staple Recipes
23 delicious staple recipes from around the world
Grechnevaya Kasha (Russian Buckwheat Porridge)
A staple in Russian cuisine, Grechnevaya Kasha is a hearty and nutritious porridge made from toasted buckwheat groats. It can be served as a simple side dish or a satisfying breakfast, often enhanced with butter or milk.
Knäckebröd (Swedish Crispbread)
Authentic Swedish crispbread, known as Knäckebröd, is a thin, dry, and crunchy flatbread that has been a daily staple in Swedish households for centuries. This recipe yields a traditional, slightly nutty flavor with a satisfying crunch.
Chapati
Chapati is a quintessential Indian unleavened whole wheat flatbread, cooked on a griddle (tawa) until it puffs up, signifying it's perfectly cooked. It's a daily staple across the Indian subcontinent.
Khao Neow (Thai Sticky Rice)
Khao Neow, or Thai sticky rice, is a fundamental staple of Isaan cuisine. This recipe details the traditional method of steaming glutinous rice in a bamboo basket, resulting in a delightfully chewy and fragrant side dish perfect for scooping up curries and sauces.
Roti (Chapati)
Soft, unleavened whole wheat flatbread, a staple in Indian cuisine. This recipe focuses on creating perfectly cooked rotis that puff up beautifully on a griddle (tawa) or directly over a flame.
Sambal Belacan
An essential and vibrant Malaysian chili condiment, Sambal Belacan is characterized by its pungent aroma and spicy kick, derived from fresh chilies and fermented shrimp paste (belacan). It's a staple served with rice dishes, grilled meats, and seafood.
Sambar
A flavorful and hearty South Indian lentil and vegetable stew, spiced with tamarind and aromatic spices. A staple accompaniment to many South Indian dishes.
Türk Pilavı (Turkish Rice Pilaf)
A classic Turkish rice pilaf, known as 'pilav', is a buttery, fragrant rice dish cooked to fluffy perfection. It's a staple accompaniment to many Turkish meals, prized for its delicate texture and rich flavor. This recipe focuses on achieving separate, tender grains of rice.
Arepas
Venezuela's staple - griddled corn cakes split open and stuffed with endless combinations of savory fillings. These arepas are naturally gluten-free and a versatile base for any meal.
Arroz Blanco (Venezuelan White Rice)
A simple yet essential Venezuelan white rice, cooked to fluffy perfection. This versatile side dish is a staple accompaniment to many traditional meals.
Caraotas Negras (Venezuelan Black Beans)
Slowly simmered, deeply flavorful Venezuelan black beans, sweetened with papelón and seasoned with cumin. A staple side dish, especially when served with Pabellón Criollo.
Aish Baladi (Egyptian Whole Wheat Flatbread)
Aish Baladi is the quintessential Egyptian whole wheat flatbread, often referred to as the 'daily bread'. This rustic pita-style bread is known for its characteristic puff during baking, which creates a natural pocket, making it perfect for scooping or filling. It's a simple yet essential staple in Egyptian cuisine.
Eba
Eba is a staple Nigerian dish made from fermented cassava flakes (garri) cooked into a stiff dough. It's a 'swallow' food, meaning it's typically eaten by hand, rolled into a ball, and dipped into various rich Nigerian soups like Egusi, Ogbono, or Efo Riro.
Fufu (Akpu)
A staple Nigerian 'swallow' made from fermented cassava, resulting in a smooth, stretchy dough with a characteristic mild sourness. It's designed to be eaten with hearty soups.
Krummelpap (Crumbly Maize Porridge)
A staple South African dish, Krummelpap is a drier, crumbly maize porridge, often served as a side dish. It's characterized by its texture, achieved through a specific cooking method, and is typically enriched with butter.
Niter Kibbeh (Ethiopian Spiced Clarified Butter)
Niter Kibbeh is a staple in Ethiopian cuisine, a deeply fragrant, spiced clarified butter that forms the flavor base for countless dishes. Its rich aroma and extended shelf life make it an essential ingredient.
Okele (Lafun)
Okele, also known as Lafun, is a staple Nigerian 'swallow' made from fermented cassava flour. It has a smooth, slightly chewy texture and a neutral flavor, making it the perfect accompaniment to a wide variety of rich and flavorful Nigerian soups.
Pounded Yam
A smooth, stretchy, and satisfying staple of Nigerian cuisine, traditionally made by pounding boiled yam until it achieves a dough-like consistency. It's often referred to as 'swallow' because it's used to scoop up soups and stews.
Roz bil Khalata (Egyptian Mixed Rice with Vermicelli)
A classic Egyptian everyday side dish, this simple yet flavorful mixed rice features tender grains of rice perfectly complemented by golden-brown toasted vermicelli. It's a staple that pairs beautifully with a wide variety of main courses.
Samp and Beans
A beloved Xhosa staple, this dish features dried corn kernels (samp) and sugar beans slow-cooked to tender perfection. It's a hearty and comforting meal, famously a favorite of Nelson Mandela.
Tuwo Shinkafa
A smooth, starchy rice dough, traditionally served as a staple 'swallow' in Northern Nigerian cuisine, perfect for soaking up flavorful soups.
Ugali na Sukuma Wiki
A quintessential Kenyan staple, Ugali na Sukuma Wiki is a hearty and satisfying meal. It features a dense, firm maize porridge (ugali) served alongside vibrantly sautéed collard greens (sukuma wiki). This dish is a cornerstone of daily sustenance across East Africa.
Uphuthu (Crumbly Maize Meal)
Uphuthu is a traditional South African dish, often referred to as Zulu-style pap. It's characterized by its distinct crumbly texture, achieved by cooking maize meal until it separates into small, dry granules. It is traditionally served with amasi (fermented milk) for a tangy contrast.