This is a lovely curry from the northernmost tip of Sumatra. This goat curry speaks to old heritage trade routes, influenced by Indian and Arab traders, each adding a nuance to this dish that is perfectly intermingled with local flavours. The dish is made particularly during the months of Ramadaan. In the afternoon, huge metal cauldrons called beulangongs are prepared and set over slow fires to simmer until sunset, when the day -long fast is broken. The curry is served with r

One of my favourite spices is sumac; it has a sharp sourness and a bright colour that I cannot resist. Sumac is an old spice, its name derived from the Semitic root "smq," meaning "red". The name has undergone various transliterations, "Sumach in Latin and Old French, and "Summāq" in Arabic, illustrating the old heritage of this spice. The botanical plant is called Rhus coriaria, a plant that grows abundantly in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. One interesting fact abou

This is a light summer salad perfectly paired with roasted meats. The richness of the fatty meats is cut by this light salad, which also adds a wonderful crunch. This salad is also wonderful on the mezze table, its lightness cutting through the richer dishes and small fried plates. The freshness of the cucumbers is balanced by the basil's earthiness, and the dish finishes with a pop of tartness from the lime juice. It is a wonderful summer cooling dish. The Turkish Cookbook i

Kunna gosht originates from the village of Chiniot in the Punjab region of Pakistan. The dish is also often called Chiniot gosht after the village it originates from. The term "kunna" refers to the wide-mouthed clay pot in which this dish is slowly simmered. This dish is a cousin of the very popular nihari, but has a distinct profile. What makes this dish special is the earthiness that comes from cooking it slowly in an earthen pot, the clay adding to the flavour profile. In