Human history is his-story of survival. With the advent of civilization, the raw food initially gathered through hunting and agriculture was experimented upon with different aesthetically diverse recipes, which were unique in their own taste. The earliest known recipes can be traced back to 1600 BC and are recorded in Akkadian tablet from ancient Babylon. Some recent excavations also discovered ancient Egyptian writings, having instructions for the preparation of food.
In the Age of discovery, wealth accumulated in Europe from colonial states. There was exchange of culture between Europeans, and New World, Asia and Africa. This led to sharing of knowledge, so was true for different foods indigenous to a region. Competition grew between the elites and the noble families as to who could prepare the most lavish dining. Battles for fought between Europeans and Ottomans for control of spice-trade. Still in modern era food has been a crucial part of one’s culture. Culture evolves, so does the food.
I had been a private chef for 4 years. As a typical European, initially my cooking consisted of rich, creamy food but after travelling through South Asia, Middle east and South-East Asia, I realized by using some spices and herbs, I can make my cooking delicious and add mouth-watering aroma to it. So I experimented on my cooking and created recipes that I would like to share with you. These recipes are extremely simple and ingredients are readily available.
1. Chicken Biryani
This is extremely delicious Indio-Pak rice dish which is served at special events;whether its weddings or special holidays Biryani finds its way to your plate. Long grain rice is used for its preparation especially Basmati Rice that’s mostly cultivated in rich fields of Pakistani and Indian Punjab.
Directions:
In a skillet, add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Add finely cut potatoes. Fry them until brown. Drain the oil and separate the potatoes in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons oil to skillet and fry finely cut onion, garlic and ginger until onions turn brown. Add chili, pepper, turmeric, cumin, salt and the tomatoes and fry them until a paste is formed, while stirring mixture constantly for 5 minutes. Add yogurt, mint, cardamom and cinnamon. Cover and cook the tomatoes to a pulp formation. Add a little warm water if the mixture becomes too dry while heating. Add the chicken pieces and stir them thoroughly to mix with the paste. Cover and cook over very low heat until the chicken is soft.In another put mix the rice, potatoes and chicken and gently mix. .. Cover the saucepan and steam for 20 minutes. Do not lift the lid. After that gently mix the Biryani with spoon and garnish it onto a warm serving dish.
2. Chicken Jalfrezi
This is a Pakistani recipe. It’s personally my favorite. Its eaten along with basmati rice or Chapatis.
Directions:
Heat the oil in a medium-sized pan. Add garlic and onions and fry them for 2 or 3 minutes. Add the good quality chicken along with salt, turmeric and, red and green chilli. Care should be taken to frequently turn the chicken to ensure proper cooking and mixing the chicken with added ingredients.
Pour tomato juice and cover the pan. Heat it for few min. Uncover the lid and heat until excess liquid evaporates. Add oil, ground coriander and ginger. Serve the chicken piece in a plate, with sauce poured on top.
3. Mie Gureng:
This is delicious Indonesian noodle dish. It can be diversified by adding different vegetables.
Directions:
Boil the water in a pan and cook the ramen about 3 minutes until it’s soft. Put noodles into cold water. Mix one 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.Place the chicken strips in a bowl and mix them with garlic, olive oil, black pepper and salt. Fry the chicken until its pink colour turns brown, for 5 minutes. Add the finely cut carrots, cabbage, mushrooms and broccoli, and fry them about 5 minutes.Mix the chicken and vegetable well. Heat the mixture well. Dish is ready!
4. Kalbi
Kalbi is an expensive Korean BBQ dish. But it can also be prepared at home with a simple recipe.
Directions:
Add soy sauce, brown sugar, water, garlic, green onions, and sesame oil into the bowl and mix it thoroughly. Mix it until the brown suger dissolves.
Take a large plastic zipper bag. Place the ribs in it and put it in refrigerator for 3 hours.
Take out the ribs from the bag. Remove extra marinade. Put the ribs on the preheated grill for 10 min.
Serve the grilled ribs in a nice plate and garnish it.
5. Sesame Seared Tuna
Garnished with Sesame Seeds it tastes great.
Directions:
Take a bowl.Add soy sauce, mirin, honey and sesame oil. Take the mixture in two separate vessels. Add vinegar into one part and put it aside.
Add the sesame seeds into plate and spread them. Coat the tuna steaks with the remaining mixture and carefully roll over the plate to adsorb the seeds.
Fry the tuna steaks in olive oil in a skillet. Turn the steaks every 30 seconds to ensure proper cooking.
6. Frijoles de Olla
It’s a Mexican Recipe made from Pinto beans. It’s extremely simple.
Directions:
Take water into a large pot. Add Pinto beans and boil it. Cook for 2 to 3 hours.
Add salt and cook it for 30 min until the beans turn soft.
Serve it immediately.
7. Easy Mexican Casserole
Extremely delicious and good for health as it contains lower amount of fats.
Directions:
Take ground beef and fry it in skillet until its color turns brown. Add Salsa and heat for 20 min until liquid evaporates. Add beans and heat the mixture thoroughly.
Put some oil on baking dish .Spread tortilla chips and spread beef-bean mixture over chips. Pour cream over beef .Garnish it with green onion, tomato and olives.
Bake in preheated oven.
8. Canadian Hamburger
Popular in summer, they are packed with load of stuff.
Directions:
Preheat a grill
Take a large bowl and together the ground beef, onion, cheese, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, egg, onion soup mix, garlic, garlic powder, parsley, basil, oregano, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
Grill patties for 5 minutes.
Put the mixture in bowls and patties in buns.
9.Roasted Brussels Sprouts
This dish can be preserved in a fridge for long time and used when needed by reheating in oven.
Directions:
Place finely cut Brussels sprouts, olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper in a plastic bag. Seal it carefully. Cover it with baking sheet and place it in pre-heated oven.
Roast them in oven for 45 min until sprouts turn brown. Adjust the heat to prevent burning. Brussels sprouts are ready when they turn almost black .
Serve it while hot
10. Spinach Enchiladas
It’s a Mexican dish best for vegetarians.
Directions:
Heat the butter in a pan. Add garlic and onion. Fry them for few min. Add spinach and cook for about 5 more minutes. Mix them with ricotta cheese, sour cream.
Warm tortillas in skillet for 15 seconds. Add spinach mixture over tortillas. Roll the tortillas and pour sauce over them. Pour Monterey Jack over it.
Back for half an hour.
Bon apetit!
Image credits:
www.taste.com
www.bbc.co.uk
www.food.com