The 50 Best International Recipes in the Cook Eat World

By Lee Jackson ↣ Published on: December 31, 2021

Food is the greatest! No matter where we are in the World, we’re surrounded by the most amazing flavours and aromas. Join me in savouring and cooking some of my favourite international recipes, inspiring me to sample and create everything the world has to offer…

A bowl of Israeli Cous Cous with beetroot

Here at Cook Eat World, I dive into all the food the World has to offer – always endeavouring to experience something new, the next taste sensation. My food obsession is ever growing and evolving, picking up new and exciting dishes from all across the globe.

As I learn, I like to share what I find – a celebration of international recipes that I call favourites. It’s an ever expanding list, that will never be complete – there’s so much flavour out there, and food is for sharing, right?! Scroll below for 50 of my exclusive and authentic International dishes that I just know you’ll love.

Let’s get this journey in World recipes started…

Afghani

A cuisine rich in whole foods Afghani recipes feature wheat, and rice alongside fresh vegetables and fruits. With influences from neighbouring Persia (Iran) and India, flavours feature warm spices to compliment a nation renowned for its culinary hospitality.

Borani Kadoo (Afghani Squash Salad)

Borani Kadoo (Afghani Squash Salad)

This is a complete taste sensation - a melange of sweet, savoury and sour. Perfectly tangy and spiced tomatoes coat soft and creamy squash. When topped with a cooling and garlicky yoghurt sauce, this amazing salad becomes one of the highlights of my year so far!
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Argentinian

The land of beef gifts us the Asado Barbecue which demonstrates a complex collection of grilling techniques. A mouthwatering feast of steak and stews. Argentinian recipes show influence from Spanish and Italian immigrants to bring us a diverse collection of flavour.

Punched potatoes on a baking sheet garnished with a little fresh thyme.

Punched Potatoes

Potatoes never tasted THIS GOOD! Super easy and insanely effective. Humble potatoes are transformed into a textural sensations. Crunchy exterior and rich, creamy interiors... an absolute revelation. Transform your next potato offering with a PUNCH!
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A small bowl of chimichurri sauce with a spoon sits alongside slices of rare cooked ribeye steak

Argentinian Chimichurri Sauce with Steak

Herbaceous, zingy dressing, drizzled over juicy, tender steak. It's Argentinian heaven!
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British

From Bangers and Mash to Fish & Chips, Spotted Dick and Roast Beef, the humble cuisine of Great Britain may not be the most sophisticated in the world, but British recipes are close to MY heart as a Brit, and I make them regularly to reconnect to the motherland. As international dishes go… who wouldn’t fall in love with ham & pease pudding!?

A an open sandwich with ham and pease pudding.

Ham & Pease Pudding

A homey, heartwarming staple, close to my British heart - pease pudding is a lentil spread, that marries perfectly with roast ham. A North Eastern British treasure - learn why!
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Burmese

Fragrant marriages of colour and spice come from this melting pot of Asian influence. A combination of South East Asian and Indian flavours, Burmese recipes are packed with fresh and tasty recipes. Humble, complex and bursting with personality.

A bowl of Burmese chicken curry with fork and spoon

Burmese Chicken Curry

I am compelled to announce that this Burmese Chicken Curry is one of my absolute favourite South East Asian curries to make at home. Why? Where do I begin!?
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Chinese

A cuisine so diverse, Chinese recipes are some of the finest the World has to offer. One of the planet’s great cuisines, Chinese food gives us every culinary experience imaginable. Soups, stews, wok fried magic and so much more. Chinese cuisine is one of MY most favourite.

A plate of Hainan Chicken Rice with chopsticks. Featuring poached chicken, rice with specks of chicken skin, chopped cucumber and a sprig of cilantro. A small bowl of soup and an asian spoon sits to the side along with two condiments of chilli sauce and a ginger scallion sauce.

