basmati rice – 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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Afghanistan: Qabuli Palow (Kabuli Pulao)

Asia

Afghanistan

Qabuli palow (also kabuli pulao) is *the* dish in Afghanistan. It’s served at weddings, parties and pretty much all celebrations, and is considered the country’s national dish. Rice is an indication of wealth, and rice dishes are very important culturally. In fact, reputations can be made or lost on rice,...

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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Singapore: Hainanese Chicken Rice

Asia

Singapore

Hainanese chicken rice is the national dish of Singapore, served everywhere from school cafeterias, to street vendors, to fancy restaurants, to Singapore Airlines. The dish traces back to Chinese immigrants who came from the Hainan province and settled in different parts of what is now Southeast Asia. Although most often...

Johanna

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Senegal: Thiéboudienne

Cooking Time: 2 hours

Africa

Senegal

Thiéboudienne (pronounced CHEH bu JEN) is the national dish of Senegal. The name of the dish is the French transcription of the Wolof words ceebu jën meaning “rice” (ceeb) and “fish” (jën). Wolof is a language of Senegal, but not the official language – that’s French. Senegal was a colony of France until 1960....

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Ingredient: basmati rice

A Full Bengali Feast with Friends

Johanna

Afghanistan: Qabuli Palow (Kabuli Pulao)

Johanna

Kuwait: Machboos Laham

Johanna

Singapore: Hainanese Chicken Rice

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Senegal: Thiéboudienne

Johanna