Asia – Notes From a Messy Kitchen

Malaysia: Curry Laksa

Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Asia

Malaysia

Laksa is popular across Southeast Asia, with many varieties among regions and even vendors. It’s difficult to pinpoint it’s exact origin, but it’s thought to have been introduced by Peranakans – early Chinese settlers in the Malay peninsula. Curry laksa in particular is characterized by a coconut milk broth. It’s...

Johanna

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A Full Bengali Feast with Friends

Asia

Bangladesh

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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Afghan Firnee

Asia

Afghanistan

Firnee is a sweet, cardamom-infused Afghan pudding that is usually reserved for holidays and special events, although it’s really not too hard to make. Cardamom is a staple, but from there each hostess puts his or her own personal stamp on the dish – rose water, nuts, fruits, etc. –...

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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,...

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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...

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Indonesia: Gado Gado

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Asia

Indonesia

When I first started this journey, I figured my Indonesian dish would be a homage to Bali where we spent our honeymoon. I’ve long intended to recreate the dishes we made in our cooking class using the cook book they sent us home with as a souvenir. I’ve also always...

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Russia: Pashka

Cooking Time: 30 minutes + at least 8 hours to chill

Asia
Europe

Russia

So, I was trying to decide what to make for Easter, and I started seeing all sorts of Facebook ads persuading me to make Paskha – a Russian Easter dessert typical across many Eastern Orthodox countries. It’s traditionally made during Holy Week using foods forbidden during Lent (dairy, eggs), and then brought to...

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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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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...

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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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