cinnamon stick – Notes From a Messy Kitchen

I’ve enjoyed all 96 of the countries I’ve cooked from so far, but far and away the most fun experiences have been the ones where someone has come and shown me how to make a family recipe. A friend is always a better teacher than a blog or a cookbook,...

Johanna

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Kuwait: Machboos Laham

Cooking Time: 2 hours

Asia

Kuwait

I’ve often been asked how I decide which country I’m going to cook from next. It’s usually fairly arbitrary. An ingredient I’m looking to use, a craving, a whim. This week I wanted to get back on the journey. I was researching recipes and discovered that February 25th is the...

Johanna

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Somalia: Halwa & Sisin with Spiced Black Tea

Africa

Somalia

Let me tell you right now: candy making is not in my future. In fact, two hours in I had a total textural fail on candy #1 and two pots with sugar hardened and burnt to them and no pots to spare for a third attempt at candy #2. I...

Johanna

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Sri Lanka: Thakkali Curry

Cooking Time: 30

Sri Lanka

A lot of folks have asked me how I’ve been going about picking the order of the countries I visit on this little journey, and for the most part I haven’t had an answer. If I’m cooking dinner at home, I’ve largely just been picking recipes that look appealing –...

Johanna

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Armenia: Kyufta Soup

Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Asia

Armenia

Kyufta refers to the meatballs, not the soup. Known also as kofta, kibbeh or kololak – depending on the origin – these meatballs typically are mixed with rice or another grain, filled, and rolled into a cigar shape. This was the first dish since launching this challenge that I had...

Johanna

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Morocco: Tagine of Lamb with Dates and Almonds

Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Africa

Morocco

Having been to Morocco and tried my hand before at making Pastilla (Moroccan pigeon pie), I decided to go with a Moroccan classic I’ve never maade before: tagine. While “tagine” is often used to describe a style of Moroccan stew comprised of braised meat, spices and often some sort of fruit, the...

Johanna

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Ingredient: cinnamon stick

A Full Bengali Feast with Friends

Johanna

Kuwait: Machboos Laham

Johanna

Somalia: Halwa & Sisin with Spiced Black Tea

Johanna

Sri Lanka: Thakkali Curry

Johanna

Armenia: Kyufta Soup

Johanna

Morocco: Tagine of Lamb with Dates and Almonds

Johanna