light meal Recipes
14 delicious light meal recipes from around the world
Flammkuchen (Alsatian Flatbread)
A traditional Alsatian specialty, Flammkuchen is a paper-thin, crispy flatbread topped with a creamy mixture of crème fraîche, thinly sliced onions, and savory bacon lardons. It's a delightful balance of textures and flavors, perfect as an appetizer or a light meal.
Gazpacho Andaluz
A refreshing and vibrant cold soup from Andalusia, Spain. This classic gazpacho is made by blending ripe tomatoes with cucumber, green bell pepper, stale bread, garlic, sherry vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil. It's the perfect dish for a hot summer day.
Gzik (Polish Farmer's Cheese Spread)
A refreshing and simple Wielkopolska regional cheese spread, perfect as a light meal or appetizer. It features crumbled farmer's cheese mixed with sour cream, fresh chives, and crisp radishes, traditionally served with boiled potatoes.
Matjeshering (Young Herring with Onions and Cream)
A classic Northern German dish featuring tender young herring fillets, thinly sliced onions, and a creamy apple sauce, traditionally served with boiled potatoes. This recipe is a celebration of spring and the fresh catch from the sea.
Pataniscas de Bacalhau
Pataniscas de Bacalhau are traditional Portuguese cod fritters, featuring flaky salt cod encased in a light, airy batter. They are a popular appetizer or light meal, often served with rice and salad.
Revuelto de Ajetes (Spanish Scrambled Eggs with Wild Garlic Shoots)
A classic Spanish springtime dish featuring silky, creamy scrambled eggs gently cooked with tender young wild garlic shoots. This revuelto is a testament to simple ingredients and refined technique, offering a delicate yet flavorful experience.
Cơm Hến (Hue Baby Clam Rice)
A refreshing and unique Hue specialty, Cơm Hến features chilled rice mixed with tiny, flavorful baby clams, a medley of fresh herbs, crunchy toppings, and a hint of spicy chili oil. It's a delightful cold dish perfect for a light meal.
Dan Hua Tang (Chinese Egg Drop Soup)
A classic Chinese comfort food, Dan Hua Tang is a simple yet elegant soup featuring delicate ribbons of silken egg suspended in a savory, aromatic chicken broth. It's quick to prepare and perfect for a light meal or starter.
Gỏi Cuốn (Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls)
Delicate, translucent rice paper wrappers encase a vibrant medley of fresh herbs, tender pork, savory shrimp, and slippery rice vermicelli. These Gỏi Cuốn are a refreshing and healthy appetizer or light meal, perfectly complemented by a rich peanut dipping sauce.
Phở Cuốn (Vietnamese Beef Rice Noodle Rolls)
Phở Cuốn are delicate, fresh rice noodle rolls filled with tender beef and aromatic herbs, served with a savory dipping sauce. This dish offers a lighter, refreshing take on traditional pho, perfect for a summer meal or appetizer.
Shabu Shabu (Japanese Hot Pot)
A delightful and interactive Japanese hot pot experience where thinly sliced beef and vegetables are briefly swished in a simmering broth at the table, then dipped in flavorful sauces. The name 'shabu shabu' imitates the swishing sound of the ingredients in the pot.
Yum Talay (Thai Spicy Seafood Salad)
A vibrant and refreshing Thai seafood salad featuring a medley of fresh seafood tossed in a zesty and spicy lime dressing. This dish is a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy, often enjoyed as a light meal or appetizer.
Yum Wun Sen (Thai Glass Noodle Salad)
A vibrant and refreshing Thai glass noodle salad featuring tender shrimp, savory pork, crisp vegetables, and a zesty, spicy dressing. Perfect as a light meal or appetizer.
Peruvian Ceviche
Peru's iconic national dish, featuring impeccably fresh white fish 'cooked' in vibrant citrus juices, mingled with thinly sliced red onion, fragrant cilantro, and a touch of aji amarillo for a gentle heat. Served traditionally with slices of boiled sweet potato and toasted cancha corn.