Taste of Health Francesca Ballicu | 7 years ago

Eat Your Way Around the World with These International Foods

Sample flavors from around the globe with these quick and healthy international recipes.

Grab a napkin – because you don’t need a passport to taste all the vibrant flavors of the world. From fondue night to Jamaican jerk chicken to gyros to shrimp pasta – your options for international recipes are pretty much limitless. “When you cook popular dishes from around the world, it gives you the chance to use different spices,” says Abby Rowe, Dietitian Nutritionist with Carolinas HealthCare System. “From cinnamon, turmeric and cumin to ginger, garlic and cayenne pepper, spices can deliver a range of added health benefits. Some help with inflammation, others speed up your metabolism and some boost your immune system or may even help prevent cancer.” The next time you don’t know what to cook for supper, look for inspiration in traditional meals that get served up throughout the globe. Here are some to get you started.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Excite your taste buds with this mildly spiced Jamaican jerk chicken, which goes great with veggies, rice or coleslaw. What you need
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 cup chopped green onion
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon chopped ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1½ teaspoons ground allspice
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3 pounds skin-on, bone-in chicken pieces
  • Salt, to taste
How to make it
  • For marinade, combine all ingredients (except chicken) using a food processor.
  • Place chicken in a sealable bag, add marinade and coat chicken. Marinate at least four hours, or overnight, in the refrigerator.
  • Pre-heat grill to medium-high heat. Transfer chicken to a tray, sprinkle with salt.
  • Put chicken on the grill, turn to medium-low heat (about 350°F).
  • Cook 30-40 minutes, turning frequently.

Rotisserie Chicken Gyro

As easy as it is kid-friendly, this gyro recipe transforms store-bought rotisserie chicken into a quick, Greek classic. What you need
  • ½ cup thinly sliced white onion
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • Salt, pepper and sugar to taste
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
  • 4 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano, divided
  • 4 cups shredded roast or rotisserie chicken
  • ½ English cucumber, cut in half lengthwise, then sliced
  • 4 cocktail tomatoes, cut into sixths
  • 6 eight-inch pita breads
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup crumbled Greek feta cheese
How to make it
  • Combine onion with vinegar, salt, pepper and sugar in a medium bowl; toss and set aside.
  • Over medium-low heat, sauté two tablespoons of olive oil, garlic and three teaspoons of oregano for about one minute.
  • Add chicken and toss for about two minutes.
  • Combine cucumber, tomato, remaining olive oil and oregano to onion mixture.
  • Warm pitas in the oven or microwave.
  • Spread pitas with Greek yogurt and top with chicken, cucumber salad and a sprinkle of feta.

Lemon Basil Shrimp and Pasta

This one-pot dish features the bright flavors of lemon and basil, the filling power of pasta – and it goes great on focaccia bread. What you need
  • 3 quarts water
  • 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
  • 1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
  • 3 tablespoons drained capers
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups baby spinach
How to make it Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a Dutch oven. Add pasta; cook 8 minutes. Add shrimp; cook about 3 to 5 minutes – then drain. Place pasta mixture in a large bowl. Stir in basil and next 4 ingredients (through salt). Place ½  cup spinach on each of 4 plates; top with 1½ cups pasta mixture.
It can be fun to travel the world through your taste buds. But when you’re sick, the last thing you want to do is travel, let alone move. Well, with Virtual Visit from Carolinas HealthCare System, you can get relief for dozens of common conditions, including the flu, pink eye and sinus infections – all from the comfort of home. For just $49, you can have a video visit with a medical professional anytime, day or night, using your phone, tablet or computer. It only takes a matter of minutes and you can even get a prescription, if needed. With Virtual Visit, it’s easy to get better on your schedule. Sign up free. Do you wish you had a community to inspire you and support the choices you make to improve your family’s nutrition habits? Now you do. Join the conversation, or start your own, using #TasteOfHealth.