Travel Global, Eat Local.

Kupus s mesom is a typical winter dish prepared in the Croatian region of Lika. It consists of only two ingredients – sour cabbage and dried pork meat such as ribs, ham, and bacon. The meat should be washed and boiled first in order for it not to be too salty and overpowering. A big pot is typically filled with sour cabbage, a layer of meat, and another layer of sour cabbage on top. The dish is cooked for about 2 hours over low heat. When served, it is often accompanied by baked potato halves on the side.

This Croatian prosciutto hails from the island of Krk, and what makes it unique is the specific way of production which is a peculiar blend of the two traditional ham curing methods. Unlike its Istrian and Dalmatian counterparts which are, respectively, trimmed of skin and smoked, Krk prosciutto is a non-smoked ham cured skin-on after being dry-salted with sea salt flavored with pepper, rosemary, and bay leaf. Despite being equipped with the latest technological solutions, the manufacturers of Krčki pršut use a natural system of curing whenever possible, which means the hams are left to dry and mature in the strong, salt-bearing Bora wind, characteristic for the Adriatic. This results in a more delicate, sweet to mildly salty flavor with pronounced notes of slow-matured pig meat. An essential part of any appetizer platter of the local cuisine, Krk prosciutto is best enjoyed with some aromatic sheep milk cheese and a chilled glass of dry white Žlahtina, the island's best-known wine.

This specialty originates from the Croatian island of Krk. It consists of a local pasta variety known as šurlice, combined with onions, garlic, scampi, tomato juice, white wine, and stock. The pasta is sometimes sautéed in butter before being combined with other ingredients. Before serving, it is recommended to top the dish with grated cheese.

Paška skuta is a traditional ricotta-type cheese produced on the island of Pag. The skuta is made from leftover whey after the production of the famous and award-winning Paški sir. The curd is separated and drained, usually overnight, and the result is a soft and fresh cheese with a unique mild and gentle flavor coming from the milk of the indigenous Pag sheep (Paška ovca). This fresh skuta is low in fat and it's full of healthy Omega-3, protein, calcium, and zinc. The cheese is very versatile and it's recommended to use it in cheese cakes or flavor it with orange liqueur and serve it with fresh fruit. Paška skuta is especially good for liver regeneration, and on the island of Pag, while the strong bura wind blew over the landscape, people would often begin their day with a cup of black coffee with pieces of skuta placed inside of it.

Often described as a poor man’s meal, Ličke police is a simple dish made with potatoes from Lika as the main ingredient. In order to prepare the dish, the potatoes should first be washed and dried, then cut into halves with their skin intact, seasoned with salt, and baked in the oven. When the top of the potatoes develops a nice golden-brown color, and the potatoes develop a tender texture, the dish is ready to be consumed, either on its own or as an accompaniment to meat or dairy products. Police are especially popular during winter, and the most popular variety of the dish utilizes thin pieces of bacon which are placed on top of the potatoes near the end of baking.

Rapska torta is a traditional cake originating from the Croatian island of Rab, where it was first served in 1177 to Pope Alexander III. This decadent cake is characterized by its signature spiral shape and ingredients such as almonds, lemon zest, orange zest, and Maraschino liqueur. Nowadays, the cake is a very popular souvenir that can be baked in various forms, while locals prepare it only for festive occasions such as baptisms and weddings.

Škripavac is a Croatian cheese made from raw cows' milk, characterized by its fresh aroma and a soft, gummy-like texture. The flavors are mild, milky, and slightly sweet. The cheese is named after the Croatian word for squeaky, because škripavac makes a distinctive sound when bitten into it. Škripavac is almost always made from the milk of Buša breed of cows - they are well adapted to the Lika region, where the cheese is produced. It's recommended to eat it on its own, with a few slices of homemade bread, although the cheese can also be grilled for a true gourmet experience.

