6 traditional dishes from around the world that will keep you warm
Struggling to keep cosy during this Arctic snap? Tuck into these.
We’re suffering a ‘Siberian blast’ weather-wise this week – that means thermals and snow days.
But if a cup of tea and a bowl of tomato soup aren’t quite hitting the spot when it comes to warming you up, why not try one of these dishes from countries that really know how to deal with the cold?
1. Greenlandic coffee
This is the kind of boozy, scorching drink that’ll put hairs on your chest. Greenland’s version of the Irish coffee, it involves whisky, kahlua, Grand Marnier (set alight to glow blue), fresh hot coffee and whipped cream. That’ll certainly take your mind off the sub-zero temperatures.
2. Mac and cheese
Mac and cheese might be the side dish of choice these days, but in America (which has some of the coldest winters of any country), it’s generally considered a main – and should not be tampered with. Step away from the lobster tails and truffle oil and just go classic: cheese with a breadcrumb topping. It’s carb and fat-heavy – just what you need to keep you going when it’s icy out.
3. Fish soup
In Iceland, it’s got to be fish soup. A jumble of salmon, haddock, Arctic char (which is similar to salmon), cod and plaice is cooked alongside onions, leeks, celeriac and tomatoes, before being brought together with a drizzle of cream (for the fat) and a shot of port or sherry (for a warming, boozy hit).
4. Borsch
A bowl of hot magenta borsch (or borscht) – whether you opt for a Russian, Polish, Ukrainian recipe, it’s popular all over Eastern Europe – should always be packed full of beets and topped with a dollop of sour cream. It’s eaten all year round (chilled in summer), but in winter is dense with veggies and should heat you up nicely from the inside out.
5. Verivorstid (blood sausages)
To keep energy levels up and bellies full, blood sausages are particularly popular in Estonia during the winter months. Their high fat content makes for great fuel – in fact, anything fatty is on the menu, from salmon to black bread (fermented rye bread) topped with seasoned white pork fat.
6. Suutei tsai (salted milk tea)
In Mongolia – where temperatures routinely hit -20 degrees – salted milk tea (the milk and salt is added either to black or green tea) is a staple beverage and served scaldingly hot. Other warming favourites include hunks of cooked sheep fat and boiled goat.
The Press Association
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