Bread

Abud is a traditional Bedouin bread that calls for baking the unleavened dough in a unique way - buried in hot coals and ashes. The dough is made by mixing flour with water, and it is then shaped into a round and thin disk before being carefully placed directly over the hot coals and ashes, which also go on top of the dough as well. After baking for a few minutes, the bread is taken out of the ashes, revealing a nicely colored flatbread. This bread is characterized by a dense and chewy consistency, while any remaining ash particles are said to enhance its flavor. Abud has been associated with the nomadic Bedouins of the Arabian Peninsula and Sinai. It is usually eaten for breakfast or as a mid-afternoon snack, often accompanied by a cup of hot Arabic coffee or tea on the side.

Abud

United States

Native Americans used to collect acorn kernels and process them into acorn flour or acorn meal, which was then used in the preparation of a variety of dishes including acorn bread, based on the same acorn flour that gives it a sweet and nutty flavor. Back in the days, acorn bread was made by combining leached acorn flour with water and then shaping the batter into flattened patties or cakes, which were either baked on hot stones or fried. A variety of additions have been included in the preparation of the bread throughout the years, and nowadays, acorn bread can be made like any regular bread. Other types of flour, usually wheat flour or cornmeal are often combined with the acorn flour to yield a less crumbly and more substantial bread. The bread is often prepared for Thanksgiving, when it is usually sweetened with honey, sugar, or maple syrup and flavored with aromatic spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or ginger for a more festive treat.

Acorn Bread

Nigeria

Agege bread is a distinctive type of bread originating from the Agege district in Lagos, Nigeria, that has gained immense popularity throughout the country. Agege bread is known for its soft and stretchy texture. It's slightly sweet, which sets it apart from many other bread types. The exterior is typically crusty, providing a delightful contrast to the soft interior. The bread is made using basic ingredients like flour, sugar, salt, water, and yeast. However, the specific method of preparation, especially the fermentation process, is why the bread has a unique stretchy texture. In Lagos and many other parts of Nigeria, you'll often find street vendors selling fresh agege bread, especially in the early mornings and evenings. It's often consumed at breakfast, but it's also versatile enough to be eaten at any time of the day. Agege bread is commonly paired with spreads, fried eggs, or local stews and soups.

Agege

Native to Egypt, aish baladi is a flatbread made with whole wheat flour. It is traditionally baked in extremely hot ovens and can be found at numerous Egyptian markets. The bread has been produced since the times of ancient Egypt, when it was made with emmer wheat. Nowadays, this bread is a staple at Egyptian tables, from breakfast to dinner, and everyone eats it, whether poor or rich. In fact, it is so important that the word life (aish) is included in its name.

Aish baladi

Aish merahrah is an Egyptian bread shaped into flat, wide loaves. It is made with maize flour and ground fenugreek seeds, with the help of a sourdough starter which allows the dough to ferment overnight. After baking, this bread can be kept for a longer period of time, if stored in an airtight container. It is a staple of the Egyptian countryside, so it is often prepared locally in numerous village homes.

Aish merahrah

Ajwain paratha is a traditional flatbread originating from India. This paratha variety is stuffed with ajwain (carom seeds), giving the flatbread a unique aroma once it's been baked. The dough is prepared with a combination of wheat flour, ghee or oil, water, and salt. Once the dough has been prepared, ajwain seeds are sprinkled over it with a bit of salt, and the dough is then folded with ghee or oil until it's ready to be rolled into a paratha flatbread and baked on a hot tawa. Once done, ajwain parathas are typically served hot or warm with raita, chutneys, or a cup of tea on the side. Alternatively, use ajwain parathas as a scoop with a wide array of curries.

Ajwain paratha

India

Akki rotti is a dish that is especially popular in the Indian region of Karnataka, consisting of griddle-baked rice flour that is shaped like a pancake or a flatbread. It is commonly consumed either for breakfast or lunch, usually accompanied by various chutneys. Onions, carrots, coriander, cumin, and sesame seeds can also be added to the dough before baking in order to enhance the flavors of the dish. Originally, a housewife had some leftover rice, but decided to make a new dish using the leftovers, so she mashed the rice, added some salt and rice flour, and baked the dough on a tawa, creating a staple dish in the process. For the most authentic akki rotti, the dough should be flattened on a banana leaf and cooked on a tawa, with the leaf on top of the flatbread, helping it to cook evenly and giving the dish a distinctive, unique flavor.

Akki rotti

Alkubus is a traditional bread originating from Nigeria. The bread is usually made with a combination of wheat flour, sugar, salt, water, and yeast. The dough is left to rise for one to two hours, and it&rsquo;s then divided into oiled containers or bowls. The small balls of dough are left to rise one more time before they&rsquo;re placed in a steamer and steamed until fully cooked. If properly prepared, the steamed bread should be very soft, moist, and fluffy. Alkubus is often served with Nigerian soups or stews as an accompaniment.

Alkubus

Almoj&aacute;bana is a traditional and Puerto Rican bread (although it is also popular in other countries of Latin America) that is very similar to pandebono. Pandebono is usually made with yuca flour and coste&ntilde;o cheese, while almoj&aacute;banas are made with cuajada white cheese and cornmeal flour. Almoj&aacute;banas are baked until they develop a spongy texture and a golden brown color of the exterior. This small, round bread is traditionally served warm.

