In many parts of the world the holiday season is in full swing — which means hearty meals and festive get-togethers, but also chaotic airports and overpriced hotels. If you decided to eschew the questionable joys of holiday travel, it doesn’t mean you can’t still experience new cultures and flavors in your kitchen.
Saveur Magazine recently announced their 2018 Food Blog winners and finalists, and among them are several fantastic WordPress websites specializing in the culinary traditions of one country or region. Here are three to whet your appetite — why not browse some recipes, read the stories behind them, and try something new for your next gathering?
A Kitchen in Uganda
Sweet potato chips masala, from A Kitchen in Uganda
With too few exceptions, African cooking is still woefully underrepresented outside the continent. Sophie Musoki, the food-loving blogger who created A Kitchen in Uganda, works hard to change that. Based in Kasese, Uganda, she shares recipes that encourage readers to discover East African staples while occasionally fusing elements from other parts of the world.
Sophie’s website makes it easy to plan entire meals, from firinda soup to gonja donuts. If you’re not sure where to start, her handy index recipe has got you covered.
Cuisine Helvetica
Knöpfli (Swiss spätzle) with red kuri squash, from Cuisine Helvetica
If you live in the colder reaches of the Northern Hemisphere, this is the season for dishes that hit the “rich and comforting” spot. Few cooking cultures come with as much instant-gratification value as Switzerland’s — and at Cuisine Helvetica, American expat Heddi delivers recipes you’ll want to try (Knöpfli, anyone?) as well as forays into other, non-edible parts of Swiss culture.
It’s not all melted cheese and endless chocolate (not that there’s anything wrong with either) — Heddi’s pea soup looks like a fresh, bright complement to all those delicious fats.
the cinnaman
Star anise blood-orange olive-oil cake, from the cinnaman
It’s always time for dessert somewhere in the world. (Counterpoint: it’s always time for dessert, period.) Why not try a recipe or two from Majid Ali, aka the cinnaman, who just won Saveur’s Blog of the Year award?
Majid lives in Dubai, a cosmopolitan hub that’s deeply rooted in Middle Eastern and Persian Gulf food culture. And his confections stay faithful to the hybrid influences of his city: whether he bakes a cherry pie or a shortbread, he infuses his recipes with spices and textures from the region. (The cherry pie calls for sumac and date molasses; the shortbread features cardamom and pistachio.) As a bonus, you can read his recipes in both English and Arabic.
What’s your most prized holiday dish or food tradition? Let us know in the comments!
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Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to read more on the blogs shared as I love good food from diverse cultures
LikeLiked by 9 people
Wow! I’d love to try these. I love baking and I am looking forward to engage myself in learning new recipes for the next two months.
LikeLiked by 9 people
So delicious-looking!
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It’s so delicious .
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Yess this is love
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nice! but I need still to learn on how to bake.
LikeLiked by 11 people
Always good to have something yummy on the table! But most of all- to have with whom to share 🙂
LikeLiked by 10 people
very nice.
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The post just shows the joy food brings with itself!!
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Love to cook….will surely try each one of them.
LikeLiked by 7 people
I love me some masala sweet potato chips!
LikeLiked by 8 people
Can’t wait to try the blood orange olive oil cake recipe!!!
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That all looks so great!
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Thank you for this post. It is very helpful especially that I will celebrate Christmas alone. I guess this will make me feel that I am connected with the world celebration even at the safety of my own home. I can update once I tried cooking one of these dishes.
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Nice post
LikeLiked by 9 people
Damn! This inspired and motivates me to make the kitchen my second ally😀😀
LikeLiked by 7 people
Yes thank you for sharing and God bless you for the holidays..
LikeLiked by 7 people
In Spain turrón y polvorones
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thank you for the wonderful highlight of A Kitchen in Uganda.
LikeLiked by 8 people
Thank you for a lovely site, Sophie! I’m really glad I learned about it through the Saveur nomination.
LikeLiked by 7 people
Thank you very much for the information. As I will be home, I’m definitely going to get all creative with my food and have fun with it.
LikeLiked by 7 people
Lovely, thanks for sharing!
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Wow, love it
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sumptuous! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 10 people
Am I the only one that is drooling from the pictures?
LikeLiked by 12 people
It’s amazing! I like it. And I will try to make some recipes with some special ingredients.
LikeLiked by 10 people
It is wonderful
LikeLiked by 9 people
thank you for sharing
LikeLiked by 8 people
Yes! Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 7 people
It’s always fascinating to learn about other cuisines. We’re usually so used to our usual menu that it’s weird to even think that someone, somewhere, may eat completely different things. Even though it’s obvious, I still sometimes find myself surprised seeing a new recipe using new ingredients. I love to explore new food though!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Looks delicious and worth the read & try
LikeLiked by 4 people
I love this! Thanks for sharing this! 🙂
LikeLiked by 6 people