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Welcome to the seventh country of the 195 Country Cooking Challenge - where I cook a popular dish from all 195 countries around the world! If you missed the previous countries, you can check those out on my blog as well as my YouTube , Instagram , and TikTok (That Country Cook). Along the journey, I will be sharing these recipes with you plus some interesting facts about each country. My goal is to teach you a bit about each country while you eat or cook their cuisine! Today, I will be cooking a popular dish of India! The National Dish of India While researching the National Dish of India, I discovered something - there is no official National Dish for the country. Because the country is so diverse, it would be difficult to select just one dish to represent the entire country. Once realizing this, I did more research into popular dishes throughout each region of India. Although there are many different popular foods in the country, I decided to go with a dish that originated in India and spread throughout the entire world... CURRY! 'Curry' comes from the Tamil word 'kari', which means 'sauce; or 'soup'. So curry is not really a spice at all! The Portuguese had a large influence on curry when they introduced chili to India in 1498. British traders who spent time in India brought curry back to Britain in the 18th century. This dish became popular because it was a convenient way to use leftover meat. You can definitely make this dish at home! I will go through the recipe below, but if you would like a more streamlined approach, you can check out the official recipe here . Facts About India What is it about this country that makes it so unique? India has a rich and complex history that spans thousands of years. It is known as one of the world's oldest civilizations, with the Indus Valley Civilization emerging around 2500 BCE. Throughout its history, India has seen the rise and fall of numerous empires, including the Maurya and Gupta Empires, which contributed to significant advancements in science, art, and philosophy. In the medieval period, various kingdoms flourished, and the arrival of Islam led to the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire, which brought cultural synthesis and architectural marvels like the Taj Mahal. The British colonial period began in the 18th century, leading to significant economic and social changes. The struggle for independence intensified in the early 20th century, culminating in India gaining independence in 1947, led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Today, India is the world's largest democracy, known for its diversity in culture, languages, and religions, and it plays a significant role on the global stage. The flag of India is saffron, white and green. Saffron is the top band of the flag and is a specific mixture of red and yellow. This color represents the country's strength and courage. White represents peace and truth. The bottom band, green, represents and fertility and growth of the land. The flag also features the Ashok Chakra, India's national emblem, in the center of the white band. The Ashok Chakra has 24 spokes and represents the idea that there is life in motion and death in stillness. India is 1,269,219 square miles of land. The most common job in the country is agriculture, which now employs about 60 percent of the workforce. Key crops include grain, commercial crops (Jute, cotton, sugarcane, oilseeds and tobacco), plantation crops (rubber, coffee, tea, coconut), and horticulture crops (vegetables and fruits). However, the most widely grown crop is rice.  One of the most popular landmarks in India is the Taj Mahal, an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna river in the Indian city of Agra . It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan (reigned from 1628 to 1658), to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The official language of India is Hindi, which is known to be the world's oldest language. However, India has 22 separate official languages across its states. It is home to a total of 121 languages. Cooking a Popular Dish in India   Ingredients: 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs 3 tablespoons olive oil 3 medium onions 1 serrano pepper 1 inch ginger piece (peeled) 4 cloves garlic 2 medium tomatoes 1/2 cup plain yogurt 1 teaspoon salt 3 mint leaves 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon red chili powder 1 teaspoon garam masala 1 bay leaf 4 cloves 2 inch cinnamon piece 3 green cardamom Optional: rice and naan bread Steps: Step 1: Prepare all ingredients. Dice onions into small pieces. Wash and slice serrano pepper in half and remove seeds. Wash and dice tomatoes . Wash mint leaves and cut into tiny pieces. Wash bay leaf and leave whole. Remove skin of garlic then grind garlic and ginger together using either a spice grinder or mortar and pestle . Clean and cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Set all ingredients aside. I love using these bowls for prep (they are easy to clean and can go in the dishwasher). Step 2: Heat olive oil in a pan with tall sides ( like this ). Add bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, and green cardamom. Cook for 3 minutes on medium heat or until you can smell the spices. Step 3: Add onions and serrano pepper. Sauté until the onions become golden. This will take around 5 minutes. Step 4: Add ginger and garlic paste and cook for about a minute. Step 5: Add tomatoes, turmeric, and salt. Mix and cook until tomatoes are mushy. Step 6: Turn heat to low. Stir in yogurt, red chili powder, garam masala, and coriander powder. Cook for about 3 minutes. Step 7: Add chicken and mint and turn heat to medium. Cook until the chicken looks completely white, I would recommend at least 5-7 minutes. Step 8: Cover the pan and turn temperature to low for 5 minutes. Step 9: Warm 1 cup of water in a tea kettle or on the stove. Step 10: Add 1/2 cup water to the pot of curry. Cover and continue to let cook until the chicken is fully cooked. NOTE: Chicken should be cooked to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit before consumption. You can use a meat thermometer to check. Add more warm water if needed to reach your desired consistency. Serve over rice or with naan bread and enjoy! Which country should I do next? Follow @thatcountrycook on Instagram  to see a video of me making this recipe! This article contains affiliate links.

