India, June 26 -- Khow Suey Idli (Myanmar). Nattukottai Chettiars (Tamil bankers and merchants) established Murugan temples and "tiffin rooms" in Rangoon, Burma, in the 19th century. Locals loved the cloud-like steamed rice cakes, but saw no reason to stop at sambar and chutney. They dunked mini idlis into rich coconut curries, garnished it with fried garlic, shallots and chili oil, and topped it up with Mohinga, their legendary fish soup.

Peera (Guyana). Nearly 188 years ago, 2.4 lakh indentured Indians boarded ships for British Guiana, to labour on sugar plantations. No airport fits, no matching luggage, no custom passport covers. But they did carry their food histories in their hearts as they crossed the ocean. One recipe was for the ...