Hainan Chicken and Rice

A Malaysian twist on classic Chinese Hainan Chicken Rice, it's my go-to! Light, vibrant, and flavourful—a juicy, healthy, hearty delight in every bite!
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Duck Congee

Duck Congee

A wonderfully creamy, hearty and fragrant hug of meal. Thank you China for this incredibly satisfying and simple dish. It's one of my favourites!
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Cypriot

Balanced and healthy, Cypriot food delivers on taste and flavour in a wide range of recipes featuring vegetables, fish and of course, lamb. The Mediterranean diet is on full show with Cypriot cuisine and a favourite with pescatarians, vegetarians and Vegans the World over.

Cypriot sheftalia on metal skewers on a platter

Cypriot Sheftalia (Pork & Lamb Sausages)

These juicy little morsels of meat are beyond perfect in every way. Meaty, flavourful and so packed with juices you won't believe. Caul fat is the key - learn all about this super-ingredient and why it makes sheftalia so successful!
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French

French cooking techniques are the masterplan of many restaurants across the Globe. Mind bogglingly complex and wide ranging. Flavour and form are so magnificent, it may be the World’s most successful and universal cuisine. At home, French cuisine is every bit as accomplished albeit simpler – ingredients are king in France, the finer the ingredient, the better the food. Discover my favourite French recipes!

A small bowl of French Onion Soup with Gruyere Crouton

French Onion Soup

A sweet, rich umami burst of flavour sums up this Classic and much loved French Onion Soup. Find out what all the fuss is about with my recipe.
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Asparagus with Dijon Mustard

Asparagus with Dijon Mustard

Earthy asparagus never tasted so good when it's dressed in this sweet, spiced and umami flavour bomb. A simple and fantastically effective little side dish from France.
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Greek

Just like Cypriot food, the ancient cuisine of Greece is healthy, balanced and packed with flavour. Humble ingredients are transformed into World classics that we all know and love. For an airy, bright way of eating, Greek food might just be my favourite! Discover my favourite Greek recipes.

A bowl of Greek lentil salad featuring tomatoes, spinach, lentils, feta and red onion

Greek Lentil Salad

Let’s celebrate all the flavours of the Mediterranean with this Greek inspired lentil salad. Nutty lentils are paired with tangy tomatoes, earthy spinach and salty olives and feta cheese. There’s nothing fresher!
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Hungarian

The rich, meat focussed foods of Hungary are amongst some of the most comforting dishes on the planet. Stews, soups and roasts are all on the menu and packed with colour, texture and flavour. The world would be a sadder place without the delights of Borsht, Goulash and Pörkölt – ansd you can disover my best Hungarian recipes right here!

A bowl of Hungarian Pörkölt Beef Stew in a bowl, wrapped in a tea towel.

Pörkölt (Hungarian Beef Stew)

When winter hits, there are few dishes like Pörkölt (Hungarian Beef Stew) that bring as much comfort and warmth. Tender beef in a rich paprika laden sauce is a combination to warm any heart to the core.
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Indian

A firm favourite of my diet, Indian food has absolutely everything and more. Rich, light, spicy or mild, it can be anything you want it to be. A vegan and vegetarian playground, Indian food is inventive, surprising and never boring. I have so many treasures it’s almost impossible to pick a favourite. There isn’t a week goes by without an Indian feast at my table.

Achari Chicken in a silver serving bowl

Achari Chicken - Chicken in Pickling Spices

A rich, luxurious curry that is intensely flavourful. Indian pickles, added at the end elevate the flavour into something very special indeed. Learn all the how to...
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A bowl of Indian Black Pepper Chicken Curry

Indian Black Pepper Chicken Curry

An unusal curry from South India using black pepper to create a wonderfully spiced curry sauce.
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Indonesian

South East Asian cuisine is a melting pot of colour, flavour and fragrance. The gamut of culinary sensations is never more evident than in Indonesian food. From rice to curries, stir fries to salads the sweet, spice, salt and sour sensations are at play in this often overlooked cuisine. What’s MY favourite?…

A platter of Indonesian chicken wings garnished with cilantro, chillies and spring onion alongside some lime wedges.

Indonesian Chicken Wings

Sweet, savoury, sticky... the three magic words to describe these magical chicken wings.
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Iranian

Persian cuisine is one of the cornerstones of Modern cuisine around the World. Influencing Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Asian cuisines alike. A rich tapestry of flavour and fragrance alongside accomplished cooking techniques that inspired chefs across the globe. Ready to discover my favourite Iranian recipes?

