Food

Naya Traveler Creates Online Recipe Book

Keeping it simple and authentic, the founders of Naya Traveler has compiled a list of their favorite recipes collected over the years during their travels: the ones that they brought home with them and adopted as their own. Easy to make, no-fuss ingredients, and delicious flavors that bring them back to the busy streets of Jaipur, hidden riads of Fes, or the sleepy countryside of Cambodia. These dishes are full of heritage and distinctive character of their home countries, both for locals and travelers alike. Full recipes are detailed in The Naya Traveler Recipe Book: www.nayatraveler.com

Argentina

Traditional Beef Empanadas – Empanadas are a popular staple in Argentine cuisine. They are easy to make, convenient to eat either at home, a gathering or on the go. The fillings are as diverse as the country’s own landscapes and the methods of preparing these hand-eating delights vary from region to region, where preparing them has become a well-established ritual easily reenacted at home. Nevertheless, the meat empanadas remain the most traditional and well-loved variety. Ask Naya Traveler’s Argentine-native founder Sofia Mascotena, and she’ll tell you she dips them in sugar before biting into them!

Cambodia

Khmer Chicken Mango Salad – Having lived in Cambodia a few years back, this was the one recipe founder Marta Tucci took with her when she left, and it’s become a recurring event in her kitchen ever since. For her, this salad is a vivid representation of everything Cambodia is – colorful, busy, a little hectic, green and tangy.

This salad is made with a few and simple ingredients that are full of contrasting flavors and textures. Although it’s possible to make substitutions (substitute the chicken with tofu for a veggie version), the key to its authentic Cambodian flavor lies in the green mango, so try to stick with this ingredient if you can. If you’re like Marta, you’ll want to add the last optional ingredient to give it a little kick.

Morocco

Atay Bi Nana (Mint Tea) – There couldn’t be a more iconic flavor to transport us straight into the heart of Morocco than sweet and fragrant Atay Bi Nana. For founder Sarah Casewit, who was born and raised in Morocco, the ritual of Atay Bi Nana is a way to remain connected to her roots and childhood memories.

Moroccan Mint Tea is more than just a popular drink—it is a ceremonial act and marker of great Moroccan hospitality. Therefore, when making Moroccan Mint Tea, the procedures of preparing and serving it are just as important a part as drinking it.

Spain

Gazpacho Andaluz – In the heat of Spain southern region of Andalusia, Gazpacho is the ultimate nutritious thirst-quencher. We don’t like to call this a chilled soup, since there’s no actual cooking involved—a drinkable salad perhaps? And since it’s a raw dish, the key to a successful Gazpacho is found in the quality of the ingredients: ripe tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, garlic, onions, bread, vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil. Finally, to turn this vegetable juice into a true Andalusian Gazpacho, you must not forget the sacramentos, a series of garnishes to taste, such a boiled eggs, homemade croutons, and a generous dash of fragrant olive oil.

Brazil

Pão de Queijo – These oven-baked cheese bites are a popular snack and breakfast food in Brazil. Despite its simplicity, this delicious recipe is charged with cultural heritage: the origins of Pao de Queijo can be traced back to the state of Minas Gerais during the Gold Rush in the 18th century, a staple for the slave population at the time. Since then, it has become hugely popular across South America, and variations of it can be found across Latin America.

Guatemala

Guacamole – The rightful claim to this globally beloved dip belongs to the Mayas, one of the world’s major ancient civilizations that once expanded throughout Central America. During the heyday of the Mayan Empire, avocados were a treasured crop eaten as a snack or accompanying more elaborate food preparations.

Not much has changed to this day, except the growth of Guacamole’s popularity across the world. Residents of Antigua Guatemala are affectionately nicknamed ‘Panzas Verdes’ (green bellies) as a result of their reliance on avocados and guacamole at every meal.

India

Masala Chai, which translates into spiced tea, personifies the scent and taste that India wakes up to every morning. This spiced black tea is milky, rich and full of energizing flavor to start your day right. The fragrant aroma of the spices will immediately transport you to the eclectic streets of India, where chai wallahs (tea vendors) stationed at every corner ceremoniously blend the masala, brew the mixture and pull the tea in small metal cups for passerby’s.

Traveling Spoon Launches Online Cooking Classes

Traveling Spoon recently launched online cooking classes with their hosts across the globe. Travel from your own kitchen and explore new cultures and cuisines, all while supporting locals around the world. All classes are private and are scheduled at your convenience. Classes are being offered for an introductory price of $25USD for any class, up to four guests in the household. All classes will be conducted over Zoom. The first one-on-one classes launching include empanada making with Gabriela in Buenos Aires, handmade pasta with Cinzia in Florence and Moroccan tajine with Chamsi in Casablanca. View all of the classes at: www.travelingspoon.com/onlinecookingclasses.

www.nayatraveler.com