It’s winter once again, and with the winter holidays come potluck parties with family and friends. Potlucks are a great way to bring people together, try different foods, and share your cooking with loved ones. But maybe this year, you’re feeling bored with your potato salad and want to try something new to really wow the family.
If that’s the case, skip the usual dishes and try your hand at a new recipe from another culture. Delving into global cuisine is an excellent way to learn about other cultures while appreciating their traditional foods and customs. And who knows, maybe you’ll find a new favorite recipe to add to your holiday dinner table.
Here are four international recipes that will elevate your next potluck and broaden your taste buds’ perspectives.
Beef Dinner Ideas
1. Korea: Bulgogi
This Korean BBQ staple is an excellent choice for anyone looking to feed a crowd with a tasty beef dish. It’s also a great recipe to add to your collection of quick beef dinner ideas throughout the year.
Preparation couldn’t be simpler: marinate thinly sliced sirloin or ribeye in a marinade mix for 30 minutes or overnight. When you’re ready to cook, grill the beef on a charcoal grill or pan fry it on the stove. Serve with kimchi and rice.
Though you can buy premade marinades for your meat, a homemade marinade will give your meal a more authentic Korean flavor. If you eat a lot of meat or subscribe to a meat delivery service, using marinades is a good way to add flavor to your favorite cuts.
2. Mexico: Oxtail Stew
If you have a bit of time to put together something more filling, we recommend any variation on a Mexican oxtail stew. This hearty meal is one of those dishes that every family makes differently, but they all share the same main ingredient: oxtails.
You may have a difficult time finding oxtails in your usual grocery store, so see if any specialty grocers offer oxtail delivery near you.
This cut of beef is first cooked, then various spices, broths, and vegetables are added to create a thick, savory stew perfect for the winter. Ask around and see who among your friends might have tasty oxtail dinner recipes for you to try.
Vegetarian Dinner Ideas
3. Italy: Caprese Salad
Salads are famously easy to prepare, but none so much as the Caprese salad. A combination of four simple ingredients, this dish consists of tomato slices, mozzarella, basil leaves, and olive oil or a balsamic glaze.
Though this dish will take you no time at all to make, the fresh, rich taste will leave a big impact on your guests. They’ll be begging you to make this dish every year!
4. India: Chana Masala
In Indian cuisine, masala is a term that refers to varying blends of spices used in cooking. Chana masala is a vegetarian dish made with chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, and your favorite spice blend. This dish is a quick and easy way to add some culture to your dinner table while keeping your vegetarian and vegan friends in mind.
Trying globally-inspired recipes is an excellent way to practice respectful cultural appreciation. When you create dishes based on another culture’s traditional recipes, you open yourself to new perspectives (and tastes!). Consider trying a few of these new dishes at your table this holiday season.