Shirazi Salad - a combination of tomatoes, onion and cucumber scattered with dried mint

Shirazi Salad

For a quick bite of colour, flavour and texture this Iranian Salad has everything and more. Shirazi Salad is a crunchy, cool bite that pairs with absolutely everything. Packed with authentic Persian flavours it's a winner at every table.
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Israeli

Welcome to the healthy, flavourful World of Israeli food. Middle Eastern flavours are abound in this rich, complex world of colour and fragrance. Healthy salads, dips and stews are a harmonious blend of plant-forward recipes adored the World over. Mezze platters, zingy vegetable preparations and balanced soups and stews are just some of my favourites.

Israeli Couscous with Beetroot on a plate, scattered with micro greens and nuts.

Beetroot Couscous

A vibrant festival of pink brings not only a visual delight, but a sweet, earthy flavour like no other - learn just how simple this Israeli side dish is to create yourself at home.
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Italian

Quite possible the World’s greatest cuisine, the simplicity and single-mindedness of Italian cuisine gives us so many wonders of flavour, texture and fragrance. Pasta, pizza, salads and more – Italian food is a cornucopia of some of the most beloved dishes on the planet. Not a week goes by that I don’t fall in love with another Italian classic. Some of the most accomplished international dishes in the World come from La Dolce Vita.

Italian Porchetta

Italian Porchetta

Soft, juicy pork, roasted to perfection with the crunchiest, crispest skin. Fennel, garlic and herbs permeate every mouthful. POrchetta is one of Italy's greatest dishes. Learn how to make it at home...
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A bowl of spaghetti in a green puree of cavolo nero cabbage

Spaghetti with Cavolo Nero & Almonds

Vibrant green pasta with Cavolo Nero cabbage and almonds is a triumph of colour and flavour. You won't quite believe how delicious it is!
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Japanese

A cuisine so complex and accomplished, Japanese food is a mind boggling array of refined, reserved flavours, techniques and ingredients. Fresh, inventive and so wide ranging – my favourite cuisine for homey, comforting hugs of flavour, my favourite Japanese recipes deliver on taste and personality every time.

A Japanese pork rice bowl with chopsticks pork, spring onion, egg, radish and pickles.

Chashu Don (Japanese Pork Rice Bowl)

Fork tender sweet and salty pork belly (chashu) is spooned over a hearty bowl of Japanese rice and generously garnished with fresh radish, spring onions, pickles and a ramen-style egg. Are you ready for Chashu Don?
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A bowl of Buta Kakuni (Japanese braised pork) 

Buta Kakuni (Japanese Braised Pork)

Melting and tender pieces of pork belly, slowly stewed in a rich, umami sauce. Sticky, sweet and luxuriously tasty, Buta Kakuni is an intense hit of Japanese fragrance and flavour.
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Jordanian

Hospitality plays a huge part in Jordanian cuisine, shared plates that feature stews, salads, sweets and more are the cornerstone this Middle Eastern treasure.

Jordanian lamb Mansaf stew sits on a giant flatbread. It's garnished with fresh herbs and toasted nuts.

Lamb Mansaf

The combination of rice, lamb, spice and nuts makes this Lamb Mansaf a treasure across the Middle East. Get the simple, authentic recipe at cookeatworld.com
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Korean

Korean food is a revelation of flavour, colour and fragrance. Jam-packed with flavour and an inventive and surprising cuisine, Korean offers some of the tastiest dishes on my menu. Hot, hearty and packed with umami goodness, Koreans love to eat and I can’t argue with that!

