10 destination-inspired recipes to make you feel like you're on vacation
With the advice not to travel due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis and the country currently under lockdown, everyone's travel plans for the foreseeable future are now on hold. Tucking into a paella in Basque country, finding the best pho in Ho Chi Minh City, savoring the spiciest curry in Delhi or the drooling over the best steak in Buenos Aires now feels like a fantasy.
Many of you will be at home now for quite a while, so it's a good idea to bring the countries to you if you can't go to them. Below you will find 10 of the best recipes that you can easily make in the comfort of your own home.
France: Boeuf bourguignon
Beef bourguignon, also called beef burgundy, is a beef stew in red wine with carrots, onion and garlic. It's a hearty dish that can be made in a pot on the stove, slow cooker or pressure cooker. It can be adapted how you wish and you don't need to be a whiz in the kitchen to put this it together.
Tip: When slow cooking, you don't need to use expensive cuts of meat so use what meat fits your budget. Serve with mashed rutabaga and carrot for some extra vitamins and minerals.
Italy: Lasagna al forno
This is a lovely recipe for the whole family. You can make a big dish and freeze leftover portions. You can't cook this dish in a hurry; let it simmer away for at least two hours and the true Italian way is to use both pork and beef mince.
Tip: To make it healthier, use a layer of eggplant or zucchini so you have less pasta, fewer carbs and more vegetables.
Read more: Stuck at home? Here's what to do with all your travel wanderlust
Spain: Paella
This dish always looks like it is an effort to make but in fact, it's quite easy to do. The traditional dish calls for short-grain rice but you can use brown rice if you want more fiber. You can also add some leftover ingredients in your fridge and experiment with different vegetables.
Tip: Substitute the meat with seafood, which not only is delicious but a hit of zinc is great for your immune system.
India: Dal
This is a really simple dish and uses ingredients that can be stored in the cupboard. There's nothing unhealthy about this. It's rich in fiber, folate and also spices that have anti-inflammatory properties.
Tip: Skip the potatoes if you're watching your waistline. There is more than enough carbohydrate in the lentils.
Vietnam: Pho
Opting for pho is a great chance for a warming bowl of noodles and a lot of fresh vegetables. You can make pho plant-based with a vegan broth or a meat version with beef broth. Making broth at home is quite interactive so a good time to involve the family and according to pho experts, you should be slurping as you tuck in.
Tip: The more vegetables the better! This is your chance to get your daily intake in this dish.
Japan: Chicken katsu
This is a clear favorite when it comes to Japanese cuisine thanks to a surge of katsu-only restaurants recently. Also known as panko chicken, this schnitzel-like Japanese delicacy has a history going back to 1899. This dish is very versatile and can be used with pork, chicken, tofu or bean patty.
Tip: Just because the restaurant version doesn't contain many vegetables, doesn't mean you should do the same at home. Keep the curry as a dipping sauce if you want to make the dish healthier.
Morocco: Lamb tagine
If you have been to Morocco then you probably have fallen in love with its cuisine. Spicy, fruity and very versatile so you can adapt it to using either meats or beans. It's a very healthy, high-protein dish full of vitamins and minerals and good fats.
Tip: Swap the grains for cauliflower rice for a low-carb version of this dish.
Thailand: Chicken satay
Savor this dish while closing your eyes imagining you are at a bustling street market in Bangkok. The succulent chicken and peanut sauce just melt in your mouth. This recipe even uses honey over sugar which makes it a bit healthier than the refined sugar versions.
Tip: Serve with a bowl of crudities as the sauce is perfect for dipping.
Jamaica: Jerk chicken
For those that like a bit of spice will love jerk chicken. Jerk seasoning is based on two main ingredients -- Scotch Bonnet chili peppers (or habaneros) and Allspice. It's usually served with rice and beans and finished on a BBQ but a griddle pan is just fine.
Tip: Have some yogurt on standby if you find this dish too hot.
USA: Hamburgers
Everyone loves a good hamburger. There seems to be a fine art in perfecting the recipe though and making sure the burger is tender and juicy. Most recipes are a close-guarded secret but not this one -- the method in this recipe involves mashing bread crusts and milk in the initial stages.
Tip: Serve bunless if you are looking to lower the carbs in the dish. Have with a side salad instead.
Bottom line
Don't make cooking stressful. Look at the recipes — some are quite quick but others take a bit of time as they need to be slow-cooked. Dare to try a recipe you haven't tried before -- and look forward to when you can eat it in its hometown.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.