Homemade Venezuelan &
Colombian recipes.
Real ingredients, exact measurements and step-by-step instructions, straight from a Latin kitchen.
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Colombian Empanadas, the Crispy Corn Empanadas of Cali
Colombian empanadas the Cali way: yellow masarepa shells filled with shredded flank steak and yellow potato, fried at 350°F until they shatter. Ready in 150 minutes for 20. US swaps, why they burst in the oil and how to freeze them unfried.
Colombian Natilla, the Eggless Christmas Custard
Colombian natilla, the firm, eggless Christmas custard made with milk, cornstarch, panela and cinnamon. Ready in 15 minutes of work plus 4 hours in the fridge, for 10. How much cornstarch per quart, US swaps for panela, why it will not set.
Colombian Sancocho de Gallina, the Hen and Plantain Soup
Colombian sancocho de gallina, the Valle del Cauca soup of stewing hen, green plantain, corn, yuca and culantro. Ready in 140 minutes for 8. Hen or chicken and what changes, US swaps for every root, why the broth goes thin, storage.
Aguapanela, the Colombian sugarcane drink for colds and heat
Aguapanela — Colombian sugarcane drink made from panela and water. The cold-remedy version with lime and honey, served hot with cinnamon or iced, plus what panela is and where to buy it.
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View all →Colombian Ajiaco, the Bogotá Chicken and Potato Soup
Colombian ajiaco, the Bogotá chicken and potato soup with three potatoes, corn and guascas. Ready in 90 minutes for 6 servings. What guascas are, which potato thickens the broth, cups and grams, US prices and how to store it.
Bandeja Paisa, the Colombian Platter and How to Build It
Bandeja paisa, the twelve-part Colombian platter of beans, rice, chicharrón, ground beef, chorizo, morcilla, egg, plantain, arepa and avocado. Ready in 140 minutes for 4. Calories per part from USDA data, US swaps and the cooking order.
Colombian Buñuelos, the Christmas Cheese Fritters
Colombian buñuelos, the salty cheese fritters of Christmas, made with cotija or queso costeño, cornstarch and tapioca starch, fried at 300-330°F so they puff without splitting. Ready in 57 minutes for 20. Cheese swaps, why they burst.
Colombian Cheese Arepas, the 30-Minute Breakfast
Colombian cheese arepas made with masarepa, queso fresco in the dough and mozzarella melted inside. Ready in 30 minutes for 4 large arepas. Which corn flour actually works, which US cheeses melt, dough troubleshooting and freezing.
Colombian Chicken Rice, Authentic Arroz con Pollo
Colombian arroz con pollo with shredded chicken and rice cooked in the chicken's own poaching stock. Ready in 75 minutes for 6 servings. Cups and grams, supermarket swaps, what it costs at US prices and how to store it safely.
Colombian Empanadas, the Crispy Corn Empanadas of Cali
Colombian empanadas the Cali way: yellow masarepa shells filled with shredded flank steak and yellow potato, fried at 350°F until they shatter. Ready in 150 minutes for 20. US swaps, why they burst in the oil and how to freeze them unfried.