World foods to try at least once in a lifetime

Across the world, there were many cuisines and flavours that speak of different cultures and their relationship with food. Let us discover a few iconic dishes that are celebrated in various parts of the world.

1. Shakshuka from Israel

A common breakfast dish of Israel and the rest of the Middle Eastern region.

Cook time: 30 minutes
Serve: 4 per
Type: Savoury breakfast

Ingredients:

Onion: 1
Red bell pepper: 2
Sundried tomatoes: ¼ cup
Garlic: 4-5
Parsley and coriander: a small bunch
Olive oil: 4-5 tbsps.
Paprika: 1 tsp.
Cumin powder: ½ tsp.
Chilli powder: 1 tsp.
Canned crushed tomatoes: 400 gram
Salt and pepper to taste
Eggs: 8

Method:

1. Chop onion, red bell pepper, and sundried tomatoes into small pieces. Ensure they are not too fine.
2. Chop garlic, parsley, and cilantro finely.
3. Take a frying pan and heat oil. Add in the veggies and garlic and sauté till onion is translucent.
4. Season them well with paprika, cumin powder, and red chilli powder.
5. Add in the crushed tomatoes and mix well. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Season the sauce with salt and pepper and let it simmer for another 3-4 minutes.
6. Crack in the eggs over the sauce and cover and cook for about 7-8 minutes.
7. Sprinkle the chopped parsley and cilantro and serve hot with warm toast.

2. Pavlova from Australia

These mini snow-white clouds are perfect party pleasers.

Cook time: 2 hours
Serve: 4 per
Type: Sweet

Ingredients:

Egg white: 4-5
Sugar: 1 cup
Lemon: 1
Corn flour: 1 tsp.
Vanilla essence: 1 tsp.

Method:

1. Preheat the oven at 180℃.
2. Beat the egg whites till soft peaks.
3. Blitz the sugar once or twice to get a superfine or caster sugar.
4. While still beating the egg whites add in sugar little by little. The whites should be glossy and stiff.
5. Gently fold in ½ teaspoon lemon juice, cornflour, and vanilla essence.
6. Place a spoonful of the aerated egg white on a baking tray spread with a dent in the centre.
7. Put it to bake and reduce the temperature to 100℃. Bake it for 90 minutes.
8. Cool and serve with cream and fresh berries.

3. S’mores from America

Marshmallow sandwiches are a yummy invention by girls’ scouts during a campfire. They made a great sweet treat for kids and adults alike.

Cook time: 15 minutes
Serve: 4 per
Type: Snack

Ingredients:

Crackers: 200 grams
Any chocolate bar
Marshmallows: 250 grams
Salt: a pinch

Method:

1. Place a small piece of chocolate on the cracker. Warm it on a grill for about 10-20 seconds.
2. Warm up the marshmallow on a grill till it’s nice and toasty.
3. Place it over the melted chocolate. Add a pinch of salt and cover it with another cracker. Press it gently to squish the marshmallow and the chocolate.
4. Arrange them on a tray and serve.

4. Som Tum from Cambodia

This salad has its own versions throughout the South East Asian countries. Here’s one vision.

Cook time: 30 minutes
Serve: 4 per
Type: Salad

Ingredients:

Raw papaya: 1
Green onions: 2-3
Cherry tomatoes: 5-6
Bean sprouts: ½ cup
Thai basil: a bunch
Green chilli: 1 (red bird’s eye chilli are used traditionally)
Garlic: 1 clove
Lemon: 2-3
Salt: to taste
Brown sugar: 1-2 tbsps.
Fish sauce: 1-2 tbsps.
Sesame oil: 2 tbsps.
Salted peanuts: ½ cup

Method:

1. Grate papaya. Chop onions in thin slices and a couple of greens in small pieces. Half the cherry tomatoes. And finally, tear the basil leaves.
2. In a mortar grind green chillies with a clove of garlic, 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, salt, sugar, fish sauce, and oil.
3. Take a bowl and mix in papaya, onions, greens, tomatoes, and basil leaves.
4. Add the sauce or the ground mixture to papaya. Mix well.
5. Top up with loads of salted peanuts to add in some crunch.
6. Serve the salad with sticky rice.

With Indians loving to travel, world cuisine is on every plate. Though India offers a plethora of dishes, there’s always room for foreign cuisines and their lip-smacking flavours. They hold in themselves unique experiences and we thoroughly enjoy them conquering our tastebuds.

And if you’re searching for something closer to home, we also have a grand list of Indian comfort foods.

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