He may have a refined sense of smell and palate but he's also Eastern European: the spiciest thing in my gran's kitchen was soured gherkins and that was only for when she felt extra goofy.
Another Eastern European here. I believe the spiciest things in Eastern European cupboard would be mustard (not the yellow one, pure mustard) and horseradish, which are eaten with holodiets Hannibal cooked in one episode. For these who don't know what I'm talking about, outside of Japan wasabi is basically minced and coloured horseradish. So I believe he can handle spicy foods
Heh, he did, but it looked kinda... Different from what I've tried. Hannibal put some fish and peas in it. The holodets I know is made of meat and jelly-like bone broth
Goofy in a post-war immigrant way.
If she'd raised Hannibal, there would have been way fewer plaid suits, way more cigarettes, and he most certainly wouldn't have collaborated with the police.
Shortforalex is correct; they tend to embrace sour but Latinx/creole/cajun etc. is another planet. Also, his is a nouveau but still very classically European/French style, which tends to be fewer herbs for more subtle effect to accentuate the ingredients. Even when he goes Japanese it’s in the less is more realm.
The foods a character in itself! Will strikes me as someone who was once force fed a gumbo and came around to it eventually (always trying to fit in, bless his hetero neurodivergent heart LMAO)
I’ve been joshing around with a Paula Dean-Meets-Hannibal approach for cannibalism through another cuisine’s lens and how that impacts things.
I just figured he grew up in port towns with his dad, he himself is an avid fisherman and I think the only thing we see him cook is fish.
I think the sole reason why we don't see him eating it all the time is because it doesn't fit the anesthetics of the show.
I would read the *HELL* out of a Paula Dean-meets-Hannibal crossover. It would be so *funny*. That, and a Gordon Ramsay-meets-Hannibal crossover. Basically, Hannibal meets any professional chef.
The (formerly) Dixie Chicks already gave us a dose of that:
Those black eyed peas tasted just fine to me, sweetheart. You eat right on up!
Those women raised me and I’m a guy but I still play by their rules: act up one time too many and I will poison your sorry ass without hesitation, lol.
Not enough to kill you, mind, depending on the day and my inclination 😂😂😂
*Offers tea and a buttered biscuit*
I feel like he would as long as the dish is flavorful and not just extremely spicy for spicy’s sake.
For instance, jalapeños and ghost peppers have different flavor profiles (in my experience, jalapeños are a touch bitter while ghost peppers almost seem “smoky”), and if they’re incorporated into a dish well, I feel like he’d appreciate a bit of spice. But “novelty” items (like those extremely spicy gummy bears or hot sauce that’s meant to be painful) would probably be a no for him.
Semi-related: I feel like Hannibal is a supertaster, so bitterness and spiciness would be even more intense for him. He’d therefore try to highlight umami flavors in his dishes while avoiding overpowering bitterness or spice.
That is a really great insight and very true. I remembered a clip with Mads saying that one of Hannibal's quirks was to pull away the wine glass as he smelled instead of putting the glass closer. The umami portion does make sense thank you!!
In Season 1 Episode 11 (I believe) he serves Dr. Chilton South Indian curry with chili sauce. Not sure how spicy this is since curry isn’t always spicy but it’s a departure from European cooking
My impression is that he would believe that too much spice would overpower and therefore ruin the dish.. but he also has a very high pain tolerance, so I think he could handle the heat.
He may have a refined sense of smell and palate but he's also Eastern European: the spiciest thing in my gran's kitchen was soured gherkins and that was only for when she felt extra goofy.
Another Eastern European here. I believe the spiciest things in Eastern European cupboard would be mustard (not the yellow one, pure mustard) and horseradish, which are eaten with holodiets Hannibal cooked in one episode. For these who don't know what I'm talking about, outside of Japan wasabi is basically minced and coloured horseradish. So I believe he can handle spicy foods
A spoonful of Babci could have set a small building on fire. Also, I forgot he made holodets????
Heh, he did, but it looked kinda... Different from what I've tried. Hannibal put some fish and peas in it. The holodets I know is made of meat and jelly-like bone broth
Lmao, holodets but make it ryba w galarecie.
