Our most-read food stories of 2021

Eat to travel, or travel to eat? ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [View this email in your browser]( Hi all, The most-read food and drink stories that Matador Network published in 2021 prove one thing: Though travel came in fits and starts this year, people are hungry as ever for all of the delicious and unique things to try when they can get out in the world. From a story about [Cleveland’s signature Polish Boy sandwich]( to an explainer of [El Paso’s crave-worthy twists on traditional Mexican dishes]( to a deep dive into what makes Newark the best city in the United States for [Portuguese food]( understanding regional specialties proved popular. Looking outside of the country, many were curious about [Mexico’s traditional spirits to drink other than tequila](. And, of course, some of our most-read pieces were about making the best of what’s available to eat when you’re on the go. A [little-known program that gets you free airport food]( for example, and a[flight-attendant-approved guide on what to drink]( (and what to avoid) on an airplane. We may not know where 2022 will take us, but one thing is for sure: We’ll be hungry when we get there. Nickolaus Hines Food and Drink Editor [MEXICAN SPIRITS TO TRY]( FOOD & DRINK Experience cultural fare from around the world Cleveland’s signature dish is a messy, mouthwatering sandwich you need to try A different kind of po’boy. [ READ MOREÂ]( This neighborhood in New Jersey has some of the best Portuguese food in the country A pedaço — piece — of Portugal. [ READ MOREÂ]( Searching for the best Mexican food in Texas? You need to visit El Paso This border city has it all. [ READ MOREÂ]( This little-known program lets you eat for free at many airport restaurants Finally, a hack that makes your credit card’s annual fee totally worth it. [ READ MOREÂ]( What not to drink on a plane, according to a flight attendant on TikTok Keep this in mind for your next flight. [ READ MOREÂ]( TODAY'S RECIPE FEATUREHawai’i: Fried ahi poke omelet Start your new year off with a fun twist on a Hawai’i staple. True poke from Hawai’i is a special dish. The name simply means “to slice or cut,” and it’s not restricted to pieces of fish — though some of the most cherished are made with ahi. Ahi poke is always on holiday tables in Hawai’i, says Kiki Aranita, who ran Philadelphia’s Hawaiian-inspired restaurant Poi Dog. And if there’s ever any leftovers the next day, Aranita’s dad’s secret weapon was to make fried poke omelets. INGREDIENTS - 2 pounds ahi - ½ cup very thinly sliced sweet onion - 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion - 2 teaspoons minced ginger - ¼ cup limu (ogonori) - 2 teaspoons sesame oil - ¼ cup shoyu - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds - 2 tablespoons crushed macadamia nut - Small pinch of red Hawaiian alaea salt - Poi Dog Chili Peppah Water INSTRUCTIONS - For the poke: - slice ahi into ½ inch cubes. - In a mixing bowl, add the remaining ingredients to the ahi and gently mix - Serve immediately with rice or poi. Or on a taro chip. - For the omelet: - Heat up a tablespoon of a neutral oil (canola or vegetable oil) in a non-stick pan. - Place the leftover ahi poke in the oiled pan and sear quickly, for about a minute. - Flip the poke with a spatula, treating it like a pancake, and sear on one other side, so that you have two seared sides. - Move the poke out of the pan and onto a dish but keep the pan over the stove on medium heat. - Beat one or two eggs with a splash of shoyu or a pinch of salt. - Re-oil the pan. - Spread the beaten egg in a thin layer on the pan. After a minute, before it is thoroughly cooked, add the poke onto the egg and fold it over into an omelet. - Cook the other side of the omelet. - Serve with steamed rice, sliced green onions, and a big splash of Chili Peppah Water. [ READ MOREÂ](  FOLLOW US TO FIND YOUR NEXT #TRAVELSTOKE     Our mailing address is: Matador Network, PO Box 7775, Suite 40021, San Francisco, CA 94120, United States [Unsubscribe from our newsletter.]( We'll be here when you need us! Copyright © 2021 Matador Network, All rights reserved. Â