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This past year took us from lockdowns to reopenings, from being homebound to reveling in the joy of just going out for a leisurely lunch. Not surprisingly, our top stories of the year reflect that reality, with recipes making up a good portion of what all of you were reading in 2021 (it would appear that a lot of garlicky Georgian shkmeruli was cooked up in the early part of the year).

Stories about both classic spots that weathered the Covid storm and new places that opened up despite the challenges also proved to be popular. Below are 2021’s most-read stories, in case you missed that shkmeruli recipe (and any of the other articles) the first time around!

The Americas

El Posito: Rock Solid in Oaxaca

El Posito has been serving piedrazos – a peculiar Oaxacan snack of hard, crunchy bread dunked in vinegar and topped with pickled veggies – for the last 55 years.

Bolivian Llama Party: Pump Up the Salteñas in Queens

At its outpost in Sunnyside, Bolivian Llama Party is introducing New Yorkers to Bolivian cuisine, particularly the salteña, a stew-filled pastry.

Desserts

Soğuk Baklava & Beyond: Istanbul’s Half-Baked Dessert Trends

From trileçe to San Sebastian cheesecake to 2021’s soğuk baklava, we dive into a recent history of Istanbul dessert trends.

Mon Sciù Pastries: A Sliver of Paris in Naples

At Mon Sciù, a pastry shop in Naples’ historic center, Chiara Cianciaruso offers delicate, carefully crafted French-style pastries with a Neapolitan soul.

Recipes

Shkmeruli Recipe: Georgian Garlic Chicken Bomb

We asked chef Tekuna Gachechiladze to share her recipe for shkmeruli, Georgia’s breath-defying garlic chicken dish made with milk, heavy cream and butter.

Moussaka Recipe: A Real-Deal, Greek Classic

Carolina Doriti, our Athens bureau chief, shares her recipe for Greek moussaka, a hearty baked dish with layers of vegetables and ground beef, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce.

Yabrak Recipe: A Passover Classic for Marseille’s Tunisians 

A Marseillaise with Tunisian roots, Frédérique Zuili shares her yabrak recipe – she makes the romaine leaves stuffed with meatballs each year for Passover.

Building Blocks

Building Blocks: Lamprey, Portugal’s Monstrously Delicious Fish

Lamprey, an eel-like fish, is one of the ugliest in mother nature’s portfolio, but it’s popular in Portugal from January to April.

Naan Hut: Baking An Ancient Bread in A New Land

In Tehrangeles, home to a large swathe of the Los Angeles Persian community, Naan Hut bakes an ancient and much-beloved sangak flatbread.

Take A Bao: Shanghai’s Top 5 Soup Dumpling Restaurants

We share our five favorite spots in Shanghai for soup dumplings of all strips, from traditional Shanghainese xiaolongbao to Nanjing-style tangbao.

  • The CB Gift Guide 2021November 17, 2021 The CB Gift Guide 2021 (0)
    As travel comes back and all of us begin reconnecting with the world, we would like to […] Posted in Elsewhere
  • Word On the StreetNovember 14, 2021 Word On the Street (0)
    Whether it’s Hacı Beşir Usta’s ​​çiğ köfte from Istanbul’s Kadınlar Pazarı, a perfectly […] Posted in Elsewhere
  • To HohlidakiMarch 4, 2024 To Hohlidaki (0)
    Even though Athens is fairly close to the sea, there are times when we crave a quick […] Posted in Athens

Published on January 01, 2022

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November 17, 2021

The CB Gift Guide 2021

Elsewhere | By Culinary Backstreets
ElsewhereAs travel comes back and all of us begin reconnecting with the world, we would like to start our annual guide with what we believe is the best kind of gift: experiences. If you have a loved one that’s planning to hit the road in 2022, take a look at our culinary walks or trips…
November 14, 2021

Word On the Street: Celebrating Our Favorite Street Vendors

Elsewhere | By Culinary Backstreets
ElsewhereWhether it’s Hacı Beşir Usta’s ​​çiğ köfte from Istanbul’s Kadınlar Pazarı, a perfectly steamed Oaxacan tamale by Tia Tila or the Pang family’s late-night dumplings in Shanghai, street food and the folks who make it are the heart and soul of Culinary Backstreets. Yes, we love street food. It’s tasty. It’s fast. It’s cheap. But…
March 4, 2024

To Hohlidaki: Ouzeri Origins

Athens | By Katherine Whittaker
AthensEven though Athens is fairly close to the sea, there are times when we crave a quick island getaway – to taste the best tomato salads of the Cyclades, or one of the many pungent cheeses of Naxos or real smoked apaki from Crete, but we don’t have the time (or resources) to venture out…
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