Caribbean cocoa tea (hot chocolate) (St Lucia)

The so-called cocoa tea is actually a type of delicious hot chocolate, heavy infused with spices (even unusual ones like bay leaf). It hails from the island of St Lucia, and it's made from and served with fresh cocoa logs or at least cocoa nibs (as I had here).

Story here and recipe here.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Spaghetti aglia e olio del Re (Italian).

Five years ago: Mini poppy seed croissants (savory).

Six years ago: Glazed duck with orange sauce and vegetables (French-style).

Seven years ago: North Croatian deer goulash.

Eight years ago: Scottish cardamom griddle scones with butter and honey. 

Caribbean ostrich steaks (Curaçaoan)

This is a more unusual recipe from Curaçao, using ostrich meat, prepared with jalapenos, garlic, lime and parsley, after the meat was marinated in a mix of citrus juices. The final result was refreshing and very tender.

For a taste of Curaçao, if you can find ostrich meat in your local stores, this is worth a try. :)

Recipe source: here.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Brussels sprouts with lemon, garlic and chili sauce (vegan).

Five years ago: Kataif / Kadayf (Turkish-Greek).

Six years ago: Pumpkin and sage soup.

Seven years ago: Potato, sun-dried tomatoes and herbs creamy salad.

Eight years ago: Scottish cardamom griddle scones with butter and honey

Glazed peach scones (Southern USA)

Scones are common between the British and USA cuisines, but the the South of the United States they seem to have developed a more important role. Part of traditional offerings for guests, alongside sweet tea and finger foods, scones are part of the old culture of the white South.
These scones contain fresh peaches and are drizzled with a thick vanilla sugar glaze. Any Southern great-grandma would be proud. :)
Alternatively, you can try these fresh cranberry and walnut scones, also from the South of USA. 
Recipe source: here.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Gashouse Eggs (Sunshine Toast) (American).

Five years ago: Duck liver, orange and parsley crostini.

Six years ago: Fig and blue cheese tart in walnut crust.

Seven years ago: Duck eggs with broccoli and prosciutto.

Eight years ago: Scottish cardamom griddle scones with butter and honey.

Fried Chicken and Sweet Potato Salad (Soul food)

A wonderful, scrumptious combo of leftover fried chicken and sweet potatoes, thrown together with herbs, pickles, celery and onion within a creamy dressing. It's rich and heavy just like most other things in Southern cuisine, but so delicious it leaves no room for regret. 

Recipe source: Chef Mason Hereford, via Saveur. 

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Kumquat cardamom tea bread.

Five years ago: Pico de gallo (Mexican) (raw vegan).

Six years ago: Cocoa and chili biscotti (Aztec-style biscuits).

Seven years ago: Cajeta cake squares (Molten caramel cake).

Eight years ago: Scottish cardamom griddle scones, with butter and honey.

Hoppin' John (Carolina peas and rice) (Southern USA, Soul Food)

The so-called Hoppin' John is a classic peas and rice dish from the South of the United States, with some regional variations from area to area. 

There is also a tradition involving this dish: if eaten on the New Year's Day, Hoppin' John is said to bring good luck throughout the year which begins. Furthermore, on the day after New Year's Day, leftover "Hoppin' John" is called "Skippin' Jenny" and if consumed, it further demonstrates one's frugality, bringing a hope for an even better chance of prosperity in the New Year that comes. :)

For another Soul food rice dish from the deep South, check out Charleston rice, also called red rice. It also combines the smoky flavor of bacon with rice in a wonderful example of comfort food.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Grapefruit guacamole (raw vegan).

Five years ago: Arroz Verde (Green cilantro rice) (Mexican).
Six years ago: Aztec hot chocolate.
Seven years ago: Rosemary, Gruyere cheese and potato bread.
Eight years ago: Tagliatelle with Gorgonzola and spinach sauce.

Kentucky chess pie (Southern USA)

A classic dessert of Southern USA, originally brought over from England into the newly established territories of Virginia and New England, chess pie is a caramel delight. Gooey and crunchy at the same time due to the thin and crispy crust which forms at the top, the caramel-like filling of the pastry shell can totally sweeten up your afternoons :).

