Ethnic cuisine is not something that only gourmands enjoy anymore. These days, most towns will have at least an Italian, a Chinese and a Mexican restaurant. The many culinary traditions around the world make for endless variety and learning how to prepare meals from other nations is as easy as doing a quick internet search. If you want to try a meal with some real Latin flavor, you can't go wrong with Colombian food recipes.
The South American country of Colombia boasts a surprising diversity. It's home to the descendants of indigenous peoples, Spanish colonists, African slaves and later immigrants from Europe and as far away as the Middle East. These people all brought their culinary traditions to a country that is astonishingly geographically diverse too, with sweltering jungles, coastal plains, savannas and cold, mountainous regions, among others. This means that there is a wide variety of ingredients to use and Colombia boasts many different regional cuisines.
The country is famous for its excellent coffee, which is the perfect drink to kick-start your day. Enjoy it with one of the many varieties of the 'arepa', which is to Colombia what the tortilla is to Mexico or the baguette is to France. For something more filling, add some eggs in the form of 'huevos pericos' or have a meal of rice and beans with eggs and chorizos. Even soup is often treated as a breakfast food. 'Changua', for instance, is a milk-based soup that isn't normally served at any other meal.
The main meal is normally served in the afternoon. Colombians love their meat and won't hesitate to eat different types of meat at the same time. An example is 'bandeja paisa', often called the country's national dish, which features beef as well as pork and even sausages. Chicken is popular too. Along the coast, fresh seafood features more strongly.
Coconut is a ubiquitous ingredient, especially in the Caribbean region. Yuca and plantains are often used to supply starch to the meal. These aren't always easy to find outside of Latin America, though, but you'll find plenty of dishes that use more familiar vegetables such as potatoes, corn, carrots and peas. Tamales are typically Latin American and in Colombia, they're made with banana leaves.
Colombia is home to a huge variety of fruits that you've probably never even heard of. These are almost impossible to find outside of the country. However, Colombians also love papayas, bananas, guavas, passion fruit, mangoes and citrus fruits that you'll be able to pick up at your local grocer's.
If the many fruits on their own aren't enough to satisfy your sweet tooth at the end of a meal, you'll find plenty of ways to use them in more substantial desserts, such as meringue. They also form the base for a 'cholado', which is perfect for a hot summer's day. For something more sophisticated, try figs, which are cooked in a sweet syrup and used to top cheese. Colombia also has its own version of rice pudding and flan, which here includes coconut.
You'll find plenty of Colombian recipes online on food blogs focusing on the cuisine of that country. Otherwise, visit your local bookstore and find recipe books that specialize in Latin American food. Best of all though is to have your next holiday in Colombia and to enroll in cooking classes where you'll learn how to cook just like a Colombian.
The South American country of Colombia boasts a surprising diversity. It's home to the descendants of indigenous peoples, Spanish colonists, African slaves and later immigrants from Europe and as far away as the Middle East. These people all brought their culinary traditions to a country that is astonishingly geographically diverse too, with sweltering jungles, coastal plains, savannas and cold, mountainous regions, among others. This means that there is a wide variety of ingredients to use and Colombia boasts many different regional cuisines.
The country is famous for its excellent coffee, which is the perfect drink to kick-start your day. Enjoy it with one of the many varieties of the 'arepa', which is to Colombia what the tortilla is to Mexico or the baguette is to France. For something more filling, add some eggs in the form of 'huevos pericos' or have a meal of rice and beans with eggs and chorizos. Even soup is often treated as a breakfast food. 'Changua', for instance, is a milk-based soup that isn't normally served at any other meal.
The main meal is normally served in the afternoon. Colombians love their meat and won't hesitate to eat different types of meat at the same time. An example is 'bandeja paisa', often called the country's national dish, which features beef as well as pork and even sausages. Chicken is popular too. Along the coast, fresh seafood features more strongly.
Coconut is a ubiquitous ingredient, especially in the Caribbean region. Yuca and plantains are often used to supply starch to the meal. These aren't always easy to find outside of Latin America, though, but you'll find plenty of dishes that use more familiar vegetables such as potatoes, corn, carrots and peas. Tamales are typically Latin American and in Colombia, they're made with banana leaves.
Colombia is home to a huge variety of fruits that you've probably never even heard of. These are almost impossible to find outside of the country. However, Colombians also love papayas, bananas, guavas, passion fruit, mangoes and citrus fruits that you'll be able to pick up at your local grocer's.
If the many fruits on their own aren't enough to satisfy your sweet tooth at the end of a meal, you'll find plenty of ways to use them in more substantial desserts, such as meringue. They also form the base for a 'cholado', which is perfect for a hot summer's day. For something more sophisticated, try figs, which are cooked in a sweet syrup and used to top cheese. Colombia also has its own version of rice pudding and flan, which here includes coconut.
You'll find plenty of Colombian recipes online on food blogs focusing on the cuisine of that country. Otherwise, visit your local bookstore and find recipe books that specialize in Latin American food. Best of all though is to have your next holiday in Colombia and to enroll in cooking classes where you'll learn how to cook just like a Colombian.
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