Regional Cuisine Recipes

Pseftokeftedes are Santorini tomato fritters mixing chopped Roma tomatoes, scallions, garlic, mint, and oregano into a pancake-style batter, fried crisp in olive oil. Vegetarian Greek meze.

This is the good old fashioned way of serving what's 'bad' for you but tastes so good.

Chaat masala, the tangy, sour Indian spice blend built on amchoor (dried mango powder) with cumin, coriander, ginger, and a kick of cayenne. Sprinkle it on fruit, potatoes, and snacks for instant zing.

Polish noodle casserole with egg noodles baked in a creamy mix of sour cream, cottage cheese, onion, and dry mustard. Crispy browned noodles on top, soft and tangy underneath.

Tameya is Egyptian falafel made from dried broad beans instead of chickpeas, ground with fresh herbs, garlic, and spices, coated in sesame seeds and fried to a deep golden crunch.

Baked cheese grits with sharp cheddar, eggs, and butter, cooked on the stovetop then finished in the oven for golden, soufflé-like puffiness. A Southern brunch classic done right.

Sadza, the staple Zimbabwean corn porridge made from white cornmeal and water. Two ingredients, one pot, and a thick, starchy side that's the foundation of Southern African meals.

Cold chewy noodles with shredded chicken and silky egg strips in spicy Sichuan dressing. This make-ahead Chinese salad is perfect for hot summer nights, ready in an hour.

Boiled wontons tossed in a savory blend of oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil, garnished with fresh scallions. A classic Cantonese dim sum dish (Ho Yau Gon) that's simple and satisfying.

Hand-formed shrimp balls with ginger and garlic, deep-fried until golden and drizzled with a savory celery, oyster sauce, and vodka pan sauce. A showstopping Chinese appetizer.

Aepfelkratzet: Bavarian-style torn apple pancake from the Allgaeu region, scrambled in butter until golden and dusted with powdered sugar. The rustic German breakfast cousin to Kaiserschmarrn.

Ajvar: smoky Balkan roasted pepper and eggplant spread with garlic, lemon, and olive oil. The 'Serbian caviar' that goes on grilled meats, fresh bread, and cheese boards.

French sourdough bread for the bread machine pulls real flavor from a half cup of starter, with gluten flour for chew and cornmeal for crust. Hands-off baking, true tang.

Bacon and chicken carbonara sauce loaded with crispy pork, tender chicken thighs, and velvety Parmesan cream. Toss with pasta or pour over zucchini noodles for low-carb magic.

While Schwartz describes the name for this Israeli dish as slightly pretentious, he notes that it won a cooking competition and found its way onto the menus of five star hotels. He recommends serving it over a bed or bulgur pilaf.

These pancakes are low in fat and loaded with protein from the lentils AKA dhals. Not to mention quite tasty.