Welcome to the eighth country of the 195 Country Cooking Challenge - where I cook a popular dish from all 195 countries around the world! If you missed the previous countries, you can check those out on my blog as well as my YouTube , Instagram , and TikTok (That Country Cook). Along the journey, I will be sharing these recipes with you plus some interesting facts about each country. My goal is to teach you a bit about each country while you eat or cook their cuisine! Today, I will be cooking the National Dish of Colombia! The National Dish of Colombia Bandeja paisa is a traditional Colombian dish that originates from the Antioquia region in the western part of the country. Its roots can be traced back to the late 19th century when it was developed as a hearty meal for laborers in the coffee-growing areas of the Andes. The dish reflects the diverse agricultural products of the region and the cultural influences of various groups, including Indigenous peoples, Spanish colonizers, and African slaves. It typically includes ingredients like rice, beans, ground beef or pork, chicharrón (fried pork belly), avocado, plantains, and arepas. Bandeja paisa was traditionally served on a large platter, or "bandeja," which contributes to its name. Over time, it has evolved and gained popularity beyond Antioquia, becoming a symbol of Colombian cuisine as a whole. Today, bandeja paisa is celebrated not only for its flavors but also for its representation of Colombian culture and history. You can definitely make this dish at home, but it will take you a while! I will link where I found recipes to each part of the dish. Facts About Colombia What is it about this country that makes it so unique? Before European arrival, the region was inhabited by indigenous groups like the Muisca and Tairona, who developed advanced societies. The Spanish began colonization in the early 16th century, establishing settlements such as Santa Fé de Bogotá and claiming the territory as part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada. The push for independence began in 1810, leading to the formation of Gran Colombia in 1819, which included modern-day Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. However, Gran Colombia broke by 1831 due to internal conflicts. The 19th century brought political instability and civil wars, while the early 20th century saw Panama separate from Colombia in 1903. From the 1960s onward, Colombia faced prolonged internal conflict involving guerrilla groups and drug trafficking. A significant peace agreement was signed with the FARC in 2016, marking a hopeful turn towards stability. The flag of Colombia is yellow, blue, and red. The yellow represents the country's gold, the wealth of the soil, and the sun. The blue represents the seas, rivers, and sky. The red represents the blood spilled fighting for Colombia's independence. Colombia is 440,831 square miles of land. The most common jobs in the country are in the services sector. These include jobs like teaching, nursing, maintenance, and retail.  The official language of Colombia is Spanish, with around 99% of the population speaking it as their first language. Cooking the National Dish of Colombia   Because there are so many different elements in this dish, I have decided to link where I got the recipes. I will also share what order I cooked these in to create the full dish. NOTE: It took me two days! Bandeja paisa Hogao Aliños Powdered beef Colombian-style beans Rice Arepas Plantains MY STEPS: DAY 1 Soak pinto beans overnight DAY 2 Start powdered beef Make hogao Boil powdered beef Make aliños Start beans Finish powdered beef Finish beans DAY 3 Wash rice Start arepas Make plantains Make rice Make arepas Fry chorizo Cut avocado Cut lime Fry eggs Plate Which country should I do next? Follow @thatcountrycook on Instagram  to see a video of me making this recipe!

This dill sauce is perfect for salmon! It also doubles as a dip for bread and vegetables. Prep Time:  10 minutes Ingredients Instructions 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill (very small pieces) Step 1 Combine sour cream and mayonnaise in a bowl. 1/2 cup sour cream Step 2 Crush garlic using a tool like this or mince it. Add garlic to bowl. 1/2 cup mayonnaise Step 3   Squeeze juice of lemon into bowl. I use this lemon squeezer to get all the juice out. 1 garlic clove (peeled) Step 4   Add chopped dill into the bowl and combine all ingredients with a fork. 1/2 lemon Step 5    Once combined, refrigerate until ready to use. Add salt to taste. Enjoy! I like this dill sauce on salmon, but you could also use it as a dip for bread or vegetables! If you make this recipe, I want to see! Tag @thatcountrycook on Instagram. This page includes affiliate links.

