Modian Cuisine

Cuisine in the nation of Modi

Traditional Cuisine

Staples

A wide variety of cereal grains and pulses are produced in Modi and its neighbouring nations, which is reflected in their diets. The Modi term "plant" is used to refer to fruits and vegetables, which are treated as the same, with the individual ones in a dish selected to compliment the other ingredients.
Freshwater fish is also common, as all major cities and most smaller settlements in Modi are located near a large water source. Fish soup or stew is a popular breakfast item, served with bread. Dinner is usually pulse and "plant" based, rarely containing meat, fish or grains. Although meals in Modi are usually fairly equal in terms of size, lunch tends to be considered the main meal of the day.

Cooking Methods

Food in Modi was always cooked over a fire, or a fire grill. When micro-ovens were invented, they were used primarily to reheat leftovers. They are considered a safer alternative for people who cannot safely use fire grills, but otherwise remain mostly used for reheating, as a slightly cheaper alternative by students and low-income households, and as a slightly more convenient option for people with busy or unpredictable schedules.

Influence From Other Cultures

Other Bo Kae Nations

Dishes and ingredients from Modi's bordering nations, Eddenland and Kohan, have had some influence on Modi cuisine over the years, though there were always many similarities between them already. Eddenland's famous spice tushu and Kohan's most popular cheese kanchi are the most notable exports that have become widespread in Modi cuisine over time.

Interplanetary Influences

With the increase in immigrants from other planets, such as the Jizins, Qu'ma'ings and Pryals, cuisines from cultures in other worlds have made their mark on Modi cuisine. A large diaspora of Qu'ma'ings from a continent on Trenise brought with them seeds of their favoured fruits, which can now be found in most markets in Modi cities and are often used in traditional Modi dishes. As the Pryals increased in number, the popularity of poultry declined, and invertebrates began appearing as ingredients in markets and even occasionally in restaurants. A popular curry dish called Modi-godi was invented by Jizins, a combination of one of their recipes and a traditional Modi one.

Rise of the Anttanican Empire

When Anttanica conquered Modi in 1500 (Empire Calendar), it had a mixture of impacts on the culture and cuisine. Since Anttanica was located close to Modi, though not actually bordering it, it had already had some influence on Modi cuisine anyway, and vice versa. While in some ways the power shift led to a greater impact on Modi's cuisine, there were also instances of the opposite effect, where Modi citizens went to great lengths to boycott anything they saw as Anttanican influence on principle. For the most part this did not have long-term effects, but the decline of the Anttanican baking style led to a revival of the old Modi traditional breads which have held their popularity ever since.

Regional Variations and Specialities

In Modi-Mado City, the nation's capital, it is far more common than anywhere else in Modi to cook using alcoholic ingredients. Some very expensive restaurants in other cities mimic the Modi-Mado style of marinating meat, pulses and cheeses in various wines or spirits prior to cooking, but overall this is not commonplace outside the capital.

Fast Food

Since around 3000 (Empire Calendar), fast food has been becoming more and more widespread in Modi. Although most outlets are independents or regional chains, the intergalactic brand Minnatolds is by far the most popular, with at least three branches in each major city. Minnatolds serve phougs, a dish originating on Nephiglo. Many fast food outlets on Modi sell variants on the phoug, using more regional ingredients.

Typical Meals

Breakfast

Modian breakfasts can be savoury or sweet; sometimes one followed by the other. Typical savoury dishes are the classic creamy fish soup, or cheese and/or cold meat with fruit and pickles, with bread. Typical sweet dishes include sweet omelette, cream cake with fruit, or cooked grains with milk. Drinks served at breakfast include fruit juice and leaf tea or chocoa.

Lunch

Lunch has the greatest variety of Modian meals. Usually it is grain-based, though not always, and almost any other ingredients can be served with it.

Dinner

Dinner tends to be the lightest meal of the day, consisting usually of a pulse-based stew.