Eating the same type of food day after day can become really boring. Cooking also becomes nothing more than a chore when you're always making the same old stand-by dishes. To rediscover the joys of the kitchen, it might be time to expand your culinary horizons and try something new. Latin American cooking recipes are ideal, since they often use ingredients that are easy to find and they won't be too strange for the kids to try as well.
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.
Corn is not the only starch used in Latin America. In the Caribbean and more tropical regions, you'll find manioc and versatile plantains everywhere. Potatoes are popular too, since they originated in the Andean region. Rice dishes are found throughout and rice is often mixed with beans. In fact, rice and beans is a filling breakfast staple in many countries. Vegetables include carrots, green beans, tomatoes and onions, as well as a variety of squashes.
For protein, people tend to opt for meat or fish, depending on where they live. Beef is ubiquitous in Argentina and Paraguay while in many other countries, pork is more popular. Chicken is cheap and used in dishes from Mexico to Patagonia. The Peruvian national dish of ceviche, which is made with raw fish and lime juice, has become so popular that you'll now find it in most coastal towns as well as at lakeside locations.
Some desserts are found throughout Latin America, with only slight regional variations. These include dulce de leche and flan, as well as tres leches cake. At certain times of the year, for instance during Holy Week, you'll also be able to find seasonal specialties.
The region also boasts many interesting fruits that provide a healthier snack, from the more familiar mangoes and papayas to more exotic fruits such as jocotes and maracuyas. These fruits are often blended into refreshing smoothies. Some non-alcoholic drinks are made with rather unusual ingredients, such as rice or corn. When it comes to alcohol, rum is one of the most popular.
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.
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.
Corn is not the only starch used in Latin America. In the Caribbean and more tropical regions, you'll find manioc and versatile plantains everywhere. Potatoes are popular too, since they originated in the Andean region. Rice dishes are found throughout and rice is often mixed with beans. In fact, rice and beans is a filling breakfast staple in many countries. Vegetables include carrots, green beans, tomatoes and onions, as well as a variety of squashes.
For protein, people tend to opt for meat or fish, depending on where they live. Beef is ubiquitous in Argentina and Paraguay while in many other countries, pork is more popular. Chicken is cheap and used in dishes from Mexico to Patagonia. The Peruvian national dish of ceviche, which is made with raw fish and lime juice, has become so popular that you'll now find it in most coastal towns as well as at lakeside locations.
Some desserts are found throughout Latin America, with only slight regional variations. These include dulce de leche and flan, as well as tres leches cake. At certain times of the year, for instance during Holy Week, you'll also be able to find seasonal specialties.
The region also boasts many interesting fruits that provide a healthier snack, from the more familiar mangoes and papayas to more exotic fruits such as jocotes and maracuyas. These fruits are often blended into refreshing smoothies. Some non-alcoholic drinks are made with rather unusual ingredients, such as rice or corn. When it comes to alcohol, rum is one of the most popular.
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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