There are people who love food and then there are food lovers. You know who you are – you seek out new and exciting restaurants to dine at, dishes to taste and recipes to try at home. Classic dishes are great but there’s something really fun about being adventurous, stepping outside the box and experiencing new food flavors and combinations. When you hear the word “fusion,” you automatically think about combining your favorite ethnic cuisines to create something entirely new and original.
Of course, plant-based cooking is some of the most creative out there. On September 9th, we celebrate National I Love (Vegan) Food Day. This is the perfect day to try something totally different than you usually eat, something that will make you say, “how did they think of that?” and “I must try that!” Here are 25 amazingly different, creative and delicious recipes that will have you getting out your camera so you can share this awesomeness with all the other food lovers in the world.
1. Mexican Cornbread Pizza Cake
The only thing better than pizza is pizza cake and the only thing better than pizza cake is vegan Mexican Cornbread Pizza Cake! That’s right – three layers of sun-dried tomato jalapeño cornbread plus refried beans, nacho cheese, guacamole, pizza sauce, and veggies galore. This cake is nothing short of epic.
2. Baked Deconstructed Guac Spring Rolls
You’d be hard-pressed to find a person who doesn’t like guacamole. Our love for the flavorful Mexican dip inspired this recipe for Deconstructed Guac Spring Rolls. The concept is pretty simple: take all of the amazing ingredients in guac – avocado, tomato, red onion, cilantro, lime – wrap it in translucent rice paper and bake it. The result? A deliciously crisp, multicolored spring roll with a filling that is warm and creamy and has a tangy finish.
3. Vegetable Samosa Burger
American fusion recipes are where classic American dishes meet flavors from around the world. This crisp and flavorful Vegetable Samosa Burger recipe is inspired by the classic Indian samosa. It’s packed with veggies and savory spices and it’s so easy to make. Pair with chutney or ketchup on a toasty bun with a side of sweet potato fries.
4. Vegetable Rose Tart With Cheesy Sun-Dried Tomato Filling
This Vegetable Rose Tart With Cheesy Sun-Dried Tomato Filling is so pretty and tasty! The oat and sunflower seed crust is deliciously crunchy, the cheesy sun-dried tomato filling is savory and creamy, and together with the fresh vegetable ribbons on top, it makes the perfect dish! It’s great if you want to impress everyone with your cooking skills at a brunch or family reunion. You can also easily adjust the spices, garlic, and vegetables according to you taste.
5. Asian-Style Rice Crust Pizza With Mushrooms
You’ve never seen a pizza like this Asian-Style Rice Crust Pizza With Mushrooms! This Asian-style twist on the Italian classic starts off with a rice crust slathered in tomato sauce and is topped with mushrooms, soy sauce, baby corn, and scallions. Food fusion at its finest!
6. Fajita Burger
This Fajita Burger has all of the zesty, smoky flavor fajitas offer, in burger form. That’s right. Sandwiched between two charred buns, sits a corn-black bean patty that is topped with a mix of colorful bell peppers, tender onions, and plenty of seasoning. Top with avocado, vegan sour cream, and vegan cheese for the authentic Latin flavor.
7. Sweet Potato Sushi Burrito
Behold: the Sweet Potato Sushi Burrito! You love sushi and you love burritos, so why not combine them for a tasty two-in-one lunch? Roasted sweet potato, avocado, and shredded red cabbage are rolled up in brown rice seasoned with rice vinegar and a big sheet of nori.
8. Kimchi Quesadillas
Korean meets Mexican with these Kimchi Quesadillas that are a real game-changer. They’re made with a thick, umami-rich black bean spread, crunchy fresh greens, spicy and tangy kimchi, and a perfectly crispy tortilla. Get your taste buds ready because these are packed with flavor!
9. Coconut Curry Linguini
This dish is called Coconut Curry Linguini. It has the texture and creaminess of a fettuccini Alfredo, but with Thai ingredients and flavors like rice noodles, coconut milk, red curry paste, and lime. It’ll quickly become one of your favorite dishes to whip up last minute when you want something easy that packs big flavor.
10. Miso Kimchi Nachos With Cashew Cheese
These Miso Kimchi Nachos With Cashew Cheese are a great combination of that classic cheesy taste spiced up with some favorite fermented foods. The miso paste in the cheese sauce adds the perfect deep, salty undertone. The sour crunch of the kimchi alongside the freshness of the kale and yellow pepper is just totally awesome. You definitely want these nachos in your belly right now!
11. Baked Samosa Flautas
This fusion recipe for Baked Samosa Flautas takes the tasty spiced potatoes of Indian cuisine and delivers it in the form of a flaky Latin-style taquito. That’s right, warm and zesty potatoes wrapped in a tortilla and then baked to crispy perfection. What an epic combination! Serve these with some vegan ranch dressing to balance out the spices or serve with salsa to keep the Latin theme going.
12. Thai Tofu Pizza With Peanut Sauce
Fusion foods take amazing flavors and forms from two different cuisines and throw them together into one amazing meal. This Thai Tofu Pizza is slathered with a flavorful peanut sauce, an abundance of vegetables and baked tofu. If using a pre-made crust, it takes just 20 minutes to throw together, making it the perfect weeknight dinner.
