Let Your Taste Buds Travel the Globe With These Entrées and Appetizers!

It’s far too easy to get caught up eating the same foods on a regular basis. Whether you don’t stray too far from your culinary comfort zone for convenience or because you aren’t too keen on unfamiliar flavors, it’s always worth it to try out something new! Today, October 16th, is national World Food Day and we implore you to branch out and enjoy the delicious cuisine from a culture other than your own. Who knows? You might discover some new favorite dishes or flavor combinations in the process.

We thought long and hard about which 15 recipes to share with you today, but decided on these delicious picks that celebrate cuisines from all over the globe! These entrées and appetizers are surefire hits, and we think you’ll quickly fall in love with whatever one you choose to cook up. If you are still hungry for more recipes from around the world, check out the Food Monster App.

1.Lomo Saltado: Peruvian Mushroom Strips With Sweet Potato Fries

Lomo Saltado is Peruvian stir-fry traditionally made with steak, tomatoes, and red onions. It’s cooked in an incredibly simple but amazingly savory sauce made of mostly soy sauce and red wine vinegar. In this meat-free version, Portobello mushrooms stand in for beef, plus a couple of splashes of Worcestershire sauce to mimic that beefy piquant flavor. In addition to that, sweet potato and purple sweet potato give the dish its vibrant appearance.

2. Okonomiyaki: Savory Japanese Pancakes 

Okonomiyaki is a type of savory Japanese pancake that literally translates to it “as you like it” and “grill,” meaning that it’s highly customizable. Traditionally, it is made with eggs and shredded cabbage, but this plant-based version swaps the eggs for nagaimo, a type of Japanese root vegetable that acts as a binder when grated. They make for a great appetizer or accompaniment to any meal.

3. Baked Sabudana Vada: Indian Tapioca Fritters

Sabudana is a delicious deep-fried snack that is popular in Maharashtra, India that is made from soaked sabudana (tapioca pearls), boiled and mashed potatoes, coarsely crushed peanuts, and a few spices. The fritters are a little spicy and somewhat sweet- everything you want in one snack! They are quite filling and will keep your tummy and soul sorted and satisfied until your next meal.

4.Seitan Stuffed Tamales

Tamales are a classic dish in several different Latin American countries which consists of a masa harina dough that is wrapped in a banana leaf that is then steamed. They are available in street-side food stalls and restaurants; however, they are also generally stuffed with meat or made using lard. These Seitan Stuffed Tamales use olive oil instead of lard and have a “meaty” filling of seitan sautéed with peppers, onions, and garlic.

5. Kimchi Chigae: Korean Kimchi Stew

Kimchi Chigae is a Korean recipe that has the aim of making sure nothing goes to waste. Like bibimbap, it’s about taking what’s in your fridge that you would otherwise not serve at the table and putting them into a pot until they become delicious again. If you like spicy food, you will love love love this recipe. It’s easy, delicious, and healthy to boot!

6. Spicy West African Chickpea and Kale Curry 

Who’s down to try this Spicy West African Chickpea Curry for lunch or dinner? It’s loaded with some potatoes, kale, and spice to boot. There is something very fulfilling about a meal you can whip up in 30 minutes and get the family happily fed in little to no time. Nutritious, delicious and probably the best leftovers for your next day soup and sandwich brunch.

7. Butternut Squash Schnitzel 

Schnitzel is an Austrian dish that is traditionally tenderized meat that is breaded and fried until its perfect crisp. In this vegan version, butternut squash is used in place of the thin steaks and are juicy and flavorful on the inside, but nice and crunchy on the outside. Though schnitzel is typically fried, this Butternut Squash Schnitzel is baked so that they are lower in fat and better for you!

8. Smoky Jambalaya With Mushroom Jerky 

Smoky Jambalaya With Mushroom Jerky is a Creole and Cajun dish that originated in Louisiana that combines aspects of Spanish and French cooking. The dish is known for taking a little time and a lot of love, but it is well worth it. The day long marinade on the mushrooms gives you the most delicious vegan bacon you’ve ever had. The rice, lentils, and veggies develop their flavors beautifully during the cooking process.

9. 15-Minute Rustic Ribollita 

Traditional Italian Rustic Ribollita is a hearty and economical dish that uses up kitchen leftovers- including bread! It’s somewhere between a stew and a soup, with a chunky yet starchy base and a substantial bite from the cannellini beans. If you’ve got time to make this the night before you eat it, the flavors will deepen; if you eat it straight away, the dish will be a touch milder, yet still delicious.

10. Vinegret: Russian Beet Salad

Vinegret is traditionally beets tossed with some other root veggies, vinegar, and pickles.This plant-based 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.

11. Swedish Veggie Meatballs

These vegan Swedish Veggie Meatballs are really easy to make and you can get all the ingredients in your local supermarket! The taste is slightly meaty and very rich in flavor. Combine it with a very nice savory cashew sauce and you won’t be able to tell it’s not dairy. Serve over pasta if you like or simply serve the meatballs alongside the sauce at your next party as a tasty bite-sized appetizer.

12. Spicy Curry Laksa

Laksa is a spicy rice noodle soup that’s popular in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries. There are many different regional varieties of this soup, but curry laksa is distinct for being especially rich and savory thanks to the use of coconut milk. This Spicy Curry Laksa is simple to make, nourishing, and full of fresh, vibrant flavors. You have to try it!

13. Lahmacun: Turkish Pizza 

Lahmacun, also known as Turkish pizza, is a dish consisting of a flatbread topped with minced meat prepared in a savory tomato sauce. In spite of its name, it is popular throughout Armenia, Lebanon, and Syria as well as Turkey. In this meat-free version, meat is substituted for crumbled rice cakes, which take on the flavor of the spicy paprika sauce. Garnish with lemon juice just before serving, then roll it up and eat it like a wrap!

14. Mofongo: Puerto Rican Fried Plantains With Seitan 

There are few foods more iconic in Puerto Rican cuisine than Mofongo. Typically made of fried green plantains mashed in a pilón (a wooden mortar and pestle) with broth, chicharrónes (pork cracklings), garlic, and oil, mofongo is also popular in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. This mofongo uses seasoned seitan to deliver the expected textures and flavors of this quintessential Puerto Rican dish. Serve mofongo on top of cooked rice or with grilled vegetables.

15. Chickpea and Eggplant Moussaka 

Moussaka is a traditional Greek dish that is either eggplant or potato based. It is always multilayered, often with meat and cheese. This recipe for Chickpea and Eggplant Moussaka begins with an eggplant base, is drenched in tomato-y flavor, and is well seasoned, especially after baking in the oven. Incorporating chickpeas and featuring a yummy variety of vegetables, this moussaka will hit the spot in both nutrition and taste.

Where are your taste buds traveling today?

We highly recommend downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 8,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to ten new recipes per day. Check it out!

Lead image source: Spicy Curry Laksa