Travel With Your Taste Buds: International Recipes To Try at Home - House of Kerrs (2024)

April is one of our favourite months to travel. It usually marks the end of a long Winter & demanding hockey schedule – our time to exhale & connect as a family off the grid. I think we’re all missing those escapes fiercely that were part of our well-being…something wanderlusty to look forward to. We’ve had to cancel all of our family travel plans & partnerships, and while it’s a total bummer, dreaming isn’t cancelled. We’ve been talking about the first places we’ll visit when this circ*mstance lifts and trying out some flavourful recipes from our favourite/bucket list places to add some cultural diversity to la cucina. We hope you’ll take some adventures in cooking of your own & Travel With Your Taste Buds with these International Recipes To Try at Home from some of our favourite travel partners, bloggers & foodie families until we can wander again!

Canada

Our home & native land, but for our international readers, if there are dishes your family should try that are quintessential Canadian, Poutine & Maple Syrup-Infused anything would be our top picks! Visit HERE for 50 sweet & savoury recipes made with Maple Syrup.

And learn how to make Classic Canadian Poutine below. The Lobster Hommard version on our trip to Quebec was out of this world ah-mazing too!

Video Source: Tasty

Aruba

‘One Happy Island’ of Aruba is bursting with flavour as its cuisine has influences from all over the globe. Try an authentic Aruban recipe HERE. If you’ll be visiting soon, we share some of our favourite ways to savour Aruba as first-timers HERE.

The Bahamas

One of our favourite family destinations of all, in large part because of the Bahamian cuisine! Think rock lobster, conch everything, rum cakes & the Bahama Mama! You can find recipes for many of the islands’ authentic dishes HERE (Conch fritters, Conch Chowder, Johnny & Rum Cakes, and their signature co*cktails) & a Guide to the Best Drinks in The Bahamas HERE. Travel to Bahamas with your taste buds!

Costa Rica

A family bucket list destination, try the authentic Picadillo di Papa – a savory combination of potatoes, chopped bell peppers, onions, and ground or shredded meat – and wash it down with a traditional Costa Rican smoothie – the Batidos to bring the Costa Rican “Pura Vida” to your kitchen!

Germany

One of the most unforgettable experiences of my 20s was visiting Munich for Oktoberfest & immersing in authentic German culture + cuisine (and of course, the Bavarian beer ;)). Learn more about Germany’s culinary diversity & even how to make a traditional dish with Chefs from the various regions across the country at Germany Tourism

Greece

A guys’ trip to Greece is a major highlight of Dad Chef’s life, and until we can explore the sights & eats of this gorgeous country, try these simple (with Mom Kerr’s homemade dressing) , and give MommyGearest’s homemade Tzatziki a spin for dipping.

Iceland

Soaking in the sights & northern lights of Iceland is a dream, but until then, experience the tastes of Iceland from home with these tempting dishes rounded up by Canadian family travel bloggers – Wandering Wagers – Easy Icelandic Recipes including family-friendly dishes like soup, pancakes & cake!

Italy

You know Italia has a special place in my heart – it’s my Father’s birthplace & where family still resides, where I studied in my final year of University as an exchange student & returned with Dad Chef just before we started la famiglia. I may be biased, but the worldwide culinary influence of Italy is immense, and it all begins with simple recipes we watch our Nonnas and loved ones cook from scratch with simple local ingredients.

It’s been an honour to share some of the classic Italian recipes from my own upbringing with you guys here (simplified to make it as uncomplicated as possible).

You should also check out Visit Italy for simple family recipes, 15 Italian Recipes for Beginner Cooks,Nonna’s Pasta Making Class , any of these popular Italian cooking shows on TLN (I’m especially loving David Rocco’s Dolce Italia – a true culinary travel experience through some of the best regions of Italy) …and of course, all the food envy for Giada on Food Network’s Everyday Italian!

India

There are so many tastes of India we love, and can’t wait to try this Indian Spiced Roasted Cauliflower vegan recipe from Torontonicity.com. We also love this simple Homemade Naan Tutorial from Just Nicole

Ireland

Irish roots run through our family – on my maternal side, and DadChef’s paternal side. An ancestral travel trip to the Emerald Isle is on the bucket list. Try these easy St. Patrick’s Day appetizers in the spirit of shamrock-shaped things – Creamy Cucumber Crostini, Shamrock Dip Veggie Platter & no-fuss Shamrock-shaped Sugar Cookies! All easy enough for your little leprechauns to partake in for St. Paddy’s Day or Irish Heritage Month!

And/or try this “smashed potato” twist on a classic Irish Shepherd’s pie!

Jamaica

We fell madly in love with the Island during our MoBay vacation last Fall and can’t wait to return. Until then, try a meal with an authentic jerk marinade by Chef Noel Cunningham, or head over to Visit Jamaica’s Instagram page for live demos from some of their top Chefs on IGTV or YouTube, including more from Chef Noel Cunningham and also The Rousseau Sisters & Chef Andre Fowles.

