World cuisine is a broad concept, as it should be. I mean, we’re talking about all the innumerable recipes that were honed, perfected, and invented eons ago, when our civilization today wasn’t even a spark of thought. There are plenty of recipes and delicious ones too. Today we look specifically at seven of the best world cuisine recipes that you can make at home.
You don’t always have the time to prepare epic meals, especially on a busy day, and of course there are many of those busy days scattered throughout the week, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sample some of the world’s most epic recipes in the comfort of your own home, so you and your family can take a trip to a cosmopolitan location, all without leaving your home or spending a week in the kitchen preparing it.
So when time is of the essence, try one of these World Cuisine recipes that you can make quickly and easily in the comfort of your own home.
7. Salsa Boscaiola
This one here is Italian, of course, and essentially means, “Of the forest.” There are many variations on this one, but the one we’ll be looking at today is quick, easy, and delicious. And good news, it’s a vegetarian dish, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t taste good.
Although some restaurants I worked at added sausage to the mix so don’t worry dear meat eaters everywhere.
Makes 1 pound of pasta and serves 6
For the sauce: Saute 1 diced red onion, 2 bell peppers and a pack of mushrooms in olive oil (if adding sausage, fry in pan and set aside when nicely browned and fully cooked, add when the veggie sauté is almost done), when the vegetables are nicely caramelized, add some diced tomatoes (1 can), or you can put a jar of store-bought marinara sauce here for speed and effectiveness.
Add salt, some water, black pepper and diced fresh basil leaves and reduce until thick and velvety and taste.
*Some do this with whipped cream, so the choice is yours’ as I said, there are many variations on this delicious dish.
6. Coq Au Vin
This classic dish looks daunting to tackle, but fear not, classically trained chef, Jacques Pepin is here to help you; he is always there. GOAT he is.
His easy and effective way of preparing this dish will shock you. Just take a look at his version of this classic world cuisine and you won’t be disappointed and neither will your guests.
5. Borscht
With summer approaching, who wants soup? But that’s the beauty of this one here… it’s served both cold and piping hot in its native Russia.
What you need: Lots of beets, that’s what.
Okay… in all seriousness, in a jar, 6 beets, 1 red onion, 4 peeled carrots, 4 large peeled potatoes and half a cabbage (all diced…roughly chopped). Add water until all ingredients are covered.
Add some beef stock powder and let that baby cook until all the ingredients are nice and soft and the stock has thickened a bit. It serves 6.
Kind of like the Italian minestrone soup, just with different vegetables, actually.
Again, serve chilled or warm with sour cream.
4. Zabaione
This one is sure to impress your friends. It’s a cream or rather sweet sauce and it looks great served in crystal (or plastic) stemmed glasses, and feel free to stick a wafer cookie in it to spice it up a bit, but the emulsion is quite simple and delicious. Serve when the meal was exceptionally heavy and where a lighter dessert is ideal.
In a bowl, away from the heat, beat 6 egg yolks and a dash of sugar (1/4 cup sugar) and add a dessert wine (Madeira or Marsala will do).
Place the bowl over a pan of boiling water and beat until thick, taking care not to curdle the eggs.
At the very end, throw in some orange zest you prepared ahead of time and serve.
Should make 4-6 nice servings. And by ‘nice’ I mean satisfying.
3. Swedish cucumber salad, or Svensk gurksallad
You should always look for a light option, even if you’re making a three-course meal, say… a salad course is always ideal; especially if the main course and dessert are right there in the calorie department.
This one is great even on its own for a light lunch and it’s easy. Scandanavian Today on YouTube shows you an amazing version of this delicious dish.
2. Jambalaya
Could we really put together a list without this classic American Creole and Cajun dish? Hardly any, and I have an easy one you can make in 45 minutes or less.
To feed 6…boil 3 cups of rice and set aside when cooked.
Cut 4 Andouille sausage links into rounds and fry until nicely browned and cooked through and set aside.
Cut two chicken breasts into cubes, sauté and cook completely… set aside.
In a skillet, add olive oil, onion, carrots and celery (finely chopped), bell pepper and cook until caramelized.
Add the sausage, chicken, and frozen cooked shrimp (12 OZ bag…thawed).
Add 3 cups beef stock, 3 teaspoons paprika and 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper flakes and reduce.
Be careful not to salt the emulsion at this point, as the beef stock may get you where you need to be.
Once the liquid is gone, add cooked rice and stir.
Now taste for salt and add salt and pepper to taste.
1. Apple Strudel
This Austrian classic will have your guests begging for more. Coincidentally, this is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s favorite dessert. His favorite meal is Schnitzel. Maybe that’s an item for another time.
But for now, Simply Awesome Recipes from Sucheta on YouTube has you covered, dear readers.
So, Guilty Eaters… do you have any classic world cuisine recipes you’d like to share? Let us know.