13. Meatloaf Veggie Burger With Cauliflower Mash and Gravy
Let’s take veggie burgers to a whole new level, shall we? These Meatloaf Veggie Burgers With Cauliflower Mash and Gravy are like that classic weeknight dinner in an amazing burger form. They’re made from a hearty combination mushrooms, chickpeas, and lentils, baked with a sweet ketchup glaze, and then topped with creamy cauliflower mash and gravy. A bite of this burger is like taking a step right into comfort food heaven.
14. Oolong Banh Mi Burger
Flavorful and delicious, this Oolong Banh Mi Burger is the closest thing to food perfection. The oolong tea infusion used in the burger itself and the pickling veggies are strong enough to impart enough flavor without being overwhelmed by the more assertive jalapeño and radish. Because banh mi has a sweet component, the plums are the perfect addition, especially after grilling, which enhances the plums’ sweetness.
15. Mexican Stuffed Baked Sweet Potato With Cashew Cheese
These Mexican Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes with Cashew Cheese are vibrant, flavorful, and a breeze to make! Simply bake the potatoes until warm and tender, slice ’em open, and fill with your favorite fixings. This particular recipe is for a Mexican-style potato with avocado, tomato, chili, jalapeño, and some refreshing cashew cheese. Yum!
16. Trini Channa and Aloo: Trinidadian Chickpea and Sweet Potato Curry
This recipe for Trini Channa and Aloo hails from the island of Trinidad and Tobago, hence the “Trini.” It is composed of chickpeas, or channa, and potatoes, or aloo, which are seasoned with curry powder, onion, chili pepper, and garlic. A flavorful and tasty way to eat those chickpeas and potatoes laying around the house.
17. Pistachio Yucca Crostini
Every bite of this three-layer Pistachio Yucca Crostini is bursting with flavor. Simply choose your favorite crunchy bread (this recipe uses a multi-seed baguette), then slather it with smooth, buttery yucca, a unique garlicky pistachio spread, and then colorful roasted tomatoes. Serve cold for a lovely, light appetizer.
18. Gazpacho With Avocado Croutons
Gazpacho, or soup made from raw vegetables, is perfect for those days when you want something hearty like a soup, but also refreshing. This Gazpacho With Avocado Croutons is made from tomatoes, cucumber, and bell pepper, given a touch of nutty flavor from tahini and seasoned with garlic, pepper, and coriander. This soup is amazing on its own but is even better topped with crispy avocado croutons. Yum!
19. Hawaiian BBQ Cauliflower and Pineapple Pizza
Get your island on with this Hawaiian BBQ Cauliflower and Pineapple Pizza. Cauliflower florets, juicy pineapple, and smoky barbecue sauce make this pizza the perfect hot weather treat. Sweet, salty, and wholesome. Top this pizza with as many vegetables as you’d like. Hula skirts are optional.
20. Colorful Tofu Mushroom and Scallion Dumplings
Making multi-colored dumplings can be a bit labor intensive, but it’s all worth it once they’re looking pretty on a dinner table. These Colorful Tofu Mushroom and Scallion Dumplings have a mushroom, tofu, and scallion filling, and are colored with turmeric, spirulina, cabbage, and beet powder. Savory and fun to eat!
21. Easy Naan Pizza With Tandoori Chickpeas
Spice up pizza night with this Easy Naan Pizza With Tandoori Chickpeas! Naan is covered with a spicy, creamy, and flavorful green curry sauce and topped with roasted, tandoori-spiced chickpeas. Sliced red onions and cilantro bring crisp, fresh, tanginess to this spicy pizza.
22. Buffalo Peanut Inside Out Sushi
This Buffalo Peanut Inside Out Sushi is a fusion of Japanese and American flavors; fresh vegetables and spicy, crunchy Buffalo peanuts are wrapped in seasoned rice and then drizzled with a creamy Buffalo sunflower seed sauce. If you don’t have a bamboo rolling mat, or if you’re just not into rolls, you can also serve this amazing meal as a rice bowl.
23. Kimchi Poutine
This Kimchi Poutine is the marriage of a Canadian favorite and a Korean digestion-enhancing, healthful flavor bomb might seem a bit strange, but just close your eyes — right now, do it. Now imagine biting into a hot, soft sweet potato fry that has been seasoned perfectly with fragrant, garlicky, gingery and impeccably spiced kimchi — then you get a hint of a tangy and ever so cheesy hemp sauce. Oh yeah. You know you’re down.
24. Sweet Potato and Cabbage Dogs
Believe it or not, sweet potatoes combined with cabbage and spices give a wonderful texture and flavor to the best veggie dogs you’ll ever make. These Sweet Potato and Cabbage Dogs have a crispy outer layer and a softness inside. They’re served on a toasted bun with ketchup, mustard, and sliced vegetables or relish, like a classic hot dog. The best part is that these homemade veggie dogs are the easiest thing to make ever and they taste awesome.
25. Korean Spicy Sweet Potato Falafel Tacos With White Kimchi
These Korean Spicy Sweet Potato Falafel Tacos With White Kimchi combine Korean flavors with Mediterranean falafels and Mexican tacos … this is the most culturally diverse meal you’ll ever have! And it’s pretty darn delicious, too.
If you’re a food lover, today is your day to shine. These 25 recipes are creative, original, and delicious.
Lead image source: Baked Samosa Flautas