Paški sir is a hard Croatian cheese originating from the island of Pag. The cheese is made from milk of the Pag sheep. The harsh bura wind dusts the island with sea salt, flavoring various herbs (such as immortelle, sage, and sea fennel) on which the sheep graze, and as a result their milk has a unique flavor. This award-winning cheese is characterized by a dry, flaky, grainy, and crumbly texture, and a tangy, salty flavor. The cheese is typically rubbed with ash and olive oil, and it's then left to mature for at least four months. As it matures, the tangy and savory flavors become even stronger. When young, it’s herby and salty, reminiscent of Manchego in texture and flavor, while the aged version somewhat resembles Pecorino Romano. It is recommended to serve the cheese at room temperature, sliced into triangles. Pair the aged one with fruit jams, olive oil, wildflower honey, anchovies, prosciutto slices, grapes, or paške bubice (small local bread rolls), but “don’t use it in sandwiches,” as the locals say. The young version is suitable for shaving on top of risottos and pasta dishes, or it can be melted and used as a pasta sauce. If you want to store Paški sir, it is recommended to place it on a wooden board and turn it every now and then while rubbing it with olive oil in order to prevent the cheese from drying out and developing mold.

Prego is a ubiquitous Portuguese sandwich prepared with thin slices of beef that are seasoned with garlic, fried, sautéed alongside onions and wine, then placed inside a bread roll. The name prego translates to a nail, and though it is not certain, it is believed it refers to the act of pounding or nailing garlic slices onto the steaks. Though it is sometimes served without any condiments, prego is typically accompanied by mustard and hot sauce, and is occasionally topped with a fried egg. If served on a plate, when it is usually paired with fries, rice, and a fried egg, it usually goes under the name prego no prato.

Toast Skagen is a classic and elegant Swedish open-faced sandwich that's typically served as an appetizer. It's made with white bread, shrimps, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, whitefish roe, dill, lemon, and butter. The crusts are removed from the bread, which is then sautéed in butter until goden brown. The shrimps are chopped and mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, and dill. The mixture is then placed on the bread and the roe is placed on top of each sandwich. It's recommended to garnish each toast Skagen with a sprig of dill and serve it with a lemon slice on the side. This sandwich was invented right after WWII by a famous Swedish resteaurateur Tore Wretman, and it was named after a fishing port in Denmark.

Bocadillo de jamón is a sandwich that is made with Spanish bread and slices of Spanish ham such as jamón Serrano (Serrano ham) or jamón Iberico (Iberian ham). It usually consists of a Spanish-style baguette (barra de pan) that’s been cut in half along the middle and layered with the ham. The cut side of the bread is often drizzled with olive oil and rubbed with ripe tomato halves and garlic to make the sandwich juicier and more flavorful, while the sandwich’s filling may also be enhanced with slices of cheese (often Manchego cheese), tomato slices, strips of roasted piquillo peppers, and pitted black olives. This simple Spanish ham sandwich is commonly available at Spanish cafes where it is usually accompanied by a cup of café con leche (coffee with steamed milk), tea, or a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice, although there are also places that serve the sandwich with a glass of wine or champagne. In Spain, this bocadillo variety is considered the unofficial snack of Spanish football fans, and it is typically eaten as a snack or light lunch.

This Portuguese sandwich consists of shredded pieces of slowly roasted pork shoulder (pernil) which are placed on a crusty bread roll. The sandwich is typically enjoyed plain, but it can be enriched with mustard or cheese (ideally the Serra da Estrela variety). Sanduíche de pernil is mainly associated with Porto and the humble Casa Guedes restaurant, which is believed to prepare the best version of this hearty sanwich that first appeared at traditional Portuguese tascas bars.

Panino con la porchetta is a popular type of sandwich from central Italy made with slices of porchetta that are tucked in between two slices of homemade bread. The sandwich is especially popular among Italian-Americans and in Rome, with both Umbria and Lazio claiming to be the birthplace of its main ingredient, porchetta. Traditionally, no other ingredients are needed, as porchetta is very greasy and has lots of herbs and seasonings, which is also why homemade bread is preferred since it soaks up the fat from the meat well without falling apart. Also, the crispy skin on the porchetta should not be removed. However, there are variations that include other ingredients, most typically cheese and different sauces and are made with various kinds of bread, like ciriola, ciabatta, and rosetta.

