Throughout my travels, as a food writer and researcher, I am constantly on the hunt for interesting and unique food stories. Many of these stories come with a recipe or two, more often than not of dishes not so commonly known.
Most recipes I have adapted so that I may cook them easily at home here in Portland, Oregon. Have feedback on how this recipe worked for you? Let me know (make sure to note where you are located!) and I will add your notes to my recipe.
If you are interested in more of the story behind each recipe, please join me on Substack where I share more of each recipe’s cultural and historical origins.
Tunnbröd (Swedish Flatbread)Tunnbröd is a traditional Swedish flatbread made from a mix of whole wheat, white wheat, and sometimes barley, and often seasoned with anise and fennel seed.Apfelkuchen (German Apple Cake)Apfelkuchen can take the shape of a pastry filled with apples or a soft cake; or sometimes it can be spiced, light – or buttery and dense. The recipe below is my preferred style – a sweet, buttery cake.Stuffed ChineA heritage food from the East Midlands of England, this salted pork dish is stuffed with parsley and poached – chronicled by Slow Food UK with the intent of preserving this regional delicacy.Gubbröra (Swedish Egg Salad)Gubbröra (roughly translates to “old man’s mix”) is a classic Swedish dish. Just like a potato salad, there are many variations on this dish, but the base ingredients are always egg, sprats, herbs, red onion, and gräddfil (Swedish soured cream). Served atop a slice of dark rye bread.Welsh Cakes (picau ar y maen)The ingredients of a scone (plus sultana and a little spice) but cooked on a griddle like a pancake, these little crumbly delights are then rolled in sugar and served hot.Francisca’s EmpanadasEmpanadas are savory or sweet turnovers, popular in many Latin American and Spanish-speaking countries, consisting of a filled pastry or dough pocket.Paella de Maria LuisaThis is NOT a traditional paella, but it’s quick, easy, delicious, fragrant with saffron, and packed with chicken and shrimp.لوبیاپلو Loobia Polo (Persian Green Beans and Rice)Simple, easy to make one-dish Persian comfort dish, made from long grain rice, turmeric, lamb, and green beans.