Chicken curry is popular throughout the entire world but it originated in India. Course:  Main Serves: 4 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 45 min Ingredients Instructions 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs Step 1 Prepare all ingredients. Dice  onions  into small pieces. Wash and slice serrano pepper  in half and remove seeds. Wash and dice tomatoes . Wash mint leaves  and cut into tiny pieces. Wash bay leaf  and leave whole. Remove skin of garlic  then grind garlic and ginger  together using either a spice grinder  or mortar and pestle . Clean and cut chicken thighs  into bite-sized pieces. Set all ingredients aside. I love using these bowls  for prep (they are easy to clean and can go in the dishwasher). 3 tablespoons olive oil Step 2 Heat olive oil in a pan with tall sides ( like this ). Add bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, and green cardamom. Cook for 3 minutes on medium heat or until you can smell the spices. 3 medium onions Step 3   Add onions and serrano pepper. Sauté until the onions become golden. This will take around 5 minutes. 1 serrano pepper Step 4   Add ginger and garlic paste and cook for about a minute. 1 inch ginger piece (peeled) Step 5    Add tomatoes, turmeric, and salt. Mix and cook until tomatoes are mushy. 4 cloves garlic Step 6 Turn heat to low. Stir in yogurt, red chili powder, garam masala, and coriander powder. Cook for about 3 minutes. 2 medium tomatoes Step 7 Add chicken and mint and turn heat to medium. Cook until the chicken looks completely white, I would recommend at least 5-7 minutes. 1/2 cup plain yogurt Step 8 Cover the pan and turn temperature to low for 5 minutes. 1 teaspoon salt Step 9 Warm 1 cup of water in a tea kettle  or on the stove. 3 mint leaves Step 10 Add 1/2 cup water to the pot of curry. Cover and continue to let cook until the chicken is fully cooked. NOTE:  Chicken should be cooked to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit before consumption. You can use a meat thermometer  to check.   Add more warm water if needed to reach your desired consistency. Serve over rice or with naan bread and enjoy! 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon red chili powder 3 green cardamom 1 teaspoon garam masala 1 bay leaf 4 cloves 2 inch cinnamon piece Optional: rice and naan bread If you make this recipe, I want to see! Tag @thatcountrycook on Instagram. This page includes affiliate links.

Welcome to the sixth country of the 195 Country Cooking Challenge - where I cook a popular dish from all 195 countries around the world! If you missed the previous countries, you can check those out on my blog as well as my YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Along the journey, I will be sharing these recipes with you plus some interesting facts about each country. My goal is to teach you a bit about each country while you eat or cook their cuisine! Today, I will be cooking the national dish of Sudan. The National Dish of Sudan I will be making Sudan's national dish...Ful Medames (or Sahan ful). This dish consists of mashed fava beans topped with feta cheese, tomatoes, onions, and arugula. The story of where this dish originated is very interesting! Originating in Egypt, the dish started as buried beans. In fact, "medames" in Egyptian means buried. Evidence suggests that Ful Medames was eaten by the Pharaohs. The first mention of this dish goes back to the fourth century where it was written in the Jerusalem Talmud. You can definitely make this dish at home, but I would recommend doing it on a weekend! I will go through the recipe below, but if you would like a more streamlined approach, you can check out the official recipe here . Facts About Sudan What is it about this country that makes it so unique? Sudan has a rich and complex history that spans thousands of years. Ancient Nubia, located in present-day Sudan, was home to powerful kingdoms like the Kingdom of Kush, which thrived alongside ancient Egypt. In the 19th century, Sudan became a target for colonization, first by the Ottoman Empire and later by the British and Egyptians, leading to significant social and economic changes. After gaining independence in 1956, Sudan faced internal conflict, including a prolonged civil war between the north and south. This culminated in the secession of South Sudan in 2011, following decades of conflict and struggle for autonomy. In the years since independence, Sudan has faced political instability, economic challenges, and ongoing conflicts, including in regions like Darfur. The country has seen changes in leadership and ongoing efforts for peace and reconciliation amidst its diverse cultural landscape. The flag of Sudan is red, white, black and green. Red represents the struggle for independence. The white represents peace, light, love and the White Flag League, a nationalist group that fought colonial rule in 1924. The black represents the people of Sudan because the name "Sudan" translates to "land of the black people" in Arabic. Lastly, the green represents Islam, agriculture, and prosperity. Sudan is 967,500 square miles of land. The most common job in the country is agriculture, which now employs about 80 percent of the workforce. Key crops include cotton, peanuts (groundnuts), sesame, gum arabic, sorghum and sugarcane .  