A whopping 90 percent of Americans do not like to cook. Are you one of them?
If you’re not a fan of spending time in the kitchen, it might be because you’re not sure what to make.
If you’re tired of wasting money on carryout, try preparing homemade versions of your favorite international cuisine.
Here are seven delicious recipes that will make it easy for you to enjoy food from around the world.
1. Beef Lo Mein
Put away that Chinese takeout menu and get to work putting together this tasty, tangy beef lo mein. It’s ready to eat in just twenty minutes and tastes way better than that stuff that comes in a paper carton.
As a base, this simple recipe requires some lo mein noodles (you can also use spaghetti noodles in a pinch), broccoli florets, shredded carrot, and thinly sliced flank steak. For the sauce, you’ll also need some soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, ground ginger, and brown sugar.
Most of these ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store and are very affordable. You could even swap out the beef for chicken if you need a more affordable protein option.
2. Shakshuka
If you’re in the mood for breakfast-for-dinner but want to move beyond the basic bacon and eggs, give this shakshuka recipe a try.
Shakshuka is a spicy Middle Eastern dish that comes together in one skillet (which means minimal clean up is required). Shakshuka involves sunny side up eggs cooked in a tomato and red pepper sauce seasoned with cayenne pepper, paprika, and cumin.
You start by preparing the sauce, then you crack the eggs in and let them cook and soak up those delicious flavors. At the very end, you’ll transfer the dish to the oven to finish it off.
Many people top their shakshuka with crumbled feta cheese, which gets soft and creamy when it’s heated up in the oven.
3. Chicken Tikka Masala
If you love Indian food, you’re probably familiar with this popular staple. Instead of ordering it out each week, why not learn more about it and prepare it for yourself?
Chicken tikka masala combines Greek yogurt-marinated chicken with a creamy, flavorful sauce made with heavy cream or coconut milk, tomato puree, and spices like coriander, cumin, paprika, cayenne, cardamom, and nutmeg.
Ready to eat in just forty-five minutes, this chicken tikka masala is a delicious dish that almost anyone can pull off, especially if they’re following this easy recipe. Serve your meal on top of basmati rice or with a slice or two of naan bread.
4. Solterito
Are you craving something light, fresh, and flavorful? Why not whip up this simple Peruvian dish?
Solterito is a great side dish that would be perfect served alongside some baked or grilled chicken. Solterito is made by combining simple, affordable ingredients like cooked fava beans, diced onions, diced tomatoes, and cooked corn.
These ingredients are combined with vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, and rocoto, a Peruvian red chili pepper. They’re then topped off with fresh chopped parsley and sliced black olives.
Whether you want something flavorful to eat with your evening meal or if you need a stunning dish to take to a party, this appetizer is sure to please. It only takes fifteen minutes to whip up, but folks will think you’ve been cooking all day.
5. Pad Krapow Gai
This list of recipes from around the world wouldn’t be complete with a tasty Thai recipe.
Pad Krapow Gai, also known as Spicy Thai Basil Chicken, seems fancy. But, it’s actually quite simple to make. Ready in 25 minutes, it’s the perfect dish for when you’ve got an insatiable craving for Thai food.
For the sauce, you’ll combine chicken broth with oyster sauce, soy sauce, and fish sauce, along with white and brown sugar and some vegetable oil.
The chicken is seasoned simply with shallots, garlic, Thai chilies, and fresh Thai basil leaves. You can also use regular basil if you can’t find any Thai basil at your grocery store.
This recipe is perfect served over jasmine rice or freshly cooked vegetables.
6. Lemon Chicken Piccata
When you want Italian food but aren’t in the mood for a pizza that tastes like the cardboard box it was delivered in, this lemon chicken piccata is a must.
Fresh and flavorful, you can whip it up in just 25 minutes — just a little longer than it takes to watch an episode of The Office!
You probably have most of the ingredients for lemon chicken piccata in your fridge and pantry already.
All you need is some all-purpose flour, salt, and pepper to season the chicken and some butter and olive oil to cook it in. You’ll also need fresh lemon juice, dry white wine, and a few tablespoons of capers to bring in that lovely lemony flavor.
It’s never been so easy to put together a tasty Italian classic.
7. Swedish Meatballs
Why buy frozen meatballs when you can make your own at home with just a few ingredients?
Swedish meatballs are a great, easy-to-follow recipe that you can prepare on Sunday and enjoy all week long.
For some classic Swedish meatballs, you’ll combine lean ground beef with evaporated milk, onion, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and allspice. Once these ingredients chilled in the refrigerator together, you’ll roll them into one-inch meatballs.
Once the meatballs have been browned in a pan, you’ll cover them with a solution made by dissolving beef bouillon granules in boiling water.
For the sauce, simply combine cold water, flour, lemon juice, and the drippings from the meatballs. You can also top them off with some canned lingonberries if you want your meatballs to be extra authentic.
Want to Try More Food from Around the World?
If you’ve been wanting to expand your cooking repertoire, these seven recipes can get you started.
What happens after you’ve mastered these recipes, though? Are you interested in trying other types of food from around the world?
If so, check out the other recipes on our site.
Start with this recipe for hot Jamaican shrimp. It’s easy and delicious.
