Top 10 International Cuisines

Posted by Nida Farheen August 6, 2024
A dining table showcasing a variety of international dishes, each adorned with flags of different countries, perfectly represents the diverse flavors found in the Top 10 International Cuisines.
Top 10 International Cuisines | global food | popular dishes | international cooking

If you love trying new flavors and experiencing different cultures through cuisine, you’re in for a treat. Today, we’re taking a culinary journey around the globe, exploring the top 10 international cuisines that have won hearts worldwide. Each cuisine comes with a delicious recipe for you to try at home. Let’s dive in!

The discovery of a new dish does more for the happiness of the human race than the discovery of a star.

Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

1. Italian Cuisine

Renowned For: Pasta, Pizza, Gelato

Recipe: Classic Margherita Pizza

Ingredients:

  • 1 pizza dough
  • 1/2 cup pizza sauce
  • 1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
  2. Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface.
  3. Spread pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
  4. Arrange mozzarella slices on top.
  5. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
  6. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
  7. Top with fresh basil leaves before serving.

2. Chinese Cuisine

Renowned For: Dim Sum, Peking Duck, Sweet and Sour Pork

Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
  • 1/2 cup roasted peanuts
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 zucchini, chopped
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger, minced
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • Red pepper flakes to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a wok or large skillet, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add garlic and ginger, and stir-fry for 1 minute.
  3. Add chicken and cook until browned.
  4. Add bell pepper, zucchini, and green onions. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.
  5. Stir in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and rice vinegar.
  6. Add the cornstarch mixture to thicken the sauce.
  7. Stir in peanuts and red pepper flakes.
  8. Serve hot with rice.

3. Indian Cuisine

Renowned For: Curries, Biryani, Naan

Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp garam masala
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, and half of the spices. Add chicken, coat well, and marinate for at least 1 hour.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger, and sauté until soft.
  3. Add the remaining spices and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Stir in tomato sauce and bring to a simmer.
  5. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink.
  6. Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 10 minutes.
  7. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with naan or rice.

A cozy home doesn’t require a big budget, just a big heart for the details.

4. Mexican Cuisine

Renowned For: Tacos, Enchiladas, Guacamole

Recipe: Beef Tacos

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 8 taco shells
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup salsa

Instructions:

  1. In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
  2. Add taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. Warm taco shells according to package instructions.
  4. Fill each shell with beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, and salsa.
  5. Serve immediately.

5. Japanese Cuisine

Renowned For: Sushi, Ramen, Tempura

Recipe: Teriyaki Salmon

Ingredients:

  • 4 salmon fillets
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup mirin
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 2 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 2 green onions, chopped

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, mirin, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger.
  2. Place salmon fillets in a baking dish and pour the marinade over them. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  4. Bake salmon for 15-20 minutes, until cooked through.
  5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.

6. Thai Cuisine

Renowned For: Pad Thai, Green Curry, Tom Yum Soup

Recipe: Pad Thai

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz rice noodles
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 1/4 cup peanuts, chopped
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges

Pad Thai Sauce:

  • 3 tbsp fish sauce
  • 2 tbsp tamarind paste
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

Instructions:

  1. Cook rice noodles according to package instructions.
  2. In a bowl, mix the sauce ingredients.
  3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook until pink.
  4. Push shrimp to the side and add eggs. Scramble until cooked.
  5. Add noodles and sauce to the skillet. Toss to combine.
  6. Stir in bean sprouts, peanuts, green onions, and cilantro.
  7. Serve with lime wedges.

7. Greek Cuisine

Renowned For: Souvlaki, Moussaka, Tzatziki

Recipe: Greek Chicken Souvlaki

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pita bread, for serving
  • Tzatziki sauce, for serving

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  2. Add chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
  4. Thread chicken onto skewers.
  5. Grill for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until fully cooked.
  6. Serve with pita bread and tzatziki sauce.

8. French Cuisine

Renowned For: Croissants, Coq au Vin, Ratatouille

Recipe: Ratatouille

Ingredients:

  • 1 eggplant, diced
  • 1 zucchini, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a baking dish, combine eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  3. Roast for 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender.
  4. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

9. Lebanese Cuisine

Renowned For: Hummus, Falafel, Tabouleh

Recipe: Hummus

Ingredients:

  • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • Salt to taste
  • Water as needed
  • Paprika and extra olive oil for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a food processor, combine chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, cumin, and salt.
  2. Blend until smooth, adding water as needed to reach desired consistency.
  3. Transfer to a bowl and garnish with paprika and a drizzle of olive oil.
  4. Serve with pita bread or fresh veggies.

10. Moroccan Cuisine

Renowned For: Tagine, Couscous, Harira

Recipe: Moroccan Chicken Tagine

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken thighs, bone-in
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
  • 1/2 cup green olives, pitted
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

Serve with couscous or crusty bread.

In a large pot or tagine, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until soft.

Add chicken thighs and brown on all sides.

Stir in cumin, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to release the spices’ aroma.

Add diced tomatoes, chicken broth, apricots, and olives. Bring to a simmer.

Cover and cook on low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the chicken is tender and the flavors are well combined.

Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

A journey through these top 10 international cuisines is not only a treat for your taste buds but also an adventure that brings the world’s cultures into your kitchen. Each of these recipes offers a unique glimpse into the flavors and traditions of different countries. So, grab your apron, explore these recipes, and enjoy a global feast from the comfort of your home!

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