sugar – Notes From a Messy Kitchen

Man, it’s been a hot minute since I’ve made any progress on my mission to cook a recipe from every country in the world. But this week we changed that. Our international working group hosted a potluck where everyone brought a dish from a country that means something to them:...

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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Barbados: Flying Fish & Cou Cou

North America

Barbados

Flying fish and cou cou is the national dish of Barbados. In fact, Barbados is known as “the land of flying fish” – it’s depicted on coins and in sculptures – but you won’t find it here in the United States. Don’t stress – you can use another mild white...

Johanna

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Austria: Strawberry Basil Linzer Torte

Europe

Austria

The Linzer Torte is said to be the oldest cake in the world, with a recipe dating back to 1653. Named after the city of Linz, this torte is popular across Austria – especially during the holidays. A ground almond-laced shortbread crust with a lovely lattice is characteristic of this...

Johanna

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Gambia: Chakery

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Africa

Gambia

Chakery (sometimes spelled Thiakry) is the Gambian twist on rice pudding, made with couscous or millet, sweetened yogurt and sour cream. As Gambian cuisine tends toward the savory, it’s subtly sweet and lovely topped with fresh fruit – particularly a ripe mango. And if you have leftovers, it makes a...

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Sweden: Prinsesstårta

Cooking Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Europe

Sweden

This one holds a special place in my heart, probably because this is how I remember princess cake: At a small cafe in Stockholm with my dear friends the Abbondantes during what was an amazing galavant across Europe. I remember walking the streets of Stockholm – probably looking...

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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...

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Czech Republic: Vepřo-knedlo-zelo

Cooking Time: 4 hours

Europe

Czech Republic

When we decided to do a pairing dinner for my beer club, I knew I was going to go international. However, it was my partner Alex’s desire to make a crisp, spicy pilsner that led me to the Czech Republic. Czech cuisine is a very hearty fare; think meat and potatoes....

Johanna

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Syria: Ma’amoul

Asia

Syria

Ma’amoul are semolina shortbread cookies popular across the Middle East. They are filled with either dates or nuts – commonly walnut or pistachio. They can be decorated by hand, but are prettiest when made using special wooden molds tabu. Lucky for me, my colleague Bushra’s mom has a whole collection...

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Australia: Lamingtons

Cooking Time: 90 minutes

Australia

Welcome to the Outback! After giving New Zealand credit for the Pavlova, I figured I better smooth out diplomatic relations. Plus, after our little boy president had a tantrum and hung up on their Prime Minister, the least I can do is give a nod to a sweet treat that is...

Johanna

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4 Comments

Ingredient: sugar

Denmark: Risalamande

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Kuwait: Machboos Laham

Johanna

Barbados: Flying Fish & Cou Cou

Johanna

Austria: Strawberry Basil Linzer Torte

Johanna

Gambia: Chakery

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Sweden: Prinsesstårta

Johanna

Somalia: Halwa & Sisin with Spiced Black Tea

Johanna

Czech Republic: Vepřo-knedlo-zelo

Johanna

Syria: Ma’amoul

Johanna

Australia: Lamingtons

Johanna