One of the most popular landmarks in Sudan are the Pyramids of Meroe, which are one of the last remaining symbols of ancient civilization. The official language of Sudan is Arabic. Sudanese Arabic is slightly different than Egyptian Arabic. Around 60 percent of the population speaks Arabic as their first language. There are many other languages spoken in the country, including a variety of indigenous languages. Cooking the National Dish Sudan   Ingredients: 1 pound dry fava beans Tomatoes, diced Red onions, diced Feta cheese Arugula Olive oil Salt Black pepper Cumin powder Coriander powder Optional: hard boiled eggs. Optional: Pita bread Steps: Step 1: THE NIGHT BEFORE COOKING: In a large bowl, place the fava beans and fill completely with water. Seal the top of the bowl with cling wrap and place in the refrigerator to let the beans soak overnight (at least 6 hours). Step 2: IN THE MORNING: Remove the bowl from the refrigerator and drain the water. Fill a pot of water and add the beans. Cook beans on medium heat until they are soft and can be crushed between your fingers easily. This can take up to 3 hours. Step 3: Once soft, remove the beans from the water and reserve about 1 cup of the broth from the pot. Add beans to a large bowl along with some of the reserved broth and mash with this type of utensil . Add more reserved broth if needed. Step 4: Once the beans are completely mashed, add the seasonings. I would start with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of cumin and coriander powder. You can always add more depending on your preferred taste. Mix the seasonings into the beans. Step 5: Once the mashed beans are seasoned, scoop into serving bowls and top with tomatoes, onions, feta, washed arugula, and olive oil. Hard boiled eggs are also good with this dish. I recommend serving with pita bread. I used this recipe to make my own! Which country should I do next? Follow @thatcountrycook on Instagram  to see a video of me making this recipe! This article contains affiliate links.

Albania's National dish is Tavë kosi - a casserole with lamb, rice, yogurt, and eggs. It is a magnificent-looking dish that you can make at home! Course:  Main Serves: 6 Prep Time: 30 min Cook Time: 2 hours Ingredients Instructions 1 pound lamb (boneless) Step 1 Cut lamb into bite-sized pieces. Add 1.5 tablespoons butter and olive oil to a large pot. Add lamb and cook on medium heat until browned. 5 tablespoons butter Step 2 Mince the garlic. After lamb is browned, add garlic, oregano, some salt and pepper, and 3 cups of water. Mix well then cover with lid. Leave to simmer for 50 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a bit more water if needed. 5 small-medium potatoes Step 3 Add 3/4 cups water and the rice to the pot. Mix and cover with a lid. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes, but check the rice around 8 minutes to make sure it needs the extra time. At the end of the 10 minutes, there should only be a thin oily layer on the lamb and rice. 2 tablespoons olive oil Step 4 Put the lamb and rice mixture into a casserole dish . The mixture should cover the bottom, but about 2 inches should be left above it for the yogurt topping. 1/2 cup rice Step 5 Make a roux by adding remaining 3.5 tablespoons butter in a saucepan and slowly mixing in flour. Mixture should not be runny, but also not clumpy. Set aside when done. 1 tablespoon oregano Step 6 In a mixing bowl, add the yogurt and eggs. Season with some salt and pepper. Add the roux and mix well until the ingredients are combined. 4 cloves garlic Step 7 Pour yogurt mixture over the lamb and rice in the casserole dish and top with some oregano. 3 cups Greek yogurt Step 8 Bake on 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Then increase temperature to 400 degrees and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes. The casserole is done when the yogurt mixture rises and begins to brown. Check often to be sure it does not burn (do this by looking through the glass and NOT by opening the oven)...looking isn't cooking! 6 eggs Step 9 Once the casserole is done, take it out of the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Enjoy! 3 tablespoons flour If you make this recipe, I want to see! Tag @thatcountrycook on Instagram. This page includes affiliate links.

