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.
Masarepa is often used in these recipes. This type of precooked cornmeal is really something you cannot imagine their specialties without. They use it for making Tamales, Empanadas and Arepas. One of the most popular spices is Sazon Goya. This is actually a mixture of garlic powder, saffron and cumin. Coriander, or Cilantro is also really popular.
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.
The filling consists of mash yellow potatoes and meat. Two cups diced yellow potatoes, a cup of chopped tomatoes, white and green onions, one garlic clove, half pound of minced or chopped pork and beef, generous amount of cilantro, olive oil, salt, black pepper and red bell peppers, that's all you need for this recipe.
Potatoes should be cooked in a mixture of water and bouillon. Put a spoon of olive oil in a pot and cook the onions first, adding all other ingredients. Once the meat mixture is cooked, it should be combined with mash potatoes and seasoned to your taste. The filling should be quite dry.
Make around twenty small balls out of your dough and form a thin circle of each. Place one spoon of filling on each circle, for a small half circles and seal them using a fork. Preheat larger amount of vegetable oil in one large pot and fry your empanadas until they become golden. Serve them hot, as a side dish. Empanadas taste great cold as well.
Arapas are really easy to prepare, and Colombians simply love them. Mix Masarepa with water and crumbled cheese, with a little bit of salt and vegetable oil. You should get smooth and elastic dough. Form small circles and deep fry them to become golden and crispy. Arepas are crispy but soft and juicy inside and really delicious. They make perfect little snacks, but can also be served as a side dish.
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.
There are numerous types of Tamales in Colombia, depending on the region. This popular traditional dish is often filled with rice and yellow corn. It is not so easy to prepare it, and it takes some time. If you have the opportunity to try this delicious and specific specialty, prepared on traditional way, make sure not to miss it.
Masarepa is often used in these recipes. This type of precooked cornmeal is really something you cannot imagine their specialties without. They use it for making Tamales, Empanadas and Arepas. One of the most popular spices is Sazon Goya. This is actually a mixture of garlic powder, saffron and cumin. Coriander, or Cilantro is also really popular.
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.
The filling consists of mash yellow potatoes and meat. Two cups diced yellow potatoes, a cup of chopped tomatoes, white and green onions, one garlic clove, half pound of minced or chopped pork and beef, generous amount of cilantro, olive oil, salt, black pepper and red bell peppers, that's all you need for this recipe.
Potatoes should be cooked in a mixture of water and bouillon. Put a spoon of olive oil in a pot and cook the onions first, adding all other ingredients. Once the meat mixture is cooked, it should be combined with mash potatoes and seasoned to your taste. The filling should be quite dry.
Make around twenty small balls out of your dough and form a thin circle of each. Place one spoon of filling on each circle, for a small half circles and seal them using a fork. Preheat larger amount of vegetable oil in one large pot and fry your empanadas until they become golden. Serve them hot, as a side dish. Empanadas taste great cold as well.
Arapas are really easy to prepare, and Colombians simply love them. Mix Masarepa with water and crumbled cheese, with a little bit of salt and vegetable oil. You should get smooth and elastic dough. Form small circles and deep fry them to become golden and crispy. Arepas are crispy but soft and juicy inside and really delicious. They make perfect little snacks, but can also be served as a side dish.
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.
There are numerous types of Tamales in Colombia, depending on the region. This popular traditional dish is often filled with rice and yellow corn. It is not so easy to prepare it, and it takes some time. If you have the opportunity to try this delicious and specific specialty, prepared on traditional way, make sure not to miss it.
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