Basi del Diablo is travelling to the Philippine countryside and other parts of the world in its own kitchen. All products featured in this article are independently selected by our editors. However, when you purchase something through these retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Wine pairing suggestions will solely focus on Basi del Diablo Wines sold on this website. 

While the global health crisis has put a lot of our plans on hold, we are finding comfort in our kitchen and we believe you would benefit from doing the same thing, too. A beautiful meal can be quite the experience even when dining at home and it doesn’t even matter if you are using an heirloom recipe or trying to make a certain dish for the first time. The following are 10 dishes we are cooking during the lockdown. 

Dish 1: Hummus
Israel / Middle East / Greece
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This is one of the most controversial side dishes around because the Greeks, Israelis, and the Arabs claim it as theirs. While it was first recorded in 13th century Egypt, the debate on who made it first has continued to this day. Whichever side of the debate you are on, we can be sure that you love hummus. Eating it is a real sensory experience! Going heavy on the garlic won’t be much of a problem with this creamy side dish, too. If you want it to be more festive, add Spanish paprika and parsley. 

Wine pairing: Basidina
Try it at home: Cuisinart DLC-2APK Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor

Dish 2: Beef Kulma
Philippines
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Tender beef in coconut milk, tomato sauce, peanuts, and curry? Sign us up! Beef Kulma is like korma but with coconut milk. It is often described as a beautiful hybrid of  Beef Curry and Kare Kare. This can easily become one of your staple dishes at home because it is just heavenly. Beef Kulma is often served in Mindanaoan homes but it has now become one of our favourites.

 

Wine pairing: Basi Maria
Try it at home: Crock-Pot 7-Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker

 

Dish 3: Scallion Pancakes
Taiwan
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Flaky and filled with scallions, these pancakes are just amazing and you can have them for breakfast or lunch. Adding eggs to them is a good idea too if you want a hearty meal. Scallion pancakes also come with a nice little legend that involves Marco Polo. It is said that he missed these pancakes so much when he went back home that he asked Italian chefs to make it. Legend has it that this recipe is the basis for pizza.

Wine pairing: (but not for breakfast) Basidina
Try it at home: Rolling Pin

 

Dish 4: Ofada Stew
Nigeria
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Ofada stew is a spicy dish made from smoked dried shrimp, locust beans, and scotch bonnets. It is a traditional recipe from the Yoruba tribe of Western Nigeria but became rather popular in other parts of the country because it tastes so good.

 

Wine pairing: Ambaristo or Virginia Blush
Try it at home: Ground Locust Beans 

 

Dish 5: Shepherd’s Pie / Cottage Pie
United Kingdom / Ireland
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In the 18th century, cottage pie became a staple among Britain’s poor whose homes were cottages located in the countryside. This part of the community had access to lots of potatoes that they either grew themselves or were grown by their neighbours. Historians note that they started using the root crop for everyday meals because they were readily available.

The Glutton’s Glossary: A Dictionary of Food and Drink Terms by John Ayto says that pie made from mashed potatoes and any type of meat was referred to as “cottage pie” during those times. In modern Britain, it is called such if it is made with beef while a recipe that uses lamb mince is called shepherd’s pie. 

Wine pairing: Basi Maria
Try it at home: Bourbon Barrel Aged Worcestershire Sauce 100ml (3 Pack)

 

Dish 6: Banh Xeo
Vietnam
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“If you walk the streets of Vietnam, you will get bombarded with an array of amazing smells from the abundance of street food all around you. One famous street food that not only can you smell, but hear is Banh Xeo.Banh Xeo is Vietnamese sizzling crepe or sizzling pancake. It is named for the loud sizzling sound it makes when the rice batter hits a hot skillet. This savory thin pancake is filled with thin slices of pork belly, whole shrimp, mung beans, and bean sprouts. Once the pancake is crispy on all sides, it’s folded over with a spatula and slid onto a serving platter and served with a variety of fresh vegetables and Vietnamese herbs and a side of fish sauce dipping sauce (Nuoc Mam Cham).” – Vicky Pham, Vietnamese Homecooking Recipes, Vickypham.com 

Wine pairing: Basidina
Try it at home: AmazonBasics Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Pan, 15 Inch

Dish 7: Grilled Eggplant with Marinated Fetta
Croatia
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This is a simple recipe from Croatia that is fantastic for barbecues. It is comforting thanks to the fetta marinated in olive oil and garlic. 

Wine pairing: Basidina
Try it at home: Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner Cabinet Liquid Propane Gas Grill- Stainless steel

 

Dish 8: Diri Djon Djon
Haiti
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If you have access to black mushroom, you should make this beautiful recipe from Haiti. Black mushrooms are native to Haiti’s northern provinces and are a delicacy. Recreating this at home in the Philippines is possible if you have what many Filipinos refer to as “Tenga ng Daga” in your pantry. Diri Djon Djon is best paired with meat.

Wine pairing: Basidina
Try it at home: Vigorous Mountains Dried Black Fungus

 

Dish 9: Oma’s Apfelkuchen
Germany
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This apple cake recipe is one of the easiest cake recipes we’ve tried and yet it is so comforting. You can use any apple variety that you can find in the supermarket. We used Granny Smith apples because the tartness just makes this cake stand out. 

Wine pairing: Virginia Blush
Try it at home: Oster French Convection Countertop and Toaster Oven | Single Door Pull and Digital Controls | Stainless Steel, Extra Large

 

Dish 10: Spicy Eggs in Purgatory
Italy
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Spicy Eggs in Purgatory (Uova Piccante in Purgatorio) is probably one of the best named dishes in the world right after Spotted Dick. It’s like shakshuka but with parmesan. 

“Spicy Eggs In Purgatory is a peppery, savoury Italian dish Uova Piccante In Purgatorio. The eggs cook in a rich seasoned tomato sauce laced with Parmesan cheese. Served with ciabatta or polenta, it’s a perfect dish for brunch. Make it for breakfast when camping, it’s quick and easy.” – Marisa Franca, Allourway.com  

Wine pairing: Ambaristo
Try it at home: Lodge L8SK3 Cast Iron Skillet