Maggie Schmitt

Maggie Schmitt is a freelance researcher and translator based in Madrid.  She is currently working on a book called The Gaza Kitchen with Laila El-Haddad. Learn more at gazakitchens.wordpress.com.

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Not Your Average Pigeon: In Search of an Egyptian Specialty

Not Your Average Pigeon: In Search of an Egyptian Specialty

Restaurants that serve only one dish have to do it well. At Gomhoria Restaurant, that dish is addictively smoky stuffed pigeon. More »

Recipe: Hamam Mahshi (Cairo-Style Stuffed Pigeon)

This smoky stuffed pigeon might take a bit of work—but only when it comes to buying the bird. The rest is easy. More »

The Must-Have Kitchen Gadget From the Gaza Strip

The Must-Have Kitchen Gadget From the Gaza Strip

A mortar and pestle, serving dish, and cooking vessel all in one, the bowl known as a zibdiye is a Gazan culinary secret More »

Egypt's Ubiquitous Street Food Specialty

Egypt's Ubiquitous Street Food Specialty

A quick, cheap mixture of rice, legumes, pasta, and tomato sauce is Cairo's vibrant, spicy snack of choice More »

A Hearty Bean Stew From the Spanish Highlands

A Hearty Bean Stew From the Spanish Highlands

Follow our kitchen anthropologist into the home of Amaia—economist, activist, and cook—and make olla podrida. Slide Show More »

Recipe: Olla Podrida (Bean Stew From Burgos, Spain)

This rich stew is well-adapted to the extremes of the Burgos highlands—or a fall or winter night anywhere More »

A Great-Grandfather's Recipe for Basque Salt Cod

A Great-Grandfather's Recipe for Basque Salt Cod

Alvaro, who lives in Northern Spain in an old stone barn, tells the story of his family and region through food. Slide Show More »

Recipe: Florencio's Bacalao

This family recipe adds tomato sauce to a classic bacalao al pil-pil. You can also omit the tomato sauce for a more traditional dish. More »

How Spain Eats at Home: A Lesson in Real Paella

How Spain Eats at Home: A Lesson in Real Paella

An amateur kitchen anthropologist visits a friend's mother to learn the secrets of Spain's most famous dish. Slide Show More »

Recipe: Elena's Traditional Paella

This is the classic version of paella, as passed down in Elena Martí's family. The seafood version was invented later; here, chicken and rabbit are front and center. More »

The Vinegared Dish Found 'Round the World

The Vinegared Dish Found 'Round the World

Escabeche, the Spanish preserved meat or fish derived from Persia and influencing Peru, is a global addiction. Slide Show More »

Recipe: Traditional Escabeche

More »

A Persian New Year Feast, From Herbs to Eggs

A Persian New Year Feast, From Herbs to Eggs

During Nowruz, "new day" in Farsi, foods are filled with symbolism. "Delicious" would work just as well. More »

Recipe: Kuku-ye Sebzeh (Persian Herbed Omelette)

With its profusion of fresh herbs, this fragrant omelet, one of the star dishes of the Iranian New Year, tastes like spring More »

Recipe: Sabzeh Polow ba Mahi (Persian Herbed Rice with Fish)

This fluffy, soft rice is completely saturated with the bright green taste of herbs More »

Recipe: Noon-e Gurdui (Persian Walnut Cookies)

These walnut cookies often served during the Iranian New Year, or Nowruz ("new day" in Persian) More »

Save a Reef--Eat a Lionfish

Save a Reef--Eat a Lionfish

This predator is terrorizing Caribbean ecosystems. Good thing it tastes like grouper. More »

The Most Famous Bean in Spain

The Most Famous Bean in Spain

Meet the alubia de Tolosa, which is so beloved that locals can join a fraternal order named in its honor. More »

Mussels on the Streets of Istanbul

Mussels on the Streets of Istanbul

The bivalves are a staple of the city's street vendor scene. The author explores the origins of this custom. More »

The Town Chorizo Built

The Town Chorizo Built

Candelario, a village in Salamanca, Spain, is the birthplace of the country's legendary sausage. More »

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