Discover New Tastes With Latin American Cooking Recipes

By Christa Jarvis


If preparing a meal has become a chore that you don't really look forward to, it's time to bring some creativity into the kitchen again. You may want to try dishes from other parts of the world, for instance. An easy option is to explore some Latin American cooking recipes, because most of them are easy to make, the ingredients aren't hard to find and the kids won't find the dishes too exotic for their tastes. Remember to play some salsa or merengue music while you're preparing the dishes, to make the experience more fun.

When most people think of Latin American food, they think of tacos or burritos. These are Mexican but the region actually has much more to offer in culinary terms. After all, it covers many different countries and landscapes that vary from the highest mountains to sweltering coastal plains. The incredible variety of ingredients has meant that you'll find several distinctly different regional cuisines within the same country.

The Americas gave the world many foods that today are considered indispensable, such as tomatoes, avocados and chocolate. The one that really became a staple in many parts of the world though is corn. This is still the starch eaten most often in Mexico and Central America, where no meal is complete without tortillas. It's used to make Salvadoran pupusas too. Tamales are another delicious corn-based treat and they're made differently in the various countries of the region.

The Americas also gave the world the potato, which is enjoyed everywhere but especially in the highlands of the Andes, where it came from. In the more tropical areas, you'll find plantains instead and a root known as manioc is used especially in the Caribbean. Rice is popular too and in some countries you'll find rice and beans with every meal, even breakfast. A variety of vegetables are used to add nutritional value and color.

Pork is a popular meat and in some places you'll also find goat or more exotic meats such as guinea pig. In Paraguay and Argentina, however, everything revolves around beef, which is best grilled over hot coals. When people can, they keep chickens for the eggs and the meat as well. Fish and seafood are coastal staples but are also eaten near large rivers and lakes. A popular, easy-to-prepare fish dish that has spread from Peru to most other countries is ceviche.

There's nothing like something sweet to end a good meal. Desserts that are eaten almost everywhere, with slight regional differences in their preparation, include tres leches cake, flan and a caramel spread known as dulce de leche. For certain religious festivals you'll also find special desserts and cakes.

Pineapples, papayas and mangoes, as well as some more exotic fruits, are often the base for deliciously fruity drinks. Some more unusual drinks include ones made with rice, corn or coconut. If you want something stronger, you can't go wrong with a bottle of good rum and a couple of limes.

Food websites are great places to look for recipes from Latin America. Another option is to find specialty recipe books. A fun way to learn how to cook like a true Latina, though, is to visit the region and enroll in some cookery classes.




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