Padma Lakshmi, best known for her appearances on Bravo's Top Chef, is an internationally acclaimed model, cookbook author and television presenter who also happens to be an activist mother and grandmother.
Taste the Nation is her Hulu series that explores how immigrants have contributed to shaping America's culinary identity, providing a place where family, friends and community come together.
Gastronomy embodies the complex history and culture of Peruvian people. During colonial times, Spanish models dominated Peruvian cuisine to the exclusion of indigenous food plants - an evidenced by this dish called Aji de Gallina that remains popular today as proof.
Aji is a yellow Peruvian pepper used to add a delicious citrusy kick to this chicken dish. The thick sauce features ground nuts and parmesan cheese for extra richness, garnished with boiled quail eggs and edible flowers before being served over rice.
Picarones resemble deep-fried donuts in appearance but are made with healthier dough consisting of sweet potatoes and roasted squash. When served with thick syrup made from unprocessed Peruvian sugar cane sugar (chancaca), they produce an exceptional treat that is both unique and delectable.
Padma connects with one of America's largest Thai communities in Las Vegas through food, learning more about their history and culture - including meeting the man responsible for creating Pad Thai.
Plaek Phibunsongkhram was an exceptional multifaceted figure. He orchestrated a coup against Thai monarchy that effectively deposed them of power while simultaneously working tirelessly to nationalize his nation and promote its identity. His signature dish of Kuay Teow Pad stands as a testimony of both his love of Thai cuisine and his desire to unite it across borders.
South Carolina's Gullah Geechee community is striving to preserve their ancestoral traditions; those held captive in slavery from West Africa. Padma connects with them over their traditional cuisine and learns how they're slowly but surely reclaiming their heritage - one steamed dumpling at a time.
Japanese culture places great value on food. Eating is part of their heritage, with seasonally inspired ingredients taking precedence over anything else. Furthermore, meals should be enjoyed in an inviting setting - hence why many Japanese prefer eating on the floor while using traditional plate ware.
Padma's Kitchen is a vegetarian, mostly vegan restaurant in Kyoto that specializes in organic cuisine. The cozy ambiance and eclectic decor are enhanced by live music events held here; while their diverse vegetarian options feature Peaceful Lunch Set Plates of 13 dishes for only 2000 yen! Guests can also purchase products in their store to take home with them.
People commonly associate hot dogs, hamburgers and pretzels with classic American cuisine; however, these dishes actually originated in Germany. Padma visits Milwaukee where descendants of early German immigrants still honor their heritage through food.
German cuisine tends not to be particularly spicy. With the exception of mustard, horseradish and regular/smoked paprika (both varieties), herbs and spices commonly found include parsley, thyme, chives, caraway seeds, nutmeg bay leaves and juniper berries.
Padma may be known for her harsh ways on Bravo's Top Chef, sending contestants packing. But she finds comfort and safety in Appalachia where she travels in search of inventive recipes using humble ingredients while honing banjo playing skills along the way. In El Paso she learns more about Mexican-American cuisine that reflects its border location.
Padmas Kitchen is an intimate Indian cuisine restaurant. Their extensive menu provides something for vegetarians and meat eaters alike; their dishes are tasty yet affordable, making this an excellent place to dine as a family. Plus, their friendly and accommodating staff adds another level of convenience!
Taste the Nation is Padma Lakshmi's 10-part Hulu series exploring American food culture through immigrant cultures and food traditions from all corners of America - from Carolina-style jerk chicken in Charleston to Persian kabobs in Los Angeles - showing that mixing cultures doesn't need to be harmful or counter-intuitive.
Padma also crafts custom spice blends, such as Chaat Masala. Chaat masala can easily be mixed into plain yogurt for a quick and healthy dip or added to lemonade for an Indian-influenced flair. These spice blends make great gifts while offering unique blended flavors in many dishes.
