DELICIOUS DISHES FROM SPANISH AMERICA

A FANTASTIC CUISINE!

(FTSF Blog Hop)

 

I tried to cook…..but I’m afraid I’m a failure!

I have learnt that I can keep myself alive by preparing very simple dishes that are also very boring, but that can keep me going in good working order. That’s about it!

My strong point is to participate in the eating, especially when it comes to the traditional South American cuisine which is usually very, very good. 

There are so many delicious and creative dishes that can be found in the Southern Cone (Chile and Argentina), or on the coasts of Peru and Ecuador, or up in the highlands of the Andes. 

The cuisine is very interesting, as it is a blend of the traditional food of the native inhabitants, combined first with Spanish staples and then with other typical foods that were made popular by the various immigrant communities.

In Peru, for instance, there is a fantastic blend of Andean, Spanish and Asiatic cooking; and German kuchen is famous in the lake district of Chile.

I want to highlight some specific natural foods and some classic dishes. The internet is full of good recipes, so I will leave those for a later post.

EMPANADAS.

Empanadas are stuffed pastries that are popular all over South America. It is believed they were brought by the Spaniards and as time went by, they have been adapted to the various regions, so that now each region has its own distinctive flavor and style. There is a basic beef version and a chicken alternative, but there are also vegetarian empanadas, and others that are filled with seafood or cheese or combinations of all of these. 

Empanadas are made with tender dough that soaks up the flavor of the filling, and all in all, they make a delicious treat. They can be baked or fried, big or small. A big empanada is enough for a complete meal.

Chilean National Day is always celebrated with “empanadas y vino tinto”, that’s empanadas and red wine. (Chilean red wine is justly famous world wide).

TRAY WITH EMPANADAS

Source: Gonzalo Rivero, CC BY SA 3.0.Wikimedia Commons

CALDILLOS

There are various “caldillos” and many of them are consumed in Chile and other coastal regions along Peru and Ecuador. They are basically broths (or chowders) and the main ingredients are usually sea foods or fish.

The most famous is the Caldillo de Congrio, a delicious dish that originated in Chile. The basic ingredient is the Congrio, or Conger Eel, a species usually found in the part of the Pacific Ocean that surrounds the coasts of Chile.

A similar Caldillo is the “paila marina”, also a broth or chowder based on shellfish and fish cutlets. The word “paila” describes the earthenware dish that is always used for these caldillos.

CALDILLO DE CONGRIO

Source: Daniel Norero, CC BY SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons

PAILA MARINA

 Source: Astroguato, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

CEVICHE.

Ceviche in Spanish America is basically raw fish and sea food marinated in citrus juice, mainly lime and lemon juice. The acid acts on the protein of the fish and literally cooks it. Ceviche usually includes tomatoes, onions chili and cilantro. 

Peru is justly famous for its variety of ceviche, and many Peruvian business managers have opened restaurants in the various countries, where the principal delicacy is the Ceviche. All Peruvians swear that it is the quality of their lemons that makes a good product, and I really believe that is so.

CUY (GUINEA PIG)

This animal is a staple of the Andean highlands of South America, where the rural communities actually breed their own animals as a source of food.

Roasted Cuy has become a well known dish in Ecuador and Peru, and I am told it’s delicious.

ROASTED CUY

Dtarazona, CC BY SA 3.0.Wikimedia Commons

HUMITAS.

This dish is a product of the Quechua speaking Native Americans from the pre-Hispanic period. It is traditional in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru. 

The humitas are usually prepared with ground fresh corn, onion, basil, and lard. This paste is wrapped in corn husks and baked or boiled. They are tied up with string while they boil, to keep them together. They are delicious!

HUMITAS

 Source: Marcos Katz, CC BY SA 3.0.Wikimedia Commons

QUINOA

Quinoa is called the super grain. It is rich in iron and other nutrients, and is gluten-free, which is a great aid to digestion for many people.

Quinoa is delicious. It is usually cooked like rice. It can also be used as flour from which quinoa bread is made. It is very versatile and combines well with meats and salads, as well as being used to make pasta and cookies.

It is considered to be one of the important agricultural products for the future, as it gradually becomes better known.

QUINOA PLANTS

Source: Mauricio Chedel, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

ASADO, THE KING!

No need for words! Devoured in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Colombia and more!

Source: Gonzalo Velasco, CC BY SA 3.0.Wkimedia Commons

SPANISH VERSION

(This blog is bilingual)

En este post me refiero a algunos platos característicos de la América del Sur. No soy muy buena cocinera, pero me ofrezco para comerlos, ¡son deliciosos!

Gran parte de los platos típicos de esta zona tienen su origen en las costumbres de los habitantes nativos. Posteriormente se incorporaron otros elementos de la cocina española y finalmente se integraron los aportes de los diversos grupos de inmigrantes.

LAS EMPANADAS

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Las empanadas son confeccionadas con una pasta blanda que absorbe el sabor del relleno. Este relleno es fundamentalmente carne o pollo, aunque puede incluir verduras, queso, o mezclas que combinan todos estos ingredientes.

La empanada se consume en todos los países, y específicamente en Chile, el aniversario de su independencia se celebra siempre con empanadas y vino tinto.

LOS CALDILLOS

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Son sopas contundentes generalmente a base de pescado o mariscos. El más conocido es el Caldillo de Congrio,  plato típico de Chile, por cuanto el Congrio que es una anguila, se obtiene en las costas de este país.

Otro caldillo famoso es la `paila marina. La paila es la fuente de greda en la que comúnmente se sirven estos caldillos.

CEVICHE

Este es un plato basado en pescado crudo  o mariscos crudos, que se marina en jugo de limón o de lima. El ácido cítrico literalmente cuece el pescado. Se suelen agregar tomates, cebolla, cilantro  y ají.

CUY

Este animalito roedor es típico de las zonas Andinas, donde las familias rurales los crían para su consumo. Se come asado, con papas y verduras.

LAS HUMITAS

Se hacen con choclo rallado, que se mezcla con cebolla, albahaca y manteca de cerdo. Esta pasta se envuelve en las hojas del choclo y se hierven en una olla profunda. Suelen amarrarse para evitar que se desarmen. Son deliciosas.

LA QUINOA

Este es un grano que su cultiva en las tierras altas de la Cordillera de los Andes. Le dicen “el grano milagrosa” por su salto poder nutritivo, que además está libre de gluten.

Se cocina en forma semejante al arroz. También se puede transformar en harina, que se usa para hacer pan, pastas y galletas. 

La quínoa combina bien con carne y con ensaladas. Se le considera como el alimento del mañana. 

EL ASADO ES EL REY!

 

La foto lo dice todo, no se necesitan palabras.

More about similar topics in a future post.     Más sobre temas similares en un próximo post.

LANGUAGE TIPS FOR ENGLISH

Words that go together!  *  Have a rest  - * Do the shopping   - * Make furniture    - * Catch sight of    – * Break the rules 

LANGUAGE TIPS FOR SPANISH.

Expresiones de uso frecuente: * A bulto  - * Cría fama y échate a dormir   - 

*  De pocas carnes

How is your level of comprehension?    Cómo está su nivel de comprensión?

© 2013  joanveronica  (Joan Robertson)

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