4 Asian Meal Ideas From Across The Continent

Asian cuisine is as versatile as it is tasty. With options for tongues that can handle the heat as well as those who are a little less daring in the chilli department, Asian food often involves a fusion of meats, herbs and spices cooked in fragrant oils, fats and sauces. But which part of the continent tickles your taste buds the most?

East Asian Cuisine - Chinese

One of our true loves when it comes to the nation’s favourite takeaway, Chinese is one of the most popular cuisines from East Asian cultures eaten in the UK. But just because you can grab your favourite from down the road with the tap of an app, doesn’t mean you should! Don’t you think it’s time for something new?

Recommended meal to try…

Sweet and Sour Chicken

A Chinese classic, trying your own sweet and sour chicken allows you to tweak the recipe to your exact taste, so you can get it just right. The perfect mix between sweet vegetables and carefully spiced chicken, it’s a complex array of flavours that tastes that much better when made from scratch.

Southeast Asian Cuisine - Thai

For some of the best Asian recipes, try a taste of Thailand. An extremely versatile food, Thai food is often identified by strong aromas and spices while not being too heavy. Combining meat and fresh fish with staples like noodles and rice – Thai food combines strong, bold flavours with those lighter and more aromatic, and with great results. Time to let your kitchen in on the secret…

Recommended meal to try…

Thai Red Curry

Brother of the slightly milder green curry (which has a little more lemongrass), the Thai Red curry is made with red chillies rather than green, making it a touch hotter. As a coconut based curry, however, it is fairly mild when compared to other curries across the continent. Give it a try and serve up with sticky jasmine rice for a true taste of Thailand!

South Asian Cuisine - Indian

Influenced by both culture and region, authentic Indian cuisine varies massively across the country. Fresh herbs and spices play a big part of Indian cuisine, as do a wide variety of flatbreads – often substituted for rice and put to best use when mopping up a curry. So, what Indian Cuisine can you bring to your home?

Recommended meal to try…

Chicken Biryani

One of a small number of dry Indian dishes, Chicken Biryani is one of the best Asian dishes to try if you’re more experimental in the kitchen. Combining fresh vegetables and spices to form a fragrant paste, biryani dishes are made by cooking the rice and meat together for high intensity flavour in a one-pot dish. Any additional sauce can then be added once complete, and a naan for dipping never goes a miss!

West Asian Cuisine - Middle Eastern

A little lesser known and not traditionally eaten as much in UK homes, Middle Eastern cuisine pulls from a huge list of influences across the region to form fresh, flavoursome dishes incorporating meat, vegetables, breads, grains and herbs.

Recommended meal to try…

Lamb Kebabs

Verging almost on Mediterranean, kebabs can be found across many parts of Europe and Asia. Middle Eastern kebabs primarily use lamb, and are complemented by Levantine breads and dips, including hummus and harissa based sauces to really replicate a feel for the region.

So, are you going for Chinese or Thai? Indian or Middle Eastern? The Asian continent has a lot to offer when it comes to culinary delights. From breads and grains to meat and vegetable medleys – once you’ve started your Asian dinner recipes journey… you may not be able stop.

Grab the ingredients you need from your local convenience store, and don’t forget to share your creations with us on social!