Last week I took a culinary escape to Paris and the month before Marrakesh. These exotic escapades were courtesy of Try the World, a service that sends beautifully packaged boxes of intriguing food finds from across the globe, each curated by a star chef. Every box focuses on one city and includes a description of ingredients as well as a culture guide providing recipes, music playlists and movies to help set the scene.
Even as a longtime cook of international cuisine, I learned to use new ingredients. The Marrakesh box, for example, included a kefta rub—a mix of cumin, paprika, mint, coriander, cinnamon and other spices—that transformed meatballs and kebabs. Moroccan couscous complemented a traditional raisin and onion sauté sauce, to which I added chickpeas and chicken. Whole sardines, not for the faint of heart, were served straight from the tin. Mini orange peel croquants were mildly sweet, crunchy and a wonderful end to the dinner.
The Paris box, curated by Michelin star chef Christophe Schmitt, focused on French delicacies designed to complement a meal. Domaine des Vignes Dijon mustard paired perfectly with charcuterie, and fleur de sel is now my go-to finishing salt for each meal. Artisanal honey, Corsican fig jam and Le Palais des Thès teas were sophisticated selections for our weekend brunch. World-renowned La Mère Poulard sablès and salted buttery caramels—is there a better way to end a meal?
Whether you’ve been shopping the international ingredient aisles for years or have just tasted your first falafel, Try the World is an accessible, interesting way to discover a world of global flavors right in your own kitchen. Embrace this new “food tourism” concept now … next flight is for Argentina!
For more information about snagging your own subscription, please visit www.TryTheWorld.com.
- Photos: Laura Koster
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