Welcome to the fifth country of the 195 Country Cooking Challenge - where I cook a popular dish from all 195 countries around the world! If you missed the first four countries, you can check those out on my blog as well as my YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Along the journey, I will be sharing these recipes with you plus some interesting facts about each country. My goal is to teach you a bit about each country while you eat or cook their cuisine! Today, I will be cooking the national dish of Albania. The National Dish of Albania For this country, I will be making Albania's official national dish... Tavë kosi ! Tavë kosi is a casserole that has lamb, rice, yogurt and eggs. The story of how this dish originated is very fascinating. Tavë kosi originated in the 15th century when the cook for Sultan Mehmet II put cooked lamb in a kos (sheep or goats milk yogurt). The cook did this to preserve the lamb, but after trying to remove the lamb to cook it again, he realized the lamb was stuck. Instead of giving up on this lamb, the cook baked the lamb in the kos. It turns out Sultan Mehmet II LOVED IT! Once everyone heard about this new dish, it grew in popularity and spread throughout Albania and the Ottoman Empire. Tavë kosi is even popular today in Greece, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Turkey. Although Tavë kosi was originally made with kos, the modern version is generally made with Greek yogurt and eggs as the substitute. You can definitely make this dish at home, but I would recommend doing it on a weekend! I will go through the recipe below, but if you would like a more streamlined approach, you can check out the official recipe here . Facts About Albania What is it about this country that makes it so unique? In the 2nd century BCE, the Romans conquered Illyria, incorporating it into their empire. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century CE, the area was subsequently influenced by the Byzantine Empire. The Ottoman Empire began its rule over the region in the late 14th century. For over four centuries, Albania was part of the Ottoman realm, which significantly impacted its culture, religion, and societal structure. The struggle for national identity and independence grew stronger during this time, culminating in the Albanian Declaration of Independence on November 28, 1912. Following independence, Albania faced political instability and territorial disputes. It was briefly a monarchy before becoming a communist state under Enver Hoxha in 1946. Hoxha's regime was known for its isolationist policies and stringent control over society, lasting until his death in 1985. The flag of Albania is red and black. The flag also has a double-headed eagle. Red symbolizes the bravery, strength, valor, and bloodshed. The black double-headed eagle represents vigilance and the protection of Albania's sovereignty and territorial integrity.  Albania is 11,100 square miles of land. The most popular jobs in the country are in agriculture, which employs around 58% of the workforce. Key crops include tobacco, corn and wheat. One of the most popular landmarks in Albania is the Durrës Amphitheatre which was built in the 2nd century AD and is the largest Roman amphitheater in the Balkans. The official language of Albania is Albanian, with approximately 98% of the population speaking it as their first language. The most common religion in Albania is Islam with Christianity being the second. Cooking the Most Popular Meal in Albania Ingredients: 1 pound lamb (boneless) 5 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup rice 1 tablespoon oregano 4 cloves garlic 3 cups Greek yogurt 6 eggs 3 tablespoons flour Steps: Step 1: Cut lamb into bite-sized pieces. Add 1.5 tablespoons butter and olive oil to a large pot. Add lamb and cook on medium heat until browned. Step 2: Mince the garlic. After lamb is browned, add garlic, oregano, some salt and pepper, and 3 cups of water. Mix well then cover with lid. Leave to simmer for 50 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a bit more water if needed. Step 3: Add 3/4 cups water and the rice to the pot. Mix and cover with a lid. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes, but check the rice around 8 minutes to make sure it needs the extra time. At the end of the 10 minutes, there should only be a thin oily layer on the lamb and rice. Step 4: Put the lamb and rice mixture into a casserole dish . The mixture should cover the bottom, but about 2 inches should be left above it for the yogurt topping. Step 5: Make a roux by adding remaining 3.5 tablespoons butter in a saucepan and slowly mixing in flour. Mixture should not be runny, but also not clumpy. Set aside when done. Step 6: In a mixing bowl, add the yogurt and eggs. Season with some salt and pepper. Add the roux and mix well until the ingredients are combined. Step 7: Pour yogurt mixture over the lamb and rice in the casserole dish and top with some oregano. Step 8: Bake on 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Then increase temperature to 400 degrees and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes. The casserole is done when the yogurt mixture rises and begins to brown. Check often to be sure it does not burn (do this by looking through the glass and NOT by opening the oven)...looking isn't cooking! Step 9: Once the casserole is done, take it out of the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Enjoy! Which country should I do next? Follow @thatcountrycook on Instagram  to see a video of me making this recipe! This article contains affiliate links.