Jerk Chicken Dinner made with Chef Noel Cunningham’s Jerk Marinade (p. 184 in his “Cuisine by Noel” cookbook) Delish! I am always up to travel to Jamaica with my taste buds!

Mexico

So many memories through our lives were made in Mexico – where we dated, honeymooned & had some of our favourite vacations with the kids. Get your does of Mexican gastro-envy over at Taste of Mexico, take a Mexican cooking Masterclass with Gabriela Camara, try our Mexican Stuffed Peppers, or some of these dishes inspired by authentic recipes from Mexico:

You should also try my favourite co*cktail from our trip to Playa Mujeres – the Iceberg (combo of margarita + cerveza).

North & South Korea

One of our readers submitted this Bulgogi recipe – a delicacy meaning “fire meat” enjoyed in both North & South Korea. You can enjoy it on it’s own, or make lettuce wraps with leaf lettuce, rice, bulgogi and the red bean paste called Gochujang you can grab at an Asian food market (or you use sriracha as an alternative)! Thanks so much for sharing this with us @YoungLovingLife – travel to North/South Korea with your taste buds!

Peru

Most noted for Ceviche, there is SO much more to Peruvian fare. This Lomo Saltado (a stir-fried beef dish) is simple to make and full of flavour! Find out more about this incredible country & Peruvian culinary inspo at Marca Peru’s Youtube space.

Spain

When I was 17 years old, I was lucky enough to get to join some girlfriends on my first sans parents trip to Europe – destination the spectacular nation of Spain. The beauty of the experience is hard to sum up in words – the historical landmarks, the lively culture, the endearing people and the incredible food collectively left a forever mark on my heart.

Here is a simplified version of a traditional, signature dish of Spanish cuisine – the Tortilla Espanola(Spanish Omelette also known as Tortilla de Patatas). Using very basic ingredients you likely already have on-hand (eggs, potatoes and onion), this simple, versatile dish can be enjoyed as breakfast, lunch or dinner or as the way Spaniards enjoy it – as a tapa (an appetizer or a snack).

Sri Lanka

One of our favourite travel & food blogging families Parenting to Go has lots of yummy South Asian recipes & your guide on all the authentic dishes of Sri Lanka. This Sri Lankan Apple Curry looks like one we need to try!

South African

Recommended by one of our readers & nationals of South Africa, she said giving this signature dish Bobotie a try is a must to travel with your taste buds to South Africa!

West African

We gave a meal kit delivery service a go a few weeks ago when grocery delivery service was tough to nail down and purposely selected culturally diverse options, like the West African-Style Chicken Maafe with Tomato, Kohlrabi & Rice – SO DELISH!

Ukraine

Ukrainian roots run through our family on the kids’ paternal grandmother’s side (Andrew’s Mom) and this sacred homemade Perogi recipe passed down from Great Grandma Mary has been enjoyed in times of celebration and also provided comfort and moments to find emotional equilibrium through many hard periods of the last few years.

United States

Nothing reminds me more of my childhood family travel memories than our visits to the Sunshine State. A trip to the Florida Keys would be lovely right about now, but until then, we can try their signature Key Lime Pie made with the indigenous key lime fruit of the island.

Copyright: Fla-Keys.com

Our California getaway was one of the trips that got postponed due to travel restrictions, so we made these California Veggie Burgers to keep on Cali’ dreamin’.

Norman Love is a notable pastry chef, artisan chocolatier and native of The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel and has generously shared his drool-worthy Norman Love Chocolate Cake recipe – because cake is always a good idea!

Tapa Toro’s family resto in Kissimmee is known for it’s authentic Spanish cuisine, and I’m not sure if anything reminds me of my wonderful travels through Spain than the tastes of Paella & Sangria – two recipes Tapa Toro’s shows us how to make with our families to bring some Spanish tradition and flavour to our own kitchens!

More Multi-Cultural Cooking Inspo to Travel with Your Taste Buds

Culinary Dinner Adventures with TVO

TVO has a great What’s For Dinner learning channel where you can follow along as families prep culturally diverse meals in their kitchens.

Taste the Best of Disney Parks

So many fun, culturally diverse family recipes to try straight from Disney Parks around the world, or take co*cktail notes from the top Mixologists on Disney Cruise Line. We’re also loving the “Be Our Chef” series on Disney Plus. Disney Parks also revealed it’s secret & simple recipe to make their popular Dole Whip treat!You’ll love the endless Disney-inspired creations on DisneyFoodBlog.com too.

Pres Choice Cooking School

Go around the world with food creations from President’s Choice Chefs, learn kitchen hacks & go on worldly adventures on the culinary inspo portal PC Insiders Project that was originally only available to subscribers, now unlocked for all. We tried Chef Tom’s Carbonara Pasta recipe last week!

Learn a New Language While You Cook & Travel with Your Taste Buds

Learn a few words in the language of the dish you’re cooking with Babble’s resources for language learning in the kitchen

We’ll keep adding to this post as more of your recommendations come in. We hope at least one of these has sparked some inspo to travel with your taste buds with an adventure in cultured cooking in your family’s cucina (share on social if you can).

Keep well, eat well,

La Cucina di Kerrs

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