If you’re in need of a vacation, but can’t seem to find the time for one, you can at least deceive your taste buds into thinking they’re not in Kansas anymore. Introduce them to a few new flavors and you might just find yourself getting a few recipe ideas in the process. Every week, I make it a point to cook at least one foreign dish. I feel it not only gives me a greater appreciation of the world, but I’ve also noticed it enhances my future cooking experiences. For instance, I might use a few spices I never would’ve even considered purchasing in the first place. As a result, a bland and boring everyday meal gets transformed into a dish packed with a plethora of different colorful flavors. Think of the beautiful fusion dishes all those wonderful chefs create, you might be able to make one for your family right at home!

If you’re dreaming of the green, lush hills of Ireland, then escape into your kitchen for a few hours and get inspired by a Colcannon recipe like this one. Together, the nutmeg and thyme will create a deep flavor that might be new to you; with milk as the broth’s base, this dish will leave you full and satisfied.

If you’re looking for a more exotic meal, something like African Peanut Soup is the exciting, stew-like dish that has your name on it. The creaminess of the peanut butter combined with juicy tomatoes and noodles or rice gives this soup a texture that’s all its own.

Now lets travel North from Africa and make our way to the Mediterranean region. Italian sounds good, but how about something from Spain? 1SWEDEGIRL shares her recipe for Tortilla’s Española. These are a lot different from Mexican tortillas. They’re loaded with a delicious combination of onions, potatoes, and even olive oil. These sounds like my kind of tortillas, I just might have to make them this weekend.