A classic Northern Thai soup combines tender braised chicken (or seafood) in a coconut curry broth with boiled and fried noodles. I first ate this in Chang Mai with chicken but recently enjoyed Khao Soi cooked with seafood in a beach cafe on Koh Samui.
Lahori Chicken Karahi is a classic Pakistani dish renowned for its rich and robust flavours. This aromatic and spicy chicken preparation is traditionally cooked in a wok-like utensil known as a “karahi,” which adds a distinctive taste to the dish. I first encountered this in Food Street in Lahore in 2012.The origin of Lahori Chicken Karahi lies in the culinary traditions of Lahore, a vibrant and culturally rich city in the Punjab region of Pakistan. Lahore is renowned for its diverse and flavorful cuisine, which the historical and cultural interactions have influenced in the region.The dish itself is a […]
Chapli Kebab is a famous and flavourful minced meat kebab that originated in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. I first tried a chapli kebab in the city of Peshawar. However, it has become widely enjoyed across various regions of Pakistan and beyond. The kebab is known for its distinct flat and round shape, and it is traditionally cooked on an open flame or in a pan. The name “Chapli” is derived from the Pashto word “chaprikh,” which means flat.The key ingredients in Chapli Kebab include minced meat (usually beef or a combination of beef and lamb), chopped onions, […]
“Chu Chi Pla” is a delicious Thai dish featuring fish (usually a firm white fish) in a rich and flavourful red curry sauce. This is one of my favourite Thai fish dishes, which also works very well with salmon.
In the mid-80s, I arrived in Santiago del Compostella and was overwhelmed by the sight of a procession of men in long gowns wearing conical pointed hats covering their faces. These were the Confraternities, religious brotherhoods, and parishioners who actively participated in the Easter processions. They were wearing traditional robes and hoods, known as Capirotes, symbolising penance and humility. Not the KKK.One notable procession is “La Procesión del Encuentro,” which typically takes place on Good Friday. This event symbolises the encounter between the Virgin Mary and the resurrected Christ. Participants carry statues of the Virgin Mary and Christ, and […]
A traditional tagine is a North African dish named after the earthenware pot in which it is cooked. It’s a slow-cooked stew that typically includes a combination of meat, vegetables, dried fruits, and a mix of aromatic spices. I first ate this in Paris when I was a student. The accompanying sauce was the spiciest I had eaten at that point in my life.Since then, I have been to North Africa, with trips to Egypt, Somaliland, Tunisia and Morocco. It was in Morocco where I had my best tagines, which is why this recipe has a Morrocan flavour. We […]
Beef Bourguignon, also known as Boeuf Bourguignon, is a classic French stew that originated in the Burgundy region of France. It is a hearty and flavorful dish known for its tender pieces of beef slow-cooked in red wine with vegetables and aromatic herbs. The first time I tasted the rich, smoky flavour of this dish in France, I realised that the stews I had eaten in England had been missing something important. This is a perfect winter dish.Beef Bourguignon originated in the Burgundy region of France, which is also known as Bourgogne in French. The dish has its roots […]
Known as Huí-GuōPork or double-cooked pork belly, this dish has a long history that can be traced back to the Song dynasty (960–1279). Its predecessor, “Yo Bao pork,” was recorded in the 《竹屿房杂部》, a book on longevity and lifestyle during the Ming dynasty, written by Song Xu.Double-cooked pork is inspired by Sichuan flavours and originally comes from the Sichuan region of China, which is why it’s so spicy. The Sichuan region is known for being humid and lush, an environment that produces many hot peppers and chilis, including the tribute pepper, Sichuan pepper, and Erjingtiao chilli.I first ate this in London’s Chinatown […]
“Dry-Fried Sichuan Chicken” or “Gan Bian Si Ji (干煸四季)” is a popular Sichuan dish known for its dry, flavorful, and spicy profile. The classic dish in Sichuan cuisine originated in the Sichuan province of southwestern China and includes Sichuan peppercorns. The first time I enjoyed this dish in Chengdu was in 1987; it consisted of cubes of chicken, whole garlic cloves, peanuts, and red chillis stir-fried together in more or less equal quantities. I had arrived in Chengdu after a 63-hour train journey from Guangzhou. After having to eat the good but plain food served on the train, this was an assault on my […]
