One path to the heart and soul of a country is through its stomach. Or, more specifically, the food that’s put in it.

The traditional dishes of a nation can reveal much about the cultural influences, trade routes and industries that have been pivotal to its foundation and development.

Eggs and tomatoes ... Roadtesting shakshuka. Credit:Sarah McInerney

Or at least that’s been my excuse for eating doughnuts, cream soaked porridge, and other calorific delights for breakfast when overseas on holiday (all in the name of, ahem, research).

The doughnuts were a New Orleans experience. Known as beignets, these deep fried, icing sugar covered fritters are a product of the French influence in this city. New Orleans was founded by French colonists but many believe beignets were brought to Louisiana by the Acadian or Cajun people when they were exiled from their French colony in Canada in the late 1700s. Essentially, they tell a story of migration.