We have to start with it. Everyone probably associates the round pastry with a crispy bottom with tomato sauce and mozzarella on top and toppings of any kind you desire (even as original as pineapple). Its history probably dates back to the 10th century AD, but the wave of its popularity came at the end of the 19th century in Naples thanks to Rafaello Esposito, who prepared the Margherita dish - named after Queen Margherita of Savoy. This most famous pizza variation led to the food initially associated mainly with food for the Italian poor becoming probably the most famous dish in the world. However, it is important to note that true Italian pizza differs significantly from its cousins from other countries. First of all, it contains far fewer ingredients and has no sauces. This can be quite a surprise! :)

Now something familiar. A dish known not only in Poland, but also in most Slavic countries. As you know very well - they can be served in many variants - with cottage cheese, with meat stuffing, with cabbage and mushrooms, with cheese and pepper salty (Russian dumplings) or in sweet variants - with fruit or poppy seeds. The simplicity of preparation and exceptional taste have made them popular also in Western countries - including the United States.

It may not be a fit dish, but it's also perfectly familiar to everyone. A baked roll with one (or more for gluttons) beef cutlet with many toppings - lettuce, onion, bacon, tomato and sauces (the most popular - ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce). It can also be with cheese or other toppings like grilled vegetables - it's up to you. It's not entirely clear where hamburgers originated. According to some, they were invented by immigrants from Hamburg (who were said to have originally made them under the name "Rundstück warm" ("hot bun") in 1869 while wandering to the US). While others believe it was Louis Lassen - a Danish immigrant - who invented the popular burgers. We will probably never know exactly where hamburgers came from. But that is not important. The important thing is that we can still enjoy American sandwiches with juicy meat!

This delicious and nutritious soup was probably invented by... the Chinese. However, it is in the Land of Cherry Blossom that it has become an integral part of every dinner. There are different types of this soup, which are usually dependent on the region of Japan, the dish itself is based on two main ingredients - broth and noodles. Ramen can be served with a variety of toppings - with pork, boiled eggs, shiitake mushrooms, tofu, wakame and nori seaweed or green onions. It's all up to you what goes into the soup.

Another hot soup from Asia. It can also be called Thai coconut soup. Tom Kha Gai consists of coconut milk, chicken, red curry, galangal (or ginger), kaffir leaves, lemongrass, lime juice and chili. Properly prepared Tom Kha Gai should be four-flavored - you should feel the balanced spiciness, sourness, sweetness and saltiness of the soup.  The name itself means "soup with galangal and chicken" in Thai. It can also be eaten in a vegetarian variant - with seafood or with tofu. We recommend eating this soup on the streets of Bangkok, as the dish has a huge street food tradition.

Our western neighbors are better known for their beer and Oktoberfest, well, but you shouldn't drink on an empty stomach, right? German cuisine is a lot of meat - especially sausages or just pork knuckle with cream and sauerkraut (called "sauerkraut" in Germany). And then there are the potatoes - we have a lot in common with the Germans in this regard. During Oktoberfest, we recommend trying just the local pork knuckle. As long as your liver can stand it....

This time something French. Boeuf Bourguignon (just "beef Burgundy" in our language) is a long-cooked dish based on beef, red wine from Burgundy, vegetables (carrots, onions, garlic) and mushrooms. Like most European dishes, beef Burgundy was originally the food of the poor. The dish became popular through Julia Child and her book "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," where the author considered the dish the best of the country.

One of the most typical dishes of Spanish cuisine comes exactly from Valencia. Its roots even go back to ancient times, but the beginnings of its popularity can be traced to the 19th century on the eastern coast of Spain. "Paella" in Spanish means pan, since the entire dish is made on it. Paella from Valencia, according to the original recipe, consists of rice, beans, poultry or rabbit meat, seafood (mussels, shrimp, squid) and is generously seasoned with rosemary and saffron. There are also other variations of this dish like paella de verduras, which is a vegetarian equivalent.

Italian lasagna you probably know, for fans of this dish we strongly recommend its Greek counterpart. It is a three or four-layer casserole. In the middle are mainly previously lightly fried eggplant in oil with minced meat and tomatoes, while on top is a béchamel sauce. All this is seasoned with cinnamon, oregano and pepper. Often there are also potatoes in the middle of the casserole. Interestingly - the Greeks argue with the Arabs about the country of origin of moussaka. However, all indications are that it originated in the Middle East by name. Musakhkhan is a similar name for a Palestinian dish based on chicken and onions.

 

 

For most people, this dish comes from India or Pakistan. There is the same problem with Tikka Masala as with Doner Kebab. There is a lot of information as to where this dish originated from, however, it is most likely that Tikka Masala was born in Scotland through the Pakistani minority. Local cooks served the chicken with a yogurt-based hot sauce to keep the meat from drying out. Tikka Masala was loved by the British and because of this it is considered (ironically) one of the national dishes of the United Kingdom.