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Students will research the Columbian Exchange and create a restaurant menu featuring dishes that highlight the transfer of foods, ingredients, and culinary techniques between the Old World and the New World. This project will help students understand the historical impact of the Columbian Exchange.

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Columbian Exchange Restaurant Menu

Restaurant Name: Culinary Voyage: A Taste of the New and Old Worlds

Theme: Our restaurant celebrates the rich culinary heritage born from the Columbian Exchange. Every dish on this menu showcases ingredients and flavors that migrated between the Old World (Europe, Africa, Asia) and the New World (the Americas) after Christopher Columbus's voyage in the late 15th century.

Appetizers

  1. Maize and Cheese Empanadas

    • Fried dough stuffed with a mixture of corn (maize), cheddar cheese, and spices. A fusion of Native American corn cultivation with European cheese-making.

  2. Tomato Bruschetta

    • Toasted Italian bread topped with diced fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil. Highlights the introduction of tomatoes from the New World to Italian cuisine.

  3. Sweet Potato Hummus

    • A smooth blend of roasted sweet potatoes, tahini, garlic, and lemon, served with pita bread. Celebrates the transfer of sweet potatoes from the Americas to the Mediterranean region.

Soups and Salads

  1. Spicy Black Bean Soup

    • A hearty soup of black beans (native to the Americas), spices, and a dollop of sour cream. Reflects the culinary traditions of Central and South America.

  2. Quinoa and Spinach Salad

    • A refreshing salad featuring quinoa (domesticated in the Andes), fresh spinach, almonds, and a citrus vinaigrette, showcasing both indigenous ingredients and culinary practices.

Main Courses

  1. Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

    • Soft corn tortillas filled with slow-cooked pork, topped with a sweet and spicy pineapple salsa. The combination showcases the use of pork (Old World) with pineapple (New World).

  2. Chili-Chocolate Mole Sauce Chicken

    • Chicken enchiladas smothered in a rich mole sauce made from chili peppers and chocolate, merging staple ingredients from both worlds.

  3. Seafood Paella

    • A traditional Spanish dish featuring saffron-infused rice, local seafood, and vegetables. Highlights the integration of New World ingredients like tomatoes and bell peppers into European cooking.

Desserts

  1. Chocolate-Corn Cake

    • A moist cake made with rich chocolate and cornmeal, embodying the sweet convergence of cocoa beans (New World) with the corn staple from indigenous cultures.

  2. Tropical Fruit Tart

    • A vibrant tart filled with fresh fruit from the tropics (pineapple, mango, papaya) and nestled in a buttery pastry shell. Celebrates the wide variety of tropical fruits introduced to Europe.

Beverages

  1. Chicha Morada

    • A traditional Peruvian beverage made from purple corn, cinnamon, and pineapple. A refreshing drink that represents the agricultural traditions of the Andes.

  2. Sangria with Citrus Fruits

    • A refreshing Spanish wine punch made with red wine, various fruits, and a touch of brandy, reflecting the European tradition infused with New World fruits like oranges and lemons.

Special Note

Culinary Voyage Experience: Join us for a special culinary journey! Each month, our chef will feature select dishes inspired by different regions impacted by the Columbian Exchange. Explore the lasting legacy of these ingredients that transformed palates across the globe!

Dine with us to taste the history and the harmonious blend of flavors that defines our shared culinary heritage!