Japan

Japan (#32) Soba Noodle Soup

 
This dish was one of the reasons I started this food blog.  It encourages me to try making something unique that I otherwise would not have done, and I get to eat with a beautiful pair of chopsticks.  This noodle soup was absolutely wonderful, and there are so many different ways to use Soba.  Soba means “buckwheat”, and is very healthful.  I simmered garlic, ginger, cilantro and scallions in water, and then added seasoned rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, honey and red pepper flakes.  Then I tossed in sliced carrots, green peas, snow peas and shrimp.  Pour over the cooked Soba and sprinkle with shichimi togarashi.  Shichimi togarashi is a seven spice mixture of roasted red pepper, red pepper, black pepper, dried seaweed, black sesame, poppy seed, and Indian hemp seed.  I just discovered this, and it will be a staple in my pantry.  This recipe came with a note that said – Healing powers: digestive health, heart health, sleep and weight loss.  I’m all over that!

Poland

Poland (#31) Galumpkis (Stuffed Cabbage)

Galumpkis is a cabbage roll common in Polish cuisine, made from boiled cabbage leaves wrapped around a combination of ground pork and beef, chopped onions, and rice baked in a sweet and sour tomato sauce.   It's a little bit labor intensive but the result is well worth it.  Making it is a four-step process; first, you make the sweet and sour tomato sauce, then you make the pork and beef filling, then you prepare the cabbage leaves, and the fourth step is putting it all together by rolling the mixture in cabbage leaves and topping with the tomato sauce and baking.  Smacznego!

Cyprus

Cyprus (#30) Afelia (Pork with Coriander and Red Wine)

 
Afelia is a traditional pork dish from Cyprus.  It’s made with lots of ground coriander, onions and red wine.  In Cyprus, cumin and coriander make up the main cooking aromas of the island, and I loved the aroma that filled my kitchen all afternoon.  I made a rice pilaf to serve with it, and a side of Greek yogurt mixed with finely diced cucumbers, garlic and lemon juice.  This was a wonderful Sunday dinner recipe that I will definitely make again.