This Ukrainian Borscht is so delicious! I like to top mine with a huge scoop of sour cream. Course:  Main Serves: 8 (you can freeze it!) Prep Time: 30 min Cook Time: 90 min Ingredients Instructions 2 pound chuck roast Step 1 Warm beef stock in a pot. This is an amazing beef stock recipe! 4 beets Step 2 Prep ingredients. Cut chuck roast into bite-sized chunks. Peel beets and cut into 1/2 inch cubes. I recommend using gloves  when handling beets. Peel potatoes and cut into 1 inch cubes. Remove skin of onion and cut into small chunks. Peel carrots, cut off ends, and coin. Mince garlic cloves. Slice cabbage thin. 5 small-medium potatoes Step 3 In a separate pot, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, chuck roast, salt, and pepper. This is the pot you will use to make the borscht. Cook on medium-high heat for 10 minutes. Stir often. 1 yellow onion Step 4 Add warmed beef stock to pot with chuck roast pieces. Once you add the liquid, there will be a film on the top. Do your best to skim this off and discard. It is best if you let it cool in a separate bowl before discarding. Be sure to use a trivet  if setting the bowl on your counter. You are now done with the original beef stock pot. 1 small cabbage (or 1/2 a large cabbage) Step 5 Add beets to pot with beef stock and chuck roast pieces. Stir and cook for 20 minutes on medium heat. 4 large carrots Step 6 While that is cooking, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and carrots to a pan. Cook for 5 minutes on medium-high heat. Stir occasionally. Add onions to the pan with carrots and cook for 5 minutes. Stir often. Add garlic to pan and cook for 2 minutes. Stir often. Add tomato paste to pan and cook for 5 minutes. Do your best to combine tomato paste into carrot and onion mixture. Once combined, turn off heat and let mixture in pan. 5 garlic cloves Step 7 Add potatoes, carrot mixture, and white vinegar to borscht pot. Stir, loosely cover with lid and simmer for 1 hour. Stir occasionally. Borscht is done when potatoes are tender and cabbage is soft. 7 quarts beef stock (this is a great recipe) Step 8 Salt to taste. Serve and top with sour cream! 3 oz tomato paste 2 tablespoons white vinegar 2 tablespoon olive oil salt and pepper to taste sour cream (optional for topping) If you are freezing the soup, put it in containers. Then all you have to do is warm it back up in a pot and enjoy! If you make this recipe, I want to see! Tag @thatcountrycook on Instagram. This page includes affiliate links.

This Italian marinade is SO GOOD and so easy to make! Watch me make it on YouTube Prep Time: 5 min Ingredients Instructions 1/2 cup olive oil Step 1 Combine all ingredients in a bowl. 1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar Step 2 Mix to combine. I suggest using a fork. 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning Step 3 Put your cleaned and cut (if cutting it) chicken in a large Ziploc bag. Pour marinade into the bag. 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Step 4 Let sit for at least 30 minutes before cooking the chicken. You can also make this the night before. 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder If you make this recipe, I want to see! Tag @thatcountrycook on Instagram.

This Equatorial Guinean soup is so good! There are only four simple steps to make this and it has the perfect amount of spice. Course:  Main Serves: 4 Prep Time: 30 min Cook Time: 60 min Ingredients Instructions 6 cups water Step 1 Prep vegetables. Peel and chop onions. Wash and dice tomatoes. Wash, deseed and dice bell pepper. Wash bay leaf. If using fresh lemon juice (which I recommend, wash and cut lemon in half). 1 pound red snapper fillets (can be frozen with no skin) Step 2 Wash, deseed, and mash habanero chili. I used this tool to grind the pepper up instead of mashing it. I recommend using gloves for this! 3 medium yellow onions Step 3 Bring water to a boil in a pot. Add all ingredients and let simmer on low heat for about 1 hour. Stir occasionally. You do not have to cover the stew. This will allow some of the water to boil out and lock in the flavor. 2 tomatoes Step 4 Salt to taste. Serve over rice of your choice! 1 bell pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 habanero chili 1 bay leaf 1/4 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon ground guinea pepper 1 tablespoon lemon juice Pinch of dried rosemary If you are freezing the soup, put it in containers. Then all you have to do is warm it back up in a pot and enjoy! If you make this recipe, I want to see! Tag @thatcountrycook on Instagram. This page includes affiliate links.

