Traditional Food in Colombia - Know Some Facts

Colombia has a privileged location in South America, with part of its coast to the cool Pacific Ocean and part in the Caribbean with its warmer waters. Part of the country has mountains, other part has valleys. Therefore they can grow all kinds of fruits, vegetables and have all kinds of seafood. 

Through its history, Colombia has received influence of the Peruvian and Brazilian cuisine's tradition, but also from the Japanese and Arabic way of cooking. To this add their own cultural heritage, as the Amerindians also raised different species of animals, with which they could make delicious dishes. And to this variety we also must add the Spanish tradition.

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We could say that the Colombian cuisine uses different meats, fishes, plenty of vegetables and lots and lots of exotic and delicious fruits.   Also their delicacies depend on the regions, as food is different in the mountain regions than what is on the coastal regions. Its food is always, anyway, very tasty, with natural flavors, and not too spicy. Colombians also love soups, which are practically a must in each dinner or lunch. But the most important fact is that they love their food done with fresh ingredients, and fresh fruits.

Traditional Food in Colombia - Know Some Facts

In Colombia people have usually three meals a day. First one, breakfast, before to going to work. The most important meal is lunch. It is a meal consisting of three courses, soup, main dish and a drink, and dessert or fruit. Dinner is very light, taken around 9:30 PM. 

What is more fascinating about Colombia is that all changes according to the region where one is. If in the jungle, or in the coast, or in the valley, people have their own way of dressing, have their different food preferences, their favorite drinks. And this is what makes it such a rich country and so very interesting.

But in all these regions there are some things in common too. They take it very seriously what their food is, the recipes they use and the different techniques are they same as centuries ago, giving them a sense of nationalism, reinforcing the feeling of being all from the same country. Their typical meals are full of tradition and history and they won't change that.

If we were to name some of the traditional dishes or food of Colombia, we could choose the arepa, the sancocho, the fritanga. Also lots of chicken, beef, fish corn, onions tomatoes, potatoes, rice and several different legumes.

To all this we should add a wonderful cup of coffee, the best in the world!

Traditional Food in Colombia - Know Some Facts

Traditional Swedish Pea Soup Recipe

Although rarely served in fine restaurants and almost never appearing on smorgasbords, soups are essential in traditional Swedish cuisine. One soup in particular-ärtsoppa--has a distinguished history.

Yellow pea soup has sustained the working class since the age of the Vikings. When Catholicism was the reigning religion of Sweden, ärtsoppa, which is studded with salt pork, became the meal of choice before Sabbath every week.

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Today, although the Catholic Church has few followers in predominantly secular Sweden, the soup is still eaten every Thursday in many households. Ärtsoppa is always served with mustard; you either swirl a bit of mustard into the soup to season the whole lot or dip the tip of your soupspoon into the spicy condiment before every bite.

Traditional Swedish Pea Soup Recipe

Yellow Pea Soup (Ärtsoppa)

Serves 4 to 6

1 pound whole dried yellow peas (split peas are acceptable)

2 onions, chopped fine

1 whole onion, peeled, halved, and each half stuck with 1 whole clove

1/2 pound piece lean salt pork

1/4 teaspoon marjoram

1/2 teaspoon thyme

Salt (if needed)

Whole-grain brown mustard

1. Soak the peas in water at least 12 hours.

2. Drain the peas, put them in a large saucepan, cover with 6 cups cold water, chopped onions, and the onion halves with cloves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a medium simmer. Add the salt pork, cover, and let simmer for about 90 minutes, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface. Add the marjoram and thyme to the pan, stir, and let simmer another 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt. Remove the pork, allow to cool just until comfortable to handle, then cut into pieces. Remove and discard the onion halves with their cloves.

3. Divide the pork among rimmed bowls, then ladle the soup over it. Pass a bowl of grainy brown mustard at the table.

Enjoy this wonderful Swedish tradition served hot with chunks of bread.

Traditional Swedish Pea Soup Recipe

Recipes - Tilapia Fish Stew

One of the best fish stew recipes I learned is this one which is an easy dish to make with fantastic taste with only a few ingredients. The clam juice is what gives this recipe the tasty results. Easy to prepare and works best with Tilapia Fish, I am pretty sure you will find this absolutely delicious!

Ingredients
6 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup of chopped onions
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
2/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 cup of fresh chopped tomato (about 1 medium sized tomato)
2 tsp of tomato paste.
8 oz of clam juice
2/3 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 lb Tilapia Fish fillets cut into 2-inch pieces
Touch of dry oregano, Tabasco, thyme, pepper
Salt

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Method

Recipes - Tilapia Fish Stew

1 Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and garlic and saute for 4 minutes and you can also add some celery and mushroom at this point for added flavor. Add parsley and stir for 2 minutes. Add tomato and tomato paste and let cook for 2 minutes longer.

2 Add clam juice, dry white wine, and fish and simmer until the Tilapia fish is cooked through, that should be less than 10 minutes. Add seasoning. Salt to taste. Ladle into bowls and serve.

This fish stew goes well with fresh bread and i should say it's the prefect meal to compliment it. Preparing it with salad is also a great tasty idea. You can also be a little creative over this fish stew recipes as you can do things a little differently as you prefer such as increasing the amount of tomato paste. Or you can forgo the salt and substitute the clam juice with white wine for those with allergies to it, it will do but not as tasty. Or skip the tilapia fish altogether and substitute with 1 1/2 lbs of shrimp and scallops.

Recipes - Tilapia Fish Stew