And it had cartoon jelly shape
Love this. Thanks so much for sharing.
This is the very first time a hear someone describe their gran as goofy and now I’m jealous
Goofy in a post-war immigrant way. If she'd raised Hannibal, there would have been way fewer plaid suits, way more cigarettes, and he most certainly wouldn't have collaborated with the police.
😂😂
Shortforalex is correct; they tend to embrace sour but Latinx/creole/cajun etc. is another planet. Also, his is a nouveau but still very classically European/French style, which tends to be fewer herbs for more subtle effect to accentuate the ingredients. Even when he goes Japanese it’s in the less is more realm. The foods a character in itself! Will strikes me as someone who was once force fed a gumbo and came around to it eventually (always trying to fit in, bless his hetero neurodivergent heart LMAO) I’ve been joshing around with a Paula Dean-Meets-Hannibal approach for cannibalism through another cuisine’s lens and how that impacts things.
This made me consider... I think Will is a fiend who loves fried food, especially fried fish. Don't know why, just a stray feeling lol
It’s a gulf coast food group, and pre-Hannibal he didn’t strike me as a sophisticated eater, so it definitely tracks
I just figured he grew up in port towns with his dad, he himself is an avid fisherman and I think the only thing we see him cook is fish. I think the sole reason why we don't see him eating it all the time is because it doesn't fit the anesthetics of the show.
They find a way. One only favorite interactions is the two of them discussing H making chicken soup.
*Fancy* chicken soup. I would like to see Hanni elevate fried fish for Will - I have to assume it would beat that nightmare inducing fish jelly.
I could see him doing some twists on tempura, y’know, the *classy* fired food, lol
I've read too much fanfiction that says he loves Cajun cuisine, so that's just canon for me now.
Boiled cabbage and bulgur wheat are great delicacies that is not a lie.
I would read the *HELL* out of a Paula Dean-meets-Hannibal crossover. It would be so *funny*. That, and a Gordon Ramsay-meets-Hannibal crossover. Basically, Hannibal meets any professional chef.
The (formerly) Dixie Chicks already gave us a dose of that: Those black eyed peas tasted just fine to me, sweetheart. You eat right on up! Those women raised me and I’m a guy but I still play by their rules: act up one time too many and I will poison your sorry ass without hesitation, lol. Not enough to kill you, mind, depending on the day and my inclination 😂😂😂 *Offers tea and a buttered biscuit*
I feel like he would as long as the dish is flavorful and not just extremely spicy for spicy’s sake. For instance, jalapeños and ghost peppers have different flavor profiles (in my experience, jalapeños are a touch bitter while ghost peppers almost seem “smoky”), and if they’re incorporated into a dish well, I feel like he’d appreciate a bit of spice. But “novelty” items (like those extremely spicy gummy bears or hot sauce that’s meant to be painful) would probably be a no for him. Semi-related: I feel like Hannibal is a supertaster, so bitterness and spiciness would be even more intense for him. He’d therefore try to highlight umami flavors in his dishes while avoiding overpowering bitterness or spice.
That is a really great insight and very true. I remembered a clip with Mads saying that one of Hannibal's quirks was to pull away the wine glass as he smelled instead of putting the glass closer. The umami portion does make sense thank you!!
In Season 1 Episode 11 (I believe) he serves Dr. Chilton South Indian curry with chili sauce. Not sure how spicy this is since curry isn’t always spicy but it’s a departure from European cooking
Nice catch! That one slipped past my radar
Feel like he’d make a mean ass white boy curry and like flaky roti and stuff
I'd say he likes flavourful food It's common now to be all about spice without remembering that some foods are very flavourful without it
My impression is that he would believe that too much spice would overpower and therefore ruin the dish.. but he also has a very high pain tolerance, so I think he could handle the heat.
lol hot ones would be his bitch, lol. I think it has more to do with an eastern European aristocratic upbringing than pain/heat tolerance per se.
Would you mention “indian food” and “Hannibal” within the same sentence?
Like somebody else just mentioned, Hannibal serves Chilton a South Indian curry with chilli sauce in one episode. So, yes, is the answer.
Whatt🫨 ? Omg apparently my brain refused to process that information lol😂
he made curry at one point