After travelling by foot and jeep between Chitral and Gilgit over Shandur Pass, I needed food to regain strength. I had been suffering from amoebic dysentery, which was not the best preparation for a walk of over 100 miles in mountainous terrain. The result was that my weight plummeted. I stayed in the Gilgit Tourist Cottage, where they served a wholesome meaty soup made with fine noodles and fresh coriander, which I ate most days, and gradually, I started to regain body weight. This Yakni soup recipe is the closest I can find to this soup.In the Gilgit-Baltistan region, […]
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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 […]
Kushiyaki is a Japanese technique that includes various skewered and grilled meat, seafood, or even vegetables and tofu. The ingredients are placed on bamboo skewers and are typically seasoned with either salt (shio) or a reduced and sweetened version of soy sauce that is known as tare.Kushiyaki should always be freshly prepared and served immediately after grilling, while the typical accompaniments usually include edamame, salads, or pickled vegetables.Here is a Japanese asparagus dish using belly pork bacon, based on a meal I had in Hong Kong in 1987, where this was one of the side dishes served with yakitori chicken. […]
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 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 […]
Reindeer Stroganoff is a dish that puts a unique twist on the classic Beef Stroganoff by using reindeer meat as the primary protein. Reindeer meat is lean and has a slightly gamey flavor, making it an interesting and unconventional choice for this Russian-inspired dish. I first ate Reindeer stroganoff in a hut on the East coast of Svalbard. Outside, the temperature was a bracing -30C℃, but inside, it was a toasty 22℃. Our Italian guide prepared the meal, which he served with rice. It was delicious.It’s essential to cook the reindeer meat thoroughly, but be careful not to overcook […]
When I think of jerk chicken, my memory takes me back to visits to Jamaica and also the Notting Hill Carnival, where the smells of jerk chicken cooking on barbecues fill the air. Jerk chicken is a popular dish from Jamaica, known for its spicy and smoky flavor.
Penang steamed fish is a delightful dish that is not only healthy but also bursting with flavors. Penang is a state in northwest Malaysia, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is comprised of two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city of George Town is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay Peninsula. Known as the “Pearl of the Orient,” Penang is famous for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant culinary scene, and beautiful landscapes.The state is renowned for its diverse and flavorful cuisine, which reflects a fusion of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European influences. Some of […]