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. 

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.

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).

Yiaourti Me Meli (Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts)

This is so easy to prepare that it would be shameful to call it cooking, but I'm sharing it with the world just in case some of you haven't already thought about combining Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts. It's a very common snack / dessert in Greece and it wouldn't do to have it missing from the specific regional cuisine list. :)

Recipe source: here.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Gram (chickpea) chapatis (Indian flat-breads) (vegan).

Five years ago: Shopska salad (Bulgarian).

Six years ago: Mushroom and baby corn soba noodles (vegan).

Seven years ago: Truffle mashed potatoes and Salată asortată (Romanian assorted salad) (raw vegan).

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

Htapothi Makaronatha (Pasta with octopus) (Greek)

It's no longer any news that seafood holds a special place in Greek cuisine and the Greek chefs really know what to do with seafood to make it shine. This pasta with fresh octopus stewed in a tomato-based sauce is the perfect example of this seafood mastery. If you manage to get fresh octopus in your local market, this should be the go-to recipe for it.

Recipe sources: here and here.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Smoked salmon and scallion omelette. 

Five years ago: Bob chorba (Bulgarian bean soup) (vegan).

Six years ago: Caviar on mashed potatoes (Russian).

Seven years ago: File Marajoara (Steak with melted cheese) (Brazilian).

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

Soboro don (Chicken rice bowl for bento box lunch) (Japanese)

A yum and easy way to create a bento box lunch (or just a home dinner) full of color and flavor. 

Recipe source: Mark from NoRecipes.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Quatro Formaggio pizza (Italian).

Five years ago: Polenta, apple and dried fruit country cake (Italian-style).

Six years ago: Alivenci (Polenta cream cake bars) (Moldavian and Romanian).

Seven years ago: Mascarpone marbled brownies.

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

Tamagoyaki (Rolled omelette) (Japanese)

Tamagoyaki is impressive at a first glance, like something which might be difficult to make, but don't worry, it's really not that hard. All you need is patience and a source of heat. It's easier to make in a special Tamagoyaki pan, of course, in order to achieve the ideal shape, but you don't even need one of those, it's totally doable in a regular frying pan too. The result? One of the creamiest and fluffiest omelettes you've ever had. :)

Recipe sources: JustOneCookbook and JapanCentre.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Coconut and raspberry muffins (vegan).

Five years ago: Dulceață de gutui (Romanian quince jam) (vegan).

Six years ago: Chicken and pomegranate molasses stew (Middle Eastern-style).

Seven years ago:Penne alla vodka (Italian-American).

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

Torrijas al vino (Spanish French toast with wine, honey and olive oil)

The Spanish version of French toast, Torrija (plural Torrijas), soaked with red wine instead on milk, and with strong olive oil and honey flavors to match. The use of olive oil in a sweet dish is common in Spanish cuisine and lends more flavor and depth to the taste. And the red wine is.. well, no introduction is required. Of course it's a lovely touch.

Recipe source: here.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Kartoffelpuffer (German potato pancakes).

Five years ago: Gnocchi al pesto (Italian).

Six years ago: Pizza Margherita (Italian).

Seven years ago: Pickled carrots in salt brine with honey and mustard (vegan).

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

Chocolate a la taza venezolano (Venezuelan hot chocolate)

If Argentinians have their hot chocolate by dunking a chocolate spoon or a chunk of chocolate in their hot milk, Venezuelans take a more preparation-intensive approach to it. 
Not that there's anything wrong with the Argentinian version of hot chocolate, El Submarino, but this hot chocolate with rum from Venezuela is totally worth the extra little bit of effort. 
Main recipe sources: Saveur and EnrileMoine. 

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Shrimp cocktail in avocado cups.

Five years ago: Cypriot tomato salad (Greek).

Six years ago: Coconut corn salad.

Seven years ago: Goat cheese rounds in prosciutto.

