The 32 Dishes: the good, the great, the bad and those damned desserts

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All the 32 Dishes from the 32 Countries in the 32 Days that was my World Cup Food Challenge are listed below. Some of them are already linked to separate posts, where I have written specifically about making that particular dish, and included recipes and photos. I hope to get around to writing up each dish, if nothing else to help me remember what I made and how. I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, and the meals, and I definitely want to record as much of it that I can here. So watch this spot! Links to new posts, etc. will be added every now and then. 

Best meal(s)
It is not possible to choose just one, although there are a few dishes which really stood out. The green bean and lamb tagine (Algeria) is definitely one of the best ones. I absolutely loved this dish, and am already looking forward to making it again. Another one, which I am keen to make again, though not a new discovery, is the Jägerschnitzel (Germany). I have never made it before, mostly because it could be had anywhere in Germany. Now that I have made it once, and realised how easy it actually is, I cannot wait to make it again. It was one of the meals I enjoyed a great deal. Another one is the shito fried chicken (Ghana). The marinade for the chicken was so flavourful and just delicious! And, of course, was there ever anything as delightful as fried plantains?

Also good
I have always been a fan of cooked fruit, especially cooked apple. It is therefore no surprise that I found the Apfelküchlein (Switzerland) so enjoyable. The coq au vin (France) was delicious, and although very similar in method to the stoofvlees (Belgium), the coq au vin had the edge as far as I was concerned. That also is not surprising; I have always like a good wine reduction. The Mozambique prawns (Portugal) also deserve a mention. I love prawns and really miss good prawns. These were delicious. And of course, the Shepherd's pie (England) which only did not make the best meals list because I feel it would be cheating a bit. It was, after all, a tried and tested recipe which I have made many times. This one was also served cold, which did compromise it a bit, I think. Another one I would also make again is the chilaquiles (Mexico) - so easy to make and so tasty.

Biggest surprise
This has to be the ceviche (Costa Rica). My scepticism prior to making the ceviche was matched only by my enjoyment of the meal!

Biggest flop(s)
This cannot be anything other than the leche frita (Spain). Much like this Spanish team at the World Cup, my attempt at this Spanish dish looked good on paper and had good reviews. But all that happened was three attempts with varying degrees of lack of success and nothing else to show for it at the end of the day. At least the pavlova (Australia) looked like a pavlova, a disaster though it still was. Sadly, it turned out that the desserts were the hardest to get right. And I am, generally speaking and if I say so myself, not a bad baker. At least I do muffins well. I realise now that I struggle with deserts which are supposed to set. In my kitchen, they simply don't.

One time only(s)
In addition to the leche frita, which I will decidedly not be trying to make again -if I ever have it again, it will be if I am ever in Spain again- I am quite sure I will not be having cevapcici (Bosnia) again at home. The marinated aubergine (Argentina) are also unlikely to make a reappearance, although the grilled aubergine will definitely be something I would throw on the barbecue again. Oh, ndolé (Cameroon) will not be on the menu again, in the original version, that is. The same thing with kale might actually be quite nice.  

Aside from these few one time only dishes, I do think that I am very likely to make everything else again. I would even have another go at the pavlova. They were all good, and not too much effort to make. Not for me anyway. I am quite happy marinating overnight and what have you, and slaving in the kitchen for hours for a good meal. In addition to these which I did make, I am also inspired to try a whole array of other dishes which I had come across in the course of my research but ultimately did not pick as the dish to make for that country. I have joked about not cooking for at least a month after the end of this challenge, but I lied. I will be at the stove again tonight if I did not have leftovers which need getting rid off!

The 32
1 - Brazil (Farofa)

2 - Chile (Chilean Corn Pie)

3 - Uruguay (Uruguayan Stuffed Zucchini)

4 - Ecuador (Empanadas de Verde)
5 - Nigeria ((Not) Palm Oil Soup)
6 - South Korea (Black Bean Noodle)
7 - Bosnia (Somun with cevapcici)
8 - England (Shepherd's Pie)
9 - Australia (Pavlova) 
10 - Japan (Tamagoyaki)
11 - Algeria (Green Bean and Lamb Tagine)
12 - Cameroon (Cameroonian Ndolé with Fried Plantains)
13 - Costa Rica (Ceviche)
14 - Russia (Kotlety)
15 - Spain (Leche Frita (literally, fried milk))
16 - Switzerland (Apfelküchlein)
17 - Croatia (Palacinke (pancakes))
18 - Ivory Coast (Mafé)
19 - Ghana (Jollof Rice with Shito Fried Chicken)
20 - USA (Grits and Shrimp)
21 - Germany (Jägerschnitzel)

22 - Netherlands (Hutspot with Klapstuk (braised beef))
23 - Honduras (Torrejas (thick French toast-ish fried bread with spiced syrup)
24 - Iran (Khoresht Bademjan or Lamb Stew with Aubergine) 
25 - Colombia (Papa Rellanas Colombianas (Colombian Stuffed Potatoes))
26 - Mexico (Chilaquiles)
27 - Belgium (Stoofvlees (Carbonnade Flamande or Flemish Beef and Beer Stew))
28 - Greece (Moussaka)
29 - Argentina (Berenjenas en Escabeche (Marinated Aubergine) and Grilled Aubergine)
30 - Italy (Pear and Ricotta pasta)
31 - France (Coq au Vin)
32 - Portugal (Portugese Style Mozambique Prawns)

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