Shepherd's pie, Britain

 

Some might say England's greatest inventions were the steam engine and the Jaguar E-Type. We like to think shepherd's pie -- minced lamb topped with mashed potato -- comes somewhere in that list.

Tastes best at the end of a gloomy, rainy day with an open fire licking at the chimney breast and Ricky Gervais insulting people on the telly. Which is lucky, as that's what most days are like in England.

Rendang, Indonesia

 

Beef is slowly simmered with coconut milk and a mixture of lemongrass, galangal, garlic, turmeric, ginger and chilies, then left to stew for a few hours to create this dish of tender, flavorful bovine goodness.

Tasting it fresh out of the kitchen will send your stomach into overdrive, but many people think it gets even better when left overnight.