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7 Pinterest-inspired dishes from around the world!

September 11, 2024

Are you looking for a new way to spice up your dinner menu or just craving a different treat? Look no further than these top 7 recipes from around the world! 

Have you ever wanted to travel the world but don’t have the time (or funds)? If you’re just like me, chances are travelling has always been on your bucket list, but life always seems to be getting in the way. If you’re in the mood to travel this summer, I have found a perfect way to transport you to the country of your dreams: through food! Listed below are 7 Pinterest-inspired recipes from around the world to motivate you. Happy travelling!

North America

I've divided the recipes based on continents to make this easier for you (and myself). For our first destination, we have North America, home to where you are (or maybe) right now. Although the poutine is a classic for Canadians, you can pull a modern twist by making a copycat KFC chicken bowl. For vegetarians, the chicken can also be replaced by popcorn tofu cubes.

 

South America

Heading towards South America, one of my all-time favourite recipes from Argentina is empanadas! Empanadas are typically deep-fried or baked pastries with beef, cheese, or other filling. For a vegetarian/vegan twist, you can also add a black bean and corn filling. These empanadas taste great with a spicy chipotle or cilantro lime dipping sauce.

Europe

Moving to Europe, we all know Italy is famous for its various pasta recipes. However, Hungary has one, too, known as the noodle Nokedli, which is traditionally paired with Paprikash. Paprikash is an excellent addition to your new food list. It consists of either chicken or chickpeas (for a vegan/vegetarian option) in a creamy tomato-based sauce. If you can’t find Nokedli, regular pasta from the grocery store also works great for this recipe.

Asia

As we know from the Internet, many recipes you’ll find in restaurants come from Asia. From Japanese sushi to Indian butter chicken, Asia has various flavours that differ depending on your location. To provide some more unique recipes, I want to introduce you to Mongolian beef, a spicy, salty dish that can easily be paired with either short or long-grain rice or some fried noodles. If you’re like me and don’t eat beef, this recipe can also be substituted for chicken or tofu.

Africa

Similarly to Asia, Africa is also a continent with lots of food to choose from, which is why deciding which recipe to include took so long! Ultimately, depending on which country you visit in Africa, each region has its variation on a dish by either changing a couple of ingredients or pairing it with different sides. One dish that I found that varies from country to country has to be traditional Jollof Rice. This dish consists of rice cooked in a puréed red bell pepper and tomato sauce. It can also be paired with chicken, skewers, or coleslaw.

Arabian Peninsula (and Arab countries)

Okay, so, technically, it's not a continent. But, I couldn’t help not including an Arabian recipe since the variety of unique flavours can’t be found in any other cuisine. One of my favourite recipes from the Middle East is Kofta, which has roots all over the Middle East, including Turkey, from which I took my inspiration. Traditionally made with either beef or lamb, these can be substituted for chicken or soybeans (as a meat alternative) and paired with pita bread, rice, and an assortment of vegetables. The sides will vary depending on which country’s recipe you choose to follow.

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Oceania

Oceania remains the smallest continent on Earth and consists of Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia – which are often not associated as a continent because large bodies of water separate them. However, in honour of their collection of diverse cultures, I wanted to share New Zealand’s Steak and Mushroom Pie. Similar to the traditional chicken pot pie you may have heard of, this pie consists of a soft and moist crust that perfectly matches the filling. For alternative ingredients, the beef can be swapped for beans or chicken to make it all-diets friendly.

And there you have it! 7 Pinterest-inspired recipes from around the world. Although I can’t vouch that these recipes are all that easy to make (especially since I honestly do not like to cook), I can guarantee that all these recipes are delicious and will satisfy your travel cravings. Happy cooking (and eating)! 🍽️

SpongeBob gif. Patrick sits at a table with plates of food in front of him. His cheeks are stuffed with food and his mouth moves in a circle as he chews. Drool dribbles from his mouth and he looks overjoyed.

By Shrena Khedun