5 Exceptional Dishes You Have Probably Never Heard Of
Let’s face it, we like to stick to the foods that we are comfortable with and will always satisfy our hunger. But think of all the dishes that have not been recognized enough and are just waiting for your attention and an empty stomach! From savory to sweet, here are a couple of unique dishes from around the world that you have probably never heard of and will make your mouth water after hearing a little bit about them!
1. Khachapuri
First on our list of unique dishes, unlike its complicated name, this cheesy Georgian dish is made with simple, yet incredibly mouthwatering ingredients. The term “Khachapuri” in English is defined as a “cheese boat” because you are quite literally eating cheese and bread that are carefully baked in a boat-like manner. Have you ever heard of a cheese boat? We didn’t think so!
The primary components that make up the amazing “Khachapuri” are cheese, egg, and flour which are all contained between a thin layer of bread. However, there are different styles of “Khachapuri” depending on the region of Georgia. That is, in the west, this dish is larger and naturally considered as a main course meal, while in other parts of Georgia, this dish is smaller and considered to be go-to street food.
Although a hard find in North America, there are a handful of Georgian restaurants that might be near you, especially if you live in New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. So if you are in the area, make sure to check out these restaurants because you will not want to pass up this opportunity to try the cheese boat! Will you be able to handle its great cheesy power?
2. Patatas Bravas
If you have been to Spain, you have probably tried the famous Tapas, which are considered to be bite-sized appetizers that are usually shared among a group of people. You have also probably picked out “croquetas” to be a part of your Tapas order, instead of this amazing dish. In Spain, they value potatoes and thus create many unique dishes that contain potatoes or patatas within your Tapas order.
Within the assortments of Tapas, there is an underrated dish called “Patatas Bravas” which is directly translated to “spicy potatoes”. Now, this dish is made from diced potatoes that are fried and to finish off, are neatly placed in a special sauce. Although Tapas are the most renowned form of food in Spain and is something that many North Americans are wary about, you might not have known that this dish is also a choice in fulfilling your Tapas order.
The next time you go to a Spanish restaurant and order Tapas, make sure to load up on those unique spicy potatoes instead of the “croquetas”, which I know, are also delicious and we would not blame you if you picked both!
3. Mixed Berry Pavlova
Now for something sweet! The Mixed Berry Pavlova is a popular Australian dessert, despite being named after a Russian ballerina. This sweet was named after the dancer, Anna Pavlova, during the 1920s after her performance in Australia and New Zealand. So I guess you can consider yourself to be eating a delicious tribute to an amazing ballerina!
This is a treat that is widely indulged in at gatherings such as birthdays, holidays, and other special events. This dessert is considerably lightweight compared to other cakes because it is made with meringue. Meringue consists of whipped egg white and sugar which is definitely an easy recipe compared to other cakes or pastries found in North America. This sweet is topped off with some lovely berries and whipped cream to give this treat a nice sweet and fruity taste. I would recommend booking a flight to Australia to get your hands on this amazing sweet!
4. Okonomiyaki
So you might have heard of sushi, but have you tried the Okonomiyaki? The Okonomiyaki is a dish that is not recognized by more than 70% of North Americans. This savory dish is a popular choice for the Japanese and it is directly translated to “Japanese savory pancake”. It is considered to be a must-have for many because it is a unique dish that is made from the primary ingredient of cabbage!
It is in fact served like a pancake, but do not let that fool you with its taste! The Okonomiyaki is served with cabbage which is the main ingredient along with pork belly slices. To finish off this lovely dish, it is sprinkled with some Tempura scraps and sauce. Compared to other unique dishes, it is a healthy dish giving you both protein and vegetables in one pancake form. The next time you order at a Japanese restaurant, make sure to search and ask for the Okonomiyaki, you definitely will be craving to go back!
5. Peeping Mushroom Pasta
Maybe you want to try something that is simple, yet easy to make? You should try making the peeping mushroom pasta, which to your surprise, the ingredients are mentioned right in the name! The base of this savory dish consists of pasta and melted cheese of your choosing. However, do not grab for just any mushroom, try to go for some exotic Asian mushrooms to give your dish a cool look. The mushrooms that you should keep your eyes peeled for are thin and tall, which should be placed in each Penne pasta.
This dish is perfect if you want to cook up something simple and also want something on the go and not messy. By putting the Peeping Mushroom Pasta in a small jar such as the one shown below, you will be able to take this easy and unique dish anywhere you want, whether that is on a road trip or at work!
And voíla! You have successfully made the Peeping Mushroom Pasta, which is always great when having guests over so they can idolize your cooking and presentation.
