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.
For most people, their knowledge of Latin American dishes doesn't stretch much further than those Mexican favorites, the taco and the burrito. However, the region known as Latin America is huge, encompassing Mexico and Central America, countries in the Caribbean and the continent of South America. Here you'll find chilly highlands and hot and humid tropical jungles. You'll find deserts and you'll find coastal areas. There is such variety in the landscape and the edible produce to be found here that it's common to find very different foods in different parts of the same country.
Many foods that today are found everywhere in the world originally came from the Americas. They include avocados, chocolate and tomatoes. Probably the most important contribution to the world's food resources has been the cultivation of corn, which originated in Central America and is still the starch of choice here. People use it for making the ever-popular tortilla but also for different variations of tamales and pupusas.
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.
Most Latin Americans have a sweet tooth and desserts are plentiful. Among the most popular are the different variations of flan, dulce de leche and tres leches cake. You'll find special sweets for certain festivals too.
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.
If you're looking for recipes from the Latin American region, specialty cookery books are one way to go. Another is to go online and look on websites about food. However, the best route is to visit a country in the region, take a few cookery classes and enjoy a wonderful vacation to boot.
For most people, their knowledge of Latin American dishes doesn't stretch much further than those Mexican favorites, the taco and the burrito. However, the region known as Latin America is huge, encompassing Mexico and Central America, countries in the Caribbean and the continent of South America. Here you'll find chilly highlands and hot and humid tropical jungles. You'll find deserts and you'll find coastal areas. There is such variety in the landscape and the edible produce to be found here that it's common to find very different foods in different parts of the same country.
Many foods that today are found everywhere in the world originally came from the Americas. They include avocados, chocolate and tomatoes. Probably the most important contribution to the world's food resources has been the cultivation of corn, which originated in Central America and is still the starch of choice here. People use it for making the ever-popular tortilla but also for different variations of tamales and pupusas.
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.
Most Latin Americans have a sweet tooth and desserts are plentiful. Among the most popular are the different variations of flan, dulce de leche and tres leches cake. You'll find special sweets for certain festivals too.
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.
If you're looking for recipes from the Latin American region, specialty cookery books are one way to go. Another is to go online and look on websites about food. However, the best route is to visit a country in the region, take a few cookery classes and enjoy a wonderful vacation to boot.
About the Author:
If you are looking for the best Latin American cooking recipes click this link to Latin Granny Seasonings. To find top recipes for fish, desserts, home-style specialties and more, visit us at http://www.latingrannyseasonings.com today.
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