Fried tofu is lightly braised in Korean chilli (gochugaru) and topped with radish and spring onion

Korean Braised Tofu - Dubu-Jorim | 두부조림

Crisp and soft tofu sites in an intoxicating and vibrant chilli sauce. There's a world of flavour in this Korean Dubu Jorim recipe. Learn how...
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A plate of kimchi fried rice with a crisp fried egg on top scattered with spring onions

Kimchi Fried Rice

The alluring and addictive flavours of Korean kimchi are put to excellent use in this truly amazing rice dish. Kimchi fried rice is an institution in Korea and you really ought to take a few minutes to make a batch for yourself. You'll be in rice heaven.
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Laotian

Laotian cuisine has some of the most underrated dishes on the planet. Hailing many favourites we automatically attribute to Thai or Vietnamese, Laos has a rich and fragrant heritage of unique, delicious recipes. Fragrant, spicy and packed with freshness and flavour. Light and bright, with all the personality of South East Asia in every delicious spoonful.

Ground chicken combined with Laotian aromatics and spices to a form a dry, spicy chicken salad. The platter sits on a colourful, floral tablecloth - like the kind you find in South East Asian markets.

Laotian Chicken Larb (Larb Gai)

Larb is an extraordinary salad, a national treasure of Laos and it’s not hard to see why. Ground chicken is seasoned to perfection with aromatics and spice - a fresh, zingy pop of flavour. Larb is a truly unique dish to make at home.
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A bowl of Laotian Nam Khao crispy rice salad

Laotian Nam Khao (Crispy Rice Salad)

A taste and textural senastion, this amazing rice salad from Laos is one of the highlights of South East Asian Cuisine. Wonderful crisp and flavoursome rice creates a base for fresh herbaceous elements alongside the sour fermented sausage 'Nam'. A triumph!
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Lebanese

Lebanon cuisine features some of my personal favourites in the World. A combination of fresh, healthy and flavourful recipes. Plant forward recipes, juicy meats and fish and delicious sweet treats, Lebanese cuisine has it all in abundance, and Lebanon likes to feed you! Expect good food, and a LOT of it.

A platter of Baba Ghanoush garnished with parsley, pine nuts and pomegranate seeds

Baba Ghanoush

Baba Ghanoush is a rich, decadent and glossy treat. Roasted eggplant takes on a wonderful smoky flavour and when combined with nutty tahini, yoghurt and lemon juice it becomes a perfect marriage of aroma.
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A small bowl of Lebanese garlic sauce, Toum

Toum (Lebanese Garlic Sauce)

The essence of garlic, Toum is a fluffy Lebanese mayonnaise that is the PERFECT accompaniment to meats, fish and vegetables. It's revered, and for good reason - learn how to make magic happen with garlic and oil.
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Malaysian

Officially my favourite cuisine in the World! I love everything Malaysia and Singapore has to offer. Unique, intensely flavoured curries, tangy and sweet stir fries and fresh, light soups and salads, Malaysian food has everything I need and then some.

Malaysian Curry Powder

Malaysian Curry Powder

A good Malaysian curry needs a good foundation - an authentic curry powder is essential. This recipe is as authentic as it gets - sweet and smoky with anise notes that play an essential role in creating the unique flavour and fragrance of Malaysian cuisine.
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A bowl of Malaysian Fish Curry

Malaysian Fish Curry (Kari Ikan)

A wonderful, complex melding of colour, texture and flavour. Tender fish pieces in a rich, vibrant an and fragrant curry sauce - unique to Malaysia.
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A black bowl filled with Malaysian fried chicken, Ayam Goreng, garnished with red chillies and accompanied by lime wedges.

Ayam Goreng (Malaysian Fried Chicken)

Crispy spiced Ayam Goreng, Malaysian Fried Chicken has all the South East Asian fragrance and flavour you could possibly need. Sweet and spicy juicy chicken is perfection with every bite - and incredible addictive too!
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Mexican

One of the Great World cuisines, the recipes of Mexico are rich in history and tradition. Always flavour forward with an exciting mix of texture, colour and fragrance. From the humble taco to the mystifyingly complex mole, there’s plenty to set your taste buds alight.

A bowl of Mexican Cilantro Rice (Green Rice) with a spoon.

