Foodie travel, at home or on the road

It's no secret I love to eat as much as I love to travel. While I travel a lot, I can't always get where my heart (and belly) want to go. Thankfully, international restaurants are getting easier to find in my home town. And if I want to enjoy an exotic flavor at home, I can practice my own version of fusion cuisine by using the herbs and spices most associated with my favorite foreign destination.

international cuisine to share with girlfriendsIf you're a foodie traveler, how do you get your flavor fix when you're grounded? Read through my favorite international cuisines below and let me know what you've tried at home. Or if you've found a great restaurant near you, share it here so we can add it to our must-visit list.

International cuisine brought home

• Thailand - While influenced by its Asian neighbors, Thai cuisine is a unique marriage of hot, sweet and tart. If you're experimenting at home, begin with a base of coconut milk and add kaffir, lime leaves, lemon grass, fish sauce, fresh cilantro leaves and peanuts. To be truly authentic, use only a fork and spoon at dinner as Thai tables don't include knives.
• tell me how I can make this ...France - Through the artful balancing of subtle flavors, French cuisine is as refined and elegant as Paris. To indulge without the extra calories, use low-fat versions of the rich butter and cream sauces, but don't skimp on your herb choices. Experiment with tarragon, chervil, bouquet garni (bayleaf, parsley, thyme and marjoram) and herbes de Provence (a combination of marjoram, thyme, summer savory, basil, rosemary, sage and fennel).
• India - Like the culture itself, Indian cuisine is a celebration of diverse and exciting flavors. Hot and spicy or reassuringly mellow, there's truly something for everyone to enjoy. Try fresh ginger, turmeric, cardamom, coriander, cumin and pre-mixed garam masala.
• Japan - Japanese cuisine allows the full, natural flavor of food to bloom by minimizing the use of spices. Fish, seafood, noodles, tofu or chicken are enhanced ever so slightly with rice wine (mirin or sake), miso, Japanese soy sauce and dashi. A dab of wasabi on the side will spice things up.

Ready to experience the art of delicious? What's your favorite flavor? Have you found a fix for it when you're grounded? Looking forward to connecting with you on Twitter and Facebook!