an animal (this weekend, facing the scales on a salmon fillet I was cooking almost made me throw the whole thing away), I felt that I would have resorted to full-on veganism within a couple hours of this journey. However, Anthony was there for the whole experience, from the slaughter of whatever was on the menu to the usually delicious end.

Something that he pointed out, and I have often noticed is the predominance of foods in Asia that are intended to "make you strong like bull." I have often wondered over the apparently-urgent need to do something for their wangs (hehe, I typed "wang"). There is no real explanation, just more food for thought.

The most extreme experience he had, from my perspective, was eating the still-beating heart of a cobra. That was one of those "strong like bull" dishes. Don't worry, though, the rest of the snake was not wasted. Everything was eaten, including the bones.

In summary, I felt a little ill while listening to it, but it was quite fascinating and worthwhile. I have the MP3s if anyone is interested in the experience.

I am currently reading a very long book for my book club. I hope to have it done next week, otherwise there will be a fine. Wish me luck.