Choose The Best Country To Visit In South America Based On Your Favorite Dish
Prepare to tickle your palate with the findings of lesser-known yet absolutely delicious meals from five Latin American countries. At COCINA we LOVE exploring new flavors, recipes, and ways of presenting new dishes, and we want to invite you to do the same.
Dare to explore deeper into South America’s culinary tapestry, discovering surprising riches that highlight their cuisine's creativity, diversity, and originality.
Food and travel are among life's greatest joys, don’t you think? There's no feeling comparable with discovering a new culture through its cuisine, and the memories created while indulging in exquisite food.
In this case, yes! You can get the best of both worlds. Whether you are at home, looking for an exotic dish to prepare and an imaginary trip to make, or you are taking a plane… something is for sure: these dishes will make you feel more than butterflies in your stomach.
A Quick Journey Around South America With 4 Dishes
1. Argentina: Locro
While asado may reign supreme in Argentina, “locro” steals the spotlight as a hearty and comforting stew that embodies the essence of Argentine gastronomy. This traditional dish features a hearty blend of hominy corn, white beans, squash, potatoes, and a variety of meats such as chorizo, pork, and beef, slow-cooked to perfection with a flavorful broth infused with herbs and spices. Served piping hot with a drizzle of chimichurri sauce and a sprinkle of chopped scallions, locro is a soul-warming dish that reflects Argentina's rich culinary heritage and cultural diversity.
2. Brazil: Moqueca de Peixe
Venture beyond the familiar feijoada to uncover the coastal flavors of Brazil with moqueca de peixe, a vibrant and aromatic fish stew that hails from the northeastern state of Bahia. Combining fresh fish, such as snapper or grouper, with coconut milk, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and a medley of herbs and spices, this fragrant stew offers a tantalizing blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that dance on the palate. Served with a side of fluffy white rice and farofa for a textural contrast, moqueca de peixe is a culinary journey to the sun-drenched shores of Brazil's tropical coast.
3. Perú: Anticuchos de Corazón
While ceviche may steal the spotlight, Peru's culinary repertoire boasts another hidden gem: anticuchos de corazón. These savory skewers feature marinated and grilled beef heart, a delicacy that dates back to pre-Columbian times and remains a beloved street food snack in Peru. Marinated in a blend of vinegar, garlic, cumin, and aji panca (Peruvian chili pepper), the tender and flavorful beef heart is skewered and grilled to perfection, offering a unique and delicious taste of Peruvian cuisine that captures the spirit of culinary adventure.
4. Colombia: Ajiaco
In Colombia, ajiaco takes center stage as a beloved comfort food that celebrates the country's rich culinary heritage. This hearty soup features a flavorful broth made with chicken, three varieties of potatoes (creamy, waxy, and starchy), corn on the cob, capers, and a blend of aromatic herbs and spices. Served with a side of avocado, sour cream, and a sprinkle of cilantro, ajiaco offers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that reflects the diverse influences of indigenous, African, and Spanish cuisines in Colombian cooking.
As you embark on your culinary journey through Latin America, be sure to venture beyond the familiar and seek out these unexpected culinary gems that showcase the region's rich culinary heritage, creativity, and ingenuity. From the streets of Mexico City to the shores of Brazil and beyond, each dish offers a unique and unforgettable taste of Latin America's vibrant and diverse gastronomic landscape.