Almojábana

Aloo naan is a traditional flatbread and a version of naan. It&rsquo;s made with a combination of flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and dahi. The naan is stuffed with a spicy combination of mashed potatoes, chili peppers, coriander, and garam masala, if desired. Once prepared, the golden tandoor-baked naan is brushed with butter or ghee, then served hot. It&rsquo;s recommended to serve aloo naan with a variety of Indian dishes such as raita, chola, and dal makhani.

Aloo naan

Aloo paratha is one of the most popular breakfast foods in northern India, a flatbread stuffed with a spicy potato mixture. Its name is derived from aloo, denoting a potato, parat, denoting layers, and atta, denoting flour. The flatbread is made from whole-wheat flour, salt, and ghee, forming flaky, soft, and crispy layers that are golden-brown in color. The filling consists of mashed potatoes, ginger, green chilies, coriander, dried pomegranate seeds, chili powder, and salt. The dish is often topped with Indian homemade butter called makhan and it is traditionally served with chutneys, pickles, onions, and yogurt or tea on the side. Due to its popularity, it spread from Punjab to various parts of the Indian subcontinent, but also to Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore and the Caribbean.

Aloo paratha

Al-Qursan is a traditional Arabian bread, especially popular in the central regions. Made from whole wheat flour, water, and salt, it is typically baked on a hot metal plate or griddle, resulting in a thin, crispy texture. This bread is commonly served with stews, meats, and vegetables, traditionally soaked in the stews, absorbing the rich flavors and becoming soft and flavorful. This method of serving, where the bread is mixed with the stew, creates a hearty and satisfying dish, often enjoyed as a main meal that takes the same name as the bread.

Al-Qursan

China

Amdo balep is a traditional Tibetan-Chinese flatbread and a type of balep originating from the Amdo region in the northeastern Tibet. The flatbread is usually made with a combination of flour, oil, sugar, yeast, water, and yogurt (optionally). The dough is kneaded until smooth, and it&rsquo;s then flattened in a circular baking dish. Once it doubles in size, the flatbread is baked in the oven and it&rsquo;s turned so that both sides are evenly baked. Amdo balep is typically eaten warm. On special occasions with many people, locals often make a huge amdo balep so that everyone can get a piece.

Amdo balep

Amish friendship bread is a sweet bread made with a sourdough starter. It is usually made into a cinnamon bread with the addition of sugar and oil. The name of the bread refers to the process of sharing the starter which is passed along groups of people making the bread.

Amish Friendship Bread

Coming from the North Indian city of Amritsari, Amritsari kulcha is a flatbread stuffed with potatoes, onions, cottage cheese, and spices. The flatbread is commonly garnished with coriander seeds, cilantro, and red chili powder. Thin, crispy, and smeared with ghee butter, it is a staple food in Amritsar, with almost every shop in the city sizzling with the sound of kulchas baked in large tandoor ovens. Not much is known about the history of this flavorful dish, and even the locals say that kulcha is just something they have always eaten, a variation on numerous flatbreads that the country is known for.

Amritsari kulcha

Anadama bread is a yeast bread made with butter, cornmeal, molasses, and either wheat flour or rye flour. The origins of the bread can be traced back to Rockport, Massachusetts, either to the town&rsquo;s fishing community or to the Finnish community of stonecutters. Molasses and cornmeal in the bread are typical New England cooking ingredients; molasses gives the sweetness and color to the bread, while cornmeal gives it a nutty flavor and aroma.

Anadama Bread

Anda paratha is a traditional flatbread originating from India. This omelet-stuffed flatbread is made with a combination of water, flour, salt, and oil. The omelet is typically made with eggs, onions, coriander, chili peppers, and garlic. The layered dough is cooked on both sides until golden brown, and it's then sliced and stuffed with the omelet. This easy and healthy breakfast staple is often served with an array of sides and condiments such as chutneys, yogurt dips, salads, or Indian pickles.

Anda paratha

Antiguan butter bread is a tender, buttery loaf of bread that needs no more additional butter once it's been baked. It is common to serve the bread with cheese for breakfast, but many locals enjoy it throughout the day. Across the island, there are numerous bakeries where locals can go and purchase this freshly baked delicacy. Apart from cheese, the usual accompaniments to the bread include ingredients such as sardines or a local, bright red sausage called salami.

Antiguan Butter Bread

Arepa is a highly versatile cornbread made from ground corn dough or precooked corn flour. It is commonly consumed in Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. In Venezuela, arepa is eaten at any time of the day, throughout the whole country, and across all socio-economic groups. The golden disks with a crispy, browned crust are commonly stuffed with a variety of ingredients, and the combinations are seemingly infinite, from beans, cheese, and avocado to shredded beef and onions. For a Venezuelan breakfast, arepas are traditionally paired with a cup of strong coffee and hot dipping chocolate. Since they are not filled with anything for breakfast, they are commonly referred to as the viuda (widow). The name arepa comes from the word erepa, which is the indigenous word for this corn bread, as its origins are believed to be from the indigenous tribes across Venezuela, such as Timoto-Cuicas, Arawak, Carib, and Karina. Today, arepas are usually served at traditional eateries called areperas.

Arepa

Venezuela

Arepa Andina is a variety of Venezuelan arepas, distinguished from the regular arepas by the usage of wheat flour rather than the standard corn flour. This variety of arepa is popular in the Andes region, near the Colombian border, especially in the state of M&eacute;rida, where wheat has been cultivated since ancient times. Arepa Andina can be consumed plain, or filled with cheese and vegetables such as tomatoes. It is recommended to pair a plain arepa Andina with a hot cup of coffee.