Food is such an important (and delicious) part of each culture. From continent to continent, country to country, region to region, we can find unique differences and beautiful similarities among culturally significant dishes. As we strive to open our hearts to fill them with understanding and compassion, let us also fill our stomachs with meaningful dishes from around the world! Below are five meals and treats I have tried and love. I hope you enjoy them just as much as I did!
1. Pupusas - El Salvador
The pupusa is a savory, thick flatbread made with cornmeal or rice flour. They are traditionally stuffed with refried beans, meat, cheese and squash flowers. Today a variety of fillings are offered, typically based around the meat and cheese combo. The flatbread is topped with a coleslaw, which is traditionally spicy and made of cabbage, onions, and carrots. Pupusas are fairly simple to make at home, and are great to prepare with friends and family. Click here to learn more about the history of the pupusa, and here for a pupusa recipe!
2. Gỏi cuốn (Spring Rolls) -Vietnam
Vietnamese spring rolls are simple, healthy, and delicious. Typically, they are made with a protein such as boiled shrimp, pork, or tofu tucked next to cucumbers, mint, cilantro, and rice noodles, all wrapped in a light rice paper. Another fun, social meal to prepare with and for a group of friends! Click here for a recipe, and here to learn about the legend behind gỏi cuốn.
3. Mitake - The Democratic Republic of Congo
Mitake are tasty, fluffy pastries that can be eaten with dinner or as a dessert! They are also known as ligemat in Sudan, kala in Liberia, and puff-puffs in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Similar to a doughnut or beignet, mitake are a delicious combination of flour, yeast, sugar, butter, salt, water, and eggs, all deep fried until they are a beautiful golden brown. They are typically rolled in spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, or served with strawberry or raspberry dip. Enjoy your very own homemade mitake by following the recipe here, and read more about the origins of mitake here!
4. 비빔밥 (Bibimbap) - Korea
Bibimbap translates in English to “mixed rice with meat and assorted vegetables”. There are many different ways Bibimbap can be prepared, but it is traditionally done with rice, beef, bean sprouts, mushroom, carrots, spinach, egg, and sesame. This warm, delectable Korean dish originated about one thousand years ago, and has developed and evolved since then. The picture below features a Bibimbap I tried that was prepared in a hot stone bowl. This technique causes the rice to continue cooking even once the dish has been served, resulting in a slight crunch. It is so tasty! Click here for a recipe, and here to learn more about the origins of Bibimbap!
5. Stroopwafels - The Netherlands
The Stroopwafel, one of the most popular cookies from the Netherlands, is a cinnamon vanilla cookie split in half and filled with rich caramel. It originated in the city of Gouda in the late 19th century. Stroopwafels quickly became popular, and today they can be found in bakeries, markets, and grocery stores all over the Netherlands. Click here for more history about the delicious cookie, and here for a scrumptious at-home recipe!
Food is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in a culture that’s not your own. So, get out there and try something new! And then let us know about it so we can try it too!