In 1987, I found myself in Cairo and discovered Shakshuka, a spicy egg-based dish I have since encountered throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Some culinary historians suggest that Shakshuka originated in North Africa, possibly in Tunisia or Libya. The name “Shakshuka” itself is thought to come from the Arabic word “shakshek,” which means “to shake” or “to mix.”The dish likely spread to the Middle East, where variations of it are found in countries like Israel, Yemen, and Egypt. Shakshuka is often associated with Jewish and North African cuisines, and it has become a popular breakfast dish.My version […]
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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, […]
While visiting friends in Normandy in the 80s, I was served a local dish made with veal kidneys, cream and Calvados that was deliciously creamy, tasty and memorable. Many people are not keen on kidneys, but this dish could make even the most fainthearted change their minds.Here’s my version of a recipe for Rognons de veau au Calvados based on that meal.
Batu Ferringhi is a beach resort northwest of George Town on Malaysia’s Penang Island. It is known for water sports and seafood restaurants. We ate steamed fish in a seafood restaurant offering a choice of live seafood from its aquariums. After choosing a live fish from a tank, we waited for it to be cooked, knowing that it could not be fresher. After dinner, we visited the night market.This steamed fish dish is commonly known in Malaysia as “Ikan Siakap Tiga Rasa.” “Ikan” means fish, “Siakap” refers to the type of fish (often snapper or sea bass), and “Tiga […]
Tibetan momo is a kind of filled dumpling, which is also called “mog mog” in Tibetan. The Tibetan people deeply love it. The size and shape of Tibetan momo are like walnuts, with swirls on the top. They look neat and beautiful. They’re a bit similar to dumplings in northern China, but the taste is different. Momo is a popular food in Tibet, Nepal and India. I spent two months in Tibet in 1987 and consumed many momos, usually made with yak meat. The momos made a pleasant change from the ubiquitous Yak burgers that were also on offer. As […]
Saigon summer rolls (Nem cuốn) often contain a combination of fresh vegetables, herbs, and sometimes protein, all wrapped in rice paper. Different variations may include the use of different herbs, vegetables, or protein choices based on individual tastes and regional preferences.When Vietnam, opened up in the 1990’s, I was in Hong Kong, so my colleague and I went to Saigon for the weekend. With the help of a photocopy of a hand-drawn map bought in a side alley, we tracked down the address of a building used by my father (then a British army intelligence officer) as his HQ in […]
Grilled Portuguese sardines make a classic dish, often celebrated for their simplicity and delicious flavours. Mrs F and I visited Portugal many years ago and found a small market not far from Lisbon. One of the staff was cooking sardines served on fresh, crispy bread. There is something particularly good about eating grilled fresh fish in the open air.
Having hired a 4-wheel drive vehicle, we were driving around Namibia. One night, we stayed in a remote lodge that only had Kudu meat on the menu. This was a problem as the only meat my five-year-old son would eat was chicken. The greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is found throughout central & northern Namibia and is the second tallest antelope on the African continent. Kudu bulls bear long, spiral horns which reach record lengths of up to 1.8m. Horns grow to their full length at the age of six years.As we had been travelling all day, he needed to eat […]
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 […]