Top 10 Must-Try Recipes from 2020 for Home Cooks

In a year that kept us homebound, we turned the kitchen into an adventure and produced some truly memorable dishes. Here are Cook Eat World’s Top 10 recipes of 2020.

2020 was a year of staying in, which meant many of us cooked at home more than ever. For me, it was an opportunity to explore flavours from around the world without leaving the kitchen. The following collection highlights simple, satisfying recipes from a range of cuisines — from China and India to Spain and Taiwan.

What made the list?

These top dishes stood out for great flavour, thoughtful technique and broad appeal. A few favourites just missed the Top 10 but deserve a mention: Parripu (Kerala Style Dal), Moroccan Matbucha Salad, Lamb & Eggplant Fatteh and Pozole Blanco. Check them out if you haven’t already.

Now, in reverse order, here are the Top 10 Recipes of 2020 — enjoy and get cooking!

10. Methi Mushroom Masala

Methi Mushroom Masala

A rich, aromatic curry where fenugreek brightens tender mushrooms in a creamy, well-spiced sauce. Comforting and deeply flavorful.

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9. Chinese Chilli Oil Dumplings

Chinese Chilli Oil Dumplings

Silky pork and shrimp dumplings served in a fragrant, spicy chilli oil — every bite balances texture and heat beautifully.

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8. Chicken & Lentil Curry

Chicken & Lentil Curry

A simple, hearty curry where tender chicken and nutty lentils meld into an irresistibly creamy stew.

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7. Italian Baked Lamb & Potatoes

Italian Baked Lamb & Potatoes

A simple yet spectacular roast that maximizes lamb’s flavour by slow baking with potatoes and aromatic seasonings.

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6. Mughlai Chicken

Mughlai Chicken

A luxurious North Indian curry with a creamy, mildly spiced sauce. Fragrant and regal — a dish with centuries of culinary heritage.

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5. Lu Rou Fan (Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice Bowl)

Lu Rou Fan (Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice Bowl)

Tender braised pork belly in a deeply savory, slightly sweet sauce served over fluffy rice and finished with a boiled egg — utterly comforting.

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4. Supplì (Italian Rice Balls)

Supplì (Italian Rice Balls)

Crisp outside, creamy inside. Leftover risotto (if you have any) becomes small balls filled with mozzarella, breaded and fried for irresistible bites.

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3. Spanish Eggplant Salad

Spanish Eggplant Salad

Smoky, sweet and silky eggplant tossed with bright seasonings — versatile as a tapa, dip or side and full of Mediterranean charm.

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2. Fennel & Apple Salad

Fennel & Apple Salad

Crisp fennel and tart-sweet apple combine with a light dressing for a refreshing salad that’s bright and textural.

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1. Borani Kadoo (Afghani Squash Salad) – WINNER!!

Borani Kadoo (Afghani Squash Salad)

A standout dish that balances sweet, savory and tangy notes — soft squash coated in spiced tomatoes and finished with a cooling garlicky yogurt. Bright, textured and utterly memorable.

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