Today I present to you 10 recipes that taste like a vacation, and man are they good ones. There are some meals (maybe most meals?) that simply feed us. They get it done when the day is done, and that deserves to be lauded for sure. But. There are also the ones that manage to whisk us somewhere else entirely. Can I just say that even thinking about these recipes today, collecting them all here in one tidy little post for you, put me in the very best mood. This is getaway food, friends, and I hope there’s something in this tasty bunch that strikes your fancy and whisks you away, one bite at a time.
The scent of garlic hitting warm olive oil can transport me straight to an Italian trattoria. Coconut curry has a way of making even an plain ole Tuesday feel like a tropical holiday. Bright herbs, salty cheeses, juicy tomatoes, smoky grilled meats … sometimes all it takes is one perfect bite to convince your brain you’ve escaped, even if you’re still standing barefoot in your own kitchen.
As someone who spends an embarrassing amount of time thinking about dinner (occupational hazard!), I’ve learned that food has an incredible ability to become a passport. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes the most transportive meals are also the simplest.
So today I thought I’d gather ten of my favorite My Kitchen Little recipes that make me feel like I’ve traveled somewhere wonderful, without ever leaving home. Without further ado, let’s cook our way around the world, shall we?
Stop One: Italy
Italy may just be the undisputed champion of simple ingredients doing extraordinary things.
The Best Lasagna Bolognese Recipe (with ground beef and Italian Sausage)
Today – the best lasagna Bolognese recipe. Lasagna just does not get much better than this – it’s the honest truth. I love lasagna in general – like, as a whole food group. Vegetarian versions, seasonal versions, whatever – I won’t turn a pan of the stuff down almost ever. But this one is the
The Most Delicious Spaghetti alla Puttanesca Recipe You’ll Ever Try
If you like to be both cozy and very bold all at once – then step right up to this plate. My Spaghetti alla Puttanesca recipe (or any pasta puttanesca) is just ridiculously awesome stuff. It is not subtle, nor is it even remotely shy. It’s definitely not for those who are flavor averse, or
Stop Two: The Greek Isles
Fresh herbs. Lemon. Olive oil. Salty cheese. It’s practically impossible not to feel lighter after eating Mediterranean food.
Your New Favorite Appetizer: Hot Honey Roasted Feta
POST UPDATED 7/11/2026 :: Today, I’m giving you a really fun alternative appetizer option to my viral whipped feta appetizer – Roasted Feta. Hot Honey Roasted Feta, actually! This is just another way to wield the same salty/sweet flavors and utterly impress your guests. Or, if you’re like me, your very content party of one.
Greek Salmon Bowls with Creamy Tahini Sauce
A true favorite in my house, this recipe just never – ever – gets old. These are my Greek Salmon Bowls, and they’re loaded with fresh, crunchy veggies, fluffy rice/couscous/orzo/farro (whatever grainy vessel you like), salty feta, and a creamy, garlicky tahini sauce. I’ve got a few tips and substitutions that I’ll share in the
Stop Three: Peru
Peruvian food has become one of my favorite cuisines because it’s bold, vibrant, and somehow both comforting and exciting all at once.
Peruvian Broiled Chicken with Aji Verde
Defined by bold flavors and spices and often a straight-shooting punch of chile-forward heat, Peruvian Chicken is beloved for its deliciousness, how it hits so many big notes. This homage to the grilled version – my Peruvian Broiled Chicken – features a tasty marinade (that works on other meats as well) and a fantastic Aji
Amazing Peruvian Lomo Saltado Recipe (fast, easy!)
Hearty, hefty, and tasty as hell, this Peruvian Lomo Saltado Recipe has quickly risen through the ranks of dinnertime superstars in my house. You get this saucy beef, tomato, and onion stir fry that – in a totally perfect twist – also comes with potatoes AND rice! No kidding. It’s absolutely wonderful and also very
Stop Four: Thailand
Thailand may be one of the greatest flavor destinations on Earth. Creamy coconut milk, fresh herbs, bright lime, gentle heat … it’s impossible for me to not to crave it almost all of the time.
Thai Beef with Basil (Pad Krapow)
I’ve got a hot and fresh contribution to our Takeout Fakeout series, and it’s my favorite. Not even going to mess around with it – this recipe is SO GOOD. We have the gorgeous flavors of Thailand to thank for that, of course. If you’re a fan of Thai food and love you some
Reader Favorite! Chicken Khao Soi (Thai Coconut Curry Soup)
Chicken Khao Soi is the chicken noodle soup of all my dreams. This Thai-style soup is so filled with flavor and texture that it absolutely satisfies, and eats as a full meal. Sorry regular chicken soup, but Thai cooks have bested you through and through. Now, this is not an authentic Chicken Khao Soi, as
Stop Five: The Caribbean
Salty breezes and the soothing sound of steel drums fill the air. A featherlight linen shirt, straw-brimmed hat, and a carefree attitude are all you really need to sink into these two Caribbean bangers (we’re imagining this, of course). It’s a love at first bite sort of situation with this two, one is a great classic Cuban beef number and the other a frosty drink that we’ll bet you make again and again.
So Delicious! A Perfect Painkiller Cocktail Recipe
I’m sharing my favorite Painkiller Cocktail Recipe today. The Painkiller has got to be THE most popular and beloved cocktail in all of Charleston, SC, thanks to its (rebranded) fame at local BBQ spot, Home Team. I’ve sipped on my fair share, to be sure (they’re delicious). A Painkiller, if you’ve never had one, is
New! Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja (Delicious Chipotle Honey Version)
There are few things more fetching than a big, hot pot of succulent shredded beef all tangled up with strands of onions and peppers, juicy tomato sauce, and pops of briny olives all accompanied by the satisfying aroma of a slow-cooked, deeply flavorful meal. You just know you’ve done something right. Slow cooker meals tend
