By Katelyn Patterson | Reporter
TikTok has around 1 billion users worldwide. Recently, the app has been the vessel for viral trends, including multiple inspirational dishes and recipes.
I picked four viral TikTok meals, some recent and some older, and made them — with a few of my own tweaks. Each dish was relatively easy to make, and I believe that anyone, regardless of their kitchen skills, could make them.
My version:
TikTok’s version:
The first recipe I tried went viral on TikTok in late 2020. Gigi Hadid’s penne alla vodka is quick, simple and versatile. The original recipe calls for garlic, onion, tomato paste, heavy whipping cream, pasta and whatever seasonings you prefer; I used salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. However, many users on TikTok add a protein like chicken or shrimp. This pasta dish is rich and flavorful. It takes less than 15 minutes to complete, with the longest part being cooking the pasta. I think it’s one of the best recipes for a college student to have in their back pocket. It’s amazing and one of my new favorite things to make for myself.
My version:
TikTok’s version:
The second dish that I made was a more recent one: Emily Mariko’s salmon rice bowl. Now, I do not like salmon or avocado, so I made a few adjustments like I had seen others do on the app. Instead of salmon, I used imitation crab (I’m not a huge fan of seafood in general, so this was the best option for me). After microwaving the white rice, I combined it with the crab and sriracha mayo. I also added seaweed to each bite that I took. This dish was by far the easiest to make out of the four that I chose, but it was also my least favorite. However, I see the appeal and why it has gone viral; it is the perfect way to make a new dish out of leftovers — like Emily often does — but it wasn’t for me.
My version:
TikTok’s version:
The third recipe I tried was also a more recent one. This buffalo chicken stromboli has gained over 9 million views since it was posted in September. All it takes is a pizza crust (I used Pillsbury), two cooked chicken breasts, buffalo sauce, whatever cheese you like (I used mozzarella) and seasoned butter to brush on top. This dish was an absolute hit. My younger brother is a huge fan of all things buffalo, and he ate multiple pieces when it was cooked and ready. Again, this recipe was so simple and efficient. It’s the perfect food if you’re tired of your usual game day recipes or just need something new to add to your weekly rotation.
My version:
TikTok’s version:
The final dish that I made was the feta and tomato pasta that went viral earlier this year. For this recipe, you bake cherry tomatoes, a block of feta cheese, garlic and olive oil in a dish, add your cooked pasta and stir until it’s all mixed together. I had never had feta cheese before trying this recipe, and I was a little wary of it. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. The entire dish was very good; the cheese was mild, and the main flavor came from the garlic and tomatoes. It took a bit longer to cook than the other dishes did, but I think it was worth it. It was fun to try something that I wouldn’t normally make.
Overall, these TikTok recipes deserve the hype that they receive.
