Colombian kitchen is quite different from Mexican food, although they do use similar ingredients. Colombians don't like spicy food so much, but it doesn't mean they don't use all kinds of herbs and spices. So, here are some traditional Colombian food recipes you can make at your home. But first you need to find out something about basic ingredients used.
Most Colombian recipes require Masarepa. This is a type of corn flour you will find in numerous stores. Seasoning mixture called Sazon Goya contains garlic powder, saffron and cumin. They also often use coriander, or Chinese parsley. They call it Cilantro. These green leaves have very specific taste. The most popular specialties are Empanadas, Arepas and Tamales.
It's quite easy to make Empanadas, a type of filled dough. First you have to prepare the dough. Simply mix one and a half cup of cornmeal with two cups of water, and add some Sazon Goya, vegetable oil and salt. The dough should become smooth and elastic. Leave it to rest for a while.
Traditional empanada filing is made using two cups of diced yellow potatoes, one cup of chopped tomatoes, one half cup chopped white onions and green onions, one chopped garlic clove and one half pound chopped meat, usually pork and beef. For seasoning, you will need two tablespoons of fresh cilantro, red bell peppers, black pepper and salt.
Cook diced potatoes in bouillon and mash. Put all other ingredients on hot olive oil, onions first, and cook until dry. Season to your taste and combine with mash potatoes. You will use this mixture to fill your dough, and that's why it needs to be quite dry.
You should have enough dough to form maybe twenty small balls. Flatten each to a circle and place one spoon of filling on each. Form half circles and seal the edges. It's easiest to use a fork for this. Empanadas should be fried in deep oil until nice and golden. They are usually served as a side dish, but they can also be tasty snacks.
Arepas are also made using precooked cornmeal, but with the addition of crumbled cheese. Simply mix together one cup of Masarepa, one cup of crumbled cheese, one cup of water and one half cup of vegetable oil, and some salt. Knead until smooth and form small circles. Fry Arepas in vegetable oil until crisp and golden and serve as a side dish or as snacks.
Colombians usually buy whole cumin seeds, toast them and ground into powder. Ground seed of Annatto bush, called Achiote is also quite popular. It is bright red and used for food coloring. The taste is quite subtle, peppery. But the most important ingredient is probably garlic. They season their breads, rice, meat and fish with garlic, and it is quite specific for Colombian kitchen.
Tamales are really popular in all Colombian regions. Every region has its own traditional recipe, but all require some time and effort. If you have a Colombian restaurant nearby, you should try their tamales, you'll probably enjoy in this traditional Colombian specialty.
Most Colombian recipes require Masarepa. This is a type of corn flour you will find in numerous stores. Seasoning mixture called Sazon Goya contains garlic powder, saffron and cumin. They also often use coriander, or Chinese parsley. They call it Cilantro. These green leaves have very specific taste. The most popular specialties are Empanadas, Arepas and Tamales.
It's quite easy to make Empanadas, a type of filled dough. First you have to prepare the dough. Simply mix one and a half cup of cornmeal with two cups of water, and add some Sazon Goya, vegetable oil and salt. The dough should become smooth and elastic. Leave it to rest for a while.
Traditional empanada filing is made using two cups of diced yellow potatoes, one cup of chopped tomatoes, one half cup chopped white onions and green onions, one chopped garlic clove and one half pound chopped meat, usually pork and beef. For seasoning, you will need two tablespoons of fresh cilantro, red bell peppers, black pepper and salt.
Cook diced potatoes in bouillon and mash. Put all other ingredients on hot olive oil, onions first, and cook until dry. Season to your taste and combine with mash potatoes. You will use this mixture to fill your dough, and that's why it needs to be quite dry.
You should have enough dough to form maybe twenty small balls. Flatten each to a circle and place one spoon of filling on each. Form half circles and seal the edges. It's easiest to use a fork for this. Empanadas should be fried in deep oil until nice and golden. They are usually served as a side dish, but they can also be tasty snacks.
Arepas are also made using precooked cornmeal, but with the addition of crumbled cheese. Simply mix together one cup of Masarepa, one cup of crumbled cheese, one cup of water and one half cup of vegetable oil, and some salt. Knead until smooth and form small circles. Fry Arepas in vegetable oil until crisp and golden and serve as a side dish or as snacks.
Colombians usually buy whole cumin seeds, toast them and ground into powder. Ground seed of Annatto bush, called Achiote is also quite popular. It is bright red and used for food coloring. The taste is quite subtle, peppery. But the most important ingredient is probably garlic. They season their breads, rice, meat and fish with garlic, and it is quite specific for Colombian kitchen.
Tamales are really popular in all Colombian regions. Every region has its own traditional recipe, but all require some time and effort. If you have a Colombian restaurant nearby, you should try their tamales, you'll probably enjoy in this traditional Colombian specialty.
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