[feast_advanced_jump_to] What are tamales? Tamales - a Latin American food with ancient roots and is a popular for the Christmas season. Here is your step by step guide to make great tamales, build your own simple tamale steamer and get your family involved in the fun! Easy to make ahead of time and reheat...
Latin American
Tostones with Avocado Cream Sauce
If you happen to be Latino(a) chances are you are eating tostones a few times per week. Tostones are fried green plantains. A food so nice they fry it twice! [feast_advanced_jump_to] Plantains are the nutritional staple of most of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. It's a subsistence crop that grows all year round. They...
Spicy Black Bean Enchiladas
I love Mexican food. It is bursting with flavor. Cumin, cilantro, chili powder, queso fresco! I drool over these. [feast_advanced_jump_to] Enchiladas are among my favorite Mexican dishes. I'm making this for my vegetarian friends. You can adapt it and use different beans too. Spicy black bean enchiladas are vegetarian without sacrificing taste. As a...
Mini Beef Empanadas - Savory Turnovers
Empanadas are savory turnovers common throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Every country has their own variation of seasonings and ingredients adapted of course to regional taste and culinary traditions. [feast_advanced_jump_to] In Spanish, the word empanada literally means breaded. The Spanish word for bread is pan, hence empanada. Baked or fried? Empanadas can be...
Horchata
Horchata is a creamy, smooth sweet summer drink popular in Spain and Latin America. It is traditionally served cold in a tall glass without ice. Unlike Americans, Europeans are not fond of ice in their drinks. Horchata is usually paired with a pastry. The origin of the name horchata derives from Latin, hordeum meaning barley....
Tilapia Ceviche Recipe
Tilapia Ceviche is a tangy, tart, and bursting with flavor appetizer of Central and South America. Tender whitefish is "cooked" in lime juice and then served with salty pastry cups. Your tastebuds will sing. [feast_advanced_jump_to] Ceviche is a dish typical of Central and South America. Its origins are highly disputed among various Central and South...
How to Make Perfect Queso Fresco
Making perfect queso fresco is easier than you think. You don't need special equipment or hard to obtain ingredients. You need milk, vinegar, and salt. That's it? Yup, that's it! Well you will need cheesecloth, but that's not really an ingredient. You will also need a good digital thermometer for accurate reading. So, let's make some...
Sofrito Recipe: The Flavor of Latin America
So what? Sofrito!!! What exactly is sofrito? Sofrito is the base for most Latin American and Caribbean meals. It is used in stews, rice dishes, bean dishes and soups. Sofrito is not a single ingredient, but a tomato base concentrate, accented with garlic, onions, cumin, and jalapenos among other things. An arroz con pollo (rice...
Polvorones de Limón: Spanish Lime Shortbread Cookies
Polvorones de limón are a Latin take on an old British favorite: shortbread cookies. Buttery and delicious with a hint of lime and dusted with powdered sugar. This is an easy shortbread cookie to make and freeze well too. [feast_advanced_jump_to] These aren't your standard Christmas cookie. As the holiday season draws near, I am...
No-Bake Flan
This no-bake flan recipe comes to you courtesy of my sister, a fantastic cook. I must admit, I was rather skeptical when she said she was going to make a flan ON THE STOVE. Whoaaa, "this is never going to work" I said (in my head of course)! I honestly didn't think her culinary trick...
Pernil - Authentic Puerto Rican Slow Roasted Pork
Pernil (per neel) is a typical Puerto Rican dish consisting of a pork roast/shoulder that has been marinated overnight and slow roasted at 300 F. The result is a flavorful, and tender meat that will fill your house with a delicious aroma, and your belly with a whole lot of "piggy goodness." [feast_advanced_jump_to] This recipe...
Authentic Mexican Pork Carnitas
Hola everyone! Slow cooker authentic Mexican pork carnitas is what I am making today. This is like the Mexican version of pulled pork that you crisp in the oven. The smell is filling my house and I am getting HUNGRY. I said to myself "I am going through all this trouble, why not blog about...
Fast and Easy Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
A delicious twist on the fish original. Shrimp ceviche is a Latin American appetizer that's a party classic and oh so easy. Chop, mix done! What are you waiting for? Go make some shrimp ceviche, and don't forget that nice cold beer to wash it down with. [feast_advanced_jump_to] Origins of ceviche In Latin America, ceviche...
Blender Salsa Verde with Mango
Here is a sweet, spicy, tangy quick and easy blender salsa for your next party! Tomatillo salsa with mango (or salsa verde with mango) is tangy, tart, and fresh-tasting. Read on and you'll be eating this about 20 minutes. [feast_advanced_jump_to] What you'll need Assemble all the ingredients for your tomatillo salsa, then blend. Done! PS- The...
Spicy Beef Puff Pastries - Pastelitos de Carne
Aah! Soft, flaky, mouthwatering puff pastry. Just the mention of this heavenly carbohydrate makes me close my eyes and dream of the endless possibilities, like spicy beef puff pastry appetizers, for example. Pastelitos de carne, as they are called in Latin America, are without a doubt one of my favorite snacks. My family loves them too! You...