Mozzarella in carrozza (lit. mozzarella in a carriage) is an Italian fried sandwich that's especially popular in Campania, although it's eaten in various parts of Italy. The sandwich is made with crustless, slightly stale bread, mozzarella cheese (ideally di bufala variety), flour, milk, and beaten eggs. Apart from this version, there's also a version with added anchovies. Once assembled, the sandwiches are dipped in flour and cold water (so that the cheese doesn't leak out), then in the beaten eggs, and they're finally fried until nicely browned and crisp on the exterior. This sandwich was invented by housewives in Southern Italy who wanted to make use of leftover mozzarella and stale bread. Nowadays, its popularity has crossed borders, so it's even popular in a few eateries in New York City.

Panino col polpo is a traditional sandwich originating from the Bari area. This simple sandwich is made with a combination of octopus, bread rolls, olive oil, parsley, salt, and black pepper. The octopus is washed, brushed with olive oil, and grilled slowly over embers while being brushed with a mixture of olive oil, salt, pepper, and parsley as it cooks. Once done, the octopus is placed into a split bread roll, and the sauce is drizzled over the top of the octopus. This tasty sandwich is common during Apulian festivals and it can often be bought on street stands.

Gyros is one of the most popular Greek street food dishes, consisting of meat such as pork and chicken (in Greece) or lamb and veal (popular in other countries) cooked on a vertical spit. The meat is sliced in thin shavings and is then usually placed in a pita bread along with sauces such as tzatziki and vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and cucumbers. Gyros is derived from the Greek word gheereezo, meaning to turn, referring to the constantly rotating vertical spit on which the meat is cooked. Some believe that gyros originated during the time of Alexander the Great, when his soldiers skewered the meat on their swords and cooked it over a fire. Others claim that gyros was introduced to Greece in 1922, with the refugees from Constantinople and Smyrna. Many of the refugees became merchants and opened their shops with tiny holes in the wall, where gyros was sold. After WWII, gyros gained popularity and spread to Europe, Australia, and the United States. Today, gyros is known as one of the most popular street food varieties around the world.

This white, soft, brined cheese is made from fresh sheep milk or a combination of sheep and goat milk taken from breeds that graze freely on wild grasses on the island of Lemnos in the northern Aegean Sea. The method of production is quite similar to that of traditional feta cheese, with one significant difference that also gave this cheese its name. According to the traditional method, the curd is put in a kalathaki ("small basket") for draining and organic acidification, during which time the cheese acquires its characteristic cylindrical shape. Later, the baskets are submerged in brine to mature for at least two months. While it is similar to feta in texture, Kalathaki Limnou has a milder, pleasant flavor. Its taste can be described as salty and slightly acidic. It is usually consumed as a table cheese served with fruit, but it can also be used in a variety of traditional Greek dishes, Greek salad, or as a substitute cheese for saganaki.

Also known as Vacherin du Haut-Doubs, Mont d'Or is a soft cheese made from raw cow's milk in the Haut-Doubs region in France. What's unique about Mont d'Or's visual appearance is that it is encircled by spruce bark strips and packaged in a spruce wooden box that keeps the cheese in place. It has a full, rich, sweet and grassy flavor and a slightly acidic taste. Its rind is not edible like in most other French cheeses, so it has to be removed to get to the creamy, runny, almost liquid inside, when fully ripe. As the cheese is already almost melting, it can be eaten like a fondue and enjoyed with sparkling wines.

Anthotyro is a Greek cheese made from goat’s and sheep’s milk. The name anthotyro means flowery cheese, referring to the strong aromas of wild herbs. There are two varieties of this cheese – fresh and dry. The fresh variety is known as anthotyro fresco and has a soft texture and mild flavor. It is typically consumed as a table cheese or used in the preparation of pastries and pies. Combine it with honey and fresh fruits such as apples, pears, and figs. The dry variety, known as anthotyro xero has a rich, salty flavor and a crumbly texture. It is recommended to consume it as a table cheese or grate it over pasta (especially spaghetti) and salads.

