Not so long ago, adventurous eating meant a visit to the local Chinese restaurant for chow mein or an Italian café for pizza. Now, we're just as likely to go out for Indian or Thai food. International travel has opened Americans' eyes (and palates) to the delights of other countries' cuisines. And, increased immigration has brought new tastes to our shores. Driven by an insatiable hunger for something new, celebrity chefs now cook up exotic fusion foods like Asian-French or Pan-African. World cuisine cookbooks are hot, and grocers have begun to stock unusual ingredients for "foodies" who like to experiment at home. Take a tip from astrology and see what type of exotic cuisine might appeal to you.
Aries (March 21 to April 19)
You tend to like hearty fare with a zip to it. You would likely enjoy the wide variety of Southwestern and Latin cuisine now available, featuring sharp flavors like cilantro, hot peppers and sweet canela (Mexican cinnamon). Try grilled fajitas drizzled with a spicy poblano chile sauce, Texas crab cakes with green chile chutney, or Yucatan grilled fish wrapped in banana leaves, with mango salsa and corn on the side.
Taurus (April 20 to May 20)
You'll eat just about anything, as long as it's fresh and well prepared. And, many of you are excellent cooks. But you also tend to fall into ruts. Your sensual palate might enjoy the unusual flavors of Ethiopian food, like eggplant salad, chicken stewed in red pepper paste or vegetables with garlic and ginger. Or, experiment with Indonesian fare, such as grilled duck with green chiles or vegetables with peanut sauce.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20)
You get bored easily with the same old food, and are always on the lookout for something fun and different. Check out Native Australian cuisine, featuring some of the most creative dishes in the world, from crusted beef with native spices like sea parsley and quandong, to smoked Tasmanian salmon egg roll-ups and Witjuti grub soup. Or, try Brazilian fare like shrimp stewed in coconut milk with rice balls on the side.
Cancer (June 21 to July 22)
You appreciate the fresh flavors of the sea, so sushi is perfect for you. From rainbow rolls to scallop hand rolls, sea urchin to seaweed salad, the subtle flavors of Japanese food would make you melt. Or, if raw fish isn't your thing, try the eggplant miso soup and teriyaki salmon. As long as it's not too spicy for your delicate tummy, an Indian dish like creamed curried spinach with cheese and saffron rice would delight you.
Leo (July 23 to Aug. 22)
You pride yourself on being a world traveler, open to new culinary adventures. But have you tried the latest Pan-African delicacy -- blue caterpillars served sun-dried and fried with peanut or chile sauce? Didn't think so. With your taste for elegance, you might prefer a French cream of lettuce soup, quiche Lorraine and crème caramel, or a dramatic Asian-French fusion dish like grilled tournedos of wild boar in lime and ginger sauce.
Aries (March 21 to April 19)
You tend to like hearty fare with a zip to it. You would likely enjoy the wide variety of Southwestern and Latin cuisine now available, featuring sharp flavors like cilantro, hot peppers and sweet canela (Mexican cinnamon). Try grilled fajitas drizzled with a spicy poblano chile sauce, Texas crab cakes with green chile chutney, or Yucatan grilled fish wrapped in banana leaves, with mango salsa and corn on the side.
Taurus (April 20 to May 20)
You'll eat just about anything, as long as it's fresh and well prepared. And, many of you are excellent cooks. But you also tend to fall into ruts. Your sensual palate might enjoy the unusual flavors of Ethiopian food, like eggplant salad, chicken stewed in red pepper paste or vegetables with garlic and ginger. Or, experiment with Indonesian fare, such as grilled duck with green chiles or vegetables with peanut sauce.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20)
You get bored easily with the same old food, and are always on the lookout for something fun and different. Check out Native Australian cuisine, featuring some of the most creative dishes in the world, from crusted beef with native spices like sea parsley and quandong, to smoked Tasmanian salmon egg roll-ups and Witjuti grub soup. Or, try Brazilian fare like shrimp stewed in coconut milk with rice balls on the side.
Cancer (June 21 to July 22)
You appreciate the fresh flavors of the sea, so sushi is perfect for you. From rainbow rolls to scallop hand rolls, sea urchin to seaweed salad, the subtle flavors of Japanese food would make you melt. Or, if raw fish isn't your thing, try the eggplant miso soup and teriyaki salmon. As long as it's not too spicy for your delicate tummy, an Indian dish like creamed curried spinach with cheese and saffron rice would delight you.
Leo (July 23 to Aug. 22)
You pride yourself on being a world traveler, open to new culinary adventures. But have you tried the latest Pan-African delicacy -- blue caterpillars served sun-dried and fried with peanut or chile sauce? Didn't think so. With your taste for elegance, you might prefer a French cream of lettuce soup, quiche Lorraine and crème caramel, or a dramatic Asian-French fusion dish like grilled tournedos of wild boar in lime and ginger sauce.
Virgo (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22)
You're a purist, Virgo. Many of you are vegetarians or at least prefer your food fresh and light. Fried potatoes and sausage are not for you, so stay away from Polish or Russian cuisine. Ethiopian food, with its delicate chickpea pancakes, eggplant salad and vegetables in garlic and ginger, is right up your alley (just avoid the red pepper paste to avoid upsetting your delicate system). Thai food also has appealing vegetarian dishes.
World Cuisine ideas for Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces >>
You're a purist, Virgo. Many of you are vegetarians or at least prefer your food fresh and light. Fried potatoes and sausage are not for you, so stay away from Polish or Russian cuisine. Ethiopian food, with its delicate chickpea pancakes, eggplant salad and vegetables in garlic and ginger, is right up your alley (just avoid the red pepper paste to avoid upsetting your delicate system). Thai food also has appealing vegetarian dishes.
World Cuisine ideas for Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces >>
