27 of our favourite recipes from around the world

Grounded? Time to eat! You can't travel right now, but you can bring the flavour of your favourite destinations to your kitchen, with these authentic recipes from around the world...

7 mins

Food plays an important part in our travels, reflecting the culture and history of different destinations, and helps to shape memories that can last a lifetime.

If you’re self-isolating or working from home because of the coronavirus pandemic, chances are you have more time on your hands than usual.

So, if you have a stocked-up kitchen, why not put it to good us by rustling up one of these flavourful recipes from all over the world? Time to keep your appetite for travel alive!

Our top 3 recipes from Africa 

1. Grilled marinated chicken brochettes 

Grilled marinated chicken brochettes (Shutterstock)

Grilled marinated chicken brochettes (Shutterstock)

With a rainbow-spectrum of spices brightening up the markets and the scent of grilled meats and veggies wafting through the air, Morocco is clearly a country obsessed with its food.

These grilled and marinated chicken brochettes are a favourite with the locals - and as soon as you've cooked them for yourself, you'll see why. 

Get the full recipe

2. St Helena's famous fishcakes 

St Helena is famous for its fishcakes (Shutterstock)

St Helena is famous for its fishcakes (Shutterstock)

Unsurprisingly, for an island off the coast of Africa, many of St Helena's dishes centre around fresh fish. Their tuna fishcakes in particular are a sought-after delicacy.

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3. Ugali na maharage ya nazi

Ugali na maharage ya nazi: Tanzania's national dish (Shutterstock)

Ugali na maharage ya nazi: Tanzania's national dish (Shutterstock)

Ugali Na Maharage Ya Nazi - or coconut soup - is the national dish of Tanzania.

More of a stew than a soup, this unusual dish of coconut and kidney beans will take you by pleasant surprise, and will certainly fill you up. 

Get the full recipe

 3 amazing recipes from Asia 

1. Nasi goreng

Nasi goreng (Kristin Perers)

Nasi goreng (Kristin Perers)

Has COVID-19 left your cupboards bare and your supermarket shelves even emptier? Then the national dish of Indonesia might just be your saviour.

Eleanor Ford's take on the nasi goreng mixes spice, rice and whatever vegetables you have hanging around your kitchen into a smoky and comforting meal. Arguably the most delicious way to make the most of your leftovers. 

Get the full recipe

2. Grilled kingfish in Thai green curry

Grilled kingfish in Thai green curry (Shutterstock)

Grilled kingfish in Thai green curry (Shutterstock)

How could we not include a recipe from Thailand?

The Asian country is a foodie haven, with food markets fighting for space on the busy streets of Bangkok, local restaurants serving up fresh fish, and almost every corner of Thailand bursting with flavour.

One of the most famous recipes (second, perhaps, only to the pad Thai) is the Thai green curry. It's hard not to love the smooth, coconutty and soup-like dish.

Shake up the original recipe by using the curry to smother a kingfish. This is one you'll certainly want to introduce to your weekly meal plan. 

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3. Taiwanese dumplings

Taiwanese dumplings (Shutterstock)

Taiwanese dumplings (Shutterstock)

Little is more satisfying than eating a dumpling: dipping those parcels in soy sauce, biting through the soft shell, for the flavour of the inside to explode in your mouth.

These Taiwanese-inspired versions are stuffed with succulent pork, and will leave you craving seconds.

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3 tasty recipes from Europe 

1. Greek Sfakian pies  

Greek Sfakian pies (Shutterstock)

Greek Sfakian pies (Shutterstock)

Along with the pristine beaches, cobbled streets and its collection of islands, one of Greece's main draws is its cuisine. 

Treat yourself to a bite of authenticity with this traditional Greek pie, stuffed with goats cheese and drizzled with honey.

So delicious are these pies that the island of Crete throws a festival in honour of them each year.