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

Bondeomelette (Norwegian farm omelette)

This farm omelette from Norway is a bit complicated to make (you start it on the stove top and finish it in the oven), but it contains all the goodness of a late summer bounty. Made with sliced potatoes, leeks and leftover pulled meat, as well as onion, milk and butter, it tastes like a heartier version of Spanish tortilla. It's totally worth the bit of extra effort required. 

Recipe source: North Wild Kitchen.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Nutella swirl yogurt biscuits.

Five years ago: Goat cheese and poppy seed dip.

Six years ago: Spicy bean and avocado tostadas (Mexican) (vegan).

Seven years ago: Breakfast croissants with Gouda cheese crust.

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

Lapper med Øl (Norwegian Flat Cakes with Beer)

These beer pancakes from Norway are especially fluffy and with a surprising depth of flavor, on account of the magic brew in their batter. :)

Topped with sour cream and jam (I used bitter cherry jam, it was dreamy), they're incredibly good. All pancakes are lovely, but these lapper are really above average good.

Recipe source: North Wild Kitchen.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Sauce Gribiche (French mayo dip).

Five years ago: Home-made pita chips (vegan).

Six years ago: Pesto and caper focaccia (Italian) (vegan).

Seven years ago: Tomato gratin Provencal with garlic butter baguette (French).

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

Sopa Kafea (Spanish Basque coffee soup)

This Basque coffee 'soup' is not a soup, but a dessert / light supper / frugal main course. It hails from the Spanish side of Basque country (the contested region between France and Spain) and although it's far from contemporary gourmet tastes, it's pretty yum.

Recipe source: here.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Fagioli e tonno (Tuna and white bean salad) (Italian).

Five years ago: Kahluaccino. 

Six years ago: Pindi chana (Spicy chickpea curry) (Indian) (vegan).

Seven years ago: Sancocho (Chicken and root soup) (Puerto Rican).

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

Locrio de pica pica (Sardine rice) (Dominican Republic)

This fast to make rice dish is a classic comfort food choice in the Dominican Republic, and a particular hit with kids. Easy to understand why, even the name has a funny ring to it :). It conveniently uses sardines from the can, so all you need to do is to cook it all together and it's done. A delicious and pretty healthy option for a weeknight meal. 

Recipe source: 196flavors. 

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Roasted balsamic Brussels sprouts (vegan).

Five years ago: Black bean chili tostadas with avocado salsa (Mexican) (vegan).

Six years ago: Mojito (cocktail) (Cuban) (vegan).

Seven years ago: Tomato-basil creamy soup with caprese toast.

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

Madeleines (French)

The famous French pastries are easy to make at home, too. All you need is a Madeleine pan and 30 minutes. Why settle for boring muffins when you can make these instead? :)

Recipe sources: Epicurious and Smitten Kitchen.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Lemony courgette and spinach salad (vegan).

Five years ago: Sopa de Habas (Mexican Fava Bean Soup) (vegan).

Six years ago: Spaghetti with broccoli cream pesto.

Seven years ago: Spanish tomato bread with jamon serrano.

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

Café miel (Honey, milk and cinnamon coffee) (French)

The combination of coffee and honey may strike you as unusual. If you've had it before (I had), even then, it was probably simple and black. So the idea of adding foamed milk to it may seem like too much. But this classic French drink deserves all the extra effort (and calories) :). 

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Atol de Elote (Sweet corn and milk drink).

Five years ago: Cherry tomato and spinach bread.

Six years ago: Tiny German pancakes with strawberry filling.

Seven years ago: Strawberry, banana and flax seed muffins.

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

Moules marinieres (Mussels steamed with butter, garlic, shallots and wine) (French)

There are two really classic ways to cook and serve mussels: this Moules marinieres dish and the Moules frites one, both belonging, obviously, to the French tradition. 

