THE RECIPES

Get Your Passport Ready! 7 Exciting Dinners (and 1 Dessert) from Around the World

If your dinner routine could use a little interest and excitement, try turning one dinner a week into an “around the world” experience. It’s an easy, low-pressure way to introduce new flavours without asking your family to eat anything wildly unfamiliar. The goal isn’t authenticity or complexity—it’s curiosity. The idea is to try a new spice or flavour profile, a different sauce or a dish that looks familiar but has enough of an unexpected twist to get everyone engaged (spaghetti in pie form? What?!). These family-friendly recipes take inspiration from cuisines around the globe while keeping things approachable, comforting and realistic for busy home cooks.

FOR EXTRA CREDIT You can even turn this weekly ritual into a family activity where everyone researches a fact about the country du jour and you create a family passport to tick off the places you’ve “visited” so far.

Tap each link for the details.

Italy: Spaghetti and Meatball Pie
Inspired by baked pasta dishes from the Naples region, this sliceable spaghetti pie turns a classic into something playful while staying firmly rooted in comfort-food territory.

Mexico: Chicken Quesadillas
Crispy, cheesy and endlessly adaptable, quesadillas are a gentle entry point into Mexican flavours using ingredients most families already love.

Greece: Warm Greek Chicken Salad
Lemon, herbs and olive oil bring Mediterranean flavours to a warm, hearty salad that starts as a sheet pan dinner.

Ireland: Irish Stew with Stout and Parsley Dumplings
This deeply comforting traditional stew uses stout for richness (don’t worry, the alcohol cooks off) and fluffy dumplings to soak up every last bite.

Thailand: Peanut Butter Pad Thai
This pantry-friendly twist on pad thai leans on peanut butter for a creamy, kid-approved sauce with familiar flavours.

India: Quick Butter Chicken
Think all the spices and creamy sauce of this classic Indian dish, streamlined for weeknight cooking.

Nigeria: Nigerian Stewed Black-Eyed Peas
We love this hearty, plant-based dish with bold seasoning that introduces new flavours in an accessible way.

China: Homemade Fortune Cookies
For added fun, try making this hands-on dessert to add a playful finish to dinner (you know your kids will love writing customized fortunes!).

THE POLL

Have You Ever Heard the Term “Emotional Literacy?”

Many of us grew up in homes where certain things were never discussed openly—emotions, conflict, mental health, our bodies or even basic feelings like anger or fear. When we don’t have words for our inner experiences, it shapes our emotional literacy and influences how we show up as adults, partners and parents. In this month’s The Heart of the Matter, relationship columnists Matt and Carina open the conversation around emotional literacy, helping us understand what was left unspoken, learn how to name our feelings and create space for more open, honest conversations. When we find language for the things we never learned to say, we give our children permission to do the same—and that’s where real change begins.

Tell us below: Is “emotional literacy” a term that’s familiar to you?

TODAY’S POLL

THE QUESTION BOX

What New Tech Would Help to Make My Life Easier This Year?

Some of the most promising tech coming in 2026 is focused on reducing everyday household lift (rather than just adding more screens to your life).

Reporting from the 2026 CES show, tech columnist Marc Saltzman points to smarter robot vacuums that don’t just clean floors but can also pick up small items like socks or toys, helping to cut down on tidying time. In the kitchen, next-generation smart fridges are designed to track what’s inside, flag food that’s about to expire and help with meal planning and grocery lists—aimed at reducing waste and decision fatigue. Home entertainment tech is also getting simpler, with brighter, more wireless TVs and projectors that reduce cords and setup hassles.

Marc also touches on early-stage home robots (anyone remember Rosey the Robot in The Jetsons?!) that hint at a future where repetitive chores like folding laundry could eventually be automated—even if that tech is still a few years away.

Click through for the whole story.