Get the full recipe

2. Gazpacho with spiced crab toasts 

Spice crab gazpacho (Moorish by Ben Tish, published by Bloomsbury)

Spice crab gazpacho (Moorish by Ben Tish, published by Bloomsbury)

A round up of world recipes would not be complete without gazpacho, and this twist on the dish from Ben Tish will certainly brighten up your summer meals.

Originating from Andalucia, this cold tomato soup will refresh your palate, and won't leave your short on flavour.

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3. Fettuccine al ragù

Fettuccine al ragù (Shutterstock)

Fettuccine al ragù (Shutterstock)

The inventors of ice cream, pizza and pasta: how could Italy not have a starring role in a world recipe list?

We chose this fettuccine al ragù recipe not just because it's so tasty, and goes great with a glass (or bottle!) of wine, but also because it contains a very important lesson.

How to cook pasta like an Italian. Apparently, not as easy as we all thought...

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3 incredible Indian recipes 

We know India should technically be in the Asia section, but so beloved and influential is Indian cuisine, that we thought it deserved a section all to itself...

1. Spicy scrambled eggs with tomatoes

Spicy scrambled eggs with tomatoes (Shutterstock)

Spicy scrambled eggs with tomatoes (Shutterstock)

Inspired by the Indian Himalaya, not only will this dish by Christine Manfield spice up your usual morning routine, it will also keep you satisfied until lunchtime.

It was, after all, whisked together to ensure hungry travellers would have enough fuel to spend the day climbing the Himalayan mountains. 

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2. Lamb dumpling curry 

Mughlai kofta, or lamb dumpling curry (Shutterstock)

Mughlai kofta, or lamb dumpling curry (Shutterstock)

This lamb dumpling curry, featuring homemade koftas smothered in a yoghurt-based curry sauce is a comforting treat originating from rural India. 

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3. Indian-inspired mushrooms

Indian-inspired hot fried mushrooms (Shutterstock)

Indian-inspired hot fried mushrooms (Shutterstock)

Fry up some mushrooms, coating them in garam masala, tumeric, chilli, ginger and of course garlic and you'll have yourself a side-dish that really packs a punch. 

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3 lip-smacking recipes from North America 

1. Mexican pozole stew 

Pozole (Aracelli Paz)

Pozole (Aracelli Paz)

Enrique Olvera's pozole recipe is perfect for a dinner party. Rustle up this authentic Mexican dish, share around some tostadas and you'll have a table of very full and very happy dinner guests. 

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2. Grandma's southern-fried chicken

Grandma's southern-fried chicken (Shutterstock)

Grandma's southern-fried chicken (Shutterstock)

When you think of the USA's south, its famous fried chicken will likely spring to mind. But how do you get that crispy, distinctly-spiced texture at home? 

Chef Sean Brock shares his secrets with us, to help you achieve that need-to-go-back-for-seconds flavour in your own kitchen. 

Get the full recipe

3. San Antonio bean burger 

San Antonio bean burger (Shutterstock)

San Antonio bean burger (Shutterstock)

A USA recipe list would not be complete without the iconic cheeseburger.

However, we've gone for a recipe with a twist, replacing the beef burger with a bean patty - a vegetarian option that still brings all the flavour and all the size of the classic American meal. 

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3 colourful recipes from South and Central America 

1. Sere lasus with hudut

Sere lasus (Dreamstime)

Sere lasus (Dreamstime)

Belize is a small island in Central America, and its Caribbean shoreline has a huge influence on its cuisine.

Belizean chef Sean Kuylen tells us how this coconutty fish broth celebrates the tropical nation’s history, culture and produce. He also shares his own recipe for this snapper fish soup...

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2. Peruvian chicken and quinoa soup

Peruvian chicken soup (Shutterstock)

Peruvian chicken soup (Shutterstock)

Spicy, hearty and packed with flavour, we are obsessed with the Peru-inspired recipe from The Hairy Bikers.

Not only is this broth full of natural goodness, it also keeps well, making it an easy mid-week meal that you can simply reheat. 