Stracciata is an artisan Italian cheese produced in Molise. It is made from cow's milk. The curd is cut or torn, and it is then stretched into ribbons that can be folded or braided. Although stracciata is usually snow-white, in spring and summer it develops a yellowish hue. On the outside, it is buttery, mild, sweet, fresh, and slightly salty, while the inside is milky and piquant. The cheese melts in the mouth easily, leaving notes of warm melted butter on the palate. The name stracciata is derived from the verb stracciare, meaning to tear. It is recommended to eat stracciata with prosciutto, olive oil, and crusty bread.

Often called the heavenly cheese, St. André is a French triple-crème cheese made from cow’s milk. It originated from Coutances in the region of Normandy. Underneath its bloomy edible rind, there is a dense, creamy-textured body with mild and rich aromas and flavors which can best be described as sour, tangy, buttery, and salty. Because it is enhanced with the addition of heavy cream, its fat content is quite high - typically 75%. It is recommended to pair it with crusty bread, pear slices, or a glass of light and fruity rosé.

Saint-Félicien is a soft French cheese originating from the region of Rhône-Alpes. The cheese is made from cow’s milk and has a creamy texture, while its flavor can be described as fruity, sour, nutty, and buttery. During the aging process, it develops a bloomy rind with a strong mushroomy aroma which does not really match the flavors of the cheese. Due to its fragile nature, this cheese often comes packaged in small terracotta pots. It is recommended to pair it with crusty baguettes, olives, or a glass of red wine.

Though there are many buffalo mozzarella cheeses made with a combination of buffalo and cow's milk, to be labeled as such, the genuine mozzarella di bufala campana must be made from 100% domestic water buffalo milk and produced either in Campania or the neighboring Lazio, Apulia and Molise regions. Buffalo milk is known to be higher in calcium and protein while lower in cholesterol, which makes this mozzarella cheese particularly prized and sought after. Buffalo mozzarella always comes packaged in brine; it has a mild yet slightly sour taste, and goes well with various Italian antipasti dishes, especially with classics like the Caprese salad.

Burrata, literary meaning buttered, is an artisan cheese from the Puglia region of Southern Italy, especially the provinces of Bari and Barletta-Andria-Trani. The cheese is made by hand with cow's milk, rennet, and cream. It is believed that the cheese was created by Lorenzo Bianchino Chieppa, a cheesemaker who had an idea to form a shell of stretched mozzarella strings and fill it with luscious, rich cream and smaller, leftover pieces of mozzarella. The result was a true delicacy with the creamiest interior and a rich flavor of fresh milk, which very quickly became extremely popular. Burrata should be eaten as fresh as possible - ideally within 24 hours of being made. It can be served alone, seasoned only with some salt, pepper, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, but it is also delicious when accompanied by fresh tomatoes and prosciutto crudo, or when used as a topping for pizzas or bruschettas.

One of the most popular Italian pasta types are tortellini; an intricate creation made with a variety of ingredients securely wrapped inside a layer of egg pasta, creating a pocket which is then folded in a ring shape. They are commonly referred as navels, originating from the famous legend which claims that a chef created it after he saw the goddess Venus, and modeled it on the look of her belly button. The first written record of tortellini goes back to the 17th century, although it is probable that they were created earlier than that. It is believed that they originate from the Emilia-Romagna area, specifically cities Modena and Bologna. Unlike other pasta varieties, tortellini were considered a luxurious food, usually served during important holidays or festivities. The stuffing usually employed at the time lavish ingredients such as prosciutto, mortadella, parmesan cheese, pancetta, beef, or veal, all finely chopped to create a dense filling. Tortellini can be served in broth or sauce, but according to tradition, the only right way is to serve them submerged in a sizzling broth, usually made with chicken or beef. Serving them in soup promotes the tortellini as the star ingredient, not overshadowed by a fragrant sauce or heaps of parmesan. The original way of preparation and serving has not drastically changed; tortellini are still made with traditional egg pasta and utilize the same ingredients to create a hearty filling. However, modern variations nowadays occasionally add natural coloring to pasta, like spinach and beetroot, and tomato, cream, or ragu-like sauces are more often used to accompany the tender tortellini. Today, this refined pasta is considered a common ingredient, cherished in Italy and around the world. It is usually factory produced, but the homemade varieties, using fresh pasta, are considered to be a true delicacy. There are also tortellacci, which are basically an enlarged version of tortellini.

