Pinch of Nom: Fusion Foods
For those days when you just can’t pick what to have for dinner, Fusion Food is the answer! Traditionally, fusion foods are recipes that mix and match ingredients and cooking methods from different types of cuisines, creating new dishes with the flavour of both worlds.
Over the years we’ve created lots of non-traditional recipes that merge elements from two classics together into one dish that’s got it all. Some happened by accident, others happened just because we couldn’t choose between our favourite foods! Either way, these fusion recipes are half one thing, half another, but altogether delicious.
Intrigued by the idea of some mix and match recipes? You’ll want to scroll to find out what happens when you put a classic Mexican inspired dish and an Italian style favourite together!
Comforting classics with a twist
Stuck between an Indian inspired or a classic British dish for tea? Our Chicken Korma Pie means you won’t have to choose! A mashup of a creamy chicken korma and a comforting Shepherd’s pie, this dish is fusion at its finest.
You get perfectly succulent chicken in a rich yet mild almondy sauce, topped off with fluffy mashed potatoes. Yum!
This dish is seriously creamy and indulgent – with no cream in sight. Instead, our non-traditional recipe calls for some light coconut milk, which adds plenty of flavour, with far fewer calories.
Delicately spiced, a korma is always a family friendly choice. With plenty of mash on top, this dish is so filling too. Serve it on its own or with a good handful of fresh veggies for a hearty and satisfying midweek meal.
Fusion food doesn’t have to be all about mixing two completely different cuisines – if you’re less adventurous in the kitchen you can create delicious new dishes just by combining two traditional British recipes.
This Chicken Bacon and Leek Cottage Pie is the perfect example. Often found as the filling in a traditional pastry-topped pie, we’ve used a creamy mixture of chicken, bacon and leeks instead of the usual beef mince.
Simple and wholesome, this makes for a really comforting, hearty dish that you’ll want to make time and time again. A natural fusion of flavours, it tastes just like pie and mash, but without all the extra calories of the pastry.
Try serving with some fresh vegetables on the side and a good drizzle of gravy.
While we’re on the topic of classic British fusion foods, how does Fish and Chip Pie sound? The perfect Friday night dinner, this recipe will save you a trip to the chippy – and it’ll save on calories too!
To keep the recipe slimming friendly, our chips are baked in the oven instead of fried in oil. Layered on top of gently poached cod and vibrant mushy peas, finish off your Fish and Chip pie by giving the chips a good sprinkling of salt and vinegar.
With all the flavour fused into a pie you don’t need to serve this dish with anything else. Comforting and so filling, you won’t have to choose between the chippy and the pie shop!
What do you get if you cross a classic veggie side dish with everyone’s favourite cheesy pasta recipe? This Cauli Mac ’n’ Cheese of course!
It’s cauliflower cheese meets macaroni and cheese, and it’s such a good combination that we’re surprised we didn’t think of it sooner!
A perfect way to sneak more veggies into your diet, you’ll barely know the cauliflower is in there. It gets blended up into the sauce, making it thicker, creamier and oh-so-delicious.
In fact, once you’ve tried this recipe, we don’t think you’ll go back to making mac and cheese without the cauli!
Ready in half an hour and just 400 calories – fusion food doesn’t get better than this!
Creative combinations
If you’re a little more on the adventurous side when it comes to your meals, you might want to be extra creative with your fusion foods. Playing around with our favourite cuisines has helped us to create some seriously tasty dishes over the years!
Why choose between Mexican night and Italian when you can have both? This Enchilada Lasagne is a winner every time!
On first glance, you might take this for an ordinary (albeit gloriously golden and cheesy) lasagne, but one bite and you’ll realise it’s rather extraordinary.
With wraps instead of sheets of pasta, and a fiery chilli filling rather than a bolognese, this recipe shows that looks can be deceiving!
Enjoy it as a weekend dinner – it’s rich, spicy and just so satisfying.
While you might not think Mexican and Italian inspired flavours are natural partners, we’ve paired them up again for this Cheesy Fajita Orzotto. This is true fusion food – it’s part fajitas, part pasta dish and part risotto!
We’re obsessed with orzo. If you’ve never tried it, orzo looks a little like rice but it’s actually pasta! You can find it in almost any supermarket on the pasta aisle. We’ve used it instead of rice in this recipe to create a creamy, indulgent tasting dish that has a really similar texture to a risotto.
The fajita seasoning adds a good kick of heat, which gets balanced out perfectly by plenty of mellow, gooey cheese melted into the sauce. Our mouths are watering just thinking about it!
Maybe you’re planning a Fakeaway night for dinner one day this week – will you go for burgers or burritos? You guessed it…you can have BOTH!
These Burrito Burgers are messy to eat, like all the best fakeaways should be. Every bite will get your taste buds tingling with a mixture of peppery spices and classic burger goodness.
Can’t stand the heat? The beauty of making your own burgers is that you can easily adapt them to suit your tastes. Go as heavy handed with the chilli as you like – or leave it out entirely if you prefer.
This recipe even includes a punchy burrito salsa that brings the whole dish to life. The flavours are bursting with freshness from the juicy tomatoes, avocado, lime and coriander. It’s SO good!
If you’ve ever been sitting in an Italian restaurant struggling to decide between pasta and risotto, this one’s for you.
Carbonara Risotto may be far from traditional but we couldn’t help ourselves. It’s just TOO delicious. Imagine it now – salty cubes of gammon and sliced mushrooms in a creamy, cheesy, rich risotto. Hungry yet?
Although a classic carbonara is hard to beat, we think this fusion of flavours works so well. Like any risotto, it takes a little bit of effort to make, but it’s worth it for a hearty bowl of the two best dishes Italy has to offer!
Can’t decide on dessert?
Fusion food doesn’t have to be just for your main course. When it comes to planning a meal, we think it’s even harder to choose what’s for pudding. We always want it all!
The good news is that sweet flavours can be mashed together just as well as savoury, creating new twists on all your favourite dessert foods.
These Black Forest Desserts take the classic chocolate and cherry flavouring from a traditional German recipe and combine it with a layered design like a British trifle. You end up with layers of fluffy chocolate sponge cake, rich chocolate sauce and sweet cherries, all topped with light aerosol cream.
It’s not your typical Black Forest Gateau, but it has all the same flavours and it’s far lighter – with just 305 calories in each serving.
How about some delicious Banoffee Tiramisu? Half English and half Italian inspired, it might sound a little odd but don’t judge it until you’ve tried it! Banana, caramel, chocolate and a hit of coffee – this recipe really has it all.
Served in a fancy dish, it’s a showstopper of a fusion dessert that’s sure to impress your family and friends.
The creamy tiramisu and slices of banana go together so well, with a drizzle of reduced caramel dessert topping adding that irresistible toffee flavour to finish it off. There’ll be empty bowls all round!
What’s your favourite Fusion Food?
If you can’t decide what’s on the menu tonight, we say have it all! Fusion foods are a great way to switch up your weekly meal plans, adding new flavours that you’ll look forward to.
Do you have a favourite fusion recipe? Head over to our Facebook Group to let us know! It’s a great place to share inspiration and find motivation for your slimming journey.