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The 2012 Summer Olympics are almost upon us. Tomorrow, the world’s best athletes will go head-to-head in competitions to determine which countries have the cream of the crop of athletes. There will be some shining moments as well as quite a few upsets as the competitors strive to earn medals. Over here at AllFreeCasseroleRecipes.com, we’ve decided to join in on the fun. We’ve matched up similar dishes from different countries and outlined each dish’s strengths. However, we’re leaving it up to you to decide which casserole recipes will be the 2012 Summer Olympics World’s Best Casseroles.
The World’s Best Casseroles, Round 1: Rice Casseroles
In the first heat, two rice casseroles compete for the gold: the Leftover Brown Rice Casserole (pictured left) from Greece and the Spinach and Rice Casserole (pictured right) from Lebanon. The Greek casserole recipe gets its robust flavor from classic Greek seasonings as well as tender red peppers and crumbly feta cheese. Chicken stock provides an extra flavor depth that just might help this dish edge out the competition. Yet, the Lebanese casserole fights back with its fresh cilantro pesto sauce. Because it cooks in the pesto sauce, the rice absorbs all of the tangy flavors and becomes evenly seasoned. This is quite a tough match-up, folks.
The World’s Best Casseroles, Round 2: Traditional Main Dish Casseroles
Things are heating up as we enter the second round. Moroccan Beef Tagine and Couscous (pictured left) squares off against Spanish Mixed Paella (pictured right) to determine which country’s traditional dish is the most savory. The North African dish’s meat is so irresistibly tender and spicy. Apricots add a bit of sweetness that perfectly counterbalances the spices. Yet, the paella has both seasoned chicken and seafood that is surrounded by tender rice and vegetables. Plus, lemon wedges really bring the best out of the seafood casserole. The judges are definitely going to have a hard time determining a winner.
The World’s Best Casseroles, Round 3: Revamped Recipes
In one corner we have Taco Stuffed Crescent Rolls (pictured left), a party adaptation of a Mexican favorite. In the other, Spicy Samosa Bites (pictured right) that make Indian cooking accessible to everyone. Both of these dishes take the original recipes and transform them into finger food. Crescent rolls work perfectly with seasoned taco meat and gooey cheese, adding a buttery and flaky texture. The samosas, on the other hand, maintain all of the spicy goodness of the original recipe but are more cook-friendly. It’s easier to put the mixture into fillo cups than it is to encase them in a crust. The score seems to be tied at the moment but either dish has the potential to pull ahead and be one of the world’s best casseroles.
Unfortunately, there’s not enough space to outline the rest of the 2012 Summer Olympics match-ups but here’s a short list of contenders for the world’s best casseroles:
- Chow Mein Casserole (China) v. Green Chile Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole (America)
- Deconstructed Greek Pastitsio v. Kale and Ricotta Stuffed Shells (Italy)
- Classic Spinach Kugel (Germany) v. Beef Stroganoff (Russia)
If you’re looking for more ethnic casseroles, check out these links:
- Asian Casserole Recipes
- Italian Casserole Recipes
- Mexican Casserole Recipes
- Sushi Casserole (Japan)
- German Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole
Which of these world’s best casseroles would you give the gold medal to?
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