turmeric – 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,...

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Romania: Sarmale with Mamaliga

Europe

Romania

There are many varieties of cabbage rolls popular across Eastern Europe, varying primarily by filling and sauce. You may remember, for instance, the balandeliai I made from Lithuania. Romanian sarmale aren’t all that different, although the pickled sauerkraut, bacon and dill makes it slightly more tangy and savory. This time I used...

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...

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Iran: Fesenjān

Cooking Time: 2 hours

Asia

Iran

Fesenjān (also fesenjoon) is famous Persian dish, a festive dish often served for important occasions in Iran. Its importance has something to do with the amount of walnuts used to make the rich, flavorful sauce – which are often very costly. Popular in the fall when pomegranates are in season, Persian...

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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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Myanmar: Mohinga

Cooking Time: 45

Myanmar (Burma)

Mohinga is the national dish of Myanmar (formerly Burma), and apparently was traditionally most commonly eaten as a breakfast food. Burmese cuisine is not as well known as that of some of it’s neighbors, thanks to the military junta that has kept the country on lockdown since 1962. According to an...

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Ingredient: turmeric

A Full Bengali Feast with Friends

Johanna

Romania: Sarmale with Mamaliga

Johanna

Kuwait: Machboos Laham

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Iran: Fesenjān

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Sri Lanka: Thakkali Curry

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Myanmar: Mohinga

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