Thanksgiving is that day that we are required to be thankful, which is quite easy when a delicious spread consisting of turkey baked to perfection as well as stuffing and pumpkin pie simmering in aromatic flavors tantalizing our noses. But why not kick things up a notch by taking your guests on a culinary journey?

Along the way you may be greeted with new and exotic flavors and tastes, especially when noshing on these next six international recipes. After all, the Pilgrims ventured on a long trip that sparked the nationwide holiday tradition, so why not repay mingling of cultures by making your Thanksgiving a cultural celebration?

Africa: Couscous

Couscous has come a long way from Africa and can even be traced in parts of Europe from as early as the 1500s, yet it guarantees to bring some exotic flavor to your Thanksgiving spread. Thankfully its texture produces a starch-like taste that makes it easy to replace common foods like rice as well as stuffing. 

However, the dish is made from a grainy wheat called semolina and traditionally served with meat and other main foods.   Although making couscous from scratch can seem pretty intensive, the instant version requires the granules to simmer in boiling water and combined with an onion and pepper sauce similar to stir-fry for maximum taste.

Switzerland: Alpine Herder’s Macaroni

Whose doesn’t love a plate of mac and cheese? So why not tantalize the palates of your guests with a Swiss version of the beloved dish?

Alpine herder’s macaroni, also known as älplermagronen, incorporates potatoes, roasted onions and macaroni topped with cheese and cream.  And if you really want to eat this specialty like the natives of Central Switzerland, you’ll want to ditch the cranberry sauce for a side of stewed apple.

Mexico: Mole Poblano

Mole poblano has officially become Mexico’s national dish, but that doesn’t mean the sauce shouldn’t make its way onto your Thanksgiving menu; especially since it’s an easy and exotic fix for a dry turkey.

It takes about 20 ingredients to create the Mexican staple which also gets its zest from the chili and mulato peppers added into the recipe.  Oddly, chocolate is also a major ingredient that gives mole poblano its distinguished dark color without wildly influencing its unique flavor.  This delicious meal will be the perfect substitute for gravy, so don’t be surprised if your guests help themselves to more than one plateful.

U.S.: Turducken

Thanks to commentator John Madden, many NFL fans were introduced to the strange meal when it was featured during a sports broadcast, and the treat later reemerged on TV when he gave the lucky winners of the Thanksgiving Bowl the dish.  And as odd as its name sounds, it might just have the right ingredients to be the crowning dish of your feast.

As its name suggests, it is created by stuffing a duck with chicken that is then stuffed into a turkey — all deboned of course — before it is set to roast in the oven. You may say this is a three-for-one meal that guarantees to be a delicious surprise from first bite.  Therefore, why stick with the ordinary turkey dinner when you can make a one-of-a-kind stuffed bird?

Canada: Tourtiere

Looking to upstage that traditional chicken potpie?  Well why not add a dash of Canadian style to make it stand out? Tourtiere is commonly found throughout the country although each city has its own unique flavor.  Nevertheless, what remains consistent is no authentic French-Canadian holiday feast is complete without this specialty. 

Traditionally, the meat pie can be filled with veal, pork or beef which is thinly sliced.  But if your tastes buds are craving something a bit more extraordinary, wild game can be incorporated as well to give it that extra kick.  Along with meat, variations of spices are added to the mix, including salt, pepper, cinnamon, mango chutney, nutmeg, and molasses to create a savory epicurean treat your guests will never forget.

Indonesia: Kue Cucur

What’s a great feast without dessert?  But first you’ll have to take your palate on a culinary journey to Indonesia to create a good kue curur. 

Dubbed cake bowsprit, it resembles a fritter by its doughy and sweet texture that is mixed with brown or white sugar and then fried in oil. For added tasting pleasure, cinnamon, pandan leaves, salt in addition to coloring are likely to do the trick.