simple Recipes
82 delicious simple recipes from around the world
Presa Ibérica
Presa Ibérica, a premium cut from the shoulder of acorn-fed Iberian pigs, is celebrated for its exquisite marbling and rich, nutty flavor. This recipe focuses on simple grilling to highlight its natural qualities.
Prosciutto e Melone
Prosciutto with melon - sweet cantaloupe with salty cured ham. Summer starter.
Pulpo a la Gallega (Galician-Style Octopus)
A classic Galician dish featuring incredibly tender octopus served over thinly sliced potatoes, generously seasoned with smoky Spanish paprika and high-quality olive oil. Simple, elegant, and deeply flavorful.
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.
Rock Cakes
Classic British 'rock cakes' are rustic, slightly crumbly buns studded with dried fruit, traditionally made with simple ingredients. This recipe is a nod to wartime baking, emphasizing resourcefulness and ease.
Sardines Grillées (Grilled Sardines)
Experience the essence of Mediterranean simplicity with these French grilled sardines. Whole, fresh sardines are seasoned and grilled to perfection, offering a delightful, healthy, and incredibly easy dish. The tender flesh, crispy skin, and bright lemon make for a truly satisfying meal.
Sardinhas Assadas (Portuguese Grilled Sardines)
Authentic Portuguese grilled sardines, a quintessential summer dish. Simple, fresh sardines are generously seasoned with sea salt and grilled over high heat until the skin is beautifully charred and the fish is flaky and moist. Served traditionally on rustic bread to soak up the delicious juices, with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Garlic and oil pasta - midnight spaghetti, simple and satisfying.
Kuzu Tandır
Turkish pit-roasted lamb - lamb slow-roasted in clay oven. Central Anatolian specialty.
Çoban Salatası
Turkish shepherd's salad - diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers. Ubiquitous side.
Labneh
Middle Eastern strained yogurt - thick and creamy, served drizzled with olive oil and za'atar. Mezze essential.
Salad Shirazi
Shirazi salad - finely diced cucumber, tomato, onion salad. Persian essential.
Baghali Sabz
Persian fresh fava beans - simple steamed favas with dill. Spring snack.
Polo ba Morgh
Persian chicken polo - simple saffron rice with tender chicken. Everyday.
Baghali Sabz (Persian Steamed Fava Beans)
A simple and refreshing Persian spring snack featuring tender fava beans steamed in their pods and seasoned with salt. Traditionally enjoyed by squeezing the beans out of the pod and dipping them in vinegar.
Bai Qie Ji (Cantonese White Cut Chicken)
A classic Cantonese dish, Bai Qie Ji, or White Cut Chicken, celebrates the pure, delicate flavor of chicken. The bird is gently poached to tender perfection, then served with a vibrant and aromatic ginger-scallion oil. This recipe focuses on simple techniques to highlight the natural taste of high-quality chicken.
Bánh Đúc
A delightful and simple Vietnamese savory steamed rice cake, often made with rice flour and tapioca starch, layered with savory mung beans, and finished with fragrant scallion oil. It's a comforting dish that's both soft and satisfying.
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.
Hiyayakko (Cold Tofu)
Hiyayakko is a quintessential Japanese summer dish featuring chilled silken tofu served with simple, fresh toppings. It's celebrated for its refreshing simplicity and delicate flavors.
Kai Jeow (Thai Omelet)
A simple yet incredibly satisfying Thai home-style omelet, known for its crispy edges and fluffy interior. It's traditionally deep-fried until puffed and golden, then served immediately over steamed rice with a side of Sriracha for a quick and flavorful meal.
Kongnamul Guk (Korean Soybean Sprout Soup)
A simple, refreshing, and deeply comforting Korean soybean sprout soup, often hailed as a potent hangover remedy. Its clean flavor and delicate texture make it a staple in Korean households.
La Chang Fan (Chinese Sausage Rice)
A comforting and flavorful Cantonese dish featuring sweet and savory lap cheong (Chinese cured sausage) steamed directly over jasmine rice. The rendered fat from the sausage infuses the rice with its delicious essence, creating a simple yet satisfying meal. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Labneh (Strained Yogurt)
A luxuriously thick and creamy Middle Eastern strained yogurt, essential for any mezze spread. Traditionally served drizzled with fragrant extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of earthy za'atar, perfect for scooping with warm pita bread.
Lugaw (Filipino Rice Porridge)
A comforting and simple Filipino rice porridge, often enjoyed as a hearty street breakfast. This is the plain base version, perfect for customization.