Bobotie South African Meatloaf Casserole

Bobotie South African meatloaf casserole

What do you get when you throw a some ground meat, eggs and bread at an 17th century Dutch spice ship? The answer is bobotie, South Africa’s national dish that was born of a dark union between colonizers, slaves and the centuries-old spice trade. Bobotie is a dish of sweet and zesty mince meat topped … Read more

Shakriya Syrian Lamb Yogurt Soup

Shakriya Syrian lamb yogurt soup

Shakriya – a Syrian soup with yogurt, lamb, chickpeas and pine nuts, as well as a mouthwatering infusion of spices and herbs – is the kind of dish of our dreams we never imagined could exist until we accidentally ordered it one day in a restaurant in Aleppo more than 14 years ago. It came … Read more

Maqbous Omani Chicken Saffron Chana Dal Spiced Rice

Maqbous Omani chicken saffron chana dal spiced rice

Maqbous is a chicken and rice dish packed with a legion of spices and a sweet rosewater-raisin tang that hails from Oman in the south-eastern corner of the Arabian peninsula. It’s a close cousin of the Saudi kabsa, the Yemeni mandi, and the Indian biryani and reminds us a lot of Gambian benachin. Oman is one of the … Read more

Arroz Chaufa Peruvian Cantonese Stir Fried Rice

Arroz chaufa Peruvian Cantonese stir fried rice

Think of a classic Peruvian dinner, and arroz chaufa might not be the first thing that springs to mind. You might instead conjure up a plate of ceviche or a barbequed cuy (guinea pig!) washed down with a pisco sour. Spend an evening in Lima, however, and you are just as likely to find yourself tucking into a hearty … Read more

Turkish Hunkar Begendi Lamb Eggplant

Turkish hunkar begendi lamb eggplant

Although we think that almost every dish we feature on Arousing Appetites is fit for a king, Hunkar Begendi was quite literally a royal favorite. Braised chunks of lamb swimming in a smoky eggplant puree is a Turkish dish that dates back to the days of the Ottoman sultans and their vast kitchens in the … Read more

Benachin Gambian One Pot Jollof Rice

Benachin Gambian One Pot Jollof Rice

WHAT IS BENACHIN? Benachin is a traditional Gambian dish consisting of rice, vegetables, and meat, all cooked together in a single pot. It is also known as thiebou-dienne, a Senegambian special jollof rice. Benachin translates to “one pot” in Wollof, referring to its cooking method. The dish is characterized by its aromatic flavours, thanks to … Read more