Have you ever chowed down Sfiha ? My Goodness ! You don’t even know about this crispy Arabian pizza !

Sfiha – The traditional Arabian Pizza – Image by avlxyz – flickr

Sfiha is the traditional open faced meat pie which is popular through out the Arab region. There is a conflict about the right origin of Sfiha. Some anthropologists suggest that Sfiha belongs to the Arabian Peninsula, while others think that it was commenced from the ancient Baalbek, now in Lebanon. At that times, Sfiha was simply a stuffed ground lamb, lightly spiced, wrapped in brined grape leaves. With the passage of time, many versions of Sfiha are introduced through out the world.

Sfiha – A special Latin American version – Image © Bethany Kehdy

The main ingredients of Sfiha include, minced lamb, finely choped tomatoes and onions, olive oil, yougurt and the traditional spices. Sfiha, the crispy Arabian pizza are also familiarized in the Latin and South America, especially in Brazil where sfihas are folded into a triangular pastry, although the open-faced version is very common too.

Bibingka or Bebinca is a savory and toothsome dessert from the Philippines, which is actually a popular rice cake made with rice flour and coconut milk or water. Normally, the Filipinos eat Bibinkga as their traditional breakfast. According to a research, Bibingka was originated from the classic Chinese cuisine and later it was adopted by the people of the Philippines as their regular food ingredient.

Bibingka – Traditional dessert from the Philippines – Image by Roberto Verzo – flickr

A specially made terra cotta container is lined with a single large section of a banana leaf. It is placed over preheated coals and the glutinous rice flour and is poured into it, taking care taking care not to spill it into the container itself. Another piece of banana leaf is added to the top and covered with more preheated coals. It is topped with slices ofkesong puti (white cheese) and itlog na maalat (salted duck eggs). The newly-cooked bibingka is spread with butter and sometimes sprinkled with sugar then served withniyog (grated coconut). Bibingka, the savory and toothsome dessert from the Philippines is a hot food item during Christmas.

Bibingka – So savory and so toothsome rice cake from the Philippines – Image by chotda

Pinakbet is a fantastic vegetable dish from the Philippines, which is indigenous to the northern parts of the country. This Filipino vegetable dish is made from mixed vegetables steamed in fish or shrimp sauce. The typical sauce used in the preperation of Pinakbet is extracted by a common ingredient used in the Philippines, known as Bagoong Terong and it is made by salting and fermenting the bonnet mouth fish.

Pinakbet – A fantsastic Filipino vegetable dish from the Philippines – Image by Joits – flickr

Filipinos love to use bitter melon along with other vegetables including eggplant, tomato, okra, string beans, chili peppers , parda, winged beans etc in cooking Pinakbet. Root crops and some beans like camote, patani, kadios are also optionally added. It is usually spiced with ginger, onions or garlic. The fantastic Filipino vegetable dish, Pinakbet is very popular in the Philippines for its mouth watering and exotic taste and for the veggie lovers around the lovely planet, Pinakbet is also an awesome feast.

Kashmir, the paradisiacal region has the unique heritage and culture in South Asia. Kashmir has very harsh winters so the people of Kashmir prepare themselves to compete with the tyranny of weather in different ways. One of these methods is to follow the typical winter Kashmiri cuisine which has its own appetizing and pungent taste. Such food provides calories and comfort that help Kashmiris to defend the coldness and keep them healthy and strong.

One of these food gratifications is HARISSA, the heavenly delight of Kashmir which is also known as MUTTON HALVA. According to some historians, Harissa has its origin from Central Asia which also influenced the art, custom, rituals, belief and the food-culture of the Kashmiris. The recipe was more refined with the passage of time and ultimately the Kashmiris got the gratitude in the form of savory and full-flavored, now known as Harissa.

Preparing the Kashmiri delight; Harissa. Image : Bridgette Auger

Harissa is prepared with the boneless meat of lamb under mild temperature normally during the whole night. The mutton is also mixed with addition of rice or wheat as well as spices. The concoction is heated and constantly stirred for hours together until it becomes mushy and pasty. Onions fried in oil or ghee till they become golden brown, are poured onto it and when served. Harissa is an awesome breakfast dish for the Kashmiris and some Kashmiris also love to have Kebabs and Kashmiri Raita with Harissa.

The traditional Baqarkhani bread eaten with Harissa. Image: Bridgette Auger

HARISSA, the heavenly delight of Kashmir is served in many restaurants and cafes of Kashmir with the traditional baked bread. Preparing Harissa is obviously not easy and hundreds of Kashmiris come to eat Harissa to the dark and smoky cafes of Kashmir right after offering their morning prayers. Harissa has its own unique blend of Kashmiri spices and its taste is doubled when you have the cup of the traditional and salty Kashmiri pink tea.    

* These images are the coutesy of http://www.bridgetteauger.com/

National Fruits are also one of the significant national emblems of many countries of the lovely planet. Some countries have officially designated their national fruits while some of them have done it unofficially.

The list of the national fruits of the lovely planet is as under;

1- Ackee: The National fruit of Jamaica

Ackee: The National fruit of Jamaica ( Photo:Alfred Moya)

2- Apple: The national fruit of England

Apple: The national fruit of England ( Image: Foleyfeatures )

3- Apricot: The National Fruit of Armenia

Apricot: The National Fruit of Armenia ( Image by Christopher P )

4- Avocado: The National Fruit of Mexico

Avocado: The National Fruit of Mexico ( Image: David Schiller )

5- Cupuaçu: The National fruit of Brazil

Cupuaçu: The National fruit of Brazil ( Image: Rodrigo V )

6- Guava: The National fruit of Pakistan ( Winter )

Guava: The National fruit of Pakistan ( Winter ) Image by Tahir Iqbal

7- Jackfruit: The National fruit of Bangladesh

Jackfruit: The National fruit of Bangladesh ( Photo: Ola Lazar )

8- Jubjube: The National fruit of China

Jubjube: The National fruit of China ( Photo by Vitalacharya )

9- Kiwi: The National fruit of China 

Kiwi: The National fruit of China ( Image: D.Sharon Pruitt )

10- Lady Finger Banana: The National fruit of Cambodia

Lady Finger Banana: The National fruit of Cambodia ( Image by Fiona Redhead )

11- Litchi chinensis or Lychee: The National fruit of Japan

Litchi chinensis or Lychee: The National fruit of Japan Image: Zelia Doneux Rebske )

12- Pakistani Mango: The National fruit of Pakistan (Summer)

Pakistani Mango: The National fruit of Pakistan (Summer) Image by James Morton

13- Indian Mango: The National fruit of India

Indian Mango: The National fruit of India ( Photo: 3point141 )

14- Filipino Mango: The National fruit of Philippines

Filipino Mango: The National fruit of Philippines ( By: Louisa Chu )

15- Papaya: The National fruit of Malaysia

Papaya: The National fruit of Malaysia ( Image: Claudio Ruiz )

16- Pomegranate: The National fruit of Iran

Pomegranate: The National fruit of Iran ( Image: Sammsky )