Food has the power to bring people together. When food is on the table, people from all walks of life have the chance to connect, laugh, and share stories. All around the world, certain dishes can lift people’s spirits and create memories. This was almost impossible to narrow down with the endless amount of options, but here is a list of 5 meals that make the world a better place!

Seafood Paella - This dish is the ultimate meal to share with friends and family! Originating in Valencia, Spain, this rice dish comes in many different varieties depending on the region you’re in, but the most popular style comes with seafood such as shrimp, squid, and mussels. When the dish was first created, fishermen on the southeastern coast of Spain would bring home their daily catches, and families would share a seafood paella dish. The fishermen would then travel throughout the area selling their catches, and sharing their paella recipe! Soon enough, regions all over Spain had created their version of paella, making it unique! For instance, in Catalonia, where mixing seafood with other meats is an old cooking tradition, they will add chicken, pork, rabbit, or duck into their paella. To make an awesome paella you need to have three things: an open fire to cook over, a big paella pan to cook all the ingredients together, and a type of rice that will absorb all the delicious flavors, such as Arborio or Carnaroli. To try out a recipe, click here!

Pad Thai - Alright, I will admit, I was a little biased when I put this dish on the list because it’s one of my personal favorites. Created in the 1930s in Thailand, pad thai, also called phad thai, was first made by prime minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram. Today, this dish is a popular street food item, and is served in almost any restaurant. It is made with rice noodles, spices, bean sprouts, green onion, peanuts, and some kind of protein, such as chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu. I put this dish on the list because of the memories that I have made over a delicious bowl of pad thai. While in Thailand, our group was invited to stay in local Buddhist temples in the villages we visited. After the monks would eat, we would be allowed to go in and eat. We would all sit on the floor with our meals made by the friendly locals, share stories, tell jokes, and it quickly became my favorite part of the day while we were traveling! For a vegetarian/vegan tofu pad thai recipe, click here!

Ceviche - Next, we’re heading to South America! First created in Peru, ceviche is a local favorite. This cold seafood stew is cooked in citrus (usually lime), and is a perfect appetizer for sharing! The popular recipe quickly spread throughout Central America, and made its way up to Mexico. Depending on the country you’re visiting, it will be served differently. In Peru, ceviche is served with sliced, chilled sweet potato. In Mexico, ceviche comes with tortillas. And if you try ceviche in Ecuador, it will come with salty snacks, like corn nuts, popcorn, or nuts. Ceviche is so well-loved in Peru, it even has its own holiday! Yes, you read that right. June 28th is National Ceviche Day in Peru! Click here for a Peruvian-style recipe made with sole or fluke, or click here for a Mexican-style ceviche made with shrimp.

Hummus - With my Greek ancestry, I love to snack on some good hummus and pita. Dating all the way back to the 13th century in Ancient Egypt, hummus is popular all over the Middle East. Chickpeas are in abundance in this part of the world, and are eaten in many local dishes, such as this delicious spread. Traditionally, it is made by combining blended chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. Hummus can also be quite healthy in moderation, as it’s packed with fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In countries such as Israel, locals will share a bowl of hummus as a meal in its own right, accompanied by fresh pita bread, and other appetizer-style snacks. For a simple chickpea hummus recipe, click here!

Crawfish Boils - This one is definitely on my bucket list! When the Acadians, ancestors of the Cajuns, first arrived in the United States in the 1700’s, they settled in the bayous of Louisiana. Through the generations, seafood has been a staple part of the Louisiana diet. Nowadays, from February to early June, families, and friends gather outdoors from all around to have crawfish boils. Crawfish is served with delicious, traditional Southern side dishes, such as crawfish dirty rice, cornbread, Cajun-style corn-on-the-cob, potato salad, green bean casserole, and Cajun-style boiled red potatoes! Crawfish boil is a prime example of the power of community that food can have! Click here for a how-to for boiling crawfish, and click here for a collection of recipes of crawfish boil side dishes!

We all have memories that we associate with food. It could be a holiday favorite, backyard barbeques, or simply sharing a nice conversation with a close friend over a cup of coffee. Good meals have the power to bring people together, and these 5 meals prove it! We understand that during these challenging times due to COVID-19, you may have limited access to certain ingredients for these recipes. If you aren’t able to give them a try right now, feel free to save them for another time! Make sure to check out @acanelaexpeditions on instagram, where we are hosting virtual cooking shows, tours, and talk shows while we all stay home!

Post written by Demitria Rounis