10 Must-Try Foreign Recipes to Spice Up Your Kitchen

Are you looking to explore new flavors and add an international twist to your home cooking? Foreign recipes offer a delightful way to experience the world through food. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, these 10 must-try foreign recipes will not only enhance your culinary skills but also introduce you to diverse cultures through their iconic dishes.

1. Chicken Tikka Masala from India

Chicken Tikka Masala, a celebrated dish from India, is known for its vibrant taste and creamy texture. Here’s how to recreate it at home:

• Marinate: Cube 500g chicken breast and marinate with yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, salt, and a mix of spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder. Let it sit for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
• Cook: Grill or bake the chicken till it's charred on the outside.
• Sauce: In a pan, sauté onions, garlic, and ginger, add more spices, then tomato puree, and cream to create a rich sauce. Add the cooked chicken to the sauce.
• Serve: Over basmati rice or with naan.

Key Tips for Authentic Flavor:

• Use fresh spices or roast your own spice mix for a more authentic aroma.
• Charring the chicken on the grill adds a smoky flavor that’s integral to the dish.

🌟 Note: Chicken Tikka Masala is not traditionally served over rice in India; naan is more common.

2. Pad Thai from Thailand

Pad Thai is one of Thailand’s most famous dishes, loved for its balance of flavors. Here’s how to make this street-food favorite:

• Prep: Soak rice noodles until soft. Prepare ingredients like bean sprouts, peanuts, limes, green onions, and eggs.
• Cook: In a wok, cook the noodles with a sauce made of tamarind paste, fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar. Add eggs, tofu, and shrimp or chicken, followed by bean sprouts and chives.
• Finish: Serve with peanuts, lime wedges, and chili flakes on top.

Notes on Authenticity:

• Using palm sugar over regular sugar gives Pad Thai its unique flavor.
• The balance of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy is crucial; adjust each component to taste.

🌟 Note: Traditional Pad Thai uses a special type of fermented turnip, but feel free to skip it if unavailable.

3. Pasta alla Carbonara from Italy

Pasta alla Carbonara is a classic Italian dish known for its simplicity and luxurious taste:

• Ingredients: Guanciale or pancetta, eggs, pecorino romano, and black pepper are key.
• Cook: Render the guanciale, cook pasta, mix eggs with cheese, combine hot pasta with the guanciale and egg mixture, tossing quickly to avoid scrambled eggs.

Cultural Note:

• Never use cream in authentic Carbonara; the creaminess comes from eggs and cheese alone.

🌟 Note: Carbonara does not contain garlic or onions, which are common in American variations but not in the traditional recipe.

4. Peking Duck from China

Peking Duck, a signature dish from Beijing, requires patience but offers immense rewards:

• Prep: Inflate the duck to separate skin from the meat, then dry and season it with maltose or honey, five-spice powder, and vinegar. Hang to dry for up to 24 hours.
• Cook: Roast at high heat initially, then lower the temperature to cook through without burning.
• Serve: With pancakes, hoisin sauce, cucumber, and scallions.

Cooking Tip:

• Hanging the duck allows the skin to dry out and crisp up beautifully.

🌟 Note: If you can't roast the whole duck, consider making duck pancakes with just the skin and some of the meat.

5. Feijoada from Brazil

Feijoada, Brazil’s national dish, is a hearty bean stew with various cuts of pork:

• Soak: Black beans overnight.
• Combine: Cook with pork, garlic, onions, and Brazilian sausage. Add a bay leaf for depth of flavor.
• Serve: With white rice, collard greens, farofa (toasted manioc flour), and orange slices.

Variation:

• Different regions in Brazil add their own twist, like using more sausage or different kinds of beans.

🌟 Note: The orange slices are not just garnish; they aid in digestion after consuming the rich stew.

6. Moroccan Couscous with Seven Vegetables

Morocco’s couscous with seven vegetables is a vibrant and nutritious dish:

• Stew: In a pot or couscoussier, cook chickpeas, carrots, turnips, zucchini, butternut squash, tomatoes, and bell peppers with spices like saffron, turmeric, and cinnamon.
• Couscous: Steam couscous several times, fluffing between each steaming, allowing it to absorb the flavors of the stew.
• Finish: Add the couscous to the stew, mix, and serve.

Spice Balance:

• The balance of spices is key to achieve the authentic Moroccan flavor profile.

🌟 Note: Couscous is traditionally served on Fridays, the Muslim day of rest.

7. Sushi Rolls from Japan

Making sushi at home requires practice but is incredibly rewarding:

• Rice: Wash sushi rice, cook with vinegar, sugar, and salt, fanning to cool.
• Assemble: Use a bamboo mat to roll nori sheets filled with avocado, cucumber, fish, or veggies.
• Serve: With soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.

Sourcing Ingredients:

• Source sushi-grade fish for the best results and food safety.

🌟 Note: The art of sushi-making is about minimalism and precision.

8. Argentine Asado

Asado, Argentina’s famous barbecue, is about the quality of the meat and the grilling technique:

• Marinate: Beef like flank or sirloin in chimichurri, salt, and pepper.
• Grill: Over a wood or charcoal fire, slowly cook the meat to your preferred doneness.
• Serve: With an assortment of sausages, chorizo, and other cuts of meat, with sides like potato salad, salsa criolla, and grilled vegetables.

Cultural Aspect:

• Asado is more than just a meal; it’s a social event lasting for hours.

🌟 Note: The fire's heat should be adjusted throughout cooking for the best grilling experience.

9. Shakshuka from North Africa

Shakshuka, a one-skillet wonder from North Africa, features poached eggs in a spicy tomato sauce:

• Base: Sauté onions, garlic, and peppers, add canned tomatoes, spices like cumin, paprika, and chili, let simmer.
• Eggs: Crack eggs into indentations in the sauce, cover, and poach until the whites are set but yolks are runny.
• Serve: With fresh herbs, and often bread for dipping.

Variations:

• Some versions include feta cheese, sausage, or spinach for added flavor and nutrition.

🌟 Note: Shakshuka's versatility makes it ideal for both breakfast and dinner.

10. Greek Moussaka

Greek Moussaka is a layered casserole dish with eggplant, meat, and a bechamel sauce topping:

• Layers: Start with eggplants and potatoes, seasoned with cinnamon. Add a layer of spiced minced meat, then finish with a rich béchamel sauce.
• Bake: Cook until the top is golden and bubbly.

Chef’s Tip:

• The cinnamon and nutmeg in the meat sauce are crucial for the dish’s unique flavor.

🌟 Note: Use a mandolin to achieve even slices of eggplant for uniform layers.

Exploring these 10 must-try foreign recipes opens up a world of flavors and culinary traditions. Each dish brings something unique to the table, from the vibrant spices of Indian cuisine to the simplicity and elegance of Italian dishes. By embracing these international flavors, you not only expand your cooking repertoire but also gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity of global culinary arts. Whether you are hosting a themed dinner or just looking to break the monotony of your usual meals, these recipes provide endless opportunities for creativity and exploration in the kitchen. Experiment with these dishes, share your creations, and let your taste buds travel the world without leaving home.