Recipes | I've Been Cooking

Caldo de Mancarra

Caldo de Mancarra is a rich, comforting West African peanut stew from Guinea-Bissau made with tender chicken simmered in a savory peanut-tomato base, aromatics, and spinach. Served over rice with a squeeze of lime, it’s hearty, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.

🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau$$

Jin Deui

Jin Deui (Jian Dui) are classic Chinese sesame balls: crisp and golden on the outside, chewy within, and filled with sweet red bean paste. A beloved dim sum and festival treat.

🇭🇰 Hong Kong$

Kala

Kala (Kala Chana Masala) is a hearty North Indian black chickpea curry simmered with onions, tomatoes, ginger-garlic, and warming whole spices. Brightened with amchur and lemon, it’s a wholesome, protein- and fiber-rich meal finished with fresh cilantro.

🇱🇷 Liberia$

Vanuatu Rum Banana Laplap

A lush, island-style pudding of grated cassava and ripe bananas enriched with coconut cream, kissed with dark rum, vanilla, lime, and nutmeg, and steamed or baked in fragrant banana leaves. Naturally gluten-free and vegan, this Vanuatu classic is tropical, aromatic, and deeply comforting.

🇻🇺 Vanuatu$$

Fekei

Fekei is a simple pan-fried flatbread made from flour, water, salt, and oil—crisp at the edges and tender inside, perfect with dips, soups, or as a quick wrap base.

🇹🇻 Tuvalu$

Piton Pepper Pot

A rich, island-style beef and vegetable stew from Saint Lucia, simmered with Scotch bonnet heat, coconut milk, and fragrant thyme and allspice. Tender beef chuck, okra, pumpkin, and callaloo create a silky, hearty one-pot meal with tropical depth.

🇱🇨 Saint Lucia$$

Lacassá

Lacassá is a Macanese prawn and vermicelli noodle soup scented with balichão, coconut, and warm spices. Silky, aromatic, and lightly spicy, it’s finished with scallions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

🇲🇴 Macau$$

Num Pia

Num Pia is a robust Southeast Asian beef noodle soup featuring brisket, bones, and tripe simmered with lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves. Finished with fish sauce, tamarind, roasted rice powder, chili, herbs, and a touch of bile for a traditional, pleasantly bitter depth.

🇰🇭 Cambodia$$

Tacho Macaense

Tacho Macaense is a rich Macanese winter stew that braises mixed cured and fresh pork with Napa cabbage, daikon, carrots, dried shiitakes, and tofu skin in a sweet-salty soy and rice-wine broth scented with star anise and bay. Comforting, celebratory, and deeply savory.

🇲🇴 Macau$$$

Zefir

Zefir is a light, Russian-style marshmallow made from apple purée, whipped egg whites, and agar agar, delicately flavored with vanilla and lemon. It sets into tender, glossy swirls with a melt-in-the-mouth texture.

🇷🇺 Russia$

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