Central America and the Caribbean are home to a variety of delicious dishes and recipes. Here are just a few:
Pupusas (El Salvador): Pupusas are a traditional Salvadoran dish made from masa (corn dough) filled with various ingredients such as cheese, beans, or meat. They are typically served with curtido, a pickled cabbage slaw, and a tomato sauce.
Jerk chicken (Jamaica): Jerk chicken is a popular Jamaican dish where chicken is marinated in a mixture of spices, including allspice, thyme, and scotch bonnet peppers, and then grilled over an open flame.
Arroz con pollo (Costa Rica): Arroz con pollo, or rice with chicken, is a popular dish in Costa Rica that typically includes sautéed chicken, rice, vegetables, and spices. It is often served with black beans and plantains.
Sopa de mariscos (Honduras): Sopa de mariscos is a seafood soup that is popular in Honduras. It typically includes shrimp, fish, crab, and other seafood, as well as vegetables and spices.
Ropa vieja (Cuba): Ropa vieja is a traditional Cuban dish made from shredded beef that is cooked with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices. It is often served with rice and beans.
Gallo pinto (Nicaragua): Gallo pinto is a popular breakfast dish in Nicaragua that includes rice, beans, and spices. It is often served with eggs and plantains.
Sancocho (Dominican Republic): Sancocho is a hearty soup that is popular in the Dominican Republic. It typically includes chicken or beef, vegetables, and root vegetables such as yucca or plantains.
Sopa de Mariscos receipt:
Sopa de mariscos, or seafood soup, is a popular dish in Honduras that is perfect for seafood lovers. Here is a recipe to try at home:
Ingredients:
1 lb mixed seafood (shrimp, squid, mussels, clams)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 cups fish or seafood broth
1 bay leaf
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro for garnish
Lime wedges for serving
Instructions:
Rinse the seafood and set aside.
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the onion and garlic and sauté until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
Add the chopped tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots, and celery and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Pour in the fish or seafood broth, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Add the seafood and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until the seafood is cooked through.
Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
Enjoy your delicious and flavorful sopa de mariscos from Honduras!
Pupusas recipe
Pupusas are a traditional dish from El Salvador, consisting of stuffed corn tortillas. Here’s a recipe to make them at home:
Ingredients:
2 cups of masa harina (corn flour)
1 1/2 cups of warm water
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of grated cheese (quesillo, mozzarella or a mix of both)
1/2 cup of refried beans (optional)
1/2 cup of cooked and seasoned ground pork (optional)
1/4 cup of vegetable oil
Instructions:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the masa harina, salt, and warm water. Mix well until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Divide the dough into 8-10 portions and shape them into balls.
Take one ball of dough and press it between your palms to form a flat circle, about 1/4 inch thick.
Add a spoonful of cheese (and any other filling of your choice) into the center of the tortilla.
Fold the edges of the tortilla towards the center, sealing the filling inside. Flatten the ball of dough again, shaping it into a thick, round disk.
Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling until you have made all the pupusas.
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and add the vegetable oil.
Add the pupusas to the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Serve the pupusas hot, accompanied by curtido (a pickled cabbage slaw) and salsa roja (a spicy tomato sauce).
Enjoy your homemade pupusas from El Salvador! Let’s try to make some of this recipes.