Whether you’re a culinary adventurer, a tried-and-true cook or a curious chef, global cuisines and foreign dishes are a chance to try something completely new that’s been molded and perfected by a culture’s unique historical experiences.
From South African stews to Moroccan pies to Turkish sweets to Sicilian gelato and so, so much more, these international cuisines and recipes are sure to make your next mealtime one to remember!
9 easy cuisines to cook from around the world
How coffee is enjoyed around the world
We have to start with the good stuff, right?
Coffee is a beverage that is incredibly popular here in the U.S. and has a gazillion different varieties, recipes, blends and so on and so forth. The coffee-bean-soaked drink got its earliest start in Ethiopia centuries ago, and since then it's been remastered and enjoyed all over the planet in a multitude of different ways.
Fine-ground Turkish coffee is subtly flavored with cardamom, Irish coffee has a warm kick of whiskey, Mexico’s cafe de olla is rich with spices and Hong Kong’s yuen yeung balances sweet, milky tea with strong coffee. Check out more varieties here!
How to make authentic Turkish cuisine
If you’re a fan of fresh, seasonal vegetables cooked with aromatic spices and cool fruits, then Turkish cuisine is a must-try. Many Turkish dishes rely on the natural flavor of the vegetables or meats in the dish, giving the fairly simple dishes a strong, powerful kick of flavor that’s only accentuated with the quality toppings and fresh ingredients that pair so well with them.
Check out this list of Turkish recipes that include baklava, kebabs, Turkish meatballs and so much more!
How to cook like a Jamaican
Jamaica’s food is as colorful, vibrant and varied as its people, with significant influences from West African nations, South Asian regions and European recipes. Jerk chicken, arguably one of the more well-known dishes in Jamaican cuisine, is a perfect blend of indigenous cooking techniques, native ingredients, foreign spices and generations’ worth of family traditions that make each family recipe just a little different.
If you want to try your hand at jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish, curry goat, stew peas and callaloo, then look no further than this Jamaican cooking master list!
Cook like a Belgian
Bonjour, mes amis!
Friends, if you’re one to appreciate a good waffle, then Belgium is the nation that that’s probably gotten as close to perfect as one can get.
Belgian cuisine is marked with relatively simple ingredients like potatoes, mussels and beef that have been masterfully perfected into mouth-watering dishes over the centuries. Rich, hearty dishes like beef and beer stew, mashed potatoes, mussels and fries and, of course, good, crunchy waffles are staples of Belgian diets.
And, with this list of authentic Belgian recipes, they can be part of your diets, too!
Cook like a Sicilian
Sicily has been home to people, religions and cultures from all over the Mediterranean for millennia, so it’s only natural that its cuisine reflects the diverse residents who have called the island home.
Middle-Eastern influences brought new fresh fruits, whole spices and nuts into Sicilian kitchens, as did the Spanish introduction of tomatoes, cocoa and maize. Greek colonists brought along their penchants for fish, seafood and olives, and the Roman Empire’s occupation was the one to bring the art of cheese-making to its island neighbor.
For authentic cannoli recipes, a variety of truly amazing pastas, rich couscous dishes, smooth gelato and fresh seafood meals, check out this guide to cooking like a real Sicilian!
3 easy Nepalese recipes
While most nations’ cuisines are heavily influenced by colonization, travelers, conquests and the like, Nepal’s traditional dishes are relatively untouched by outside influence. Years of isolation in the hills and peaks of the Himalayas have resulted in a rich, flavorful cuisine that’s truly and unapologetically local.
Nepali dishes emphasize local ingredients and spices from both Tibetan and Indian regions, creating meals that have unique flavorings. The classic rice-and-lentil dish is both efficient and packed with a variety of fresh ingredients, as are the dumpling dishes and southern curries.
For three easy Nepalese recipes that are easy to make and super nice to eat, check out our list of Nepali recipes right here!
Cook like a South African
I may be partial, being from the country, but I feel like it’s not too far-fetched to say that South Africa has the best food in the entire world by, like, a lot. Right?
But seriously though, South Africa is a melting pot of cultures, religions, nations, beliefs and ethnicities, all of which give the country the moniker “The Rainbow Nation.”
Foods and recipes originating from India, the Netherlands, France, Britain, Mozambique, Malaysia, Bangladesh and more all coalesce into a menu like no other, and you’re sure to find something that you’ll truly enjoy. We like to cook and eat outdoors, so if you can make it to a South African braai (like a cook out), then definitely give it a go.
Here are some tried-and-true South African recipes that are sure to be a hit at the dinner table!
How to cook like a Moroccan
Packed with spices, fresh vegetables and buttery grains, Moroccan cuisine is one that is world-renowned for its variety, diversity and flavor.
The north-west African nation has been a destination for traders and merchants for centuries, and with trade comes people from all over Southern Europe, the Mediterranean and Western Africa. Morocco’s cuisine reflects the practices, ingredients and techniques from its many visitors and residents, with a strong emphasis on fruits, olives, figs, chicken, seafood and stewed vegetables.
From whole-stewed chicken rfissa to flaky bastilla lamb pie to creamy harira soup and more, these Moroccan recipes are a must-try for any culinary aficionado.
Traditional dishes from Scotland
Famous for its seafood, fish and chips, haggis and Scotch Pies, Scotland’s traditional cuisine is a must-try for anyone in love with warm, cozy, flavorful meals.
So, next time you’re looking for something new from another corner of the globe, give these recipes a go and see how you like them!
Bon Appetit!
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Featured photo courtesy Pixabay/WilliamCho
Colleen Ford is a South African who now lives on Oahu in Hawai'i. She loves to travel, camp, spearfish and hike. She's also part of a super cool canoe club and is pretty decent at it. Colleen enjoys Star Wars and also not being cold ever.
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