My Favorite Recipes from My Travels

Being home for the past few months has given me a lot of time to craft my cooking skills. One of my favorite ways to relive past trips is to cook food from around the world.

All of these recipes are good for beginner cooks and I’ve personally tested all of them! The ingredients are also readily sourced at your local grocery store. What’s your favorite international cuisine?

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Ireland: Bangers and Mash

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My time in Ireland was one of my favorite trips as I hopped buses and trains with my sister and her friend. At the time, I didn’t appreciate the great meals I had there like the seafood chowder that warmed me up after a day of sightseeing.

It seems like so long ago that I spent St. Patrick’s Day this year at home sipping a bottle of Guinness and eating bangers and mash, a popular pub meal in Ireland.

When I make this recipe at home, I get a chicken sausage from the grocery store and get a packet of (low sodium) gravy with Bob Evans instant mashed potatoes for a super easy meal. You can also make mashed potatoes and gravy from scratch.

Italy: Homemade Pasta, Pesto, and Focaccia

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What’s better than Italian food? In 2006, I went to Rome, Florence, Venice, and Siena right after my high school graduation. I was still a picky eater back then but remember eating spaghetti bolognese at a trattoria in Florence recommended by Rick Steves.

A few years ago, I got a pasta machine for my birthday and have since been experimenting with different styles. The dough itself is fairly easy to make (using regular or semolina flour) but is even easier in a food processor. I’ve made spaghetti, fettuccine, ravioli, and farfalle. Pasta Social Club has great classes if you’re new to pasta.

I don’t eat dairy anymore, so this vegan pesto from Minimalist Baker is the perfect balance of tart and cheesy without it. It works not just with pasta, but also on pizza and smashed potatoes. Top it all off with easy-to-make focaccia.

Israel: Hummus and Falafel

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My trip to Israel was eye-opening in terms of the cuisine. Never before had I been so content eating meals completely devoid of meat and dairy. It was easy to grab a falafel at one of the many places around the corner from my hostel, usually costing me less than $3.

Thankfully my favorite dishes from my trip are also easy to make, especially with a food processor. I love this falafel, especially topped in tahini. And what could be better than homemade hummus? Canned chickpeas rinsed and de-shelled work great.

Mexico: Enchiladas

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I’ve gone to Mexico half a dozen times in my life, mostly to the touristy areas, but it’s one of my favorite food types. We have been going to the same Mexican restaurant since before I was born so it makes sense I’d want to replicate what I eat there.

One of the easiest (apart from our frequent quesadillas) is enchiladas because you can really fill them with whatever you have on hand. I’ve used leftover chicken, pork, and vegetables, topped with vegan cheese. You can also skip the store-bought brands in favor of easy homemade enchilada sauce.

Portugal: Peri-Peri chicken

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I had so many delicious meals in Portugal that it was hard to pick just one, but I’ve since eaten Portuguese-style chicken in Australia and South Africa. The spicy peri peri mix is the perfect seasoning for chicken thighs, my cut of choice.

Nando’s is a well-known chain that makes this type of chicken but you can also make a recipe in the style of their chicken. We use Nando’s Peri Peri Sauce but you can also make your own from scratch. I pair it with smashed potatoes or sweet potato chips.

Thailand: Khao Soi and Pad Thai

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I’ve now been to Thailand twice and every time, I find an incredible soup that I love eating, even in the sweltering heat. Soup and Pad Thai, the national dish, were my constant meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Pad Thai is the simplest to make, with ingredients easily found at the standard grocery stores like rice noodles, egg, fish sauce, and peanuts. Khao Soi is a Northern Thai dish that has a curry-type broth with fried noodles, a bit harder to replicate.

I found a recipe in Masterchef Magazine in Australia that I still use. It uses egg noodles, red curry paste, and coconut milk, among other ingredients.

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How many of these recipes have you tried?