Exploring cuisines that you may be unfamiliar with can be exciting. Although you might not like everything that you try, it is nice to be able to say that you have had it once or twice before. You can explore different dishes by trying the local cuisine when traveling through another country, or by visiting one of the many Italian, Chinese, Greek, Ethiopian, and other restaurants throughout the United States. Here are four dishes from around the world.
1. Hot Pot
Hot pot is a broad term that refers to the experience of sharing a boiling pot of broth among a table, and using that broth to cook various foods provided. Hot pot originated in China, although more and more of these styles of restaurants are cropping up in the United States, particularly in the Chinatown districts of larger cities. The components of this dish include:
- Broth, which is what is used to cook the other ingredients. Broths may come in flavors such as hot and sour, ginger, or plain chicken.
- Primary ingredients, which are dipped into the broth to cook. These can include items such as sliced meats, vegetables, dumplings, noodles, and much more.
- Sauce, which is perfect if you want a little added spice or sweetness on an item.
If hot pot sounds appealing to you, get out your international recipes and start cooking.
2. Lasagna
This popular Italian dish contains wide pasta noodles, meat, tomato sauce, and cheese. Vegetables such as spinach or eggplant may also be added to the dish. Lasagna is regarded as comfort food and is most often eaten as part of the evening meal. Like with many pasta dishes, a glass of red wine such as malbec or cabernet sauvignon goes well with the sauce and meats in lasagna.
3. Falafel
Falafel is a hearty dish that is most commonly associated with the Middle Eastern region of the world. Falafel consists of chickpeas ground into a ball and friend, leaving them crisp on the outside and softer on the inside. This food is often eaten with pita, a bread that is commonly used to hold ingredients. Sauces that complement falafel include:
- Tzatziki, a sauce consisting of yogurt, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, cucumber, and mint
- Tahini, which is made from sesame seeds
- Olive tapenade, a savory side consisting of olives and other ingredients
Falafel is common in many Middle Eastern restaurants and in establishments that focus on serving less meat and more plant-based options.
4. Poutine
Popular in Canada, particularly in the province of Quebec, poutine consists of a base of fries and is topped with curds of cheese, gravy, and other desired ingredients. Many people familiar with this dish will say that the type of cheese is important to the dish, with cheeses such as mozzarella or cheddar being an unacceptable substitute for cheese curds.
If you want to try something new and different, consider making one of these four dishes from around the world, or find a restaurant that specializes in its particular cuisine.
