Do you get a little bored of your daily meals and the simple combinations of ingredients? If you are yearning to try something different with an exotic twist, then this list is just for you. Contrary to popular belief, exotic foods aren’t harder to prepare – they’re just different! Once you learn how to blend various spices, use more vegetables, and add unique sauces to your meals, your cooking will change for the better. Here are 8 easy exotic meals that anyone can make.
miso soup
Japanese cuisine is light, tasty, and uses many products from the sea. You may not be ready to make sushi yet, but there are meals you can make in a matter of minutes! The main ingredient in miso soup is a special miso paste made from fermented soybeans. Basically, you just mix it with hot water, then add more hot water and boil until ready (which usually takes about 5 minutes). You can add vegetables, tofu, and nori to make your soup more flavorful.
Spring rolls
They’re called spring rolls, but you can actually make them all year long. Spring rolls are very light as they are made with rice wrapping paper, rice noodles and fresh vegetables. You can have different fillings inside, but the general idea is to keep the spring rolls light, using leafy greens, rice noodles, and vegetables like carrots and cucumbers. It is best to serve the spring rolls with a tasty sauce.
Chana masala
This chickpea recipe may seem intimidating at first, but the majority of its ingredients are spices and vegetables. Once you have the right spice mix, cooking chana masala won’t be a problem! This food comes from India, so be prepared for a lot of flavor. Ingredients include: onion, garlic, chilli, ginger, lots 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!
Dahl lentils
Another exotic Indian favorite is the dahl. It is prepared with lentils, spices and some fried vegetables (optional). This might be the easiest exotic recipe out there and it’s incredibly healthy. You have to boil the lentils in a pan, adding a little turmeric, salt and other spices as you go. Then prepare some fried vegetables: heat the pan, add oil, cumin, as well as some chopped carrots and tomatoes. Gently fry them, then add them to your lentil mixture and boil until done. This soupy dish is incredibly filling and pairs well with rice, roti or naan bread.
Lychee and Cucumber Salad
Sometimes if you want to enjoy an exotic meal, you just need some exotic fruits! This fresh salad tastes absolutely delicious and is perfect for hot summer days when you can’t even think about eating something heavy during the day. For this salad you will need lychees, cucumbers, red chillies, limes, a little of your favorite vinegar and a little sugar. Add cilantro or mint for more flavor.
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 effort. Peel and chop fresh pineapples, peaches, and mangoes, then grill until done. Serve with a vanilla-based cream, coconut cream and mascarpone. Add some delicious orange sauce for the most extraordinary taste ever.
pad thai
Thai cuisine is quite versatile and offers many delicious foods. Pad Thai is one of the fastest exotic recipes you can prepare at home. You’ll have to get the special flat Pad Thai noodles and some sauces to make it happen. Sriracha sauce and fish sauce are the ingredients that make the whole dish so tasty. You should also use bean sprouts, scallions, cilantro, peanuts, and brown sugar to make this stir-fry dish. The recipes differ, so you can choose the one that fits your budget. Add tofu for some extra protein.
mango pudding
Mango is one of the key ingredients to create an exotic dish. Whether it’s a salad, a refreshing summer drink, or a delicious dessert, mangoes have you covered. Mango pudding is probably the easiest exotic dessert anyone can make at home. All you need are a few ripe mangoes and a food processor that will puree them. Add some heavy cream and a few scoops of vanilla ice cream to the mix, mix everything together and voila! Serve with some fresh passion fruit on top.
