When you’ve been travelling or have visited other countries or cultures, then you will likely have tried many different dishes and foods from those countries. When you return home from your travels, replicating these cuisines and food finds can be tricky and often, the final result is worlds away from the dish you have such fond memories of.
There are some dishes that are easier to recreate than others and there are some tips and tricks that can help you when it comes to cooking dishes from around the world. With that in mind, here is a guide to cooking dishes from around the world.
Biryani is a much-loved dish from South Asia typically made with layers of meat (usually goat or chicken) and rice, mixed with spices. Hyderabadi biryani is a regional variety from Hyderabad, India and is the most popular version enjoyed.
It is a go-to dish for many people as it's rich in flavour and tradition, but is elaborate enough to take centre stage for special occasions and celebrations. Each bite is packed full of flavour and can be amended to suit your tastes, whether it be with spices, roasted nuts, dried fruits or caramelised onions - all make the biryani deep and layered in flavour.
Tagine is named after the pot in which it is cooked. Tagine is a stew which is cooked low and slow and is typically packed with meats and often fruits such as prunes, raisins and apricots. Tagine is native to the Maghreb region of Africa and can be found on tables across Tunisia, Libya and Morocco.
There are many different tagine recipes and adaptations you can make, but lamb is often the most common meat used, paired with apricots, and cooked low and slow. You can serve it with rice, chickpeas or even just traditional flatbreads, depending on your preference. When preparing the spice mix for the tagine, you can get ready prepared spice mixes from specialist supermarkets, or you can make your own mix at home. Ingredients typically include cayenne pepper, black pepper, paprika, ginger, garlic, turmeric, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Greek gyros are perhaps one of the most iconic street foods in the world and are made with slices of roasted meat, such as lamb, beef and chicken, which is then served in a soft flatbread or pitta, salad and a tzatziki sauce. It’s really easy to make an adaption of gyros at home, all you need is the flavours that pack a punch.
If making chicken gyros at home, you need some good quality chicken thighs and the right herbs and spices: oregano, garlic, white wine vinegar and lemon. You will also need greek yogurt. In a bowl, add the spices to the yogurt and mix together, and then add the chicken. The yogurt is the secret ingredient with gyros, as the acid in the yogurt breaks down the fibres, so that the chicken not only softens, but becomes easily infused with the marinade. Leave for a few hours and then use a griddle pan or hot grill to cook the chicken. Then, layer the grilled chicken in a flatbread with salad and homemade tzatziki for a delicious meal.
Cooking dishes from around the world takes practice and skill in order to mimic dishes tried once upon a time. Whilst international bakery products and sweet treats can be bought in most places, genuine dishes and main meals are hard to get unless you recreate them yourself. However, there are places from which you can buy marinades, sauces and spices, such as Regal Foods, to mimic and recreate your favourite dishes.
Natalie Wilson is a freelance writer in the travel niche, and can provide advice on anything from packing essentials to hidden gems. When not writing, Natalie can be found reading a good book with a cup of tea or planning her next travel destination. You can connect with her on Twitter @NatWilson976.