It’s not easy to travel during pandemic, and most of my favorite countries are closed anyway, when it comes to tourism. Of course I’m missing the roaming around the world, but also to trying out different foods. Luckily tons of people started their own online cooking classes. If you have an average 2 hours free time, the right ingredients on hand, you can learn to make some new dishes, that will lighten up your days.
In the recent weeks, I participated at a Mexican salsa making class, I made Gado-gado salad with an Indonesian couple, I cooked masala chai with JD, who was smiling at me from his New Delhi house, and so much other cool things happened in my kitchen. Come with me to this culinary road trip!
How does it work?
Every cooking class has its own page, where you can usually check the necessary ingredients, the available dates showed with your local time, and some other information. I contacted the hosts many times about substances, options to make some dish dairy or gluten free. They were always really helpful! All of the classes were held in English, but there are other languages available on the platform.
All of the cooking classes were booked through AirBnb. I stated the price I paid by the time I chose the class, these could’ve changed in the mean time. You can check them out by clicking on the buttons under each class.
Bonus: If you use the links below for signing up to AirBnb, you can receive a discount, up to USD59 to use it for your first booking of a stay.
AirBnb has recently changed their terms for credits. There’s a minimum amount to spend on a booking for using credits. Please check the website for up to date information.
1. Mexican Salsas from Mexico City
This class was a gift for my younger sister, so while I joined this class from Buenos Aires, she was making the three different salsas all the way from London. Natalia and her helper created a Mexican fiesta for that 1.5 hours. The salsas were really tasty and I was surprised how easy was to make all of them with some simple ingredients. After the class I grabbed an ice cold Corona with a lime wedge, and felt like I was in Mexico. Worth every penny!
Menu: Roasted salsa, Creamy salsa, Pico de gallo with pineapple/mango.
Hashtags: #vegan, #gluten free, #milk free, #flavor parade, #perfect for family, #party time, #feels like traveling
Price: 11 USD/person
at the bottom a summer crunchy pico de gallo with sweet pineapples
2. Indonesian Dishes from Bali
Ngurah and Ayu is a Balinese married couple, who normally hosts you at their house for a live cooking class. As Bali’s borders are closed at the moment, they decided to hold the class online where they teach some of Bali’s popular dishes. That way you can save the flight ticket to Bali, but still can enjoy the vibrant taste of these dishes. Balinese cuisine uses a lots of fresh ingredients, vegetables, herbs. Some coriander, fresh chili, spices, and there you go, you just made something special! The fragrance of the kitchen was spectacular, when I tasted the corn fritter, I closed my eyes, and felt the soft Balinese wind on my skin, just like a year ago when I was actually there at the beach.
Ngurah and Ayu guided us through their garden, and showed us their family sanctuary, so we learned some about their unique culture. Really nice added value! Loved also that they were cooking in their garden. I need to try that as soon the warm weather reaches Buenos Aires.
Menu: Gado-gado salad with cooked vegetables and freshly made peanut sauce, Corn Fritter and Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice)
Hashtags: #gluten free, #milk free, #vegetarian, #vegan option, #perfect for family, #flavor parade, #cultural insight
Price: 17 USD/person
Kitchen in the garden 
3. Indian Masala Chai, and pakora from New Delhi
Indian foods are just mesmerizing. The different spices, fresh coriander, the mix of garlic and chopped ginger, the vibrant colors, I hope you know what I am talking about. Lately, I’m experimenting with all the spices in the kitchen, and variety of vegetables I can find here in the market. Also am a big fan of masala chai, so when I saw JD’s class, I needed to join and learn from an authentic source.
JD was one of the most fun teacher we’ve met through AirBnb. He was really friendly and answered to every questions we had. Felt like an old time friend we’re cooking with through Skype, despite the thousands of kilometers between us. Can’t wait to go to New Delhi, and discover the amazing street food with the help of JD.
I actually did not make too much photos during this experience. We ate the pakoras right away, and had the chai as well! Such a delicious combo, I made it many times since then. Healthy alternative, and you can use any vegetable you have in your fridge.
Menu: Vegetable pakora, Masala chai made with spices (we used coconut milk)
Hashtags: #gluten free, #optional vegan, #flavor parade, #cultural insight,
Price: 13 USD/person
4. Thai Cooking Class from Bangkok
I’m pretty lucky, as I already had the chance going to a cooking school while I was in Thailand. Colorful curries, the different rice dishes, fresh salads, when it comes to Thai food, I just love everything about it! And it there’s an online class, I need to try that for sure! During the 1.5 hours, I learned a lot from Tatiya. Who would’ve thought that Thai Omelette is super easy to make and it accompanies nicely a beautiful green curry?
I actually went to two classes of hers, and can say, it worth the time and money!
Menu 1: Thai curry (I chose green), Thai omelette, Thai dipping sauce, Thai Basil Stir Fry with tofu (others used meat as well)
Menu 2: Pad Thai, Mango Sticky Rice with coconut milk sauce
Hashtags: #gluten free, #opcional vegan, #flavor parade, #cultural insight
Price: 13 USD/person
5. Korean Cooking Class: Recipes Using Kimchi from Seoul
Kimchi is a keeper, that’s for sure! I just love it with all my heart! Love the one made with cabbage, and ginger, garlic, chili, thinly sliced carrots, daikon. Of course it has more varieties, that are using different kind of vegetables.
I’m such a fan, that when I did not find kimchi during the lockdown, I made my own, so we could enjoy this delicious fermented food. World, meet my kimchi!
Anyway, we are talking about the Korean Cooking Class, right? It was 9 am my time when we started, you know, time difference and such. What a perfect way to start your morning with some kimchi dishes. Lovely breakfast option, if you ask me!
Me and my kimchi were ready for this challenge. I made both dishes with tofu, as I prefer to cook lately with vegetarian ingredients. Jomin shared some cool info about kimchi, all kinds of ways we can use it, which was pretty inspiring. Then hip hop, we cooked the two different meals. The smell in the kitchen was unbelievable, was hard to resist to not finish both plates immediately.
Great class, great food!
Menu: Kimchi Fried Rice, Kimchi Pancake
Hashtags: #vegetarian, #optional vegan, #optional gluten free, #flavor parade, #cultural insight
Price: 4 USD/person
Oh, wonderful classes! Lifted my soul during the lockdown! I am forever grateful.
But still so many cuisine to explore: Moroccan, Japanese, South African, Ethiopian, Italian, Vietnamese, never ending list, really!
Maybe another time?
If you joined any online cooking class, please leave a comment under this article. I’d love to know what you cooked :).
