Tag Archives: plate


Chengdu Kung Pao Chicken


  Chengdu Kung Pao chicken, also transcribed Gong Bao or Kung Po, is a spicy, stir-fried Chinese dish made with cubes of chicken, garlic, peanuts, vegetables and chilli peppers. 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 senses. After […]

chengdu kung pao

Lagos grilled lobster


  Lagos grilled lobster is a popular Nigerian delicacy that involves grilling or roasting crayfish with a blend of traditional Nigerian spices and herbs. While it is not as common as other Nigerian dishes, it is still a cherished speciality, particularly in the coastal regions where lobster is abundantly available.On both my three-week visits to Lagos in 2008, our host, Jochen Schroeter, took us to a ‘bush’ restaurant somewhere in the outskirts of Lagos. This involved travelling in a convoy, with our two vehicles flanked by two police vehicles carrying policemen armed with AK47s. We were served huge lobster and […]

Lagos grilled lobster

Tandoori chicken


Tandoori chicken was one of the first Asian foods I tried to make in the early 1980s before I had travelled to India. At the time, using red food colouring was essential to produce something like the tandoori chicken seen in Indian restaurants. Since then, I have seen tasty chunks of chicken cooked on long skewers in tandoor ovens in India and saw no sign of red food colouring. Tandoori chicken is a popular Indian dish known for its vibrant color and rich, smoky flavors. Here’s a traditional tandoori chicken recipe for you: Enjoy your delicious homemade tandoori chicken! Tandoori […]

tandoori chicken

Thai chilli crab


Taking the train from Bangkok in 1987, my good friend Nitza and I travelled down to Penang, in Malaysia. The journey took us through a verdant landscape dotted with small villages surrounded by paddy fields. One of the most memorable aspects of the journey was the Thai Blue Swimmer crab curry served in the buffet car – spicy, delicious and a million miles away from the ubiquitous stale British Rail cheese sandwich. Cooked in a huge wok in the tiny galley next to the buffet car, this was a symphony of flavours in every bite, with the sweet, spicy, and […]

thai chilli crab

Norwegian oyster stew


  I was introduced to this ‘Norwegian’ Oyster Stew by an American friend from Wisconsin as a traditional Christmas Eve dish. The stew is a delicious seafood dish that combines the rich flavours of oysters with a creamy, savoury broth.However, while Norway is known for its rich seafood culture, including various preparations of fish, shellfish, and other marine delicacies, oyster stew is not a traditional or commonly known dish in Norwegian cuisine. Norwegian culinary traditions are more closely associated with dishes like various types of cured and smoked fish, as well as preparations of salmon, herring, and other seafood sourced […]

Goan fish curry


  Goan fish curry is a popular and flavorful dish from the coastal state of Goa in India. It is known for its rich and aromatic blend of spices that create a tantalising curry. My first experience of Goan fish curry was in Oman. I had been working in a location where we usually ate in a fine-dining restaurant located on the compound. At first, I went for rich dishes like Lobster Thermidor, but after a few weeks, I hankered for something else. Then I saw one of the Goan waiters tucking into a curry, which was not on the […]

San Diego fish taco


My good friend Nitza introduced me to Mexican food in San Diego in 1988. Compared with Mexican food I had tried in Europe, it was delicious. This is my take on the ‘San Diego fish taco’.

Gromperekichelcher


Some of my fondest memories of living in Luxembourg are of the delicious smells coming from the snacks on offer at Schueberfouer, a famous annual fair in Luxembourg that dates back to the 14th century. It is one of the largest and oldest funfair in the country and is held in the city of Luxembourg, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The fair takes place over a few weeks during the summer and attracts both locals and tourists alike. Schueberfouer features a wide array of attractions, rides, games, and various food stalls offering traditional Luxembourgish and international cuisine. […]

Beef bulgogi


  Beef bulgogi is a popular Korean dish known for its sweet and savory flavors. Here’s a simple recipe to make beef bulgogi at home: