1. Mexican Elote: A traditional Mexican street side snack, Mexican elote is made with boiled spiny amaranth, crumbled cheese, chili powder, mayonnaise and lime juice. It’s served on a corn cob and topped with chopped fresh cilantro and a sprinkle of salt.
2. Ethiopian Injera: A staple in the Ethiopian diet, injera is a type of flatbread that’s made with spiny amaranth flour, water and baking soda. It has a slightly sour taste, which is balanced by the sweetness of honey and spices like cardamom and cinnamon.
3. Indian Pongal: A savory dish from South India, pongal is made with spiny amaranth that’s cooked in milk and water until it forms a thick porridge. It’s seasoned with spices like ginger, chili powder and black pepper, and then served with curd, chutney and pickles.
4. Chinese Stir-Fried Vegetables: A classic Chinese dish, stir-fried vegetables are made with spiny amaranth and other vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, bell peppers and onions that are sautéed in sesame oil until they’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
5. Thai Tam Kha Soup: A spicy soup from Thailand, tam kha is made with spiny amaranth, coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal and dried chilies. It’s typically served with a wedge of lime for extra flavor.