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3. Argentinian empanadas

Cheese and spinach empanadas (Shutterstock)

Cheese and spinach empanadas (Shutterstock)

These Argentinian snacks are unbelievably moreish. If you've got time on your hands, then these empanadas will help you to fill it.

Making, folding and stuffing the pastry is no easy task, but one bite and you'll realise it was well worth the effort.

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Our 3 favourite recipes from the South Pacific 

1. Quinoa mud cake 

Quinoa mud cake (Shutterstock)

Quinoa mud cake (Shutterstock)

Not only does it look good, but it's surprisingly good for you, too. This beautiful and tasty cake recipe comes from Sydney and pairs perfectly with a nice cup of tea. 

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2. Asparagus, snow pea and scallop salad

Asparagus, snow pea and scallop salad (Shutterstock)

Asparagus, snow pea and scallop salad (Shutterstock)

This salad from New Zealand is perfect for the summer months. Asparagus and avocado are mixed with scallops and covered in a zesty dressing.

Can't get your hands on scallops? Use prawns instead, or even bacon. 

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3. Coconut pavlova

Coconut pavlova (Shutterstock)

Coconut pavlova (Shutterstock)

Pavlova is a favourite desert among New Zealanders. This recipe from Annabel Langbein makes a tasty summer treat.

Top it with kiwi fruit for that authentic New Zealand dessert experience. 

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3 delicious desserts from around the world

1. Turkish baklava 

Turkish baklava (Shutterstock)

Turkish baklava (Shutterstock)

No Middle East-inspired dining experience would be complete without chewing on one of these sticky, sugary treats.

This traditional Turkish baklava recipe shares the secret of perfecting a stick-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth texture.

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2. Mauritian tourte rodriguaise

A Mauritian-inspired papaya and coconut pie from the cookbook: The Island Kitchen (Yuki Sugiura)

A Mauritian-inspired papaya and coconut pie from the cookbook: The Island Kitchen (Yuki Sugiura)

Serve up a slice of paradise with coconut and papaya pie from Mauritius.

We love everything about this recipe from Selina Periampillai, from the jam-like filling and buttery pastry, to the playful palm-tree embossed across the top. This recipe will leave you dreaming of more tropical climes.

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3. Noah's Ark pudding

Noah's Ark pudding

Noah's Ark pudding

Another recipe from Turkey, and one that is believed to be the oldest in the world.

This syrupy porridge is covered in nuts, pulses and dried fruits and is inspired by the religious tale of Noah.

Something usually left out of the story is Noah's cooking of a feast using the Ark's leftovers. 

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3 tasty recipes from around the world for vegans and vegetarians 

1. Kinpira yasai

Kinpira, a traditional Japanese dish often made with burdock root (Nassima Rothacker)

Kinpira, a traditional Japanese dish often made with burdock root (Nassima Rothacker)

Brightly coloured crunchy vegetables, a generous drizzle of soy sauce and a bit of chilli to liven it up. This Japanese Vegan dish from Tim Anderson makes a perfect accompaniment to your main meal. 

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2. Vegan gyoza 

Vegan gyoza (Nassima Rothacker)

Vegan gyoza (Nassima Rothacker)

Another meat-free recipe from Tim Anderson, inspired by Japan. This one takes time and patience, as there are several steps to making and folding each gyoza.

You might call them a tasty work of art.

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3. Nohut piyazi

The Turkish Cookbook by Musa Dağdeviren Is published by Phaidon (Photograph by Toby Glanville)

The Turkish Cookbook by Musa Dağdeviren Is published by Phaidon (Photograph by Toby Glanville)

The humble chickpea is a staple for vegans and vegetarians around the world as they are a great source of protein.

Spice them up with this Turkish street food recipe from Musa Dağdeviren. Traditionally, the chickpeas are cooked in lamb stock, but skip this step and you have a perfect and flavoursome vegan salad. 

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Looking for more ways to satisfy your wanderlust while you're grounded? 

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