Ethnic cooking represents dishes of one's race, culture, nationality or tribe. You cannot generalize this term as every nationality, culture, race, ethnicity or tribe will have their own specialties. The difference is found in the ingredients used and the way the food is cooked. The same dish with the same ingredients can produce something entirely different, if cooked differently.

Most of the time, the ingredients and the vegetables and meats will be what is available in abundance where you are geographically located. These ingredients have a history in itself, as sometimes there might be medicinal or nutritional values which may have been the cause for inclusion, apart from the flavor it brings out. What is common in one country will not be found in another and therefore people get used to food that are popular in their countries. In some countries the staple diet is rice and in others its wheat. Such defining staple diets will take prominence in the preparation of food, either with the inclusion of the staple food or just as accompaniments. Ethnic food also takes prominent in cultural and religious functions as some food are special for that occasion itself.

Apart from the ingredients, another important aspect for ethnic cooking is the way you cook and the utensils are used. The preparation of cooking can also differ when it is instantly cooked or whether it is kept for a while for seasoning or whatever other way that brings out the difference.

For example in Chinese or Thai food, a rice cooker is useful to get the right consistency of fluffy rice and a wok is required for the stir-fry dishes. The French are specialists in baked goods, popularly croissants, baguettes and brioches, for which a bread machine is required. Their delicate crepes are at their best when made in a shallow crepe pan.

Sausages of all varieties are a must in most German diets and a meat grinder and a sausage stuffer is helpful to make the home made version.

Indian and Sri Lankan food is very spicy and to make the best combination of spices a grinder of any form is required. Ethnic food from this part of the world requires a long cooking time, which allows their flavors to blend. A slow cooker is best for this.

The favorite Italian food is pasta and the best form of pasta is what is made at home for which a pasta maker or at least a pasta maker attachment is required for your Kitchen Aid stand maker.

Japanese, so very famous for sushi will require a sushi rolling mat to make maki or sushi rolls.

Mexican food has such blend to their cooking. Tortillas are a popular ethnic food from this part of the world and you need a tortilla press for this dish. Fondue pot is required to turn out those mouth watering fondues made famously by the Swiss.

There is so much to be experienced in ethnic specialties made as gourmet delights, that it is hard to describe in one article the various styles, methods and ingredients being used all over the world. .

Summery: This article describes what ethnic cooking is and the specialties of various regions and countries in their ethnic cuisine.