The Yucatán, which sits at the end of Mexico's curling peninsula, is often described as Mayan, and it was a vital cog in the old empire....

I love bitter gourds and bitter flavours in general. Included in that world are arugula, dandelion greens, coffee and chocolate,...

Rice is a staple in Mexico and is served on every table. It is used as a stuffing for everything, including tacos, burritos, and other...

Middle Eastern meze is a delight. The innumerable dishes arrive, almost unasked for, and the flavours and scents tantalize you into...

I love mashed potatoes; it is ther creaminess and subtle flavours that entice me to add a large pile to my plate. The French-style mash...

Kachumbar, or kachumbari, is a staple salad on any Omani table. It compliments the meat, usually composed of heavy meats and rice dishes,...

One of the most intriguing spices in Mexico is tajin seasoning. In San Francisco, we had a large persimmon tree. Our gardener would pick...

Pasta is comfort food meant to satisfy the soul. Its world is wide, with over 300 shapes, innumerable sauces, and baked recipes. Each...

Stir-frying is an art. Hot woks, high fires, and quick cooking are the main themes. I love wok cooking for its simplicity, quickness, no...

Soba noodles are one of ancient Japan's most traditional dishes. Buckwheat has been cultivated in Japan presumably since the early Jomon...

I love eggplant and have often been told that I overdo it on my table. I love it because it is easy to cook and works well with an almost...

Mexico's national non-alcoholic beverage is horchata, a sweet, cinnamon drink that quenches thirst on hot days. When I lived in the US,...

Kalia is a style of cooking prevalent in Oman and, as I have discovered, in Afghanistan and Northern India. It is a slow-cooked meat dish...

Drumsticks or moringa are popular in India. These long stems stick out obtrusively in the vegetables markets and shops and are quite...

Mirza Dawood Ali Khan was titled by the Nizam as Jung Bahadur and commonly referred to as Dawood Jung. He was one of the most colourful...

Sometimes the simplicity of a recipe belies its beautiful flavour. This is one of those dishes. This is a simple wok stir-fry of soft...

Dhal is core to Indian cuisine. There are infinite versions of dhal, varying from the type of lentil used to spices and cooking...

When we think of an eggplant dip, the first one that jumps to our minds is baba ghanoush. But this is a versatile dish, and there are...

Great ingredients make for great salads. This is a very simple salad with just a few ingredients, but it's oh-so good. The soft, creamy...

Slow braising is an art. The meat, or vegetables, are cooked for an extended time period in the sauce allowing the spices and herbs to...