Lasagna is a type of pasta with its own sub-group of numerous flavorful lasagna dishes. The main theory about the history of lasagna is that the word can be traced back to the Greek word laganon, denoting a flat sheet of dough that is cut into strips. There is also another Greek word, lasanon, denoting an ancient crock-pot. The Romans adopted the word and turned it into lasanum, also referring to a cooking vessel, so lasagna is believed to refer to the vessel it was cooked in. In fact, the dough sheets inspired the Greek version of lasagne in a dish called pastitsio. The pasta is traditionally made from flour and water, and is usually boiled in plenty of salted water, then sauced and baked. Wheat flour is commonly used today, but in the past, lasagna was also made with emmer, rye, chestnut, and corn flour, while saffron, spinach, or chard were used for coloring. Although the first recipe for lasagna is traced back to Naples, the term lasagna was coined in the 16th century in Trento, Italy, and the dish was reserved for festive days, consisting of layered pasta with fillings and sauces. In the 1800s, there was an emergence of baked lasagna dishes, known as lasagne al forno, especially in the south. Of all the lasagne dishes, the most famous one is surely the bolognesi, available in almost every restaurant in Bologna today.

In its most basic form, this popular type of pasta consists of durum flour and water. The word spaghetti means a small string, and this long, string-shaped pasta was originally rolled by hand. Originally known as itryya, it was invented in 12th century Arab-ruled Sicily, the home of the first dried pastas. Today, like most modern pastas, spaghetti is made by being extruded through a die. The types and names of spaghetti vary according to the diameter of the pasta and the region where they're produced. Today, the name spaghetti is synonymous with “made in Italy”, and in the 20th century, Italian immigrants became the largest importers of spaghetti and other Sicilian and Neapolitan pastas to the United States. The flexibility of spaghetti and its ability to accommodate to a wide range of ingredients makes it one of the most popular Italian foods worldwide.

Pici is a type of hand-made pasta popular in South Tuscany, similar to spaghetti, but thicker, and usually made without eggs. The pasta is rolled by hand and looks robust, like thick spaghetti. Pici can be served with hearty meat or mushroom-based sauces, but the most typical way to enjoy pici in Tuscany is alle briciole (with bread crumbs roasted in olive oil), all'aglione (with tomato and garlic sauce), or in cacio e pepe version (generously seasoned with grated cheese and pepper).

The name of this flat, thin Italian pasta variety translates literally as “little tongues”. It is also known as trenette or bavette in Italy. Linguine is made from durum wheat flour and water, and it is typically served as pastasciutta with the traditional Ligurian sauces. It is sometimes boiled together with potatoes and green beans and served with pesto alla genovese, and it is also often paired with fish-based sauces. On Lipari, in the Sicilian archipelago, linguine is traditionally served with tuna and capers. A truly versatile pasta, it can be used in a vast number of dishes, and its flexibility has made it one of the most popular types of pasta in Italy and abroad.

The word ravioli denotes various kinds of pasta made by placing a filling between two thin layers of dough. The pasta used is typically wheat flour and egg based, and it acts as an enclosure while also binding with the sauce or broth the ravioli is cooked or served in. Ravioli are usually served boiled with a sauce as a first course, or boiled and served in broth as a traditional winter dish. Ravioli fillings include diverse varieties of meat, cheese, and vegetables, and they vary from region to region. There are also sweet ravioli, which are usually deep-fried. Although no one is certain when the first ravioli were made exactly, the earliest written recipe for ravioli appears in a 14th-century document written by Francesco di Marco, a Tuscan merchant. Today, modern regional varieties are distinguished by their fillings, by the ingredients used in the dough (such as olive oil in southern Italy), and by their shape, which can be square, round, rectangular, or half-moon with straight or serrated edges.

