main course Recipes
223 delicious main course recipes from around the world
Patacón (Colombian Fried Plantain)
Crispy, twice-fried green plantain discs, smashed and perfect for topping with a variety of delicious ingredients like hogao, cheese, and shredded meats. A popular Colombian street food.
Peruvian Beef Heart Skewers (Anticuchos)
Tender beef heart marinated in a vibrant blend of ají panca, vinegar, and spices, then grilled to smoky perfection. A classic Peruvian street food, often served with boiled potatoes and corn.
Poutine
Quebec's iconic comfort food - crispy fries topped with fresh cheese curds and hot gravy that melts everything together into a delicious, savory delight.
Rocoto Relleno
A classic Arequipa specialty, Rocoto Relleno features large, spicy rocoto peppers generously filled with a savory, spiced ground beef mixture, then baked to perfection with a creamy cheese topping.
Salbutes
Yucatecan Salbutes are delightful, puffed-up fried corn tortillas, a lighter cousin to panuchos, traditionally topped with shredded turkey, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, vibrant pickled red onions, and creamy avocado. They are best enjoyed immediately after preparation.
Sopes
Authentic Mexican sopes are delicious, thick corn masa bases with slightly pinched edges, designed to hold a generous amount of toppings like refried beans, seasoned meat, fresh cheese, and vibrant salsa. They are a quintessential 'antojito' or Mexican street food snack.
Southern Fried Chicken
Experience the ultimate comfort food with this classic Southern Fried Chicken. Chicken pieces are brined in tangy buttermilk for tenderness, then coated in a seasoned flour mixture and fried to a perfect golden-brown crisp. The South's crowning glory, best served hot and fresh.
Steak with Chimichurri
Perfectly grilled, thick-cut ribeye steaks served with Argentina's vibrant and herbaceous chimichurri sauce, a classic accompaniment made with fresh parsley, oregano, garlic, red wine vinegar, and olive oil.
Tallarín Saltado (Peruvian Stir-Fried Noodles)
A vibrant Chifa (Chinese-Peruvian fusion) dish, Tallarín Saltado takes the beloved Lomo Saltado concept and marries it with spaghetti. Tender beef, crisp-tender vegetables, and savory noodles are stir-fried in a wok over high heat for an explosion of flavor and texture.
Tlayudas (Oaxacan "Pizza")
A giant, crispy Oaxacan tortilla, often called a 'tlayuda', serves as the base for a delicious street food experience. It's spread with savory pork lard (asiento), refried beans, melted Oaxaca cheese, and your choice of protein, then crisped to perfection. Think of it as a rustic, flavorful Oaxacan pizza.
Torta de Plátano (Venezuelan Plantain Cake)
A comforting and flavorful Venezuelan layered cake made with mashed ripe plantains, seasoned ground beef, and melty queso blanco. It's a delightful balance of sweet and savory.
Vitel Toné
A classic Argentine Christmas dish, Vitel Toné features tender, cold-sliced veal bathed in a rich, creamy tuna and anchovy sauce. It's a beloved festive meal, originating from Italian traditions but uniquely adapted in Argentina.
Asa Tibs (Ethiopian Sautéed Fish)
A vibrant and quick Ethiopian dish featuring tender fish fillets sautéed with aromatic onions, tomatoes, and the signature spice blend, berbere. Traditionally cooked in niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter) for an authentic flavor.
Derek Tibs (Ethiopian Dry-Fried Meat)
Derek Tibs are a dry-fried Ethiopian meat dish, characterized by its crispy texture and intense flavor, achieved without a sauce. It's a simpler, more intensely browned version of classic tibs.
Egyptian Goulash (Basterma Phyllo Pie)
A savory and rich Egyptian pastry featuring layers of crisp phyllo dough filled with spiced ground beef. This dish is distinct from its Hungarian namesake and is a popular comfort food.
Egyptian Musaka'a (Eggplant Casserole)
A hearty and flavorful Egyptian eggplant casserole featuring layers of fried eggplant and a rich, spiced ground beef and tomato sauce. This version omits the béchamel sauce common in other Mediterranean musaka'a variations, focusing on the natural richness of the eggplant and tomato.
Gored Gored
Gored Gored is a celebratory Ethiopian dish featuring cubes of the freshest raw beef tenderloin, marinated in a vibrant and spicy awaze sauce and coated in warm, spiced niter kibbeh. It's traditionally served immediately, allowing the warmth of the butter to slightly temper the raw meat.
Kobeiba (Egyptian Kibbeh)
Kobeiba, also known as Kibbeh in many Levantine regions, are delicious fried croquettes made from a flavorful mixture of fine bulgur wheat and ground meat, encasing a savory filling of spiced meat and toasted pine nuts. This Egyptian variation offers a delightful crunch on the outside and a tender, aromatic interior.
Kofta Meshweya (Egyptian Grilled Kofta)
Authentic Egyptian Kofta Meshweya, featuring a flavorful blend of spiced ground meat molded onto skewers and grilled to perfection. This classic dish is a staple at gatherings and celebrations.
Mahshi Warak Enab (Egyptian Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Authentic Egyptian Mahshi Warak Enab, featuring tender grape leaves meticulously stuffed with a fragrant mixture of rice, fresh herbs, and a hint of tomato. This version is known for its smaller size and bright, lemony flavor profile, distinguishing it from other regional variations.
Nigerian Fried Fish (Peppered)
A quintessential Nigerian party dish, this peppered fried fish is incredibly crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with a spicy kick. Perfect as an appetizer or served alongside rice.
Nigerian Stewed Beef
A rich and flavorful tomato-based beef stew, a staple in Nigerian cuisine and an essential accompaniment to rice dishes and 'swallow' (pounded yam, fufu, etc.). This recipe focuses on developing deep flavors through careful simmering and frying.
Sardines Farcies (Stuffed Sardines)
A classic Moroccan coastal dish featuring fresh sardines generously stuffed with a vibrant chermoula mixture, then lightly coated and fried to a golden crisp. This recipe elevates simple sardines into an elegant appetizer or light main course.
Seffa Medfouna (Hidden Chicken Vermicelli)
A classic Moroccan festive dish, Seffa Medfouna features tender, spiced chicken pieces enveloped within a mound of fluffy, steamed vermicelli, then elegantly garnished with powdered sugar, cinnamon, and toasted almonds. The name 'Medfouna' translates to 'hidden', referring to the chicken concealed within the vermicelli.