Introduction: A close cousin of cramique, craquelin is a rich, buttery brioche studded throughout with crunchy pearl sugar rather than raisins, giving little bursts of caramelised sweetness in every bite. Cultural Background: A close cousin of cramique, craquelin is a rich, buttery brioche studded throughout with crunchy pearl sugar rather than raisins, giving little bursts […]
Introduction: Despite its name, this crisp, cinnamon-sugar biscuit-bread has no Greek origin — it takes its name from 'grecht', an old Walloon word for a drainage ditch near the Verviers bakeries where it was first made. Cultural Background: Despite its name, this crisp, cinnamon-sugar biscuit-bread has no Greek origin — it takes its name from […]
Introduction: Considered by many Belgians to be a national treasure, these creamy croquettes are packed with tiny grey shrimp from the North Sea coast, bound in a rich béchamel, crumbed and deep-fried until golden. Cultural Background: Considered by many Belgians to be a national treasure, these creamy croquettes are packed with tiny grey shrimp from […]
Introduction: Kvass is a lightly fermented, mildly alcoholic drink made from soaked and fermented rye bread, known across Belarus and neighbouring countries since at least the Middle Ages. Cultural Background: Kvass is a lightly fermented, mildly alcoholic drink made from soaked and fermented rye bread, known across Belarus and neighbouring countries since at least the […]
Introduction: Breadfruit was famously brought to the Caribbean in the late 18th century, intended as an affordable food source for plantation workers, and has since become deeply woven into Bajan home cooking. Cultural Background: Breadfruit was famously brought to the Caribbean in the late 18th century, intended as an affordable food source for plantation workers, […]
Introduction: The flying fish is so central to Barbadian identity that it appears on the national coat of arms and coins. Cultural Background: The flying fish is so central to Barbadian identity that it appears on the national coat of arms and coins. The ‘cutter’ — a small salt bread roll packed with seasoned, fried […]
Introduction: Salt bread is the soft, slightly sweet-and-salty bread roll that forms the base of the classic flying fish cutter and countless other Bajan sandwiches. Cultural Background: Salt bread is the soft, slightly sweet-and-salty bread roll that forms the base of the classic flying fish cutter and countless other Bajan sandwiches. Baked fresh daily in […]
Introduction: Shawarma stands are a fixture of Bahraini streets and malls, serving thinly sliced marinated meat wrapped in flatbread with pickles, garlic sauce and fries. Cultural Background: Shawarma stands are a fixture of Bahraini streets and malls, serving thinly sliced marinated meat wrapped in flatbread with pickles, garlic sauce and fries. Though its roots trace […]
Introduction: Shorbat Adas, a smooth spiced red lentil soup, is a beloved Ramadan opener across Bahrain, traditionally the first dish eaten to break the fast because it is gentle on the stomach and quick to prepare. Cultural Background: Shorbat Adas, a smooth spiced red lentil soup, is a beloved Ramadan opener across Bahrain, traditionally the […]
Introduction: Cracked conch is made by pounding conch steaks flat — ‘cracking’ the tough muscle — before battering and frying them until crisp outside and tender within. Cultural Background: Cracked conch is made by pounding conch steaks flat — ‘cracking’ the tough muscle — before battering and frying them until crisp outside and tender within. […]