Cookbook to feature foreign recipes

For one week in November, leaders of MU’s International Center hope that international cuisine will find its way to the hearts of Columbia residents.

During International Education Week, which begins Nov. 14, the center will publish a cookbook titled “From Many Lands.”

Columbians have until Oct. 8 to submit their favorite international recipes for consideration. The editors, who are MU cooking students, will review recipes and choose the best ones for publication.

Christine Chan, chairwoman of International Education Week, said each cookbook will cost about $8 and should be available sometime in November. Those who submit a recipe will get $2 off the price.

Chan said she hopes this year’s cookbook will help spark more interest in the International Education Week next year.

“This cookbook was a way for us to build a founding base,” she said. The cookbook will be on sale at the International Center in Memorial Union on Hitt Street.

Also during International Education Week, MU students — and Columbia residents, if they wish —will be able to enjoy international foods at dining halls around campus. The International Center will showcase specialties from Chinese, European, Japanese, Korean, Mexican and Spanish cuisine.

International Education Week has been held annually since 2000 in the week before Thanksgiving.

The owner of a Columbia international food store says demand for international food is up.

“Americans are being more educated and introduced to healthy foods and the ingredients that are used to produce ethnic dishes,” said Shakir Hamoodi, co-owner of World Harvest and International Gourmet Foods.

Hamoodi’s shop has a diverse clientele, including many visitors from other countries, but about half of them are Americans buying specialties from all over the world, including Iraq, Japan, New Zealand and Poland.