Trying something new in the kitchen doesn’t have to be hard. You can explore different spices, ingredients, or cooking styles; one meal at a time. These recipes are full of flavour, but super easy to make!

Why Try International Cooking?

Exploring new cuisines helps you:

• Discover exciting flavour combinations
• Learn useful cooking techniques
• Break out of mealtime boredom
• Impress family and friends with minimal effort

The best part? You can start with these beginner-friendly recipes that use ingredients you can find in most Nigerian markets.

3 Easy Global Recipes to Try This Week

Nigerian Suya on Skewers (West African Street Food)

Prep time: 20 minutes + 1 hour marinating | Cook time: 10 minutes

Suya is Nigeria’s famous street food that everyone loves! This spicy beef skewer is surprisingly simple to make at home.

First, make your suya spice (yaji): In a dry pan, lightly toast 4 tablespoons of groundnuts (peanuts) until fragrant. Let them cool, then grind them in a blender or food processor. Mix with 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of ginger powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt.

Slice 500g of beef (sirloin or ribeye works best) against the grain into small chops. Ideally, the pieces should be thin, flat pieces about ¼ inch thick, but for this recipe, we’re slicing them into chops. Place the beef in a bowl and coat with 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add half of your suya spice mixture and 1 tablespoon of grated onion. Mix well, cover, and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (overnight is even better).

Thread the marinated beef onto skewers in a zigzag pattern. Sprinkle more suya spice over both sides of the meat. Grill on a hot barbecue or in a preheated oven (200°C/400°F) for 3-5 minutes per side until the meat is cooked through but still juicy.

Serve hot with extra suya spice for dipping, and garnish with sliced onions, spring onions, tomatoes, and cabbage on the side (optional).

Make it easier: Buy ready-made suya spice from African grocery stores if available. You can also use chicken instead of beef for a lighter option.

Simple Beef Bourguignon (French-Inspired Stew)

Prep time: 25 minutes | Cook time: 2 hours (mostly hands-off)

This simplified version of the famous French beef stew brings rich flavors without complicated techniques. It’s perfect for weekend cooking when you want something impressive but easy.

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large pot or dutch oven. Season 1kg of cubed beef chuck with salt and black pepper, then brown in batches until golden (about 3-4 minutes per batch). Remove the beef and set aside.

In the same pot, add 1 large chopped onion, 4 sliced shallots, and 2 cloves of minced garlic. Cook until softened (about 5 minutes). Add 250g of sliced mushrooms and cook for another 3 minutes until they start to brown.

Return the beef to the pot and add 2 tablespoons of flour, stirring to coat everything. Pour in 2 cups of red wine (or beef stock if you prefer no alcohol) and 2 cups of beef stock. Add 3 bay leaves, 2 sprigs of thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried), 2 sliced carrots, and a pinch of sugar.

Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for about 1.5 to 2 hours until the meat is tender. Stir occasionally. The sauce should thicken as it cooks, but if it’s too thin, simmer uncovered for the last 15 minutes.

Serve with boiled rice or potatoes and garnish with fresh parsley.

Nigerian twist: Add 1 teaspoon of curry powder and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicier version that bridges French and Nigerian flavours!

Linguine with Peppers and Chicken Skewers (Italian-Nigerian Fusion)

Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes

This colorful pasta dish combines Italian simplicity with Nigerian flavour. It’s quick enough for weeknights but looks impressive enough for guests!

For the chicken skewers: Cut 500g of chicken breast into cubes. In a bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, 1 teaspoon of paprika, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Add the chicken pieces and mix well to coat. Thread onto skewers and set aside.

For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 400g of linguine pasta according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water.

While the pasta cooks, heat a grill pan or skillet and cook the chicken skewers for about 3-4 minutes per side until fully cooked and slightly charred.

In another large pan, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil and sauté 1 sliced onion until translucent. Add 1/2 sliced red bell pepper, 1/2 sliced yellow bell pepper, and 1/2 sliced green bell pepper, cooking until softened but still crisp (about 5 minutes). Add 2 cloves of minced garlic and cook for another minute.

Add the cooked pasta to the pepper mixture along with ¼ cup of reserved pasta water, 2 tablespoons of butter, and ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese (if available). Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated. If it seems dry, add more pasta water.

Serve the pasta topped with the chicken skewers and garnish with fresh basil leaves if available. For extra flavor, drizzle with a little more olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Nigerian style: Replace the dried herbs with 1 teaspoon of Nigerian curry powder in the chicken marinade for a familiar spicy kick!

Tips for Successful Global Cooking

1. Don’t worry about authenticity – Focus on flavour and enjoyment instead of perfect authenticity
2. Start with one new ingredient at a time rather than completely unfamiliar recipes
3. Adapt recipes to use local ingredients you can easily find
4. Taste as you go and adjust seasonings to your preference
5. Have fun with fusion – Mixing Nigerian flavours with global recipes often creates delicious results!

Let your tastebuds travel, right from your kitchen. The joy of exploring global flavours is that there are no strict rules – just delicious discoveries waiting to happen!

What international cuisine would you like to try cooking next? Share in the comments below!