Around the world one meal at a time

Around the world

one meal at a time

Transport yourself back to your favourite worldly destinations one meal at a time with these mouthwatering delights.

Whether it’s sipping sweet Aperol on the Amalfi Coast, filling your plate with tasty tapas in Seville or sampling the street food of south-east Asia – food has a magical way of transporting us back to the countries where we first savoured them. While we’re all pining after the trips we’ve taken and dreaming of destinations yet to traverse, we can still explore the world one meal at a time by recreating our favourites and yet to try dishes.

From Scottish seafood soup to gyros in Greece and all the yum cha in between, these are just some of the world’s most iconic dishes, and a few little tricks to master them at home.

Try this!

Simple mezze plates are easy to recreate at home with a few favourites like pita, hummus, olives and grilled seafood or meats.

UNITED KINGDOM

While the UK is renowned for fish and chips, travel a little further north from London and cross the border into Scotland and you may be lucky enough to sample their deliciously creamy seafood soup, Cullen skink, or try a mouthwatering scotch egg.

Scotch eggs are soft-boiled eggs wrapped in deliciously herbed sausage meat and are a must-try if you haven’t before. While the supermarket varieties found in Scotland leave a little to be desired, these morsels are surprisingly easy to master at home. Simply peel the skin off 6-8 sausages, mix in salt, pepper and a sprinkling of chives and parsley and divide the mixture into 8 balls. Then, lightly flour a soft-boiled egg and spread the sausage mix evenly around the egg until sealed. Dip in beaten egg and then breadcrumbs and fry until golden and the meat is cooked.

EUROPE

ASIA

From banh mi in Vietnam to rich curries in India, the food in Asia is as varied as it is delicious. Whether it’s sampling new and exotic street foods or trying the many renowned and highly acclaimed restaurants, the Asian continent really has secured its place as one of the world’s favourites.

While it’s believed to have originated in China, Hong Kong is one of the best places to experience authentic yum cha, which is not only about the food, but also the activity of sitting together and sharing. Dumpling and wonton wrappers can be found at most Asian grocers, and, increasingly, even in mainstream supermarkets. Simply fill the little wrappers with your choice of mince meat, ginger, chilli, spring onions, and a little soy sauce and pinch the ends. The wrapping can be a little tricky, but after a few attempts you’ll get the knack! Gyros in Greece and tapas in Spain, buttery croissants in France and pasta and pizza in Italy – we’re hard-pressed to choose just one favourite meal from Europe. Known worldwide as a foodie’s favourite destination, Europe’s delicacies, though heavily influenced by their close proximity to each other, vary widely from country to country.

If you’ve visited Spain, you’ll know tapas is served in almost every bar and are best enjoyed shared. Some of the most common types of tapas include potato bravas, Spanish omelette and salty sardines served atop crusty bread. Tapa literally translates to “cover” or “a lid” and originated because the small dishes were given free with every drink, and were balanced on top of the glass like a lid. These small bites are now enjoyed worldwide, but are believed to have originated from Andalusia, a Southern province of Spain.

MIDDLE EAST

Middle Eastern food encompasses a huge variety and stems from a long list of countries and cultures, though is generally characterised by fragrant spices, nuts and fruits. Popular dishes which have now become favourites across the globe include falafels, hummus, tabouleh, shawarma, baklava and of course, pita.

Making your own hummus is incredibly easy and gives you the chance to spice up the original with additions like chilli, jalapeños or roasted vegetables. To make it at home, just combine chickpeas, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and tahini in a blender until it’s the right consistency, then flavour as desired with salt and pepper.

MEXICO

Mexican cuisine truly is the food of summer! Fresh, crisp and packed full of flavour, the origin of Mexican food is believed to trace back to the ancient Mayan’s. Corn, tortillas, chilli peppers, game meat, tropical fruits and fish are all staples of authentic and traditional Mexican cuisine. After the Spanish invaded Mexico in 1521, they brought with them new animals like sheep, pigs and cows and, of course, milk and cheese. From tacos and nachos to enchiladas and quesadillas, Mexican food has become a staple in our homes because of its fresh, zesty flavours and quick and easy preparation.

SOUTH AMERICA

Arguably the home of barbecued meats, South America’s love of a good grill rivals that of Australia’s, with the practice being just as much about the cultural celebrations as it is about the food. We can’t mention Latin America without mentioning the king of summer dishes, ceviche – raw fish marinated in lime juice, spices, and an abundance of coriander and chilli. While the dish is easily recreated at home, ensure you source the highest quality, sashimi grade fish and prepare to have your tastebuds blown away!