Over the years I have enjoyed many great dishes and treats from around the world, including one of my favourites Key Lime Pie. What do you do when you could just go that one thing? Yes, create it at home. I'm not a chef or a cook by any means but when the going gets tough, the tough get going. If I can do it, you can too! Here's what you need to create your five-course menu.
Travel Inspired Five Course Menu You Can Create At Home
I don't know about you but during the lockdown, I too have succumbed to baking and cooking. So glad I have. Here are some of my favourite dishes I have made, inspired by travel.
Spring Rolls - Vietnam
The national dish of Vietnam is considered to be the spring roll. One of the most popular staples believed to have originated from China. Mostly consumed in Spring with fresh vegetables, shrimp and mung beans. I love to dip mine in peanut sauce.
They make excellent entree finger food.
French Onion Soup - France
French Onion soup is not only delicious but it's so easy to make!
The modern recipe dates to the 18th century but has been said to date further back with onions easy to grow and plentyful in France.
Recipe:
15g butter
tbsp vegetable oil
750g onions peeled and thinly sliced
2tsp flour
1 litre vegetable or beef stock
Method:
Heat butter and oil in a large pan. Fry onion over a low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until caramelised. Add flour and stir for 1 minute.
Add stock and stir until smooth. Simmer for 30 minutes.
You can then add your own fresh croutons or buy some already made. Then sprinkle with your favourite cheddar cheese. Yum.
Napoli Margherita Pizza - Italy
Last summer I had the best time taking a local cooking class with Cook In Milano.
In a small group of six, we learnt how to make the famous Napoli Margherita pizza (named in honour of the Queen of Italy Margherita during her visit to Naples in 1889), Spaghetti and Tiramisu. Afterwards, we all sat down together to enjoy the fruits of our labour, washed down with local wine. It was brilliant! Highly recommend.
The traditional Italian recipes are easy to follow and are delicious.
Keylime Pie - Key West, Florida
Since working on cruise ships and visiting the famous Key Lime Shoppe in the Florida Keys, I have had cravings for the delicious key lime treats. Have you visited and tried the ice cream? Wow!
Key Lime Pie is said to have originated in the 1890s in Key West, a seaport in the southwest of Florida. Named after both Key West and the key lime fruit that grows in abundance.
The BBC Good Food Key Lime Pie Recipe is brilliant. I used a pie dish from Ikea instead of a baking tin and it worked perfectly (there are others available). The recipe serves 8, with only two of us during lockdown it was rather indulgent. It kept well over a couple of days in the fridge.
Tablet - Scotland
Here in the UK, it's quite common to finish a meal with a cup of coffee or tea and on the side have a little biscuit, mint creme and in Scotland a bit of tablet.
Scottish Tablet dates back to the 1700s and has been immortalised by Maw Broon (A Scottish fictional character in the Broon series). Created with condensed milk and sugar. It's a very sweet treat!
Sorry, I'm unable to share the secret family recipe (wink) but here is a traditional homemade Scottish Tablet recipe from my good friend Sonja at Scottish Scran. You might also like to try the Scottish Tablet Ice Cream and the decadent Scottish Tablet Cheesecake recipe.
I hope you have enjoyed reading, inspired to get creative in the kitchen and make your own menu inspired by world cuisine.
Do you have a favourite dish, family recipe or travel-inspired dish? Comment below, I would love to hear.
Until next time...