Welcome to the third country of the 195 Country Cooking Challenge - where I cook a popular dish from all 195 countries around the world! If you missed the first two countries - I cooked the most popular dish from The United States of America and Jamaica . Along the journey, I will be sharing these recipes with you plus some interesting facts about each country. My goal is to teach you a bit about each country while you eat or cook their cuisine! Today, I will be cooking a dish from Ukraine, a country in Eastern Europe. The National Dish of Ukraine For this country, I will be making Ukraine's official national dish...BORSCHT! Borscht is a soup made from beets, beef broth, potatoes and cabbage. The name comes from the Slavic word for 'hogweed'. It is unknown when this famous red soup was actually invented, but it was likely in the 1600s. Originally, borscht was made with cow parsnips. These were collected in May and left to ferment in a pot until they became sour. This was primarily eaten by the poor until the late 15th century. Ukrainians are credited with adding beets to this once-sour soup, giving it the red color and making it slightly sweet. There are still many different versions of borscht, but adding beets is now common. The best part about borscht is that its fairly easy to make! I will go through the recipe below, but if you would like a more streamlined approach, you can check out the official recipe here . Facts About Ukraine What is it about this country that makes it so unique? In the 9th century, the state of Kievan Rus' emerged. Kievan Rus' was a kingdom that occupied present-day Ukraine, Belarus, and a small part of Russia . It was the first East Slavic state and made up of Vikings and Eastern Slavic people. Kiev was the kingdom's center. In the 13th century, the Mongols invaded the territory and destroyed Kievan Rus'. For the next 600 years, Ukraine was ruled by a variety of powers. These included the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Austrian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Tsardom of Russia. Because Ukraine was not an independent entity during the outbreak of World War 1, many Ukrainians ended up fighting each other. The eastern part of modern-day Ukraine fought for the Imperial Russian Army while the western side fought for the Austro-Hungarian Army. In 1921, the Russian Red Army conquered much of Ukraine and established Soviet Rule. Ukraine suffered a famine from 1932-1933 where 4 to 5 million Ukrainians died due to starvation. During World War 2, Ukraine was overrun by Axis armies until the Soviets regained control in 1944. In 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear reactor malfunctioned and exploded leading to toxic radiation leaking into the environment. Around 350,000 people needed to be evacuated from the area. Chernobyl is still a ghost town today, with the level of radiation in the area remaining high. Ukraine officially gained independence in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed. The flag of Ukraine is blue and yellow. This represents a clear blue sky above and a field of golden wheat below. Ukraine is 233,062 square miles of land. The most popular jobs in the country are farmers, salespeople, cashiers, and pharmacists. One of the most popular landmarks in Ukraine is the Holy Dormition Kyiv Caves Lavra, a historic Eastern Orthodox Christian monastery. The official language of Ukraine is Ukrainian, but approximately 20 languages are spoken in the country. Russian is the second most popular with 30% of the population speaking it as their first language. Other languages spoken in Ukraine include Romanian, Crimean Tatar, Bulgarian, and Hungarian. Eastern Orthodox Christianity is the most common religion in the country with an estimated 72% of the population following these religious beliefs. What You Should Know if You Plan to Visit Ukraine IT IS CURRENTLY NOT ADVISED TO TRAVEL TO UKRAINE DUE TO THE ONGOING MILITARY COMBAT. Cooking the Most Popular Meal in Ukraine Ingredients: 2 pound chuck roast 4 beets 5 small-medium potatoes 1 yellow onion 1 small cabbage (or 1/2 a large cabbage) 4 large carrots 5 garlic cloves 7 quarts beef stock ( this is a great recipe ) 3 oz tomato paste 2 tablespoons white vinegar 2 tablespoon olive oil salt and pepper to taste sour cream (optional for topping) Steps: Step 1: Warm beef stock in a pot. This is an amazing beef stock recipe! Step 2: Prep ingredients. Cut chuck roast into bite-sized chunks. Peel beets and cut into 1/2 inch cubes. I recommend using gloves when handling beets. Peel potatoes and cut into 1 inch cubes. Remove skin of onion and cut into small chunks. Peel carrots, cut off ends, and coin. Mince garlic cloves. Slice cabbage thin. Step 3: In a separate pot, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, chuck roast, salt, and pepper. This is the pot you will use to make the borscht. Cook on medium-high heat for 10 minutes. Stir often. Step 4: Add warmed beef stock to pot with chuck roast pieces. Once you add the liquid, there will be a film on the top. Do your best to skim this off and discard. It is best if you let it cool in a separate bowl before discarding. Be sure to use a trivet if setting the bowl on your counter. You are now done with the original beef stock pot. Step 5: Add beets to pot with beef stock and chuck roast pieces. Stir and cook for 20 minutes on medium heat. Step 6: While that is cooking, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and carrots to a pan. Cook for 5 minutes on medium-high heat. Stir occasionally. Add onions to the pan with carrots and cook for 5 minutes. Stir often. Add garlic to pan and cook for 2 minutes. Stir often. Add tomato paste to pan and cook for 5 minutes. Do your best to combine tomato paste into carrot and onion mixture. Once combined, turn off heat and let mixture in pan. Step 7: Add potatoes, carrot mixture, and white vinegar to borscht pot. Stir, loosely cover with lid and simmer for 1 hour. Stir occasionally. Borscht is done when potatoes are tender and cabbage is soft. Step 8: Salt to taste. Serve and top with sour cream! Which country should I do next? Follow @thatcountrycook on Instagram  to see a video of me making this recipe! This article contains affiliate links.

