Archives: Recipes

Tamal Negro (Black Tamal)

Posted on Dec 30, 2019

Tamal Negro (Black Tamal)

INGREDIENTS For the mole sauce 3 tablespoons pumpkin seeds , toasted 3 tablespoons sesame seeds , toasted 2 pasa chili peppers (or pasilla), toasted and seeded 1 guaque chili pepper , toasted and seeded (or other chili pepper) 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ cup breadcrumbs , toasted 3 tomatoes (ripe), sliced 3 oz bittersweet chocolate , melted ½ cup water 1½ lb boneless chicken For the dough 1¾ lb masa harina 8 cups water 4 tablespoons sugar 8 tablespoons shortening For the tamales 16 leaves banana (or aluminum foil), about 12×12 in Raffia (or butcher’s string), to close the tamales...

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Rice with Pigeon Peas (Arroz con Gandules)

Posted on Oct 22, 2019

Rice with Pigeon Peas (Arroz con Gandules)

Servings 8 Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/3 cup country ham or bacon, diced (optional) 1/3 cup sofrito (homemade is best) 3 cups water or low sodium chicken broth 1 packet Sazón con achiote y culantro 1 cube chicken bouillon or more if needed 1/3 cup tomato sauce or 2 tbsp tomato paste 2 tablespoons pimento stuffed olives (optional but recommended) 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning consists of dried herbs such as basil, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, and thyme 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped optional 2-3 bay leaves 15 ounce can GOYA Pigeon Peas/Gandules, drained and rinsed 2 cups parboiled...

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Papaya and Banana Licuado

Posted on Sep 28, 2019

Papaya and Banana Licuado

In Latin America licuados or batidos (smoothie/shake) are ubiquitous. You’ll find street vendors selling them, special shops mixing every flavor you can imagine, and local restaurants offering them as part of their regular menu.    When fruit ripens so much that the texture is no longer at its peak, its the perfect time to make one! The taste will be amazing and you wont have wasted the fruit.  Ingredients 1 cup milk 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 small banana the riper the better ½ large papaya the riper the better 1 cup ice cubes Sugar as needed Preparation Combine the milk, vanilla,...

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Guacamole

Posted on Sep 20, 2019

Guacamole

INGREDIENTS   5 very ripe avocados ¾ cup diced red onion. 1/3 cup finally chopped Cilantro Juice of 1-2 limes ½ tsp Fine sea salt ¼ tsp Ground cumin 1 Roma tomato chopped (optional) 1 Jalapeno peppers chopped and deseeded serrano peppers (optional)   Mash your avocados: Add them to a large mixing bowl and mash with a fork or spoon until they reach your desired consistency.  Stop soon if you like it slightly chunky, or keep going if you prefer it completely smooth.) Mix in the remaining ingredients: Add in the onion, cilantro, pepper if desired, lime juice, salt, cumin, and stir until...

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SHUCOS

Posted on Sep 17, 2019

SHUCOS

Shucos SHU- what??? In Guatemala, street hot dog vendors have let their Latin flair shine and turned the regular hot dog into the delicious Shuco that brings together the flavors of the American hot dog with Guatemalan delights like guacamole, chorizo, ham, pico de gallo, slaw and special sauces. The result is out of this world taste. Shucos in Guatemala are also made adding other ingredients like ham, longanizas (Guatemalan spiced sausages), bacon, frijoles and other ingredients. I also like to make chimichurri sauce which pairs perfectly with the chorizo. Think of your hot dog or chorizo...

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Kaq’ik (Guatemalan Turkey Soup)

Posted on Aug 29, 2019

Kaq’ik (Guatemalan Turkey Soup)

This was my first meal when I visited Antigua. I asked for the most traditional dish they could bring me and this is what was placed in front of me in a beautiful rustic ceramic bowl. Would I have ever asked for turkey soup? Doubtful. But from my first taste I was hooked. The rich colored broth had the most complex flavors I had ever tasted together. Apparently grinding the roasted vegetables and adding freshly ground spices are the trick to making this delicious soup. The sensation of my spoon craping the bottom of the bowl completed the experience of eating this earthy soup. This was only...

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Mangú (mashed green plantains)

Posted on Aug 24, 2019

Mangú the culinary pride of the Dominican Republic is a most commonly enjoyed for breakfast but it is so delicious that you will want to have it accompany many a meal.   INGREDIENTS: 4 green plantains 1 1/2 tsp salt 4 tsp olive oil or butter 1 tbsp onion powder 1 cup water at room temperature Garnish. 2 tbsp olive oil 2 large red onions, sliced in thin half moons 1 tbsp fruit vinegar salt INSTRUCTIONS: To make Mangu Peel the plantains and cut them lengthwise, then divide each half in two. Remove the center where  the seeds are located. Heat a pot of water and add the salt prior to...

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Tostones-Patacones

Posted on Aug 24, 2019

Tostones-Patacones

Tostones are twice-fried green plantains. They are eaten all over Latin America and throughout the Caribbean. Once you try them you will understand their popularity. They are delicious! In Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic they are known as tostones. In Colombia, Peru and Costa Rica they enjoy these as well but refer to them as patacones. INGREDIENTS: 2-3 green plantains (depending on plantain size makes 4-5 servings) Vegetable oil Salt DIRECTIONS: -Cut ends off of the plantains and score the peel lengthwise down 1 or 2 sides without cutting into the plantain itself. -Peel...

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Colombian Chicken Sancocho

Posted on Aug 15, 2019

Colombian Chicken Sancocho

My kids say there is nothing like this soup especially as they recuperate from being ill or coming in after a long day of sledding. INGREDIENTS 1 teaspoon olive oil 5 scallions, chopped 1 tomato, chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1/2 onion, chopped 6 chicken thighs on the bone 1 cup chopped cilantro 3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped into 2 inch pieces 3 pieces of yucca, about 2 cups 3 ears corn, cut in half 1 small green plantain, peeled and chopped into 1″ pieces 1 tsp cumin 2 chicken bouillon cubes salt to taste   INSTRUCTIONS In a large pot, sauté scallions, onions and...

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