I second you on the Gran Padano, though I find pecorino a tad too salty for my taste.

I know you implied it, but it’s worth stressing that unless the cheese is still in block form, ie ungrated, then it isn’t worth a penny.

Also, instead of Parmesan it’s really worth trying this, on occasion, with thin shavings of peccorino, which is sweeter and saltier, and utterly delicious, or with Gran Padano. I holiday in Umbria every other year and never tire of the cheeses, sad as that may sound.

I found this posting a touch ironic, given that I always found Hungarian cooking a bit one-dimensional (more paprika?). My parents moved there in the 90’s when mydad headed the Open Society Foundation, and while I loved the country (especially out in the vast plains), I found the cooking samey. The Jewish-Hungarian cooking, however, was outstanding. What they could do wth goose…

Just one question, though- is that a flat- or round-bottomed wok you’re using? From context, I’d guess flat, but just wanted to make sure.

But everywhere I go I’ve always tried to find either an eatery serving local cuisine or a place that does the ’same old-same old’ in different ways. You get much more enjoyment from trying different things than by eating the same thing over and over.

And bleh….my wife has an aunt who lives in Ripon.

Anyway, you mentioning your parents exposing you to quality eating early on very much reminded me of mine, and this anecdote:
My parents and I were taking a trip with an old friend of my dad’s and his wife and two sons. I was about 5 at the time, the sons were 1 and 3 years older. I’d been taught to have an open mind, read menus, pick something proper, and without eating a proper meal, no dessert.
So, the waiter came and brought the menus, and my dad’s friend said, thank you, we’ll have french fries for the kids please. I said, I want to look at the menu first!
The friend’s wife apparently later said to my dad quietly, “You be careful, she’s growing rather spoiled.”
Fast-forward 15 years. The friend couple is complaining that their sons eat nothing but McDonald’s/KFC, notably French Fries. I’m eating my fruits and veggies and able to cook quite decently.
Yeah.