10 Modern Recipes You Have to Try Today

The culinary world is an ever-evolving landscape where tradition meets innovation. Today's food scene thrives on creativity, pushing boundaries with flavors, techniques, and presentations that tantalize the senses. Here, we explore 10 modern recipes that you simply must try today. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook looking for inspiration, these dishes promise to bring a new wave of excitement to your kitchen.

1. Avocado Carbonara

Carbonara has been a staple Italian dish, but this modern version introduces avocado for a creamy, vegan-friendly alternative:

• 2 ripe avocados
• 4 garlic cloves
• 200 grams of spaghetti
• Juice from 1 lemon
• 50 grams of nutritional yeast
• Vegan bacon or mushrooms, to taste

To prepare:

1. Cook spaghetti until al dente.
2. While the pasta cooks, mash avocados with lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper.
3. Sauté garlic and vegan bacon in a pan.
4. Mix everything with the drained spaghetti.

⚠️ Note: If using mushrooms, ensure they are well-cooked to reduce the moisture content for a creamy texture.

2. Sous Vide Steak with Molecular Gastronomy Flair

Molecular gastronomy has brought scientific techniques to home cooking. Here’s how to make a steak with a twist:

• 2 steaks (rib-eye works best)
• Vacuum sealer
• Sous-vide machine
• Maltodextrin
• Steak seasoning

To cook:

1. Season the steaks and vacuum seal them.
2. Set sous-vide to 55°C for medium-rare.
3. Cook for 1 hour.
4. Finish with a quick sear in a very hot pan for the crust.
5. Serve with a dusting of maltodextrin for a powdery texture contrast.

3. Fermented Garlic Honey

Fermentation is back in vogue, and this sweet-savory recipe is a perfect example:

• Whole garlic bulbs, peeled
• Raw, unpasteurized honey
• Airtight jar

How to ferment:

1. Pack garlic into the jar.
2. Pour honey over the garlic until covered.
3. Let it sit at room temperature for 1-3 weeks, burping the jar daily to release CO2.
4. Enjoy this fermented condiment with cheese or on bread.

4. Smoked Cocktail

Smoking food is nothing new, but smoking your drink? Here’s how:

• Wood chips or pellets (e.g., cherry, hickory)
• Smoking gun or small smoker
• Your favorite cocktail ingredients

To smoke:

1. Make your cocktail as usual.
2. Light wood chips and place them into the smoking gun.
3. Capture smoke over the drink.
4. Let the smoke infuse the cocktail for about 30 seconds.

5. Edible Flower Salad

Salads get a colorful and aromatic lift with the inclusion of edible flowers:

• Assorted edible flowers (like nasturtiums, violets, pansies)
• Mixed greens
• Vinaigrette dressing
• Cucumber and radish slices

Assembly:

1. Toss the greens with the dressing.
2. Layer with cucumber and radish slices.
3. Scatter edible flowers on top for visual appeal and taste.

6. Molecular Gastronomy Spherified Mojitos

Molecular gastronomy lets you reinvent classic cocktails like the mojito:

• Sodium alginate
• Calcium chloride
• Mojito mix (rum, lime juice, sugar, mint leaves)

To create spheres:

1. Mix sodium alginate with the mojito base.
2. Combine calcium chloride with water for the bath.
3. Drop the mojito mix into the calcium chloride bath to form spheres.
4. Rinse and serve the mojito caviar with soda or directly in a glass.

7. Black Squid Ink Pasta

The depth of flavor and visual drama of squid ink pasta is unmatched:

• 500 grams of '00' flour
• 4 eggs
• 5 grams of squid ink
• Sea salt

Preparation:

1. Mix the flour and salt.
2. Create a well, add eggs, and squid ink.
3. Knead until smooth, rest the dough, roll out, and cut into desired shapes.

8. Lobster Espuma

Espumas are foams created using modern culinary techniques:

• Meat of 2 lobsters
• 500 ml heavy cream
• Gelatin sheets
• ISI cream whipper

To make:

1. Cook lobster and extract the meat.
2. Blend the meat with cream and gelatin.
3. Strain, chill, and load into the whipper.
4. Dispense into a bowl for an airy texture.

9. DIY Tofu from Scratch

Making your own tofu gives you control over texture and flavor:

• 1 cup dried soybeans
• Nigari or lemon juice as coagulant
• Cheesecloth

The process:

1. Soak soybeans overnight, then blend with water.
2. Boil the milk, strain through cheesecloth.
3. Add coagulant and wait for curdling.
4. Press the curds into a mold.

10. Foie Gras Ice Cream

Delight your palate with an ice cream that’s savory and rich:

• 100 grams foie gras
• 300 ml heavy cream
• 100 grams sugar
• 4 egg yolks

Making:

1. Blend foie gras with sugar.
2. Add egg yolks, whisk, and mix in cream.
3. Churn in an ice cream maker until smooth.

These 10 modern recipes blend traditional elements with new techniques, showcasing how food can be an art form, a scientific experiment, and a sensory adventure. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or simply indulge in something new, these dishes will elevate your culinary game. Enjoy the journey of discovery as you bring these unique flavors into your home kitchen.

Can I make these recipes if I’m not a professional chef?

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Absolutely! While some recipes might require specialized equipment, they can be adapted for home use. The key is patience and willingness to experiment.

Are these recipes time-consuming?

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Some dishes do take time, especially those involving fermentation or molecular gastronomy, but many steps can be prepared in advance, making the final dish come together relatively quickly.

How can I ensure the flavors are balanced in these modern recipes?

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Taste as you go, and remember the fundamental flavors: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. Modern cooking often plays with these to create unique experiences.

Are there vegan alternatives for these recipes?

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Many of these recipes can be adapted. For instance, avocado carbonara uses avocado instead of eggs, and DIY tofu is naturally vegan.