Cook something worth eating.
Original recipes across the world's food cultures — written for a normal kitchen, scalable to however many are eating, and adaptable to how you actually eat.
80 recipes· photographs on this page are AI-generated images of our own recipes
GhanaianRed Red (Ghanaian Peanut Stew) with Fried Plantain
A very inexpensive, filling Ghanaian stew of black-eyed peas cooked in a tomato–peanut sauce and served with sweet fried plantains. Hearty, pantry-friendly, and easy to stretch to feed four on a budget.
1 hr 20 min·mediumVegetarianVegan
SenegaleseMafé (Senegalese Peanut Stew) — Vegetarian
A rich, saucy Senegalese groundnut (peanut) stew made vegetarian with sweet potato, eggplant, okra and chickpeas. Hearty, tangy and deeply satisfying — serve over rice for a filling one-pot meal.
1 hr 10 min·mediumVegetarianVegan
EgyptianKoshari (Egyptian Lentil, Rice & Pasta Bowl)
Hearty, spice‑bright Egyptian street food of lentils, rice and macaroni topped with tangy tomato sauce, chickpeas and crisp fried onions — filling, inexpensive and fully vegetarian (vegan).
1 hr 10 min·mediumVegetarianVegan
TunisianLablabi — Tunisian Chickpea Stew (whole‑meal bowl with bread, harissa & tuna)
Hearty Tunisian chickpea stew (lablabi) served over torn stale bread and finished with harissa, olive oil, lemon and canned tuna — a cheap, filling one‑bowl meal with bright, bold flavors.
1 hr 20 min·mediumPescatarianDairy-free
IsraeliKubbeh Soup (Iraqi-Style Meat Dumpling Soup)
A warming Israeli-Middle Eastern soup of soft semolina dumplings filled with spiced ground meat, simmered with potatoes and carrots in a fragrant broth. It’s a satisfying one-bowl meal that’s great for company or leftovers.
1 hr 35 min·medium
LebaneseLoubieh bi Zeit — Lebanese Green Beans in Tomato & Olive Oil (One-Pot)
A classic Lebanese one-pot of green beans slowly braised in tomato, olive oil and warm spices. Minimal washing up, brightened with lemon — an easy vegan main or side.
45 min·easyVeganGluten-free
Sri LankanPolos (Sri Lankan Young Jackfruit Curry)
A classic Sri Lankan coconut curry using young (green) jackfruit simmered in spiced coconut milk until tender and richly flavored. Serve with steamed rice, string hoppers or hopper pancakes.
1 hr 5 min·mediumVeganVegetarian
BengaliBengali Moong Dal Khichuri (Rice & Yellow Lentil One‑Pot)
A simple, comforting Bengali khichuri — rice and split yellow moong dal cooked with potato, mild whole spices and onions. Very cheap to make, filling for four and easy in a single pot.
50 min·easyVegetarianVegan
PakistaniChana Masala (Pakistani Chickpea Curry)
Hearty, tangy chickpea curry flavored with toasted spices and simmered tomato-onion masala — a classic, budget-friendly Pakistani dish that's excellent for meal prep and naturally vegan.
1 hr 45 min·mediumVeganGluten-free
North IndianKadhi Pakora (North Indian Yogurt Curry with Chickpea Fritters)
A tangy, budget-friendly North Indian curry of whisked yogurt and chickpea flour studded with onion pakoras. Fills four on very little money and keeps well for easy reheating.
50 min·mediumVegetarian
IndonesianUrap Sayur — Indonesian Spiced Grated Coconut with Vegetables
Urap is a classic Indonesian side of steamed/blanched vegetables tossed with a fragrant, toasted grated coconut seasoned with shallot, garlic and chilies. It’s bright, textural and a great vegan accompaniment to rice or a mixed platter.