The production of Gragnano pasta dates back to the late 16th century when the first family-run pasta factories were established in the area. Ever since Gragnano became known as the City of Macaroni and the remains of artefacts used in the pasta-making process can still be seen today along the route to the ancient Vallone dei Mulini (lit. Valley of the Mills) in Sorrento, province of Naples. The pasta must be produced within the city of Gragnano and made only with durum wheat semolina and low-calcium water from local aquifers. It is available in several distinctive shapes: Calamarata, Pennoni, Vermicelli, Penne, Caccavella, Conchiglioni, Pacchero or Schiaffone and Gragnano Fusilli. Once cooked, it has a firm, non-sticky consistency, maintains its shape well, and has a strong flavor of durum semolina with a pronounced aroma of ripe wheat. Gragnano pasta binds perfectly with all kinds of sauces and the versatility of its shapes makes it suitable for any recipe.

Tagliatelle are a type of pasta consisting of wheat flour and eggs, or formerly flour and water or whole-wheat flour and water. The wider noodles are called tagliatelle, while the thinner variety is called tagliolini. The name is derived from the word tagliare, meaning to cut. Tagliatelle were reserved for special occasions in the past, but today they are served any day of the week. According to a very popular legend, they were invented in 1487 by Maestro Zafirano, a cook from Bentivoglio, for the marriage between Duke of Ferrara and Lucrezia Borgia. He was supposedly inspired by the bride's beautiful blonde hair. However, the truth is different, since there are pictorial representations of tagliatelle before this date in Tacuinum Sanitatis, an 11th-century Arab health manual that was translated to Italian and illustrated in the 14th century. Regardless of their origin, tagliatelle are still one of the most popular Italian pasta types, typically served with a meat sauce or Bolognese sauce.

Pesto Genovese is a sauce with origins in the Italian city of Genoa. Traditionally, it consists of basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino. Its name stems from the word pestare, meaning to pound or crush, referring to the original method of making the sauce with a mortar and pestle. It is said that pesto originated from the ancient Romans who ate a paste called moretum, made by crushing together ingredients such as cheese, herbs, and garlic. Pesto is usually used with pasta, traditionally with trofie or trenette, but can also sometimes be served with sliced tomatoes or boiled potatoes.

Ragù all'anatra is an Italian meat sauce that's usually prepared with a combination of duck, garlic, onions, carrots, celery, guanciale, tomato purée, red wine, and herbs such as sage, parsley, bay leaves, and thyme. The vegetables are chopped and sautéed with the guanciale over high heat, followed by the duck, herbs, red wine, and tomato purée. The combination is left to simmer until the duck becomes fully cooked. The duck is then removed, the meat chopped and placed back into the pot, and the sauce is later filtered to remove large quantities of duck fat. Once done, this hearty duck sauce is typically served with pasta such as pappardelle or tagliatelle.

Guasacaca is Venezuela's version of guacamole, although it is not as thick. This simple combination of avocado, coriander, parsley, bell peppers, onions, garlic, salt, oil, and vinegar is typically consumed with barbecued meats such as beef, chicken, sausages, and morcillas. It is used as a dip with fried plantain and yuca, but it can also be drizzled on empanadas. The sauce is usually made in a blender, resulting in a creamy sauce, while some prefer the mashed version, resulting in a chunkier sauce.

This traditional Italian meat sauce consists of ground beef, pork, or a combination of both, that is sautéed alongside a sofrito of onions, carrots, and celery, a splash of red wine, and canned tomatoes. The mixture is traditionally seasoned with salt and pepper, and it can optionally be enhanced with tomato paste and porcini mushrooms. Sugo di carne is typically enjoyed over pasta dishes such as penne, rigatoni, tagliatelle, fetuccine, or pappardelle, which are often sprinkled with freshly grated parmesan cheese on top. This traditional meat sauce is also frequently used in the preparation of lasagna.

