Did you know that Canada’s National soup is Split Pea? Do you know what the National soups are for other countries? What about authentic dishes that are unique to that country alone; Argentinian Dolce de Leche, German Kalbs Haxe, Turkish Red Lentil Balls or even Filipino Chicken Adobo.
Here is an idea that not only challenges you and your friends but also challenges you to go out there and find a speciality store in your neighbourhood. Remember this is supposed to be fun so don’t stress out and don’t go for gold right away, just keep it simple if you’re doing it for the first time. You can get more complex as your confidence grows.
Ok, here is how it works. You and your partner get another couple involved, take twelve pieces of paper and hand them out equally. Take out a map of the world and on each piece of paper, write down a name of a Country. To avoid choosing the same Country you can allot continents fairly amongst both couples. Now place all names in a hat and set aside.
Each couple participates in the following way: Decide which couple gets to choose first. Pull a random Country out of the hat and you now have one month to research and create an authentic 3 course meal of said Country, (Appetizer, Main and Dessert). To make sure that all are involved each couple works as a team, one person makes one course and the other makes two courses, totally on their own with out the help of the other. It’s not to be cruel but it is to really challenge yourself with out a safety net, if it doesn’t turn out, C’est la Vie, you will all learn from it and you will all be wise to not laugh at each other but rather encourage each other to continue.
Before you start pulling Countries out of a hat there is one more thing, although the couple cooking the meal may have a hard time, the couple who are invited to eat the meal need to bring an authentic cocktail (aperitif, wine or beer) to start the night off. This may not be as simple as it sounds, as some items are very difficult to find.
By the end of the meal, you will have had a blast with friends, you will have learned a few things about the world we don’t know and you will have done it on your own, in your own home with what you have available to you.
Oh, and don’t forget to bring out the hat at the end of the meal to see what your friends will be creating for you next month.
Have FUN!! 