It goes well with ice-cream but also great with black coffee.

Recipe source: Saveur. 

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Pommes de Terre Byron (Byron Potatoes) (French).

Five years ago: Hummus, scallion and kalamata pita pockets (vegan).

Six years ago: Hasselback potatoes (Swedish).

Seven years ago: Salată de varză (Romanian white cabbage salad) (raw vegan).

Eight years ago: Simple strawberry, cream and rice crispies treat.

Cheese straws (England and Southern USA)

Cheese straws are the classic crackers that everyone loves, right? Originating in England and then taken to the food culture of the South of USA (and still very popular there), the humble but delicious cheese straws spread throughout the world as well. Almost mandatory at weddings in Souther USA, they are very airy and tangy due to the touch of cayenne pepper and the sharpness of a good Cheddar cheese.

They also resemble the Sărățele of my native Romania, though those are a bit cheesier and shiny with egg-wash. The Southern USA cheese straws have an airier texture, but both are very much yum. :)

Recipe source: SplendidTable.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Orrecchiete with artichokes, chanterelles and spinach pesto (Italian-style).

Five years ago: Black Russian (cocktail).

Six years ago: Cheddar and oat scones (British).

Seven years ago: Mexican rice with vegetables (vegan).

Eight years ago: Sweet potato and prosciutto starters.

Charleston red rice (Southern USA, Soul food) (Georgia and South Carolina)

Charleston red rice is a typical Soul food dish from the coastal regions of Georgia and South California. Also known locally as simply 'red rice', it's heavily associated with the Gullah people, descendants of the enslaved African-Americans who were brought there from West Africa.

Culinary experts say it's derived from a version of Thieboudienne, a traditional rice dish from Senegal, through a process of creolization, in which the displaced people adapted a dish they already knew to the local ingredients and what they had access to.

It's a recipe that comes together easily and makes for a great main or side. The little bits of bacon lend the entire mass of rice steeped in crushed tomatoes a new richness and flavor, and the sofrito (vegetable base) of onion, celery and bell pepper add extra flavor depth.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Pizza-ghetti (Canadian).

Five years ago: Pumpkin pie with crunchy spice star biscuits.

Six years ago: American pumpkin pie (from scratch).

Seven years ago: Lemon pepper grilled chicken.

Eight years ago: Frittata with bell pepper and Tirolean sausages (Austrian-style).

Clătite cu piure de castane (Crêpes with chestnut cream) (Moldavian and Romanian)

The chestnut cream is one of Eastern Europe's finest delicacies. Using this ingredient as a filling for sweet crêpes is something done in the northeastern pat of my country, Bucovina and Northern Moldavia (the Romanian part of Moldavia, at least). Starting from the city of Iaşi and continuing to go up, you can find these on the menu in most local cafeterias and confectioneries. 
You can find chestnut cream in jars in most supermarkets, as it was popularized by the French in the Western World as well. Grab a jar, return home, heat up the skillet and get flipping. They will be slightly less sweet than the crêpes or pancakes you might be accustomed to (especially if you usually fill them with Nutella or sweet jams), but much more flavorful. Enjoy.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Mont Blanc cookies (French-Italian).

Five years ago: Kastaniencremesuppe (Chestnut cream soup) (German).

Six years ago: Autumn chestnut and beetroot salad. (Yup, even more chestnuts).

Seven years ago: Fig, rosemary and mascarpone tartlets.

Eight years ago: Spicy Guinness mustard (Irish).

Sticky toffee pudding sheet cake (British-American)

The classic sticky gooey crumbly caramel-tasting goodness we all know and love from that one special pub or restaurant. Served hot, with its puddles of extra toffee sauce and a cup of vanilla ice-cream. What's there not to love?

Recipe loosely adapted from Nigella Lawson, via Food52.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Chicken Jalfrezi (Indian-Chinese).

Five years ago: Beef and bamboo shot soup (Filipino).

Six years ago: Crispy chili beef with broccoli (stir-fry). 

Seven years ago: Green tree (cocktail).

Eight years ago: Baby making and no cooking :).