There is something about Lebanese food that instantly endears it to the Indian palate. The simplistic shawarma, pita bread, falafel, baba ghanoush and hummus are not only delicious, they conform to Indian tastes though some might find it a bit bland.

During the days of the Raj, the Indian cooks or khansamas had to cater to the tastes of the sahibs and memsahibs whose standards were very exacting. The desi cooks always managed to impress the higher ups with typical Indian ingredients.

Usually when we talk about Chinese food, we concentrate on ‘Indian Chinese’ recipes that have been changed — and often invented — to suit the Indian palate. This week, however, we will digress from what eminent journalist and foodie Vir Sanghvi calls “Sino Ludhianvi” cuisine and look into some really authentic Chinese recipes.

So you say you have never come across choux (pronounced ‘shu’) pastry? Well if you have eaten an éclair (not the candy) or a cream puff, then you have.

It’s very tough to compare the food of North and South India; but the good news is that they are all delicious across the board. Particularly inspiring are some fiery curries.

Nothing beats a Sloppy Joe when it comes to a favourite dish with the kids. These burgers use ground mince instead of a patty. Also, the fact that a lot of ketchup goes into the cooking process makes it a kids’ favourite. Classic coleslaw goes best with the burger.

Spain is not all about paellas and seafood. The cuisine is vibrant with Mediterranean flavours and is quite similar to Italian, only more robust.

Macaroons are the latest craze these days. While these light, airy sweets have been around in the global scene for many, many years, they are being rediscovered in a big way the world over.

It’s been a while since we have delved into some heart-warming desserts. And with the extra rains we are getting at the fag end of the monsoons, a rich dessert is just what the doctor ordered to square off a meal on a rainy day.

We take a look at the traditional fish n’ chips recipe from Britian and a virtually unknown one from Louisiana.