Getting a bit bored with your everyday meals and simple ingredient combinations? If you are craving to try something different with an exotic twist, then this list is just for you. Contrary to the popular belief, exotic meals aren’t harder to make – they are just different! Once you get a hang of mixing various spices, using more veggies, and adding unique sauces to your meals, your cooking will change for the better. Here are 8 easy exotic meals anyone can make.
Miso Soup
Japanese cuisine is light, savoury, and uses lots of sea products. You might not be ready to make sushi yet, but there are meals you can prepare in a matter of minutes! The main ingredient for miso soup is special miso paste made from fermented soy beans. Basically you just have to mix it into hot water, then add more hot water, and boil till ready (which usually takes around 5 minutes). You can add greens, tofu, and nori weeds to make your soup more flavourful.
Spring Rolls
They are called spring rolls, but you can actually make them all year round. Spring rolls are very light as they are prepared with rice wrapping paper, rice noodles, and fresh veggies. Inside you can have different fillings, but the general idea is to keep spring rolls light, using leafy greens, rice noodles, and vegetables like carrots and cucumbers. It’s best to serve spring rolls with a flavourful sauce.
Chana Masala
This chickpea recipe may seem intimidating at first, but most of its ingredients are spices and veggies. Once you get your spice mix right – cooking chana masala won’t be a problem! This meal comes from India, so be prepared for lots of flavour. Ingredients include: onion, garlic, chilli pepper, ginger, a bunch of spices like coriander, turmeric, and black pepper, and, of course, boiled or canned chickpeas. You can also add some tomatoes to the mix. It’s fiery and delicious!
Lentil Dahl
Another exotic favourite from India is dahl. It’s prepared with lentils, spices, and some fried veggies (optional). This might be the easiest exotic recipe ever and it’s incredibly healthy. You have to boil lentils in a pan, adding some turmeric, salt, and other spices as you go. Then prepare some fried veggies – heat your skillet, add oil, cumin, as well as some chopped carrots and tomatoes. Give them a gentle fry, then add them to your lentil mix and boil until ready. This soupy dish is incredibly filling and goes well with rice, roti, or naan bread.
Lychee and Cucumber Salad
Sometimes if you want to have an exotic meal you just need some exotic fruits in it! This fresh salad tastes absolutely delicious and is perfect for hot summer days when you can’t even think about having something heavy during the day. For this salad you will need lychees, cucumbers, red chillies, limes, a bit of your favourite vinegar, and some sugar. Add cilantro or mint for extra flavour.
Grilled Tropical Fruits
Nothing says summer like the taste of exotic fruits. You can eat them fresh, of course, but you can also turn them into a delicious dessert with a little bit of effort. Peel and chop fresh pineapples, peaches, and mangoes, then grill them until they are ready. Serve with a cream made of vanilla, coconut cream, and mascarpone. Add some delicious orange sauce for the most remarkable taste ever.
Pad Thai
Thai cuisine is quite versatile and offers lots of yummy meals. Pad Thai is one of the quickest exotic recipes you can make at home. You’ll have to get the special flat Pad Thai noodles and a few sauces to make it happen. Sriracha sauce and fish sauce are the ingredients that make the whole dish so savoury. You should also use bean sprouts, scallions, cilantro, peanuts, and brown sugar to prepare this stir-fried dish. Recipes differ, so you can choose the one according to your budget. Add tofu for some extra protein.
Mango Pudding
Mango is one of the key ingredients to creating an exotic dish. Whether it’s a salad, a cooling summer drink, or a delicious dessert – mangos have it all covered. Mango pudding is probably the easiest exotic dessert anyone can make at home. All you need is a few ripe mangos and a food processor that will turn them into puree. Add some thick cream and a few scoops of vanilla ice cream to the mix, whizz everything together, and voila! Serve with a bit of fresh passion fruit on top.