Today is: 07.05.2008
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Confusion About Fusion? |
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So you hear about a hot new restaurant offering a “fusion” menu but wonder what exactly fusion cooking is? Is it a new cuisine that’s here to stay or a culinary fad, falling victim to abusive over-exposure? Let me clear up the myths and attitudes about this ever-growing term, and perhaps, expand your gastronomical horizons.
Fusion Cooking, the fusion of distinctive seasonings and styles, is the intermingling of different regional cuisines or ingredients with that of another culture to create innovative taste sensations. A Fusion Menu can offer variable selections of entrees, not exclusive to one distinguishing cuisine. A little sushi with your pasta? The concept of both has become increasingly popular. This in part can be due to the ever-rising awareness of culinary knowledge by you, the consumer. Mass media such as the Food Network, culinary magazines, and informative websites, are all venues to self-education, if one wants, in the epicurean world, broadening the scope of gastronomical knowledge and know-how. Frequently, Asian-Fusion is seen on a menu, melding various elements of the broad-spectrum of Asian cuisine together or with that of other cuisines. Combinations can include an appetizer such as Mini Tuna Tacos served at Meritage, in Wall, combining tuna with avocado, marinated tomatoes and Asian salad with an orange-wasabi vinaigrette. Or perhaps an entrée, such as the Grilled Garlic Shrimp offered at The Bistro, in Red Bank. This tempting entrée features yellow and black fettuccine, mushroom and roasted red peppers in a curry coconut cream sauce garnished with dancing bonitos. Teak Restaurant, also situated in Red Bank, offers Asian-fusion, to include sushi, Thai and Japanese, with a subtle hint of Latino thrown in here and there. Opened in May of 2004, Teak’s menu consists of entrees such as Passion Fruit Glazed Wild Salmon, Old- Fashioned Pad Thai (rice noodles with citrus tamarind sauce, bean curd, egg, bean sprouts and crushed peanuts) and Organic Chicken Teriyaki. If you are perhaps, culinary-challenged by ingredients that you would otherwise not consider together, a fusion menu may be best to contemplate first. With discriminating palates in mind, a restaurant which offers this type of menu would possibly best suit each guest’s individual tastes. Menus to consider are that which offer a variety of selections from various cuisines. An example of this would be 656 Ocean in Long Branch. An array of cuisines hoping to please everyone, 656 Ocean features menu items such as Thai Crab Cakes, Pasta Sinatra (a delectable combination of Brazilian lobster tail, clams, shrimp, scallops, gaeta olives and capers in a pink seafood broth) and Rack of Veal Saltimbocca. Meritage goes one step further, by offering a full sushi menu along with the regular menu, which is infused with Asian, Italian, French and American fare. Although culinary purists would think twice before considering anything fusion, those who are willing usually are not disappointed. Chefs, who serve up fusion cooking, generally blend local and/or best-loved ingredients with favorite methods of preparation and cuisine(s). With changing times due to dietary restrictions, modifications (Atkins, South Beach, etc., etc.) and keen culinary awareness, fusion-anything may be a safe bet when planning your next meal out. Consider it perhaps with large groups or that first date. Either way, everyone should have a gastronomically pleasing evening! Some notable fusion restaurants in the area: The Bistro in Red Bank, (732) 530-5553; Meritage on route 34 in Wall, (732) 974-5566; 656 Ocean on Ocean Avenue in Long Branch, (732) 728-9656; and Teak Restaurant in Red Bank, (732) 747-5775.
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