You've been told that when you travel, you should eat like a local. But if you don't get the chance to travel, then you don't get to eat like a local. So Canadian food bloggers and cookbook authors Randy and Darcy Shore did it for us, and they brought back recipes from diners, bistros, and cafes from around the world and made them workable in the home kitchen. 

Home and Away is filled with over 100 recipes for comfort food from all corners of the world. With the recipes are tons of helpful tips and tricks, from where to find some of the more obscure ingredients to possible substitutions or ideas on what to freeze or change up in the recipe. There are also several moments with well-known chefs, where food personalities such as Anito Lo, Edward Lee, and Brad Miller talk about their inspirations [Note: most of these chefs are from Canada, as are the Shores, and they also have a blurb from Mario Batali, who has fallen out of favor lately. I thought I'd mention in case that matters to anyone]. 

Home and Away starts with East Asia and Australia. Recipes include Easy Asian Spring Rolls, White Miso Ramen, Lemongrass Chicken Curry, Pad Thai with Prawns, Soy and Honey Braised Chicken, and Beef Chow Fun. From there, it's off to Africa, India, and West Asia. These recipes encourage you to make classics such as Lahmacun, Haloumi Salad, Red Pepper Chicken Wings, Turkish White Beans, Moroccan Lamb Breast with Lemon Couscous, Sweet Potato Tagine, and Spatchcocked Chicken with Chickpeas. They eve include a recipe for the spice blend Ras el Hanout. 

Next is a tour of Europe, where the recipes include Crispy Potato Latkes with Caviar, Gazpacho, Smoked Tomato and Sausage Ragu, Fish en Papillote, Paella, Chicken Provencal, Irish Boiled Dinner (Corned Beef and Cabbage, of course), Venison and Stout Stew, Spaetzle, and a Cinnamon Apple Dutch Baby. And then it's off to the Americas. These diner classics include Hot Chicken and Waffles, Southern Fried Chicken with Gravy, West Coast Smoked Salmon, Jerk Chicken with Grilled Romaine Salad, Duck Poutine, Peruvian Hen Soup, Chicago-Style Beef Brisket Sandwich with Giardiniera, Pork Tomatillo Tacos with Onion Pico, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, New Orleans Fried Fish Po'Boy with Smoky Remoulade, and Mexican Chocolate Flan. 

Home and Away is the perfect introduction to world cuisine for those who can't afford to travel (like me) or who want to try out some new food before heading out to the airport. It's a great way to build a bridge to other cultures. And all the beautiful photos and stories of the authors' travel experiences offer a lot of insight into traveling and eating in countries where you don't know the language or the customs. It's a great cookbook for those who get around and for those of us who are mostly stuck at home, as it gives us a glimpse of the rest of the world to try at home and share with friends and family. 

Galleys for Home and Away were provided by Arsenal Pulp Press through Edelweiss, with many thanks.