Toum is an authentic Lebanese and Syrian garlic paste. It is made with whole garlic cloves, which are slowly crushed using a mortar and pestle, or nowadays simply ground in a food processor. During this process, oil (preferably neutral oil such as canola, or the flavorful olive oil) is gently added to create a homogeneous garlic paste with an unusual, fluffy texture. Finally, salt and lemon juice are added to the mix, giving the paste a salty flavor and ivory color. Toum is used for marinades, sauces, and dips, and can enrich any meal. It is usually combined with chicken in traditional dishes such as roast chicken, chicken skewers or chicken shawarma, but is also commonly combined with beef, lamb, or goat meat. It is often used as a spread in the famous Lebanese pita sandwiches and wraps, or as a simple spread over bread, which is served as a starter or a snack. Toum can be made in advance and can keep up as long as three weeks. Since it is highly versatile, numerous ingredients, such as mint, can be added to diversify its flavor and texture. This delightful, pungent garlic spread and its adaptations can also be found in eastern Mediterranean countries, Egypt, and Iraq.

Aji criollo or salsa de aji is a spicy Peruvian salsa prepared with a combination of yellow aji chili peppers and oil. The sauce is usually pleasantly spicy, but it can also be extremely hot and spicy, so one should be careful when tasting it for the first time. The sauce is traditionally used as an accompaniment to various meat and fish dishes, but it's also often used as a dip for french fries and tequeños. Although it shares the name with an Ecuadorian sauce, those two differ significantly, both in appearance (Ecuadorian version is green), and in the method of preparation and ingredients used.

Salsa ocopa is a popular Peruvian sauce originating from Arequipa. It is made with queso fresco, aji amarillo chilis, milk, and huacatay, also known as Peruvian black mint, giving the sauce a unique flavor. The salsa is traditionally served with boiled potatoes, but it can also accompany pasta dishes, meat, fried yucca, hard-boiled eggs, or tequeños.

Awaze is a traditional sauce or spice paste that's served with most main dishes in the country. It's usually made with ingredients such as berbere spice blend, t'ej (Ethiopian honey wine), and oil. The ingredients are simply mixed together until the desired consistency is reached, and the sauce is then consumed immediately or stored in the fridge. It can be used as a sauce or a dip for meat, but it's also often added to stews such as wat or used as a sandwich spread. If desired, the sauce can be enriched with ginger and garlic – everyone makes their awaze in a different way and there are many versions of the sauce.

Riesling is an aromatic white grape native to Germany. It is a terroir-driven wine known for its versatile character and intense aroma, usually reminiscent of citrus, petroleum, and white flowers. In Alsace, Riesling is one of the main varieties. Although the grape is often associated with sweeter styles, most of the examples coming from Alsace are bone dry. Riesling from Alsace can slightly vary in character, from leaner to more opulent, flavor-packed expressions, but it is generally complex, richly flavored, and high in acidity. It has intense citrus, stone fruit, and floral aromas. Usually, these wines will have steel-like mineral notes. They are typically full-bodied and have good aging potential, with the best vintages reaching up to 15 years. Most Rieslings are excellent with food. Lighter Alsace styles should be paired with lighter dishes, primarily seafood, including fish, shellfish, and crustaceans, but they could also work with salads and poultry. More complex and concentrated examples can be paired with Asian fare, and late harvest styles (Vendange Tardive) are best paired with desserts. Alsace Riesling will usually have higher alcohol content than their German counterparts.

This late-harvest dessert wine of Bordeaux is predominantly made with Sémillon, the region's rare golden-skinned white grapes affected by noble rot, though the blends often include Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. The appellations may include Sauternes, Barsac, Cérons, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, Cadillac, Loupiac, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux, and Côtes de Bordeaux Saint-Macaire. In general, Sauternes wines exhibit pronounced notes of fruit, butterscotch, caramel, and spices, along with floral notes coming from the Muscadelle grapes. Noted for their full body and freshness, Sauternes wines pair nicely with soft cheeses, blue cheeses, washed rind cheeses, terrines, foie gras, and various fruit-based desserts.

