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.
Colombia is a very diverse country. Its geography consists of regions that couldn't be more different from one another, such as the chilly Andean regions and the sweltering Caribbean coast. This diversity means that Colombian cooks have a huge array of ingredients to work with. Add to this the fact that the people themselves have diverse ethnic backgrounds too and you have the recipe for a richly varied cuisine.
Breakfast can be light and simple, consisting of not much more than fruit and 'arepa', which is a pancake-like, corn-based bread. However, it can also be heartier, with egg dishes such as 'huevos pericos'. Rice and beans feature on the breakfast table in some regions. You may even start your day with a soup made of beef and vegetables or the milky soup known as 'changua', which is normally served with a poached egg. Hot chocolate or a cup of the country's famous coffee rounds off the meal.
The main meal is usually lunch. Chicken is often on the menu, for instance in the form of soup, while seafood is a staple in the Caribbean coastal region. However, most Colombians are dedicated carnivores and their national dish, 'bandeja paisa', is a type of mixed grill with pork, beef and sausages.
Popular vegetables include potatoes, carrots, peas and corn. These are often used in tamales, which in this part of the world are wrapped in banana leaves rather than corn husks. Plantains and yuca, also known as cassava, are ubiquitous in Colombian cuisine too and in the more tropical regions, you'll often find your meal cooked in coconut milk.
Fruit is popular throughout the country and the array of exotic fruits is astonishing. Don't fret though if you can't find dragon fruit or soursop in your local supermarket. Colombian cuisine also includes more familiar offerings such as bananas, mangoes, guavas and papayas.
There are many ways to indulge your sweet tooth in Colombia. The variety of fruits can feature in desserts such as the refreshing 'cholado' or as topping for a meringue-like dessert. Figs cooked in syrup and served with cheese add sophistication and if you want comfort food, try rice pudding or flan made with 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.
Colombia is a very diverse country. Its geography consists of regions that couldn't be more different from one another, such as the chilly Andean regions and the sweltering Caribbean coast. This diversity means that Colombian cooks have a huge array of ingredients to work with. Add to this the fact that the people themselves have diverse ethnic backgrounds too and you have the recipe for a richly varied cuisine.
Breakfast can be light and simple, consisting of not much more than fruit and 'arepa', which is a pancake-like, corn-based bread. However, it can also be heartier, with egg dishes such as 'huevos pericos'. Rice and beans feature on the breakfast table in some regions. You may even start your day with a soup made of beef and vegetables or the milky soup known as 'changua', which is normally served with a poached egg. Hot chocolate or a cup of the country's famous coffee rounds off the meal.
The main meal is usually lunch. Chicken is often on the menu, for instance in the form of soup, while seafood is a staple in the Caribbean coastal region. However, most Colombians are dedicated carnivores and their national dish, 'bandeja paisa', is a type of mixed grill with pork, beef and sausages.
Popular vegetables include potatoes, carrots, peas and corn. These are often used in tamales, which in this part of the world are wrapped in banana leaves rather than corn husks. Plantains and yuca, also known as cassava, are ubiquitous in Colombian cuisine too and in the more tropical regions, you'll often find your meal cooked in coconut milk.
Fruit is popular throughout the country and the array of exotic fruits is astonishing. Don't fret though if you can't find dragon fruit or soursop in your local supermarket. Colombian cuisine also includes more familiar offerings such as bananas, mangoes, guavas and papayas.
There are many ways to indulge your sweet tooth in Colombia. The variety of fruits can feature in desserts such as the refreshing 'cholado' or as topping for a meringue-like dessert. Figs cooked in syrup and served with cheese add sophistication and if you want comfort food, try rice pudding or flan made with 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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Read more about Have A Culinary Trip To South America With Colombian Food Recipes.
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