Chef Bolek: Around the World in 80 Dishes

Around the World in 80 Dishes

Andrew Zimmern, the chef and host of Bizarre Foods, once remarked during an interview that "[f]ood is the simplest way to learn about another culture." That concept -- learning about cultures through cuisine -- led me to pursue a personal challenge. I wanted to travel across the globe on a culinary adventure inspired by Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days. However, rather than completing this adventure in 80 days, I decided that it should involve 80 Dishes ... one main course from 80 different countries. This adventure would take me to more than just Egypt, India, China, Japan and the United States. I wanted to visit many more places, like Ethiopia, Mongolia, Uruguay, and Andorra, where the cuisines are not as well known, thereby providing me with an opportunity to learn about new cultures.

Returning to Andrew Zimmern, he also once advised, "be a traveler, not a tourist," and, "look beyond what's right in front of you" because it is a key to understanding the world in which we live. This advice guides me on my personal culinary adventure. With each challenge, I spend a lot of time researching the country, along with its cuisine and culture. I examine recipes and try to ascertain their historical and cultural importance. I also try to make, not just a main course, but also appetizers, side dishes and even beverages. This makes each challenge not simply about a dish, but an experience. It takes a lot of time to prepare for each challenge, and not everything that I read makes it into every post. However, I try to approach each challenge, as well as each blog post, with one objective: to leave after each "visit" to a country with not only the knowledge of how to cook a dish, but also a better understanding of the culture and cuisine of that country.

I hope you will join me on my personal, culinary adventure. Each country that I have "visited" or each challenge that I have completed is listed below (with the dish that counts toward my challenge being underlined):

COMPLETED CHALLENGES

1. Ethiopia

Doro Wat; Yataklete Kilkil; Tej

2. Czech Republic (Czechia)

Veprova Pecene; Houskove Knedlicky

3. Bangladesh

Makher Taukari; Bangladeshi Jasmine Rice

4. Jamaica

Jerk Chicken; Ginger Beer

5. Iran

Kebab-e Jojeh; Salad e-Shirazi; Doogh

6. Ecuador

Ceviche de Corvina; Locro; Aji Criollo; Cuaker

7. Democratic Republic of Congo

Chicken Moambe

8. Greece

Psari Spetsiotiko; Domatokeftedes; Tzatziki; Aginares Latheres

9. Mongolia

Hushuur; Guriltai Shol; Suutei Tsai

10. Cuba

Ropa Vieja; Congri; Cuban Sofrito

11. Libya

Khalyat Alkadba wal Galoob; Bzaar; Hararat

12. Paraguay

So'o-Yosopy

13. The Philippines

Adobong Manok; Tahong Ng Sabaw

14. Mozambique

Matata; Camarao Mozambique; Piri-Piri Sauce

15. Uruguay

Chivitos al Pan

16. Andorra

Escudella

17. Haiti

Griots; Diri Kole ak Pwa; Accra; Soupe aux Pois Rouges; Bonbon Sirop

18. Bhutan

Kangchu Maroo; Ema Datshi

19. Eritrea

Tsebhi Sega; Eritrean Berbere; Tegelese Tesmi; D'Nish Zigni

20. Australia

Carpetbag Steak

SP. Tibet

Sha Momos; Sepen; Po Cha

21. Mauritius

Mauritian Duck Curry; Chana Masala

22. India

Rogan Josh; Daal Saag; Vegetable Pullao

23. Pakistan

Karahi Gosht

24. Lebanon

Shish Taouk; Tabbouleh

25. Laos

Beef Larb

26. Morocco

Mechoui (Meshwi); Chickpeas with Mint, Scallions and Cilantro

27. China

Peking Duck

28. Italy

Cuscusu; Polenta Pasticcata al Gamberi; Ostriche Arrosto;
Cozze allo Zafferano; Polpette di Pesce in Umido;
Calamari Piccanti; Insalata di Polpo e Patate

29. Croatia