vegetable oil – 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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Iraq: Kibbeh

Cooking Time: 90

Asia

Iraq

Iraqi cuisine has a very rich history. In fact, stone tablets found in ancient ruins in Iraq show recipes prepared in the temples during religious festivals date back to 1900 BC – the first cookbooks in the world. Mesopotamia was a highly advanced society, including in the culinary arts. Kibbeh...

Johanna

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Peru: Lomo Saltado

Cooking Time: 60 minutes + 30 for fries to soak

South America

Peru

If we could make some sort of deal to swap Valentine’s Day for a second Halloween, I would most definitely be on board. I think I liked the holiday back in the day when it was just another excuse to craft and get too much candy from my grandparents. Us...

Johanna

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China: Jiaozi (Pork & Chive Dumplings)

Cooking Time: 3 hrs

Asia

China

Almost immediately after I first announced my 2017 culinary challenge, my friend (and former co-worker) Jean came to me and said “I call China!” She made me promise to save China for her, and we both got excited about the plan to make dumplings together. They’d be an all day...

Johanna

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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...

Johanna

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Japan: Okonomiyaki

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Japan

I have to tell you, this is one of our favorite recipes on our culinary journey so far. In fact, this is the only dish to date we’ve made twice – “just to use the leftovers!” I justified. It’s easy to make, and just so good! This is a popular Japanese street...

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...

Johanna

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Ingredient: vegetable oil

A Full Bengali Feast with Friends

Johanna

Iraq: Kibbeh

Johanna

Peru: Lomo Saltado

Johanna

China: Jiaozi (Pork & Chive Dumplings)

Johanna

Czech Republic: Vepřo-knedlo-zelo

Johanna

Syria: Ma’amoul

Johanna

Japan: Okonomiyaki

Johanna

Myanmar: Mohinga

Johanna