Gewurztraminer is a pink-skinned grape that produces some of the most aromatic and complex white wines in the world. The exact origin of Gewurztraminer is hard to trace, but the grape is related to Traminer family that is cultivated across Europe, and although Gewurztraminer has shown success in Germany, Austria, Australia, Washington and California, the French Alsace region remains its foreground. Alsace produces varietals that are rich and typically deeply colored, often low in acidity and high in alcohol with exotic aromas of lychee and rose petals. Their character and the body heavily depends on the terroir and ripeness of the grapes, and they may range from dry to off-dry and sweet styles. Dry Gewurztraminer from Alsace is a perfect match to cheese and savory, preferably spicy or creamy dishes, while sweeter styles may match fruit or spiced desserts.

Extra old Cognac label is the one with a blend that has been aged the longest. Although the previous legislation stated that XO needs to be at least six years old, new categorization, which will be fully implemented by March 31, 2019, will indicate that to be labeled as an XO, the blend will have to be at least ten years old. However, the age limitation only signifies that the youngest in the blend is six (ten) years old, but when it comes to XO most blends are significantly older than that. XO Cognac should always be served neat in a snifter glass, and are best enjoyed as a digestif.

Burgundy is a world-famous French wine region that produces some of the best and most expensive wines in the world. Located in the east-central part of France, the area is dominated by Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Other red and white grapes such as Aligoté, Pinot Gris, or Gamay are also used, but on a much lower scale. Burgundy has more than 100 approved wine-growing areas, all regulated by a complex quality system that divides the region into grand cru, premier cru, village wines, and regional appellations. The wines are greatly influenced by terroir and show great diversity in flavors and aromas. Most Burgundy reds display complex and layered aromas of fresh fruit and spices, along with earthy notes of leather, truffle, or mushrooms. Older examples tend to develop juicier expressions of cooked fruit or jam. White wines are characterized by floral, fruity, and buttery aromas, which are often complemented by citrus or honey-like notes. Because of their diversity, white and red Burgundy wines can pair with a wide variety of dishes, including appetizers, charcuterie, meat or fish-based main courses, desserts, and regional cheese varieties.

Cahors is a French wine region where the principal grape is Malbec, with small percentages of Tannat and Merlot. Although Malbec is nowadays primarily associated with Argentinian Mendoza region, the grape originated in France, but in the 1950s, it was almost entirely wiped out by frost. Cahors now remains as the only French region that produces Malbec-based wines. Often dubbed as black due to their dark purple color, young wines from Cahors are powerful and rich in tannins, and they typically display aromas of dark fruit and spices. They have excellent aging potential, resulting in styles that usually have softer tannins and aromas of truffle and undergrowth. Cahors wines are a perfect match to red meat, rich stews, or duck.

This French wine region is located in the Loire Valley (Touraine district), and it is known for the production of varietal white wines that are predominantly produced from Chenin Blanc. Although the appellation also includes sparkling and dessert wines, Vouvray is mostly known for their crisp dry wines (sec). These wines are characterized by their straw yellow color, vibrant acidity, and complex aromas that typically include floral, citrus, and white fruit notes. Dry Vouvray wines have excellent aging potential. With age, they evolve, but remain fresh, aromatic, and lively, while their aromas may develop into ripe white fruit, almonds, and hazelnuts. Vouvray wines pair well with rich and creamy fish and seafood dishes, pork, chicken, rillettes, and pâtés. They are best served slightly chilled.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the largest and the most important appellation in the southern part of the Rhône Valley that comprises of five communes. Most Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are predominantly red blends, with a small percentage of whites. Officially eighteen grape varieties are allowed, including different colors of the same grape variety. However, the most common are Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Cinsault grapes. These rich wines can greatly differ in style, but they are mainly characterized by the spicy and earthy aromas of red berries, black pepper, tar, and leather. The lighter versions are suitable for relatively early drinking, while some age-worthy blends are cellared before they are enjoyed. Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are perfect to serve alongside grilled beef, veal, pork, game, sausages, lamb, stews, braised dishes, cassoulets, and rich seafood dishes.