Can a Self-Proclaimed Foodie Claim to Have Just One Favorite Dish?

I have always found myself drawn to the simple, uncomplicated things in life. For me, true joy lies in the ordinary and nowhere is this truer than in my relationship with food. I love it simple and I love it as natural as it can possibly be. Yet, being a self-proclaimed foodie comes with its own set of rules. I eat with my eyes first; a dish must appeal to my sight before it ever gets a chance to reach my mouth. Because of this, there are a select few traditional dishes from my culture that I just cannot bring myself to taste.

But for the dishes that do win me over, my loyalty is fierce. I have an unusual capacity to eat certain dishes repeatedly without ever getting bored. For me, a favorite dish isn't a complex, five-star culinary experiment. It is comfort, history and consistency.

I come from the fertile slopes of Mount Kenya, a breathtaking region where water is plenty and bananas are plentier! Growing up, bananas were one of the most common staples on my family’s table. Yet, despite its constant presence, I have never once grown tired of it. In fact, I have never found myself irritated by the mere mention of a banana. Whether they are boiled to a soft perfection, enjoyed sweet and ripe, fried to a golden crisp or roasted over open coals, they have always had a way of comforting my palate and carresing my tongue with flavor.

Beyond the taste, they are gentle in my stomach, beautifully simple and deeply nourishing. My love for them is not a secret. Even my mama knows the depth of my obsession! So much so that whenever I travel back to the village, she ensures a fresh batch of bananas is prepared solely for me, a mother’s quiet way of saying, "Welcome home."

So, can a foodie have just one favorite dish? If that meal carries the taste of home, the warmth of a mother's love and a lifetime of memories, then my answer is a resounding yes!

I’d love to hear about your favorite dish. What food reminds you of home? What meal makes you smile every time you eat it? Feel free to leave a comment below to let me know.

I'd also love to invite you to an English conversational lesson around food. Together, we’ll explore vocabulary around food, practice describing tastes and textures and share cultural traditions.

So, come hungry. Maybe for food, but most importantly, for conversation. Let’s turn your favorite dish into a lively English lesson that’s both fun and meaningful.