From Jamaican patties to Florida key lime pie, food and travel are inseparable. And while it clearly isn’t the same as digging into a destination’s iconic dishes while visiting, a host of recipes and how-to videos have emerged during the pandemic to help ease the boredom of being at home and, more importantly, keep the taste of travel alive. Enjoy this brief culinary tour:
Kevin in the kitchen (Ireland)
Tourism Ireland has released a new series of videos in partnership with celebrity chef Kevin Dundon, highlighting recipes that practically anyone can make from the comfort of home. Recorded in Dunbrody House, each video showcases a different dish – from rustic fare such as scones and soup, to barbecue favourites and tasty soda bread. Check them out on the “A Taste of Ireland” on YouTube. More recipes and stories about food can also be found on the Discover Ireland web site.
Soup for you (Maryland)
From freshly steamed crabs and oysters to crispy fried chicken to layers of the outrageous Smith Island Cake, Maryland has its own unique menu. Many of the dishes are detailed on the “A Taste of Maryland” section of the state’s tourism web site. Here’s a sample recipe for Maryland crab soup, which promises to “fill a room with the flavour of Chesapeake Bay”:
Ingredients (serves 6):
• 3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cups celery, chopped
• 1 medium potato, diced
• 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 6 cups water
• ½ pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut in 1 inch pieces
• 1 ½ cup fresh, Maryland sweet-corn kernels (About 3 ears)
• 1 cup lima beans (Fresh is best, but frozen is OK)
• ½ cup peas (same as above, fresh if you got ‘em, frozen if you don’t!)
• 4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 3-4 tbsp Old Bay Seasoning or J.O. Crab Seasoning
• 2 tbsp dry mustard
• red pepper flakes to taste
• 1 lb. handpicked Maryland crabmeat, lump for sweetness, or claw for richness
Preparation (80 minutes):
• Step 1: Combine all of the vegetables and the canned tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay or J.O. Crab Seasoning, dry-mustard, a pinch or two (or three if you like it fiery!) of the red pepper flakes, and six cups of water in a large pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium-low and simmer for half an hour.
• Step 2: Add crabmeat to soup and simmer for 45 minutes more, stirring often. Season with pepper, salt, or more crab seasoning and serve. For a change of pace, consider combining with equal parts Cream of Crab Soup. It’s what we Marylanders call a bowl of “Half-and-Half!”
Meanwhile, here are a trio of Maryland oyster recipes to try at home:
• Oysters Rockefeller Chesapeake Style from Hoopers Island
https://hoopersisland.com/recipe/oysters-rock/
• Hoopers Island Oyster Stew
https://hoopersisland.com/recipe/hoopers-island-oyster-stew/
• Skipjack Oyster Dressing
https://hoopersisland.com/recipe/skipjack-oyster-dressing/
Hot spot (Peru)
There’s little doubt that Peru has become a trending food destination, boasting some of the world’s top chefs. There’s plenty to explore online from the South American culinary hot spot, including a cooking masterclass from award-winning chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, courtesy of Aqua Expeditions. Check out his tutorials – including Peruvian civeche – on the cruise line’s Facebook page.
PromPeru’s Youtube page also offers easy one-minute Peruvian recipes that can be made with most ingredients found in a fridge and pantry. Examples include local favourites such as Lomo saltado (a stir-fried beef dish), Papa a la Huancaína (a potato and cheese dish) and Solterito de Quinoa (a simple quinoa salad).
Something’s fishy (Bermuda)
From fish chowder infused with black rum and sherry peppers to Portuguese donuts served alongside a traditional codfish breakfast,
Bermuda’s cuisine brings fresh and bold flavours to the table. Here’s how to make “Bermuda’s Famous Fish Sandwich on Raisin Bread” courtesy of the BermyEats Café on Chancery Lane in Hamilton, Bermuda.
Ingredients
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 tbsp old bay seasoning
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Salt
• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 cups Vegetable oil
• 2 slices of your choice of bread
Tartar sauce dressing:
• 2 tbsp Relish
• 4 tbsp Mayo
• Hot sauce or chili sauce
• Cheese (optional)
• Lettuce (shredded)
• Tomato (sliced)
Preparation:
• Cut two fillets in decent size pieces (big enough to fit on your bread).
• Place fish, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, blackpepper and salt in a mixing bowl and mix until combined and evenly coated
• Add in eggs and milk and mix to combine, set aside
• In a separate small bowl mix together the relish and mayo until combined
• Add in hot sauce as desired
• In a small sauce pan add oil, place on medium heat
• Put flour in a shallow baking dish. Take fish and place in flour and cover evenly on all sides. Take floured fish and place in oil let cook for 5-10 mins or until golden brown. Remove and let drain on a plate lined with paper towel
• To serve: Toast two slices of (raisin) bread and ut a generous portion of fried fish fillet on on slice of bread.
• Add tartar sauce, top with fish lettuce and tomatoes and enjoy!
Click click cook (Fort Lauderdale)
Fort Lauderdale may be located in South Florida, but its restaurants serve cuisine from around the world. A host of recipes from local restaurants – from linguine and clams to vegetarian chili – can be found in the “A Taste of Lauderdale You Can Cook at Home” section of Sunny.org. Eating in style is as simple as click click cook.
A royal feast (Britain)
Created by Le Cordon Bleu chef Rosemary Hume to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation lunch in 1953, Coronation Chicken is enjoyed by royals and street party-throwing Brits alike. A quintessential British classic, it can spice up a simple salad or work as a delicious sandwich filling.
Ingredients (serves 4-6):
• 6 tbsp mayonnaise
• 3 tsp of mild curry powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp mango chutney
• 2 tbsp sultanas
• 500g (4 cups) cooked, shredded chicken
Preparation:
Mix all the ingredients, except the shredded chicken, together in a large mixing bowl to make a thick sauce. Once combined, mix with the chicken. Add to a simple bed of salad leaves or spread between two slices of bread to create a delicious picnic sandwich.
Homemade Germany
The German National Tourist Board’s “Discover Germany From Home” campaign has a host of virtual and at-home experiences, including over downloadable recipes for over 15 regional dishes, such as Altmark Wedding Soup, Bavarian Bread Dumplings, Berlin Potato Soup or an Asparagus Platter. Adventurous gourmands might opt for the Stuffed Pig Stomach. Visitors to the SITE can also test their knowledge about all things German, including food history, beer, and chocolate.
