“Cuddlefish” and Connections

This is going to be short and sweet, as I am at the tale end of a road trip through the Alentejo region of Portugal. I just had a dish of “choco-frito” which is the fried cuttlefish (nickname “cuddlefish”), Setúbul is known for their excellent choco-frito, which we learned unexpectedly yesterday as we explored the Portuguese hospital system (another story, for another time). This dish is about simplicity and taste, Dr. Mariana told us to “drown” it in lemon juice and she wasn't wrong. It really is Setúbul's version of fish and chips I think. As I type this I am sipping on a Moscatel de Setúbul, by Alambre and it sells for 9 euros. What a delicious little drink of fortified wine. We were told not to get taken in by the expensive wines, the house wines and the inexpensive wines have all been excellent.

The timing of these latest two episodes of In My Kitchen with Paula, is pure luck. When mapping out the episodes I didn't realize that I would be back in the place that I share stories about from 1998. It was also great to use the podcast show for our own travel purposes! Driving through the Alentejo from Lisbon we listened to my chat with Alfredo (Episode 21, Feb 19th) as we approaced his Freixo do Meio. I found it so fascinating listening to him talk about the area as we were driving through it, and then the opportunity to meet and connect in person.

These latest two episodes are all about connections, especially those connections we make over dishes on our travels. I hope you enjoy, and have many little moments of connections, like collecting pennies in a jar, and may most of them be over a simple dish or tasty bevvie.

Ever wonder how to create deeper connections through travel — and how food can be the key?

In this special solo episode, I’m kicking off a three-part series where I share my personal story, travel philosophy, and the principles that help me discover the world in a more meaningful way.

I’ll take you behind the scenes of my own culinary adventures, from childhood memories of fragrant curried peas made by my Bibi to spontaneous moments of connection that shaped my life in Portugal back in 1998.

You'll also hear about my diverse upbringing — with Pakistani and New Zealand roots — and how growing up around a global kitchen table inspired the creation of In My Kitchen.

In this episode, I share:
 🌎 How I use food as a vehicle for connection when traveling
 🇵🇹 Stories from my unexpected and life-changing adventure in Portugal
 ✨ The beauty of discovery when things don’t go as planned

This episode is for anyone craving more meaning in their travels and looking to connect with people and cultures in authentic ways — with a plate of something delicious in between.

In this episode, I’m diving into the power of micro-moments — those small, spontaneous connections that can transform a trip — and how they’ve shaped both my personal adventures and the foundation of In My Kitchen.

From a terrifying scuba dive in the Azores to an unexpected four-day friendship that followed, I’m sharing the real, unfiltered moments that taught me to let go of expectations and let connection lead the way.

In this episode, I share:
🌍 Why micro-connections are essential for our well-being — backed by science
🇵🇹 A wild story from the Azores that changed how I travel
✨ The 3 trip-planning principles I swear by

This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt the magic of an unexpected hello or shared a meal with a stranger-turned-friend. If you’re looking to bring more meaning, connection, and deliciousness into your travels — this one’s for you.

HELPFUL LINKS

🎥 Watch Kelly McGonigal's TED talk "How to Make Stress Your Friend"
🧳 Get my free Travel Planning Tool

Happy Cooking, Happy Travels

-Paula

P.S. This was longer than I expected, two episodes instead of the usual one. I am sending the newsletter out on Thursdays now, so it is timed with the drop of the latest podcast episode. 😀