Adventurous Recipes

Take meals to another level with these exciting recipes that deliver full and intense flavor in every bite. From chiles rellenos to Korean tacos, there’s something new and delightful to be found that everyone will enjoy trying for the first time.

First up is Chiles Rellenos Made Easy. A favorite at Mexican restaurants, this homemade version is easier and lighter, and delivers plenty of wow with a homemade sauce and creamy goat cheese.

Romesco comes from Spanish cuisine; nuts thicken the base, made of roasted red bell peppers. (For the best flavor, roast your own fresh peppers.) Serve this warm, cheesy dip with crostini or other thin slices of lightly toasted bread.

Red grapefruit juice and Cointreau combine for this riff on a Salty Dog. As the name implies, a dash of salt is put in the cocktail or on the rim. Squeeze your own juice to get the grapefruit’s sweetest flavor. Make the juice mixture up to one day ahead, and chill.

Cilantro, chipotle hot sauce, corn, black beans, and green onion lend fantastic south-of-the-border flavor to this shrimp-topped taco salad.

Flank steak is widely available and easy to recognize by its long, flat shape and distinctive longitudinal grain. Cutting across the grain breaks up the muscle fibers for more tender slices.

Saffron and a bit of sherry vinegar lift stew from pedestrian to exciting. Chorizo comes in two forms: Mexican chorizo is a fresh pork sausage; the Spanish type, used to flavor this recipe, is cured and firm.

Take a twist on traditional Mexican tacos by filling them with succulent flank steak, marinated in a soy sauce and chile paste marinade. Serve with cooked rice tossed with a tablespoon of toasted sesame oil.

A delicious combination of rice and vegetables, this signature Korean dish is worth the effort. As you prepare each component, place hot food on a jelly-roll pan and keep in a warm oven.

Here’s an exciting wake-up call: Eggs gently cooked in an Indian-inspired tomato sauce. Make this dish less spicy by removing the jalapeño’s seeds.

Ah, the extraordinary egg. A perennial brunch favorite, eggs have also become a mainstay on the dinner table. Here, we pulled together a collection of elegant, supper-worthy egg dishes that deserve a spot in your weeknight repertoire.

First up, Eggs Barbacoa. Because you have to cook the beef a day in advance, you’ll get a head start on this hearty meal. You’ll have to use more beef than necessary–use it for another meal to avoid wasting ingredients.

This hash is equally good as a breakfast-for-dinner. Sweet potatoes and sliced mushrooms add an interesting twist to this familiar comfort food. Although the pork takes a while to cook, the simmering is hands-off time.

A Spanish version of crème brûlée, this luscious custard is just the thing to make for your sweetheart—or to enjoy as a calm, meditative treat. If you don’t have a kitchen blowtorch, caramelize the sugar under the broiler for a minute.

Spoon this dip into a baking dish up to a day ahead, but top with panko and chives just before baking. If it’s chilled, leave the dish out at room temperature while the oven preheats. Serve with toasted baguette slices.

A classic Greek sauce of creamy yogurt and cucumber makes the base of this tangy salad. Make this part of a salad plate combo—offer a mixed green salad and a fruit salad to go with it.

Turn dinner into an adventurous trip to Southeast Asia: Coconut milk balances the heat from the ginger, garlic, and sambal oelek. The fish sauce won’t make the soup taste fishy; instead, it adds a needed depth of flavor.

Fresh seafood will mentally transport you to the beach in minutes. Cook clams within 24 hours of purchasing in order to ensure freshness. Be sure to throw out any clams that don't close their shells when tapped.

A touch of curry powder and jalapeño give the stew a warming flavor that’s not overwhelmingly hot from spice.

The inspiration for these fajitas is the gyro, the Greek lamb-filled pita sandwich. Make the sauce first so it can chill while the lamb marinates.

The Lebanese often use ground lamb, but this version calls for ground beef. The rice is precooked to ensure there are no crunchy bits in the flavorful meat mixture. Take a bite—you’ll see why this is a globetrotter’s comfort food.

Go on a culinary journey first thing in the morning, and enjoy this Middle Eastern–inspired breakfast with crisp pita toasts. Or, to make a breakfast buffet, serve with a simple cucumber salad and baba ghanoush.