All the foodies out there, rejoice! October, 16th is World Food Day. The best way to celebrate it is going on a culinary adventure with delicious authentic recipes from all over the world without leaving your kitchen, of course. Need some ideas? Here are 3 international recipes for World Food Day that gained worldwide popularity for their delectable flavors. Some dishes from other countries can be tricky to make, but fear not, these particular recipes are a breeze. So, pick a spot on the globe and let the gourmet journey begin!
World Food Day Recipe from Mexico: Salsa Mexicana
From tacos and burritos to nachos and guacamole, it’s hard not to love authentic Mexican recipes. Mexican food is full of flavor, but just to make sure, almost every Mexican dish comes with a side of some serious sauce, and Salsa (or Pico de Gallo) is definitely the local favorite. In some places they even call it the “flag sauce” because of the green, white, and red, the colors used on the Mexican flag.
Made like a salad but used as a condiment, this classic “sauce” is one of those recipes you can eat with pretty much anything (except maybe dessert). Regardless of whether you use it as an appetizer or a sauce, this is a wonderful dish to master simply because it is so versatile. Besides, it is incredibly easy to make! Just chop and stir some fresh tomatoes, cilantro, onions, garlic, jalapeno, and lime juice, grab a bag of tortilla chips with a glass of Margarita and you’re all set for an all Mexican experience!
What You’ll Need
– 2 cups ripe tomatoes (roma tomatoes will work great)
– 1 bunch of fresh cilantro (either with or without stems)
– 6 cloves minced garlic
– 1/2 medium onion
– 1 minced jalapeño pepper (seeded if you want a milder taste)
– 1 tbs fresh-squeezed lime juice (or more to taste)
– salt to taste
How to Make It
Like we said, making Salsa is as easy as it can get. Chop up all the ingredients, mix everything together, salt to taste and enjoy immediately for the freshest flavor! If you like your salsa with extra juice let the mixture sit in your fridge in a covered container for a few hours, or overnight.
World Food Day Recipe from India: Lentil Dal
Indian cuisine is on the rise in many countries in the world. If you’ve ever tried Indian food, chances are you’ve had dal. But if you haven’t, this dish is a good introduction to Indian recipes before you move on to all the delicious curries.
Lentil dal is an easy and very flavorful vegetarian side dish made of yellow lentils, tomato, jalapeno and lots of Indian spices. It is no doubt one of the principal Indian foods that could not be easier to make and tastes especially good homemade.
What You’ll Need
– 1 cup dried yellow lentils
– 2 1⁄2 cups water
– 2 cups tomatoes, chopped
– 1 cup onion, diced
– 2 cups cauliflower florets, chopped
– 1⁄2 tsp crushed red pepper
– 1 tbs fresh ginger, minced
– 1 tsp cumin
– 4 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 tsp ground turmeric
– 2 tbs fresh lime juice
– 1 tbs fresh cilantro, finely chopped (plus more for garnish)
– 1 tbs olive oil
– 3⁄4 tsp salt
How to Make It
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, ginger, cumin, turmeric, red peppers, garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes. Add cauliflower and tomatoes; sauté for another minute or so. Stir in water and lentils and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer covered for 30-35 min until tender. Stir in lime juice, cilantro, and salt. Serve over rice or as is.
World Food Day Recipe from China: Sesame Chicken
Chinese food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world. Chinese cuisine is incredibly versatile, but we all know and enjoy all their flavorful noodles and chicken recipes.
One of the most sought-after Chinese dishes is Chinese Sesame Chicken. Crispy deep-fried chicken chunks in a sweet and savory glaze are sprinkled with sesame seeds. This Chinese take-out classic is easy to make at home and will taste better (and be healthier) than at any of your local Chinese restaurants. Whether you’re new to Chinese cooking or just looking for an authentic Asian dish that doesn’t require much time in the kitchen, you will find this recipe a breeze.
Ingredients:
– 8 oz (250 g) skinless chicken breast, cut into strips
2 tbs oil
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– Oil, for deep-frying
– White sesame seeds, for garnishing
– Scallions, chopped, for garnishing (optional)
Fying Batter:
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/4 cup cornstarch
– 1 egg white
– 1/2 tsp baking powder
– 1/3 cup cold water
– 1 tbs oil
– Pinch of salt
Sauce:
– 2 tbs soy sauce
– 1 tbs Chinese rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
– 4 tbs sugar
– 2 tsp cornstarch
– 1/3 tbs water
Method:
Mix all the Sauce ingredients until well combined. Set aside.
Combine all the Frying Batter ingredients in a bowl and mix until it’s smooth with no lumps. Add the chicken into the batter and stir to evenly coat. If the batter feels too thick, add 1-2 tbs water to loosen it up.
Heat 2-3 inches of oil in a wok or deep frying pan and gently drop the chicken into the oil making sure it’s not clumping together. Deep-fry the chicken to golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and drain the excess of oil by laying it on a dish lined with paper towels. Discard the oil.
Heat up 2 tbs of oil over medium-high. Add the garlic and stir-fry for 1 minute or so (until aromatic) before adding the Sauce. As soon as the Sauce thickens, add the fried chicken into the skillet and stir continuously until it’s well coated. Serve immediately over rice generously garnished with sesame seeds and scallions.
Latin America or Asia, no matter where you choose to start your culinary adventure rest assured you’re going to enjoy the delectable one of a kind experience. Have a flavorful World Food Day!
– Explore more authentic recipes here: Favorite Winter Holidays Recipes From Around the World
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