The Best Colombian Food Recipes

By Claudine Hodges


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.

Empanadas are probably one of the most popular dishes in Colombia. This filled dough is simple to prepare. You should simply mix 2 cups water with one and a half cups Masarepa, with vegetable oil, salt and Sazon Goya. The dough has to be smooth and it needs to be left to rest for a while.

The filling is made using yellow potatoes, but you can replace them with white ones. You will need two cups diced potatoes, some meat bouillon, half cup of chopped onions, white and green, one garlic clove, half pound of minced or chopped meat, traditionally the mixture of pork and beef, olive oil, fresh cilantro, red bell peppers and black pepper and salt.

Cook potatoes in some bouillon and mash them. Put some olive oil in a pan and add onions. After a while, add all other ingredients and cook until done. Add mash potatoes and stir. Add more spices if you want. This filling should be quite dry.

Your dough should be enough to form maybe twenty thin circles you will fill with your meat filling. Form a half circle of each and seal the edges using a fork. Empanadas should be fried in preheated vegetable oil until golden and served hot, although you will find them quite tasty when cold as well.

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.

You will find cumin in numerous Colombian recipes. It is mostly toasted before ground, and gives specific taste. Anchiote is another traditional spice, made of ground Annatto seeds. It can be found in form of powder or as paste. Although it tastes as peppers, it is mainly used for coloring foods. You will find garlic just about everywhere, including fish and meat dishes, pastries and rice.

Tamales are a little bit more complicated to prepare. Every region in Colombia has its own recipe, but this really is one interesting dish. It contains corn as well. You will find it in any Colombian restaurant, and you should give it a chance.




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