Moules mariniers means "Mariner's mussels" and is a very fast and easy to prepare way to serve these tasty bits. Mussels may be a bit of a put off for a lot of people out there if they haven't had a chance o taste them really fresh and really well prepared, but trust me: if you don't like mussels and seafood in general, you just haven't yet encountered the right one(s). :)

First of all, to ensure a successful culinary experience, the mussels need to be as fresh as possible (with only a few days guarantee). And you need to cook them the day you bought them, even if they're guaranteed to last for a few more days according to their label. But worry not :) : the ingredients needed besides the mussels themselves are so ordinary that you can go ahead and grab them off the shelves without worrying you won't find the rest of the stuff in time.
Traditionally, this lovely dish is served with French fries or a crispy warm baguette to dunk in the delicious broth (sauce) remaining after the mussels are steamed through. We chose the baguette to make sure we get as much of the yummy liquid as possible. 
If you can find fresh mussels one day in the store or elsewhere don't hesitate and grab them, then return to this recipe and you'll be savoring a bowl of delicious wonders in no time that will change the way you think about seafood forever. :)

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Calabacitas con Elote (Zucchini with Corn) (Mexican).

Five years ago: Spicy artichoke and cheese pasta souffle.

Six years ago: Avocado and green leaf salad (vegan).

Seven years ago: Mushroom and broccoli filled omelet. 

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

Pain perdu (French toast)

French toast needs no introductions and most food cultures have their own variant of it. If only as a way to use up leftover stale bread, this dish should definitely exist. But it's also really delicious, so no wonder it became so popular. 

The first written reference to it dates back to the 4th century (wow), so we can safely say this dessert is 1,600 years old. 

The most notable alternate versions that come to my mind right now are Frigănele (Romanian savory French toast and Torrijas al vino (Sweet Spanish toasts with red wine), but really, virtually all European countries have their own. 

Time to go back to the classic and check it out. This, good people, is how they do French toast in France :). 

Recipe sources for Pain Perdu: here and here.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Chocolate chip blondies.

Five years ago: Peanut butter, cauliflower and pea curry.

Six years ago: White bread croutons (vegan).

Seven years ago: Chicken with light gorgonzola and mushroom sauce.

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

Jiang Zhi Bo Cai (Spinach with fried ginger) (Chinese) (vegan)

This spinach dish, with contains the beautiful leafy green vegetable marinated in a soy sauce and sesame oil-based liquid and heavily infused with ginger, is a classic in Chinese restaurants, both in China and outside it.

I made it as a side for Hong Shao Shi Zi Tou (Red Braised Lion's Head) and altogether that dinner was wonderful. 

Recipe source: Saveur and FeedingFen.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Sunomono (Japanese cucumber salad) (raw vegan).

Five years ago: East 62nd Street lemon cake (American).

Six years ago: Ciorbă de gulii (Romanian kohlrabi soup) (vegan).

Seven years ago:  Smoked salmon carpaccio with sun-dried tomatoes (raw) (Swedish "Najad Lax").

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

Xiao Chao (Jia Chao Rou) (Pork and green pepper stir fry) (Southern Chinese)

I first had this fiery pork stir-fry at one of my favorite Chinese restaurants (still ordering it from time to time), and immediately decided this deserves to be made from scratch as well. The preparation requires a bit of focus and moving stuff in and out of a pan, but it's very quick and straightforward.

Recipe source: here. 

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Baked salmon on fennel.

Five years ago: Café con leche (Spanish strong coffee with milk).

Six years ago: Peach and vanilla cream pie.

Seven years ago: Lemon and artichoke spaghetti (vegan).

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

Tattie scones (Potato pancakes) (Scottish)

A simple appetizer, starter or side from Scotland, these tattie scones are easy to throw together and surprisingly delicious for such simple fare. 

Recipe source: here.

Last year: nothing.

Two years ago: nothing.

Three years ago: nothing.

Four years ago: Pizza Pollo affumicato con Brie (Italian-American).

Five years ago: Banana brownie cake.

Six years ago: Chickpea and ras-el-hanout cous cous (Moroccan-style) (vegan).

Seven years ago: Raspberry-chocolate brownies.

Eight years ago: baby making and no cooking :)