Welcome to the fourth country of the 195 Country Cooking Challenge - where I cook a popular dish from all 195 countries around the world! If you missed the first three countries, check them out on my blog . Along the journey, I will be sharing these recipes with you plus some interesting facts about each country. My goal is to teach you a bit about each country while you eat or cook their cuisine! Today, I will be cooking a popular dish of Equatorial Guinea - a small country in Africa. The National Dish of Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea's National dish is succotash, but I decided to go for another popular recipe instead. I stumbled upon a recipe for 'Pick a Pepper Soup', which is a spicy fish stew. It was the only recipe for this dish and I am very interested to know if it is legitimately Equatoguinean. I am unsure of the official origins of this stew because there is no official record of it anywhere. The mysterious stew seems to have come from one website and spread to many others. If anyone has any information on this, please comment! Although this recipe may not be legitimate, it was still delicious. I will go through the recipe below, but if you would like a more streamlined approach, you can check out the official recipe here . Facts About Equatorial Guinea What is it about this country that makes it so unique? This tropical country is located on the western coast of the African continent. Equatorial Guinea has a continental territory of the country as well as five inhabited islands. Modern Equatorial Guinea was likely inhabited by Pygmy ethnic groups prior to the migration of Bantu-speaking ethnic groups. Pygmy is an anthropological term that describes ethnic groups with adult men who are unusually short - usually around 4ft 11in (150c cm). Bantu is a group of Niger–Congo languages spoken in central and southern Africa, including Swahili, Xhosa, and Zulu. The migration of these Bantu-speaking ethnic groups likely happened around the second millennium BC. In the early 1470s, Portuguese explorers arrived on Bioko Island, home to the capitol of present-day Equatorial Guinea. They soon established control of the island. In 1778, Portugal surrendered Equatorial Guinea to Spain in the Treaty of El Pardo. In 1968, Equatorial Guinea was granted independence from Spain. The flag of Equatorial Guinea is green, white, red, and blue. Green represents the country's natural resources. White represents peace. Red represents the bloodshed of those who fought for independence. The blue triangle represents the water that connects the country's mainland to the five islands. The flag also has a gray shield in the middle with a silk cotton tree and six stars which represent the mainland and five islands. The national motto is also represented on the flag, translated to "Unity, Peace, Justice." Equatorial Guinea is 11,000 square miles of land. The most popular jobs in the country are in oil and gas, agriculture, fishing, and forestry. The official language of Equatorial Guinea is Spanish, but French is also a popular language closer to the borders. There are also many different indigenous languages spoken in the country. Christianity is the most common religion in the country with an estimated 88% of the population following these religious beliefs. Cooking a Popular Meal in Equatorial Guinea Ingredients: 6 cups water 1 pound red snapper fillets 3 medium yellow onions 2 tomatoes 1 bell pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 habanero chili 1 bay leaf 1/4 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon ground guinea pepper Pinch of dried rosemary 1 tablespoon lemon juice Steps: Step 1: Prep vegetables. Peel and chop onions. Wash and dice tomatoes. Wash, deseed and dice bell pepper. Wash bay leaf. If using fresh lemon juice (which I recommend, wash and cut lemon in half). Step 2: Wash, deseed, and mash habanero chili. I used this tool  to grind the pepper up instead of mashing it. I recommend using gloves  for this! Step 3: Bring water to a boil in a pot. Add all ingredients and let simmer on low heat for about 1 hour. Stir occasionally. You do not have to cover the stew. This will allow some of the water to boil out and lock in the flavor. Step 4: Salt to taste. Serve over rice of your choice! Which country should I do next? Follow @thatcountrycook on Instagram  to see a video of me making this recipe! This article contains affiliate links.