Embark on a culinary journey from home

There are many things I am missing right now: seeing family and friends whenever I want, eating a meal inside a restaurant instead of a bistro table in the parking lot of the restaurant, touching door knobs without having to wash my hands afterwards. But if you were to ask me what I have been missing the most lately, it is traveling.

My favorite thing to do when traveling is to taste my way through a city or country. Like when I went on a solo trip to London and indulged in a delicious champagne and truffle pie at Bob Bob Ricard, or when I tried fried rabbit for the first time on top of some waffles with a berry compote at La Buche in Quebec City. I fell in love with tortilla during a trip around Spain, and I have failed at least 3 times this year to recreate it at home (don't worry, I'll keep trying!).

If you want to take a culinary trip at home but you're not sure where to start, this is the perfect season for some European goulash or Chinese soups. One of my favorite meals to make all fall and winter is a comforting chicken tikka masala (made even easier with your Instant Pot). You could also get a kick start on your holidays with some Serbian Christmas bread or some Israeli sufganiyot.

Warm up during the week with a Thai curry, or switch up your go-to comfort foods with one of these French options. Upgrade your weeknight spaghetti and meatballs with some Moroccan flavor, and say goodbye to boring soups and hello to these Mexican variations instead.

A deep love for food and how it represents culture, history, and regional ingredients is a common thread between all people. Enjoying new foods is part of what makes travel so fun and exciting, and we can still experience that without the trip through TSA. Whether you try to recreate some of your favorite meals from past trips, or you eat your way through your bucket list, your kitchen can help you escape your current routine and connect with the outside world, if only for a meal.

- Brooke Schuldt
Social Media Editor, The Spruce Eats