Not so long ago, it was really only the most serious gourmands who experimented with ethnic cuisines. For most people, eating 'ethnic' meant getting Chinese take-out or enjoying a meal in an Italian restaurant. These days, people are more adventurous eaters and they're just as likely to have sushi as a burger and fries. If you'd like to try a cuisine that is varied, full of Latin flavor and easy to make, you may want to consider getting your hands on some 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.
Like in most Latin American countries, the main meal of the day is normally lunch, while dinner is more of a snack. Meat such as beef and pork features strongly and can even be found on the same plate, such as in the mixed grill known as 'bandeja paisa'. Chicken is another favorite, often served in soups, while the Caribbean region makes full use of the bounty from the sea.
New-world vegetables such as potatoes and corn feature strongly, as do carrots and peas. Tamales are popular too and instead of being wrapped in corn husks, they come in banana leaves. Coconut is another ingredient that is used especially in the more tropical areas and many Colombian meals will also feature cassava or plantains.
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.
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.
The best way to find authentic recipes from Colombia is to ask someone who is from that country or to visit and attend cooking classes while you're there. Another option is to look in specialty recipe books, such as those focusing on Latin American cuisine. Food blogs are great too, especially since they might feature instructional videos that will make it easier to explore the tastes of Colombia.
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.
Like in most Latin American countries, the main meal of the day is normally lunch, while dinner is more of a snack. Meat such as beef and pork features strongly and can even be found on the same plate, such as in the mixed grill known as 'bandeja paisa'. Chicken is another favorite, often served in soups, while the Caribbean region makes full use of the bounty from the sea.
New-world vegetables such as potatoes and corn feature strongly, as do carrots and peas. Tamales are popular too and instead of being wrapped in corn husks, they come in banana leaves. Coconut is another ingredient that is used especially in the more tropical areas and many Colombian meals will also feature cassava or plantains.
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.
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.
The best way to find authentic recipes from Colombia is to ask someone who is from that country or to visit and attend cooking classes while you're there. Another option is to look in specialty recipe books, such as those focusing on Latin American cuisine. Food blogs are great too, especially since they might feature instructional videos that will make it easier to explore the tastes of Colombia.
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Read more about Have A Culinary Trip To South America With Colombian Food Recipes.
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