The holidays are a time for joy, being with family and friends, and of course, eating. Yes, serving the traditional holiday recipes are always a crowd-pleaser, but what about around the world? Take your holiday host game to the next level with international recipes! The unique spices are warm and flavorful, and awesome conversation starters. We went through the Food Monster App and found 15 options for your holiday menu. Dig in and take your tastebuds on a trip around the world.
1. Mushroom Bourguignon With Root Vegetables
What’s better than a good classic and warming dish on a freezing cold day? This Mushroom Bourguignon With Root Vegetables can be finished in just half an hour. Mushrooms replace beef in this vegan version of the classic recipe, and they add in just as much (or more) juicy, tender texture and umami flavor.
2. Savoy Cabbage Rolls
These beautiful and seasonal Savoy Cabbage Rolls are German-inspired. The meatiness of the eggplant and mushrooms make the texture of this dish authentic. But please don’t expect them to taste like your traditional German cabbage rolls – no, they are the (even better) vegan version.
3. German Plum Cake
Get festive with this beautifully presented German Plum Cake! Sweet and moist, you can either serve it with finely shredded dried coconuts or powdered sugar.
4. Lumpiang Gulay: Filipino Spring Roll With Cabbage and Sweet Potato
Lumpiang Gulay is a Filipino spring roll filled with vegetables. This recipe fills these crispy treats with cabbages, sweet potatoes, and green beans and serves the rolls with some spicy vinegar to dip them in.
5. Baked Jollof Rice
Jollof rice is a popular West African one-pot rice dish that combines long grain rice with tomatoes and olive oil. It’s typically served with fried plantains, vegetables, or protein, depending on which country you’re in. This Baked Jollof Rice is a classic reimagined as a casserole. The texture is near-perfect and the flavor is delightful savory.
6. Olive Oil Lemon Drizzle Cake
This Olive Oil Lemon Cake is what dreams taste like. The batter is fragrant with floral rosemary and olive oil. The end result is pillowy-soft, cloud-like. It is light and it is airy. It floats around your mouth, aromatic rosemary notes doing little somersaults across your tongue.
7. Russian Pick-Apart Cheesecake
This Russian Pick-Apart Cheesecake is inspired by Russian pie which is nothing more than a cheesecake in a chocolate dough. It’s called a pick-apart cake, because you break the dough into smaller pieces and cover the cheesecake filling with it. The dough is wonderfully juicy and slightly chocolatey, and the filling is pleasantly sweet and tangy, as cheesecake should be!
8. Thai Coconut Curry Soup With Spicy Sesame
This Thai Coconut Curry Soup With Spicy Sesame is all you want it to be; it’s savory with a hint of sweetness, with a punch of flavor from all of the herb and spice ingredients. Plus, this broth pairs well with numerous toppings so you can really switch it up every time you make it! It will definitely satisfy your Thai food cravings.
9. Eggplant Potato Tartlets
These savory little Eggplant Potato Tarts are filled with a mix of tender eggplant, potato, fresh parsley, and spices. They are made using kourou dough, a Greek type of short crust pastry dough. They are the perfect balance of comfort food and elegant appetizer for parties.
10. Spicy Curried Potato Dumplings
Spicy Curried Potato Dumplings are hearty, spicy and aromatic. If you like the Indian cuisine, you will love this dish! The potato balls mainly consist of boiled potatoes and yellow lentils (red also work naturally). The easy-to-prepare red curry sauce gives the dish a very nice sharpness.
11. Moroccan Simple Stuffing
With this Morrocan Simple Stuffing, there are swirls of sweet, tender apples, chewy golden raisins, and apricot. It’s savory and spicy. It has warm flavor profiles of cumin, cinnamon, and paprika. With a perfect pistachio crunch, you are never going to go back to Grandma’s traditional recipe.
12. Momo: South Asian Dumplings With Apple Chutney
Momo: South Asian Dumplings With Apple Chutney are native to countries like Nepal and Tibet. Similar to Japanese gyoza, they are traditionally filled with a mixture of meat and vegetables, but this version replaces meat with hearty beluga lentils, cabbage, and other vegetables. If you prefer crispy dumplings, try pan-frying them after they’ve been steamed and serve with the spiced apple chutney!
13. Jamaican Brown Stew With Cauliflower
A fresh spin on a Caribbean classic, this Jamaican Brown Stew With Cauliflower is an alternative to the traditional chicken. Cauliflower is cooked in a fragrant sauce spiced with freshly ground allspice, smoked paprika, and plenty of pepper. Vegan-friendly, grain-free, and delicious.
14. Vinegret: Russian Beet Salad
Vinegret is traditionally beets tossed with some other root veggies, vinegar, and pickles.This sort-of-traditional take on the Russian beet salad is cheap, healthy, and easy to make. This recipe swaps out the vinegar in favor of fresh lemon juice that adds the perfect level of acidity to the dish.
15. Roasted Potato and Onion Farinata: Italian Chickpea Pancake
Farinata is an Italian specialty – a thin, unleavened pancake or crepe made of chickpea flour. In this particular recipe, the farinata is made with roasted potatoes and sautéed onions for a warm and comforting dish that’s perfect for chilly nights. Sprinkle some sage on top for some added fragrance and herby flavor.
So there you have it, an international spin on your otherwise traditional holiday party. Sounds amazing! Make sure to leave room for dessert.
