🍽️ KAREN TOP PICKS - Our Favorite International Recipes
A curated collection of beloved dishes from Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and France
Vietnamese Cuisine
Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)
Aromatic beef broth with rice noodles, herbs, and tender beef slices
INGREDIENTS:
Rice noodles, beef bones, star anise, cinnamon, onion, ginger, fish sauce, beef sirloin, bean sprouts, Thai basil, cilantro, lime
INSTRUCTIONS:
Char onion and ginger. Simmer beef bones with spices for 6+ hours. Cook noodles separately. Serve hot broth over noodles with raw beef slices and fresh herbs.
Banh Mi Sandwich
Crispy French baguette filled with Vietnamese-style meats and pickled vegetables
INGREDIENTS:
French baguette, pork pâté, Vietnamese ham, pickled daikon and carrot, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeños, mayonnaise
INSTRUCTIONS:
Toast baguette lightly. Spread pâté and mayo. Layer meats, pickled vegetables, cucumber, herbs, and peppers. Serve immediately.
Fresh Spring Rolls (Goi Cuon)
Light rice paper rolls with shrimp, herbs, and vermicelli
INGREDIENTS:
Rice paper, cooked shrimp, rice vermicelli, lettuce, mint, cilantro, peanut dipping sauce
INSTRUCTIONS:
Soften rice paper in warm water. Layer lettuce, herbs, noodles, and shrimp. Roll tightly. Serve with peanut sauce.
Indonesian Cuisine
Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice)
Fragrant fried rice with sweet soy sauce and topped with fried egg
INGREDIENTS:
Cooked rice, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), shallots, garlic, chili, shrimp paste, eggs, chicken or shrimp, cucumber, tomato
INSTRUCTIONS:
Fry aromatics, add protein, then rice. Season with kecap manis. Top with fried egg and fresh vegetables.
Rendang Beef
Slow-cooked beef in rich coconut curry until tender and caramelized
INGREDIENTS:
Beef chuck, coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal, chili paste, shallots, garlic, turmeric, kaffir lime leaves
INSTRUCTIONS:
Blend spice paste. Cook beef with coconut milk and spices for 3-4 hours until liquid reduces and beef is tender.
Gado-Gado
Indonesian salad with mixed vegetables and rich peanut sauce
INGREDIENTS:
Tofu, tempeh, boiled eggs, bean sprouts, cabbage, cucumber, peanut sauce, kerupuk (crackers)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Blanch vegetables. Arrange with fried tofu and eggs. Serve with generous peanut sauce and crackers.
Singaporean Cuisine
Hainanese Chicken Rice
Tender poached chicken with fragrant rice and three dipping sauces
INGREDIENTS:
Whole chicken, jasmine rice, ginger, garlic, pandan leaves, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili sauce, ginger sauce
INSTRUCTIONS:
Poach chicken with ginger. Cook rice in chicken stock. Serve sliced chicken over rice with three sauces.
Laksa
Spicy coconut curry noodle soup with prawns and fish cake
INGREDIENTS:
Rice noodles, coconut milk, laksa paste, prawns, fish cake, bean sprouts, boiled egg, cilantro
INSTRUCTIONS:
Simmer laksa paste with coconut milk. Add seafood. Serve over noodles with toppings.
Char Kway Teow
Stir-fried flat rice noodles with dark soy sauce and seafood
INGREDIENTS:
Fresh flat rice noodles, dark soy sauce, prawns, Chinese sausage, bean sprouts, chives, eggs
INSTRUCTIONS:
Stir-fry noodles over high heat with dark soy sauce. Add proteins and vegetables. Finish with egg.
French Cuisine
Coq au Vin
Chicken braised in red wine with mushrooms and pearl onions
INGREDIENTS:
Chicken pieces, red wine, bacon lardons, pearl onions, mushrooms, garlic, thyme, bay leaves, butter, flour
INSTRUCTIONS:
Brown chicken and bacon. Deglaze with wine. Add vegetables and herbs. Braise until tender, about 1 hour.
Ratatouille
Provençal vegetable stew with eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes
INGREDIENTS:
Eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, onion, garlic, herbes de Provence, olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
Sauté each vegetable separately. Combine and simmer with herbs until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
Crème Brûlée
Rich vanilla custard topped with caramelized sugar
INGREDIENTS:
Heavy cream, egg yolks, vanilla bean, sugar, pinch of salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
Heat cream with vanilla. Whisk with egg yolks and sugar. Bake in water bath. Chill, then torch sugar on top before serving.
📧 Have a Recipe We Should Feature?
Do you have a favorite Vietnamese, Indonesian, Singaporean, or French recipe that you think deserves a spot in our collection? We'd love to hear from you!
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