Mexican Cilantro Rice (Green Rice)

Aromatic rice dishes don't get much tastier than this Mexican coriander rice. Bursting with herbal taste and aroma, it's a delightful addition to any Mexican-inspired banquet.
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A bowl of Mexican chipotle chicken

Creamy Chipotle Chicken

This Mexican dish is so simple to prepare at home. Harnessing all the flavour and colour from the amazing chipotle peppers - ready in minutes leaving its impression for hours. Learn how to make this delicious chicken treat.
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Moroccan

North African recipes follow a Mediterranean approach with light mezze style recipes of fruits, nuts, meats and salads. Healthy, hearty and alluringly delicious. Moroccan recipes have a familiarity while delivering a unique mysterious twist of the exotic.

A platter of blood orange salad with black olives, onion and herbs

Moroccan Blood Orange & Black Olive Salad

Tart and sweet combined with salty and herbaceous is a wonderful combination. This vibrant salad from Morocco is a triumph of flavour and colour.
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A platter of roasted carrots for a Moroccan carrot salad

Moroccan Carrot Salad

Sweet and smoky carrots with a sharp, Moroccan citrus spiced dressing topped with crunchy pistachio nuts. Perfection!
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Pakistani

Like Indian food, Pakistani recipes deliver BIG on colour, fragrance and flavour. Rich and buttery meat curries sit alongside a mind bending array of breads, rice and vegetable dishes. Pakistani food is intensely flavourful, rich in custom and tradition and amongst some of the tastiest on the planet.

A plate of Pakistani Chicken Lahori curry with a black serving spoon

Pakistani Chicken Lahori

One of our favourite curries at www.cookeatworld.com! This luxurious Pakistani recipe features few ingredients, cooked to perfection. Nutty lentils pair amazingly with spiced, juicy chicken. It's perfection!
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Palestinian

This Middle Eastern cuisine follows the same principles so healthy, fresh dishes with a note of warming spice. Mezze rules with thousands of small plate offerings that deliver BIG on flavour.

Zucchini cooked and mixed with yoghurt, tahini and middle eastern spices.

Palestinian Zicchini Dip

This Palestinian zucchini dip is a rich, light and creamy meze delight. Zucchini is paired with the sesame flavours of tahini and countered by the uber-tart hit of pomegranate molasses. It's a balanced, flavourful and life-giving bowl of goodness.
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Spanish

European food would be a sadder state of affairs if it were not for the complex aromatic recipes of Spain. From the golden hues of paella to the cornucopia of flavour and colour of Tapas and Pinxtos. If choice is what you crave, Spanish food has SO MUCH on offer.

Pork ribs sit on a large platter.

Spanish Pork Ribs with Sherry & Garlic

Smoky, sweet and utter finger-licking magic, my meaty, juicy pork ribs bathed in Spanish Sherry, smoked paprika and garlic are a revelation of flavour. Learn how to create the magic at your home...
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Spanish Roasted Red Peppers

Spanish Roasted Red Pepper Salad

A simple, and effective sweet and smoky red pepper salad. Perfect alongside any Spanish inspired meal.
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Sri Lankan

The south of India paves a path for what to expect as we travel further south into the Island of Sri Lanka. Coconut, seafood, vegetables all offer fragrance and spice to create a light, bright cuisine that’s ideal for meat eaters, vegetarian and vegans alike. Always vibrant, never boring, Sri Lankan food is one of life’s great gifts!

Sri Lankan Green Masala Shrimp

Sri Lankan Green Masala Shrimp

This beautiful, vibrant sauce is absolutely packed with personality. A stunning green hue is just the start, it's packed with fragrance and flavour too. Juicy shrimp have never tasted THIS good. Learn how to make this amazing flavour-packed curry.
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Taiwanese

Like it’s Neighbour China, Taiwan offers a wide ranging cuisine with ancient recipes, steeped in tradition. Stir fries, soups, stews and salads are in abundance, with street food like no other place on Earth. Taiwan offers a world of colour and flavour in its recipes.

A bowl of San Bei Ji - Taiwanese 3 cup chicken

Taiwanese 3-Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji)

A burst of umami greatness is the most accurate summary of this classic Taiwanese chicken dish. Simple to prepare and a visual and taste sensation to boot. Learn how to make my homespun version.
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A bowl of Taiwanese braised pork (Lu Rou Fan) on a bed of rice with two egg halves, crispy onion and spring onions as a garnish.

