5 Ways To Take a Summer Vacation Without Leaving Home

Have your summer travel plans been put on the back burner for this year? Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t experience one of the best aspects of travel at home in your kitchen. If you simply can’t shake the travel bug but your weekend bag’s going nowhere anytime soon, then reach for the next best thing: a recipe. Here are five memorable main dishes that’ll transport your palate (and your spirit) to dream destinations around the world, from the tropical sinkholes of Mexico to the bustling metropolis of Tokyo.

If You’re Dreaming of Tulum, Mexico…

…Try Agave Pork Belly with Grilled Piña.

This showstopping pork dish is the brainchild of Eric Werner and Mya Henry, who co-own Hartwood, a renowned restaurant in Tulum. They were inspired to create the dish after watching locals enjoy whole roasted habaneros drizzled with agave nectar. Agave, they discovered, helps to balance hot peppers, and works well against the fat of pork belly as a glaze.

If You’re Dreaming of Burgundy, France…

…Make Côte de Boeuf the star of your dinner.

Côte de boeuf—literally, “beef rib”—is a popular cut of beef in France, and it makes a spectacular yet simple centerpiece for a French dinner. This recipe, from The Cook’s Atelier, a cooking school, epicurean center and wine shop based in the Burgundy town of Beaune, uses only a few seasonings to allow the flavor of the meat to truly shine. Try plating it over a bed of roasted vegetables, then serving it with a glass of Burgundy.

If You’re Dreaming of Honolulu, Hawaii…

…Try Whole Snapper with Ponzu Sauce, Curry Aioli and Cilantro Chutney.

Mahina & Sun’s, chef Ed Kenney’s Waikiki restaurant, goes by the mantra is “local first, organic whenever possible, and aloha always.” This means the restaurant menu only features sustainably-caught fish from nearby—there’s no imported seafood on the menu. This seafood dish is inspired by a communal dinner enjoyed with Honolulu locals, where the star of the show was local whole snapper grilled and served with three sauces: ponzu, curry aioli and cilantro chutney.

If You’re Dreaming of Tokyo, Japan…

…Then make Black Cod with Sake, Soy Sauce and Sugar.

Channel your inner Japanese home cook by pulling together an simple but popular at-home dish, a black cod braise flavored with sake, soy sauce and sugar. For extra color and flavor, add green onions during the last few minutes of cooking time.

If You’re Dreaming of Charleston, South Carolina…

…Invite friends over for a Classic Low-Country Boil.

Charleston embodies everything you think of in a Southern town—gentility, charm, comfort cooking—and it boasts some of the best seafood in the country. There, a low-country boil is de rigueur; make sure it’s brimming with fresh shrimp and clams.