TURKEY

Homemade Turkish Meatballs Kofte Recipe

Turkish meatballs turn a dinner table into 

an authentic feast when served with 

sumac onions, Turkish bean salad called 

piyaz and Turkish cold cucumber 

dip aka cacik. They are easy to make and 

make a perfect family dinner. That's why 

this is one of our most popular 

Turkish food recipes.

This is the best kofte recipe.

It has five easy parts: 

First, in a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, and garlic. Second, in a small bowl mix baking soda lemon juice and water. Pour it in the ground beef mixture. Third, using your hand, mix everything well. Knead it for about a minute and chill in the refrigerator covered for 2-3 hours. Fourth, roll the mixture into balls. Brush a large plate with a little olive oil and place each meatball on it. Olive oil will prevent them from sticking on the plate. Fifth, cook the meatballs in a cast iron pan in batches. Heat a little oil in the pan and place the meatballs in it. Cook them over high heat first for about 30 seconds, flipping them over. Then bring the heat to the lowest and keep cooking until done, shaking the pan occasionally.

PORTUGAL

Portuguese Kale, Tomato, and Sausage Soup (Caldo Verde)

Caldo Verde is the Portuguese version of comfort food. The soup is brimming with flavor from potatoes, greens, and sausage. The dish originates from Northern Portugal and is eaten most often during winter for a warm and soothing meal. 

What makes this soup extra iconic is its green hue caused by dark green cabbage. This ingredient is hard to find, but you can still recreate this soup by using collard greens or kale instead.

This punchy Portuguese soup-stew of potatoes, greens and chorizo is brilliant comfort food.

Prep 10 min
Cook 40 min
Serves 2 (and easily scaled up)

75g chouriço
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, peeled and finely sliced
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1 bay leaf
250g floury potatoes, peeled and chopped
750ml water, or chicken stock
200g spring greens, or kale
Extra-virgin olive oil and white-wine vinegar, to serve

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/mar/10/how-to-make-the-perfect-caldo-verde-recipe-felicity-cloake

POLAND

When it comes to Polish food, you really can’t travel to Poland without eating some pierogi, that would be a shame since they’re served almost everywhere. Pierogis can come in different variations, so make sure to try different types. 

Pierogi are basically Polish dumplings that can be filled with just about anything. Most common fillings include meat, cottage cheese, sauerkraut, seasonal fruits, buckwheat, and much more. 

Recipe: 

https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/GWOJ6Kcp