40 min·easyVegetarianVegan
FilipinoChicken Adobo (Make‑Ahead Filipino Braise)
A classic Filipino braise of garlicky, tangy-salty chicken that improves after resting. It refrigerates and reheats well, making it ideal for weekday meals.
1 hr 20 min·easy
ThaiKhao Tom Moo — Thai Rice Soup with Ground Pork (Budget Batch)
A simple, filling Thai rice soup built from cheap pantry staples and leftover rice. Gentle-flavored and quick to make, it feeds four on a very small budget and doubles easily for leftovers.
30 min·easy
KoreanDoenjang-jjigae (Vegetarian Korean Soybean-Paste Stew)
A classic, deeply savory Korean stew made without meat: umami-rich kelp and shiitake broth, hearty potato and tofu, and bright scallions—comforting enough to satisfy meat-eaters.
45 min·easyVegetarian
CajunCheap Cajun Red Beans & Rice (Ham Hock)
Classic Cajun red beans simmered with a smoked ham hock and the Trinity, served over plain rice — filling, inexpensive, and perfect for feeding four on a budget.
2 hr·easy
TrinidadianChicken Pelau (Trinidadian One‑Pot Rice with Pigeon Peas)
A classic Trinidadian one‑pot of caramelized chicken, pigeon peas and coconut‑scented rice. Cooked in a single heavy pot for deep, toasted flavor — great for family meals or make‑ahead lunches.
1 hr 20 min·mediumGluten-freeDairy-free
JamaicanBudget Jamaican Rice and Peas (One-Pot, with Fried Plantain)
A classic Jamaican-style rice and peas made cheaply with canned kidney beans and coconut milk, cooked in one pot and served with quick fried plantain for a filling, low-cost meal for four.
45 min·easyVegetarianVegan
ArgentineHumitas en Chala (Vegan Argentine Steamed Corn Parcels)
Soft, sweet‑savory corn parcels steamed in corn husks — a classic Argentine comfort dish. This plant‑based version uses soy milk and nutritional yeast for creaminess and umami without dairy.
1 hr 35 min·mediumVeganGluten-free
PeruvianLomo Saltado (Peruvian Beef Stir‑Fry with Crispy Potatoes)
A speedy Peruvian stir‑fry: thinly sliced beef seared over high heat with red onion, tomato and a punchy soy‑vinegar sauce, finished with crispy fries and cilantro. Ready on a weeknight in about 30 minutes.
30 min·easy
HungarianLecsó (Hungarian Pepper–Tomato Stew)
A classic, naturally gluten-free Hungarian summer stew of onions, sweet peppers and tomatoes seasoned with Hungarian paprika. Serve on its own, with rice or crusty gluten-free bread — a quick, one-pan comfort dish.
45 min·easyVegetarianVegan
HungarianJókai-style Bableves (Hearty Hungarian Bean Soup with Smoked Meats)
A classic Hungarian one-bowl meal: tender white beans simmered with a smoked hock, bacon and kolbász, root vegetables, paprika and a creamy sour-cream finish. Filling, smoky and perfect for a chilly night.
2 hr·medium
SpanishPisto Manchego (Spanish Ratatouille)
A rustic Castile-La Mancha vegetable stew of tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and eggplant cooked down until jammy. Serve warm as a side, over rice or topped with a salad for an easy vegetarian, naturally gluten-free meal.
1 hr·easyVegetarianGluten-free
ItalianSpaghetti Aglio, Olio e Pomodorini with Pangrattato
A lightning-fast, classic Italian weekday pasta: garlicky oil and blistered cherry tomatoes tossed with spaghetti and finished with crunchy toasted breadcrumbs (pangrattato) and lemon for brightness.
30 min·easyVegetarian
ItalianOne-Pot Pasta e Ceci (Pasta and Chickpeas)
A rustic Italian one-pot of chickpeas, tomatoes and short pasta that cooks in a single pot for minimal washing—hearty, budget-friendly and easy to scale.
45 min·easyVegetarianVegan