This year we selected Uzbekistan. Located south of Russia and Kazakhstan, west of Mongolia, north of Iran and Afghanistan, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. But we adventured onwards. The flavors remind you of Poland and Russia, bold hearty stews with meat, onions, and potatoes. But with a mix of Indian, Asian, and Middle Eastern thrown in. Dumplings, samosas, and Lagman, oh my.

What did we know about Uzbekistan? Absolutely nothing. What do we know now? Well, Uzbekistan was the crown jewel and a cultural center of the Spice Road. They are tolerant, open to new ideas, and have fostered learning, trade, and diversity for millennia. Traders riding the spice road would camp at the many oases throughout Uzbekistan. Hospitality was not only important, but life itself to the weary travelers. They bridged east and west, opening the middle east to Europe, and north and south connecting Russia to the Asias. Cool, right???

We started this global cooking journey cooking many, many dishes in an all-day cooking marathon. And now, well, we are frigging tired. HAH. So each year we are scaling back. We are learning a little more about our target countries and cooking a little less. But the journey continues. This all started way back in 2012, and 13 years later we are still going strong. But like so many, we are learning that less is more. So sit back, relax, and enjoy our stroll along the Spice Road.