Delectably Different
Culinary fusion has a long heritage – since trading between regions began. The flavours and techniques from Asia and the Mediterranean are the inspiration for the recipes you will find here on delectabilia. While respecting the original cuisines, we seek to explore and experiment with these flavours and techniques to create something delectably different.
Pan-fried Gnocchi and Gochujang Sauce
A bed of crisp pan-fried gnocchi, smothered with a flavour-packed gochujang sauce, sits beneath a silky onsen egg and fried shallots. Customise the spice level to your liking.
Thai Red Fish Curry featuring Barramundi
This Thai red fish curry takes a succulent fillet of barramundi and poaches it in a lively broth of coconut milk and Southeast Asian flavours. Healthy and so delectable.
“Japanese Bridge” Pork Udon Noodles (≈ Cao Lầu)
Inspired by Cao Lau and Hoi An’s Japanese Bridge, these pork udon noodles combine fresh and herbal greens and crunchy garnishes with the deep flavours of the slow-cooked broth and braised pork belly.
Large Pasta Shells Stuffed with Pork and Crab in Spicy Sauce
Conchiglioni, or large pasta shells, are stuffed with a tasty pork and crab mix inspired by popular Thai and Vietnamese dishes. These are baked together with a spicy gochujang and tomato sauce.
Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly Tacos
Building on the culinary fusion evident with both tacos and banh mi, this Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly Tacos recipe celebrates the parallels while creating a distinct and delicious food experience.
Miso Cheesecake with a Peach Sake Topping
The toasty, salty-sweet, and slightly funky miso works its umami magic on the three kinds of fresh cheese in this no-bake cheesecake. If you like salted caramel ice cream, you will love this.
Unagi Fish Dumplings in Salmon Bone Broth
Unagi is braised freshwater eel, a fatty fish with a satisfyingly firm texture, making it a perfect filling for dumplings. A clear fish broth made from simmering salmon bones in ichiban dashi complements these tasty morsels.
Braised Duck Pie
Tasty duck legs, slowly braised with red wine and mushrooms, constitute the delicious filling for this duck pie recipe (aka duck pot pie).
Black rice waffles with whipped feta dip
Despite its simplicity, this whipped feta dip has a depth and complexity of flavour that cries out for something crisp and crunchy to be dipped in and lifted to your waiting lips. The black rice waffles are the perfect vehicle.
delectabilia – Latin – the neutral plural
nominative form of dēlectābĭlis
1 enjoyable, delectable, delightful
2 (taste) delicious
“See, I’m a believer that people are born with a sense of cooking. It’s something within them that really gives them the ability to create and to understand flavors.”
Recipes by Style
The fusion recipes you will find here are inspired by the flavours of Asia and the Mediterranean. Or explore the vegetarian recipes, the noodles, soup, or seafood.
Recipes by Course
Looking for something to make for dinner? Maybe breakfast tomorrow? Find a recipe from the selections below.
Why Asian Fusion Recipes?
When cultures mix, fusion is inevitable.
Corrine Trang, author of Food Lovers Vietnamese: A Culinary Journey of Discovery
Many of the world’s favourite dishes result from a fusion of influences. Such foods include Vietnam’s bánh mì, Italy’s pasta, and Thailand’s Massaman curry. Each has absorbed different cultural and culinary influences from distant lands.
Pasta with a tomato sauce is ubiquitous in Italy, as bánh mì is in Vietnam. Both are considered national dishes but are the result of food cultures mixing, of culinary fusions. For example, Italy’s pasta evolved from Chinese noodles. The tomatoes for the tomato sauce didn’t arrive in Europe from the Americas until the 1500s. The French introduced the baguette, pâté, and mayonnaise to Vietnam in the 1800s. The introduction of these ingredients created the circumstances for the creation of the now-ubiquitous bánh mì.
Yet modern fusion cuisine is controversial. To some, it is just a fad. This Forbes article argues that we should not mess with our national cuisines’ but only work to refine them, even while acknowledging their culinary fusion heritage!
Modern Fusion Cuisine
I view authenticity as a totalitarian state. It’s not that I hate authenticity, it’s that I hate that people want this singular thing that is authentic.
David Chang – Ugly Delicious – S01E01
Why constrain the ingredients and techniques of the food we prepare to ingredients and techniques that are “authentic”, that “belong” to a particular region? The fantastic variety of flavours and styles of the food found in Asia and the Mediterranean, the glorious eclecticism, have inspired the Asian fusion and Mediterranean fusion recipes on delectabilia. And further, learning about the heritage of the food we create and enjoy is a big part of this international food adventure.
Still working on making it worthwhile for you to leave your email address…
If you do, we promise not to send you any lame/unhelpful content, but if you disagree it will be simple and painless to unsubscribe.