Viva la Comida en Colombia!

I am so excited about heading down south again. NO, its not the deep South but South America. I have been there a few times and love it more each time. My first visit took me to Mario’s Uncle’s restaurant where I ate Pork Spleen Soup, Arepas, Carne Asada and Costillas de Cerdo. I go back there every time I return to Colombia.

Since my last visit his cousin Javier has taken over and taken it to a new level. I am a little concerned since the last place the dining area was in the living room of their apartment and the kitchen was in the front yard. He has moved it to a larger place to a nearby park. There are few regulations when it comes to cooking food in South America and I think within reason that adds to the enormous flavor I enjoy ever time I go.

I decided to make Sancocho after feeling “home-Sick”. Besides with the turn of the weather it is time for some good soup and braised meats. Sancocho can be found in most countries in South America but in a different version. I have created one that Mario has certainly enjoyed and his fellow country (wo)men would find it just so, as well!

I begin by boiling a few Pork ribs in Chicken stock. I remove the ribs once they are tender enough to eat. I add Chicken thighs and cook them until barley tender in which I add a few root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips and potatoes. Throw in a dash of Cumin, Smoked paprika, salt & pepper is a good idea at this point. Once all the goodies are tender I return the ribs. Corn cut into a thin disk can be added and traditionally is but I only do so if it is in season. Pour into a chamba tureen and finish with a splash of chopped cilantro.

Sancocho is open to many versions i.e.… oxtail, lamb, goat, yucca and even squirrel! That’s if you have burgoo on your mind! Provecho!

Yo estoy muy contento de ir otra vez al sur. Pero no, no es al bajo sur es a Sur America.
He estado alli algunas veces y me gusta cada vez mas. Mi primera visita me llevaron al restaurante del tio de Mario y comi sopa de espinaso de cerdo, arepas,carne asada y Costillas de cerdo. Siempre voy al restaurante cada vez que regreso a Colombia.

Desde la ultima visita, Javier primo de Mario ha tomado un Nuevo nivel concerniente a que la ultima vez la mesa de comida era en la sala del apartamento y la cocina en la parte de afuera del mismo. El se ha movido a un lugar mas grande donde queda un parque familiar, hay pocas regulaciones en la cocina pero disfruto y saboreo cada vez que voy a Sur America.

A mi regreso a casa decidi hacer un Sancocho despues de sentir la nostalgia de la Buena sopa y algo de la carne estofada. El Sancocho se encuentra en diferentes paises pero en una version muy diferente.
Yo he creado mi Sancocho en el que Mario ciertamente se ha saboreado como las otras personas de Colombia.

Comments

[panino gal]

OK - now you're cooking! Goat, oxtail, squirrel... Can I add iquana? Lots of that down here and looking for ways to reduce the population.

Have a great trip and next time stop in at my place.

[Javier Andres Ricaurte Londoño]

Soy Colombiano
De casualidad vi el articulo de esta página, en la que hablan sobre la comida colombiana, espero traduzcan este comentario y que se sigan enunciando cosas tan amables como estas.