Lu Rou Fan (Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice Bowl)

This Taiwanese Lu Rou Fan rice bowl features meltingly tender pork belly in a fragrant sauce like nothing else. The sauce covers simple fluffy rice - a splendid way to season the whole dish to perfection. Topped off with a boiled egg this dish is purely delicious.
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Thai

Welcome to a WORLD of colour, flavour and fragrance! Thai food is exciting, punchy and in your face. Spice lovers rejoice in some of the hottest offerings on the planet. Thai food likes to shout and isn’t shy in challenging those who are up for it. Fresh, quick and easy – once you take a bite, you won’t be able to stop.

Thinly sliced ribeye steak is served in a salad of mint, cilantro shallots and spring onion in a spicy chilli dressing. Roasted peanuts are scattered over the salad. It sits non a bright blue floral plastic tablecloth like the ones in Thai markets.

Thai Beef Salad (Yum Nua)

Where fresh meats fragrance and flavour. This amazing Thai beef salad (Yum Nua) is light, bright and jam packed with Thai flavours. Sweet, sour, salt & spice - it doesn’t get much better than this.
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Beef in Thai Prik King chilli sauce with beans and kaffir lime leaves.

Pad Prik King

Quick, easy and full of Thai flavour, this chilli stir fry with beef and beans is an absolute delight. Sweet, sour, spicy and salty - it packs a punch! Learn how...
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A green cocktail made from Gin and Thai Basil sits on a tablecloth of citrus fruits

Bangkok G&T (Gin Cocktail with Thai Basil)

A light, refreshing gin & tonic cocktail featuring Thai basil. A wonderful citrus, floral hot of South East Asian flavour.
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Turkish

The recipes of Turkey are amongst some of the World’s oldest and most accomplished. Royal court recipes of the Ottomans to simple, humble country recipes mingle together in a country that straddles Europe and Asia. Expect big flavours alongside healthy, hearty dishes – there’s plenty to choose form in Turkish cuisine!

A small bowl of Turkish Cilbir (poached eggs) drizzled in orange Aleppo pepper butter with a piece of flatbread

Çilbir (Turkish Eggs)

Çılbır is a wonderful way to start any day. Creamy, garlic-infused yoghurt is topped with soft poached eggs and drizzled with a vibrant Aleppo pepper butter.
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A sliced Turkish Cheese, Egg & Spinach Pide on a wooden board

Turkish Pide - Two Topping Options

Turkey's delicious answer to pizza! Pide is an open stuffed bread like no other - limitless toppings can be created and all are utterly delicious and addictive. Learn how to create the magic of Turkish pide yourself at home...
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Vietnamese

If you need some respite from the spice of Thailand, head north into Vietnam for a cuisine filled with fresh, light and healthy recipes. Vietnamese cuisine is a melting pot of heathy salads, soups, stews and rice dishes. Humble in approach but complex marriages of flavour and aromatics make it far from forgettable.

Pork chops marinated in lemongrass and other aromatic Vietnamese ingredients. Served with a simple salad of cucumber, tomato and herbs. A Nước chấm dipping sauce accompanies.

Vietnamese Grilled Lemongrass Pork Chops (Thit Heo Nuong Xa)

These fragrant lemongrass pork chops are succulent, sweet and the essence of Vietnamese cuisine. Grilling gives an authentic pop of char to these unique South East Asian delights.
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A bowl of Vietnamese Thit Kho (Braised pork belly) with a whole boiled egg

Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly with Eggs - Thit Kho

Fragrant and hearty, this amazing and simple Vietnamese staple is jam packed with flavour. Juicy, soft pork belly is bathed in the most intoxicating lemongrass infused sauce - the addition of a boiled egg adds a clever, filling element to an already splendid feast.
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A bowl of Vietnamese chicken curry with chicken, carrots and potatoes. A spoon sits in the sauce.

Vietnamese Chicken Curry

Vietnamese chicken curry features juicy chicken in a rich and fragrant sauce. A unique blend of flavours than marry the tastes of South East Asia. A light coconut sauce creates a creamy but light sauce that is the essence of Vietnamese cuisine. 
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